Soul Calibur 5 has been released on 360 and been provided for us to preview/review by the publisher.

Believe it or not we are still playing it. Here are some extracts of what we made of it in chronological order:

"Soul Calibur 5 promises an unlikely return for the series. This was the start of my multiplayer passion and its fifth iteration looks as strong as ever..."
- Multiplayer Gamer (Sun, 29 Jan 2012)

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Soul Calibur 5 360 Release

28/05/2011 06:51

Soul Calibur 5 battles for mind-share with a 2012 release newly slated for 360 and PS3. While details are still scarce the franchise's hard hitting bladed combat and convoluted story are still a force to be reckoned with.

The Soul Calibur series, ever since the original Soul Blade, has offered a very different feel to its fist based counterparts. Its combination of weapons, fast fluid one-on-one combat and an eight way momentum system gave it a unique feel. Combine this with the series' impressive visuals and it has been firm favourite among fans. Now approaching its sixth iteration (fifth to hold the Calibur moniker), Soul Calibur 5 is now within touching distance.

Soul Calibur 5 is set to retain much of what has made the franchise a success. There is little doubt that the developers will place a focus on ensuring the peculiar intertwining stories of the game's characters remains as indecipherable as ever to all but the truly committed. But more than this it will be down to the character and combat balance to really prove this new instalment a worthwhile purchase for fans and competitive players.

This picks up seventeen years after the events of Soul Calibur 4. This time the main protagonist will be Patroklos, the son of Sophitia Alexandria, who is tasked with hunting down the Soul Calibur blade to claim it for good. The story will see long time star Siegfried take a back seat. Whether this move will place the powerful German swordsman as an unlockable, hidden or boss character remains uncertain but as such a long time presence his inclusion in some form is assured.

Soul Calibur 5 is expected to be released on 360 and PS3 early next year.