Soul Edge
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| Soul Edge | |
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| Developer(s) | Namco |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Designer(s) | Hiroaki Yotoriyama |
| Platform(s) | Arcade PlayStation |
| Release date | Arcade April 1996 June 1996 (Ver. II) PlayStation JP December 20, 1996 NA January 1997 EU May 1997 |
| Genre(s) | Fighting |
| Mode(s) | Up to 2 players simultaneously |
| Input methods | 8-way Joystick, 4 Buttons |
| Cabinet | Upright |
| Arcade system | System 11 |
Soul Edge (ソウルエッジ Souru Ejji?) is the first installment in the Soul series of fighting games developed and published by Namco. It was initially released in the arcades in 1996. A couple of months later, Namco released a fixed version labeled Soul Edge Ver. II, upon the complaints of players who found the difficulty quite high and the last boss "unbeatable". Hwang (initially a palette swap of Mitsurugi for the Korean version of the game) was introduced to Japanese players with a new movelist, Cervantes became selectable, Guard Impacts and Air Combos were implemented, and all the characters received upgraded movelists. The game was then ported to the Sony PlayStation and renamed Soul Blade in Europe, North America and Australia. Soul Edge has been largely overshadowed by its sequel, Soulcalibur, which has been the moniker of the series since 1999.
Soul Edge is the name of the demonic sword around which the story revolves.
Soul Edge is the second 3D fighter to feature characters that fight with weapons, although putting weapons in fighters was not a new concept (Samurai Shodown is an example of a 2D fighter with weapons). Apart from the aesthetic benefits, giving the characters weapons allows for a greater diversity between them, meaning there is someone for every play style. One excellent concept of weapon-based combat implemented by Namco is the major factor that range has in gameplay. The slower, longer ranged characters try to deliver their heavy blows from a distance whereas the quicker, faster characters try to get in as close as possible and deliver quick-hitting attacks. All characters have moves that work at varying ranges though, so longer ranged characters can also hit surprisingly quickly and lesser ranged characters will get in the opponent's face within the blink of an eye if the enemy is careless.
One of the series' main attractions was that it was one of the first fighting games to feature detailed accounts of the individual fighters' motivations and common relations in their quest to achieve a common goal for varying purposes. Many players appreciate Namco's ability to introduce new characters to the series with interconnected storylines such that every character is linked to another somehow, with connections growing larger as the series progresses and the characters accomplish new tasks in the events of the story.
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[edit] Gameplay
Soul Edge was created prior to the introduction of the "8-Way Run", which allowed the player to move their character in a complete range on the Y-axis. The characters can sidestep on either side by double-tapping up or down. The jump maneuver (which in Soulcalibur is more like a hop) moves the player higher into the air, even allowing it to pass above the opponent (much like in Tekken). One of the most notable gameplay aspects is the "Weapon Gauge". This bar was found under the character's lifebar and was comparable to the equipped weapons' resistance. Each time the player blocked an attack, the bar would deplete. If the bar was totally emptied, the character would lose his/her weapon and be forced to end the match unarmed. Though this is an original idea, unfortunately the unarmed move-lists are the same for every character. Another feature that was removed from Soulcalibur's engine is when two character strike at the same time, "locking" their weapons. In those situations, those who pressed the right button would have the advantage. This aspect behaves similarly to rock-paper-scissors.
Character moves retain a feel of Namco's Tekken series. Each character has in his or her arsenal one or two unblockable attacks, balanced however because of its slow execution. Also, each character is capable of performing one or two Critical Edge attacks, which consisted of a long series of linked hits, which usually ended in a strong high attack. These moves require the input of a special combination of two parts: they're activated by pressing "A+B+K" together, and if it connects, the player has the chance of extending the combo with a character-only sequence, which must be input during the attack. This attack depletes 1/3 of the Weapon Gauge when used.
To achieve a ring out (which is a forcable maneuver that ejects the opponent from the arena and gains an automatic victory for the round), the player must be knocked outside the ring by an enemy; the player can deliberately get a ring out by hopping out of the ring.
[edit] Prologue
According to a timeline released by Namco in its Soul Archive site, Soul Edge's events take place in 1584.
Soul Edge's story tells the tale of warriors searching for the ultimate sword, "Soul Edge". It has been given many names throughout the story, such as "The Sword of Salvation", "The Sword of Heroes", and "The Ultimate Sword" among others. Many strong warriors searched for years, but very few actually found it. The sword, now in the form of a twin pair of long swords, appeared mysteriously in an auction. They were taken by the dreaded Captain Cervantes. Nothing was known of his fate thereafter...
Now, nine warriors from around the world search for the sword for different reasons. Some for power, others for revenge; some believing it's a benevolent sword, searching for its support; while others knowing of its evil nature, seeking its destruction. Nothing is known for certain about the sword, except for one thing: it brings misfortune to those seeking it.
[edit] Cast of characters
Soul Edge introduced many characters still familiar to players today, especially the series' main character--who serves as both a protagonist and an antagonist throughout the series' history--Siegfried; as well as its token samurai and ninja, Mitsurugi and Taki, respectively. The total of characters on the games is of fifteen selectable characters: eight in the original arcade release, ten in the fixed arcade version, and fifteen in the home version:
Original arcade version:
- Mitsurugi – Katana (replaced by Hwang in the Korean version)
- Siegfried – Zweihänder
- Taki – Kodachi
- Li Long – Nunchaku (possibly changed in some countries to three section staff due to censorship)
- Sophitia – Sword and shield
- Rock – Battle axe
- Seung Mina – Halberd
- Voldo – Dual katar
Soul Edge Ver. II:
- Hwang – Chinese sword
- Cervantes – Twin long swords
Home version:
- SoulEdge – Twin long swords
- Han Myong – Chinese sword
- Siegfried! – Siegfried when possessed by Soul Edge in his bad ending. This concept would later evolve into Nightmare.
- Sophitia! – Sophitia without armor, from her ending.
- Sophitia!! – Sophitia wearing a one-piece swimsuit, from her alternate ending.
Unfinished characters found in the game code of the home version[1]:
- Bangu - Bangoo, Rock's adopted son from his ending, uses Seung Mina's moveset. His name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
- Belti - Vercci's ghost from Voldo's ending, uses Cervantes' moveset. His name appears during fights as "Sophitia"
- Botsu Lilong - An alternate version of Li Long. Not enough code in the game for him to be playable.
- Chie - Li Long's lover from his ending, uses Seung Mina's moveset. Her name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
- Diver - The scuba diver from SoulEdge's ending, uses Sophitia's moveset. His name appears during fights as "SoulEdge".
- Hage-Sieg - An alternate version of Siegfried, from his alternate ending. His name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
- Mabochie - Chie's spirit from Li Long's alternate ending. Her name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
- Monkasei - Han Myong's student from Hwang's ending (although the character model was never actually used during the ending), uses Mitsurugi's moveset. His name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
- Nugi Taki - An alternate version of Taki, with no ponytail, armor, or shoes, from her ending. Her name appears during fights as "Taki".
- Standard - An alternate version of Mitsurugi, who moves slower, has no ponytail, and only has the Murasame weapon selectable. His name appears during fights as "Mitsurugi".
- Teppou Hei - The tanegashima-wielding man from Mitsurugi's ending, uses Mitsurugi's moveset. His name appears during fights as "Seung Mina".
[edit] PlayStation version
On December 20, 1996, Soul Edge was ported to the Sony PlayStation for the Japanese market and versions labeled Soul Blade came out in 1997 in the USA and Europe. The port kept the Soul Edge Ver. II roster of ten and added five unlockable characters, including SoulEdge, the boss of the game.
[edit] Added features
- The original ten selectable characters received a new PlayStation-specific costume, chosen from various works sent by fans, giving each one a total of three different costumes, plus two color variations for the 1P and 2P costumes.
- The inclusion, besides the standard "Arcade" mode, of: "VS" mode, "Survival", "Team Battle", "Time Attack" and "Training" modes.
- A new RPG-styled mode called "Edge Master Mode", which works as a sort of "Story Mode" for the ten initial characters. The mode presents the selected character's story as a book, while the player moves in a map to various locations and fights in battles, sometimes with handicap rules. Generally each "Chapter" of the book rewards the player with a weapon.
- Individual endings done using the game's renderer rather than still images (as in its sequels, Soulcalibur and Soulcalibur II) or CGI. Each of the ten normally selectable characters have two endings, usually one ending which ends well and another tragic ending. These endings are accessible pressing a special button/button sequence during certain times. This type of ending was finally brought back in Soulcalibur III.
- The inclusion of seven extra weapons per character, which have different designs and statistics, composed of Power (inflicts more damage), Defense (receives less damage), Strength (damage dealt to enemy's weapon gauge), Durability (resistance of player's weapon gauge) and Weight (changes character's speed). Some weapons also has a special ability, like the ability to damage through defense or restore the player's health.
- The inclusion of three different in-game soundtracks to choose from: the Arcade Soundtrack, a studio-recorded version of the arcade soundtrack called Arrange Soundtrack and the Khan Super Session, made expressly for the home version.
[edit] See also
- Soul Edge Original Soundtrack - Khan Super Session
- Super Battle Sound Attack Soul Edge
- Namco Arcade Stick (Playstation 1 peripheral)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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