Soul Calibur II is out and the best version is.....

[Zero]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
I can't really comment on this game until I get it, but I just don't see how the Gamecube version could be worse than the PS2 one. None of the reviews I've read claim that, at any rate.

-Game reviwers dont know what they are talkin about. The idiots focus on graphics and load time (like most lame gamers) and they think GC spam friendly control is ok.

I mean these are people who think Yunsung is a great player.

-GC isnt necessarily inferior in every way to PS2. Yes load time is like a second faster thatn PS2, and it officially has more pixels than PS2, but I have been playing all 3 versions long enough and let me tell you that playing GC's 2 second load and going to PS2's 4 second load doesnt drive me nuts.

What drives me nuts is the crappy control and how gay Link is (gameplay wise, but maybe he is gay... i mean whats with the tights...)

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Zero
thats true, but when one is serious about gameplay,

Then one still wouldn't play Heihachi.

[Asher]

The Xbox version kicks total ass, was playing it all night with the BF (who never liked fighting games before), it's got us both addicted.

And Spawn kicks ass.

[Asher]

For what it's worth, IGN's H2H is posted for insiders here and compares all versions: http://insider.ign.com/articles/433/433962p1.html

For Control, they say it's just preference and it's fine on all three.

Sound: 1. Xbox 2. PS2 3. GCN

First, let's discuss the quality of the sound. All of them have the quality of Dolby branding -- the GameCube has Pro Logic II, the PS2 has the same, and Xbox has in-game Dolby Digital. As you might guess, it's the latter that packs the most punch. Playing Soul Calibur II on the Xbox yields a much better balanced, clearer, and bassier signal. The lows really punch through and the highs are crystal clear. No doubt about it, it sounds great. Beneath the Xbox in sound quality is the PlayStation 2. It doesn't have as much bass, and seems to push more towards the mid-range. It still sounds wonderful, but it can't match wits with the Xbox signal. Lastly, there is GameCube. Although Namco took advantage of Dolby Pro Logic II, it apparently wasn't able to squeeze as wide a range of frequencies as it was on the others. Soul Calibur II on GameCube is much flatter and devoid of audio depth by comparison to the others. Sure, the signals are clear, but without the bass and better separated treble, it can't help but sound a bit deflated -- by comparison.

Then there is surround imaging. If you have the speaker setup to support it, you're probably not going to be blown away by any of the consoles performances in this area, but you can tell the difference between each version. Again, the Xbox has better separation -- both between frequencies and speakers. It's actually discrete, and Namco has successfully balanced environmental effects with music and sound effects. For example, on levels with water surrounding you, you'll actually hear it splashing around in the rear speakers. This is present on PS2 and GCN, but not nearly as clean. On Xbox, you'll also hear the occasional smack or clash of your weapons travel to the rear speakers as the camera spins.

The PlayStation 2 and GameCube, with their support for Dolby, sound great and come highly recommended, but if you want the absolute best sound, Xbox is going to deliver it to you for Soul Calibur II.

Graphics: 1. Xbox 2. GCN 3. PS2

All three versions run in widescreen, but only the GameCube and Xbox support progressive scan (480p). On top of this, the Xbox version supports the ultra high-end 720p (no 1080i) format. The latter looks very sharp, but only runs in 4:3 format -- a sad limitation, since most 4:3 DTVs don't support 720p and the HDTVs that do are widescreen format sets and thus display the game letterboxed in this mode.

In sum, the Xbox version takes the graphics award, but just barely. It and the GameCube version look spectacular, but the added texture detail on Xbox -- despite the slowdown with the last boss -- and 720p support pushes it over the edge. As for the PS2 version, if you're not bothered by framerate hitches occasionally, it's pretty solid, but it just doesn't have the same crisp look to it.

And loading times:

Load Point	GameCube	PlayStation 2	Xbox	
Boot-up		17 sec.		24 sec.		12 sec.	
Arena Load 1	6 sec.		8 sec.		5 sec. 	
Arena Load 2	5 sec.		7 sec.		5 sec.	
Arena Load 3	5-6 sec.	8 sec.		5 sec.

Overall:
1. Xbox
2. GCN
3. PS2

Because a game like this is so preferential, such a personal decision, we can only factually pick one winner: the Xbox SCII. It has the best visual advantages, punchier sound, and all the same gameplay content. After that, check out the GameCube version, which looks almost equally as solid. PlayStation 2 is also a fine version if you aren't worried about framerate problems.

[Zero]

PlayStation 2 is also a fine version if you aren't worried about framerate problems.

Everyone makes out the ps2 version to have horrible frame rate. The frame rate is fine and it runs absolutely smooth at a 60FPS EXCEPT during windmill, yinyang stage. Now both GC and Xbox has the same problem with that stage so I dont see why every ****ing reviews make it out ps2 as the slow running piece of crap.

Fact is that if you've played only those 2 stages and only CH attacked Mina's 6A+B Cervy's FC A+B (ie moves that causes most lag) etc, thru out the whole game,

PS2 might lag maybe 4-5 times out of the 100 rounds you play
GC might lag 2-3 times
and xbox like maybe once.

Lag isnt much of a issue. Game runs fine on ALL THREE CONSOLES.

Graphics - I went over this. Yes, xbox is best, gc is better and ps2 the "worst". But its so trivial IT DOESNT MATTER.

Sound - Yes Xbox has best capable sound with dolby digital, PS2 has pro logic II mode and GC is the "worst". Once again trivial.

Load time. I have all three console and load time is more like:

Xbox 2-3 sec
GC 2-3 sec
PS2 5-7 sec.

Pretty trivial. waiting extra 3 second doesnt kill me.

Which brings the decision really down to control and console characters. I really think gc controller sux balls (as do most ppl in this world does) but like i said before some ppl genuinely has no problem with that gay controller, so if that and gay ass link doesnt bother you, i guess u can live with gc. But for others I recommend xbox or ps2.

And Spawn kicks ass.

I heart spawn. So badass

[Asher]

Got any tips for me, Zero?

[Asher]

SC2 is gorgeous in 720p. For fun I compared 480i, 480p, and 720p graphics modes. 480i is what the vast majority of TVs use, 480 lines interlaced (60fps is actually 30fps, since every "frame" in 480p fills only every-other-line on the screen). 480p is like 480p, but every frame draws every line. 60fps at 480p is actually 60fps.

720p is identical to 480p, but instead of being 720x480, it's 1024x720 (would be 1280x720 if it supported widescreen).

The only difference between 480i and 480p is in motion: 480p has a LOT less "jaggies" (no motion artifacting), and has a more fluid feel to it.

720p is by far the best. Everything is simply higher resolution and higher detail, jaggies are nonexistant or at least not noticable on my 36" screen, and it still retains superb framerate.

[Zero]

Originally posted by Asher
SC2 is gorgeous in 720p. For fun I compared 480i, 480p, and 720p graphics modes. 480i is what the vast majority of TVs use, 480 lines interlaced (60fps is actually 30fps, since every "frame" in 480p fills only every-other-line on the screen). 480p is like 480p, but every frame draws every line. 60fps at 480p is actually 60fps.

720p is identical to 480p, but instead of being 720x480, it's 1024x720 (would be 1280x720 if it supported widescreen).

The only difference between 480i and 480p is in motion: 480p has a LOT less "jaggies" (no motion artifacting), and has a more fluid feel to it.

720p is by far the best. Everything is simply higher resolution and higher detail, jaggies are nonexistant or at least not noticable on my 36" screen, and it still retains superb framerate.

Yeah I have a HDTV and all 3 sys, I know.

And yeah there are less "jaggies". But I only noticed it when I was sitting inch away from the TV.. even then squinting trying hard to look for the difference.

Got any tips for me, Zero?

For spawn? All I can say is to whore Levitation stance as much as you can while playing N00bs. It is probably by far the most safest stance in soul calibur game history. (The next closest, Sophitias double angel step in SC 1 comes to mind... :shudders: )

As for playing decent comps, I don't know. I havent played enough spawn to really have concrete strategy or frame data, but there are some nasty, nasty CH combos I've found online (in the 100+ dmg range) and I'll post them up when I get webspace form my uni.

[BustaMike]

Spawn is pretty simple. It's all about switching up the quick little combos. His roundhouse low slash is ridiculously fast. For basic playing, just attack relentlessly with 4+b a, 4+b b, while rising a a, f+a b a, f+a b b. As long as your not predictable (change it up, don't finish combos, etc.), because of Spawn's speed, it's very hard for your opponent to avoid getting hit.

Obviously, just doing those moves is gonna get you beat by a decent player, but it's a good start. The air stance is ok when used in moderation, but anyone with any skill will know just to attack and knock you down instead of standing there and trying to block. It's not as safe as Zero claims because you can't block or move, only attack.

That I think is a good basic strat for Spawn.

[Zero]

http://64.202.96.4/forums/showthread.php?threadid=9595

Some great GUARANTEED combos.

Oh and bustamike. Spawn's stance is safe. Its the safest. But it isnt invulnerable. It wont work agst a player with at least some skills, whch is why i said only agst n00bs.


oh and you went from SC convention to Tekken convention!


f+?????? ack!



-----
and for link fanboys.

http://www.guardimpact.com/sc2/completedata-console.php?char=link

Complete link movelist, but no frame data. Which sux.....

[BustaMike]

oh and you went from SC convention to Tekken convention!

Sorry, it's just habbit.

[Zero]

I picked up the PS2 (US) version of SC2 today. Same quality stuff as the import, only with assasin, lizardman and berserk added on. I could have played these characters in GC or Xbox (since I have them) so I dont know exactly what i was thinking when I bought the US copy.


That was a waste of 55 bucks. But Now I completed the collection

[Zero]

Some voldo vids. I like UFO's style much better, but Aris is a tight voldo player too.

http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Stu/jiskim/19 dtn(nightmare)-aris(voldo).avi

http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Stu/jiskim/Gang jung wie(Yun) vs UFO(Voldo)1.avi

My voldo coming soon (as soon as i can get a decent tv card for a laptop)

[Drake Tungsten]

Finally got the game. I don't know how much I like it yet; it seems a lot slower than Soul Calibur, for one thing, and I don't know what my view is on that yet. Also, my skills have atrophied horribly, so it's going to be a while before I get back to a level where I can properly judge the game.

It sure looks nice, though.

[Zero]

speed of the game has been increased in general actually. Side setpping has been overpowered that you can now even step horizontal attacks in some cases.

-ACing has become even more overpowered
-Verticals can break horizontals now
-Maxi got nerfed
-Mitsu got nerfed a bit with tracking
-and a lot more i cant mention on top of my head.

Drake arent you in Japan now?

OMG... How much I would give to play in tokyo.... You should hit the nearest arcades. Im sure local arcades around you has plenty of comps.

More(korean) SC2 vids. Check out the Nightmare!!!

http://www.soulcalibur.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17096