Soul Calibur 3 [PS2]

Namco recently gave us another peek at the work in progress on Soul Calibur III, focusing on the "Chronicle of the Sword" mode and the extensive character creation that the game will offer. Needless to say, the veteran publisher is looking to do more than just the latest version of its 3D fighting series, instead creating an ambitious contest that features lots of variety -- with an emphasis on "lots."

At least that's the word -- well, the translation of the word "takusan" into English -- that was uttered frequently by Hiroaki Yotoriyama, the creator/producer of Soul Calibur III, in the course of the demo. How many different ways can you alter your character in the character creation mode? Lots. How many different occupations can you give a character? Lots.

Wait, occupations? Yes, when you craft a new character, you can choose from an initial slate of occupations -- barbarian, dancer, monk, ninja, and thief. Each "career" in turn shapes how the character fights by defining the fighting style and weaponry that can be used. The barbarian starts by using an iron sword, while the dancer uses a tambourine. Of course, don't count out the dancer's ability to beat another in combat just because a musical instrument is being wielded.

The occupations may start the character off with a weapon, but Yotoriyama indicated that there are more weapons that unlock and become available in the course of gameplay, as well as new occupations. (Though you can't change your character's occupation once it's set, these unlocked careers can then be designated to new characters that you create.) How many weapons and occupations does the game contain? Would it surprise you to know that there are lots? Right, you see how this is going.

Yotoriyama explained that the Chronicle of the Sword mode is where the "classic Soul Calibur gameplay mode is fused with a real-time strategy game." Throughout the mode, you get a story progression that creates an "epic tale" centered around your character. You start this segment of the game with a party -- however, they don't always stay grouped, and each of the party members can head off to battle in a different region of the map. As you travel around the map, you face... well, lots of encounters. You may choose to fight alone or call together your party members (in the vein of an RTS) for a strategic and forceful edge if you're up against a particularly powerful foe.

You also have the ability to upgrade not only the weapons your character uses, but also key stats. Leveling up offers the opportunity to boost hit points, strength, agility, and vitality, which will be essential as the enemies become tougher as well.

A distinction to make about Scio's Chronicle of the Sword mode is that it's not just a fighting game with arenas that are spread across a map. Yotoriyama described the mode as also having objectives -- yes, lots of them -- that you have to complete in order to progress. You may need to use your fighting skills to meet your goals, but the RTS concept comes into play to give the game a broader appeal, which Yotoriyama hopes will result in a larger audience.

"We want to make this the kind of game that people all over the world can play," Yotoriyama said.

He also noted that there'll be replayability of the Chronicle mode. Objectives will have different ways in which they can be cleared, but there are also variations to the character's evolution -- occupation, spending experience points on different skills, etc. -- that you may want to try out in future flythrough. There's also in-game money to earn that can be used to change your characters' looks.

Without a doubt, players will enjoy the character creation component, which, as Yotoriyama showed, is extremely versatile. You'll be able to tailor the character's face, hair, skin color, name, and clothing. Each aspect of the character's look, right down to the lipstick color, can be altered. There'll even be ways to select the voice your onscreen persona has. Additionally, clothing and objects can be layered, so you can select a specific kind of shirt and pants, then cover those with pieces of armor and decoration. Granted, the layers don't add to your character's stats -- so armor doesn't offer active protection -- but it means that you can intricately fashion a unique fighter of your own design.

Yotoriyama closed his presentation by saying that he was only showing a portion of what the game will offer in its final form, which will be a vast departure from its roots. As noted in our pre-E3 preview, there'll be myriad gameplay types within the title. As more is revealed -- and Namco promises there will be -- we'll be sure to bring it to you.