Soulcalibur IV

'Soulcalibur IV (2008)', a fighting game focused around armed combat, is the sixth entry in its series. It strikes a perfect balance between cool and cheesy, simultaneously awesome and cringe-worthy. It's great fun. The four face buttons are mapped to different types of strikes, which can be modified with directional inputs, but there isn't a huge focus on pre-determined combos. Instead, the focus is on each attack as it relates to the next, which leads to a potentially slower but distinct experience that still feels punchy to play. This is accentuated by the varying fighting styles of its eclectic cast, which operate at different speeds and use alternate techniques. The roster doesn't really have a weak link, with its more traditional fighters being counterpointed by its downright crazy ones (Volvo, anyone?). Each character has an arcade ladder which unlocks an end-card upon completion. There is also a traditional story mode and an online mode, as well as the expected one-on-one segment. There's also a rather in-depth character creator that allows you to come up with your own heroes and give them the fighting style of an existing combatant. Plus, you can play as Darth Vader, as well as some other Star Wars characters, and force choke your foes. All in all, this is an entertaining and stylish fighting game that offers a unique spin on the genre. 7/10