Head to Head: Soul Calibur IV

Light Side or Dark Side? We compare versions.

If you haven’t bought Soul Calibur IV yet, and you own an Xbox 360 and a PS3, you might be wondering what version to get. Does it come down to Vader or Yoda for you? It shouldn’t; despite the vehement claims that there are no plans for Vader to appear on the 360 and Yoda on the PS3, unlocking all characters on the game will still present an empty character slot – one conveniently next to the other two Force users. You can be sure it’s coming; it’s just a question of when.

So what about the other differences? Are there many? Yes, but in truth they are minimal. No version is superior to the other. It’s just a matter of what you are looking for out of the game. Having played both versions extensively, below is a list of the areas of difference, what those differences are, and which version comes out on top.

Graphics

Both versions of Soul Calibur IV look fantastic, boob jiggle and all. However, the 360 version seems to have the slight edge in terms of graphics. It’s nothing to do with RGB settings or using HDMI, as both machines were played on the same display with each system’s optimum settings. The 360 version looks slightly cleaner, partly due to slightly less aliasing. The textures also seem a little richer and the lighting is slightly better. Even my graphics whore, PlayStation fangirl fiancée had to admit that the 360 version was the better looking, as much as it upset her to say so. So, if graphics are what make you tick, the 360 version is the one to get.

Winner: Xbox 360

Achievements

Despite the fact that the PlayStation 3 now supports achievements trophies, Soul Calibur IV currently offers no support for them. It can be patched in the future, but at the moment, the Xbox 360 version wins by default. The achievements are also many, and nicely varied. Gaining 1000 achievement points for Soul Calibur IV will indeed make you a better player, so if your soul still burns to be competitive, you might enjoy the achievements pointing you in the right direction.

Winner: Xbox 360

Online Play

Both systems offer online play. The 360 version integrates the usual features: global friends list, voice chat, friend information, etc. However, unlike the PlayStation 3, you have to pay for it. Paying sucks, and at the moment there isn’t enough difference between the online experiences for the PlayStation 3 version not to get the edge. The PlayStation 3 version also has slightly less lag, even when playing with wireless connections, so if you’re competitive you’ll know what version to get.

Winner: PlayStation 3

The Controller

When it comes to fighting games, anyone playing with the analogue stick really needs to re-evaluate their gaming habits. To pull off the complex moves and combos in Soul Calibur IV, you need digital precision. Ultimately, the unresponsive d-pad of the Xbox 360 just isn’t up to scratch. Loses due to “wiffed” moves because the last forward press wasn’t registered are the leading cause of broken controllers. Additionally, Soul Calibur IV makes use of all the buttons and triggers, and the PlayStation 3 controller will always have the edge here. Yes, the PlayStation 3 version doesn’t have rumble, but a superior d-pad will make up for that every time.

Winner: PlayStation 3

Loading Times

It’s a known fact that the Blu-Ray drive of the PS3 operates at a slower speed than the Xbox 360’s DVD drive. Soul Calibur IV also operates in such a way that streaming really isn’t an option. Consequently, the PlayStation 3 version initially offers excruciating load times – the kind that hasn’t been seen since Street Fighter Alpha 2 on the Sega Saturn. However, the PlayStation 3 version of Soul Calibur IV also offers an optional install that will bring load times down to nonexistent levels. At the moment, the 360 version offers no such feature, so if you hate waiting, the PS3 version is the one to get.

Winner: PlayStation 3

Downloadable Content

Currently, the PlayStation 3 version offers no downloadable content due to the fact that SCEE operates independently of SCEA, whereas Microsoft generally operates the Xbox Live service on a global level. So while you can purchase the original Soul Calibur music and extra goodies for the Xbox 360 version, you can’t get squat on the PS3 version. If When Vader and Yoda finally become available as DLC, you might find that Xbox 360 owners get the last laugh first, unless SCEE sort out their store issues.

Winner: Xbox 360

So ultimately, it’s 3-3, meaning that no version is inherently better than the other. However, each version does have its advantages over its sibling. It’s up to you, the gamer, to decide what features are most important to you. However, with this list, hopefully you can now decide what pushes your buttons and what version of this excellent fighter to pick up. See you all online, where my Seong Mi-Na will destroy you all!

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