When it comes to beating the hell out of each other in a fighting game, there is much that the player is willing to forgive. Fireballs? Yeah, sure. A massive robot that looks like Arnie? Why not? The ability to rip out your opponent’s spine? Ummm, okay then.

However, some things I just find it difficult to accept, at first. I guess it is when the game designers decide to change the rules of the existing game universe, insert characters from other games/films/comics and then change their rules too.

For example, take the upcoming Soul Calibur 4 game. I love the Soul Calibur games; they are fun, fast, exciting, have a great range of characters and weapons and provide hours of entertainment. Not to mention the ‘story’ mode, which adds a great twist on the simple ‘fight your way to the top’ of other games; giving the players mission to accomplish, such as fighting with diminishing health.

The problem with number 4, for me, is the announcement, and subsequent push, of Star Wars characters in the game. Now I am also a fan of the Star Wars films, and there have been several great Star Wars games over the years, but this just doesn’t sit right with me. I think the problem comes with using lightsabers as conventional weapons. I know that if, in real life, you take a stab to the chest with a Katana you are not exactly going to bounce back and counter with your giant hammer, but that was acceptable in the realms of the SC universe. However, a lightsaber will cut through just about anything, and flesh isn’t exactly a big issue for them, as long as you are playing by George’s rules. So how can you have a fight with Darth Vader where it takes several slashes for him to defeat his opponent? Namco have to fundamentally change what is means to have force powers and a lightsaber, and for some reason I’m not comfortable with that.

I guess it is because I believe the Star Wars characters would be so much stronger than the others, due to their command over the Force - not to mention the lightsabers - that is seems silly they could have an evenly matched fight. Again, I know that all the other character’s weapons would fatally wound in a single stroke, but the Star Wars characters seem… crippled, in order to compete. Obviously I haven’t played the title yet, and I expect I will heartily enjoy it and may even retract what I’ve said here. To be honest though, I’d rather have just the normal Soul Calibur fighters. I don’t think this game needs gimmick characters to sell.

Worse still is the upcoming title Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, by Midway. Admittedly, the MK series hasn’t exactly been setting the gaming world on fire of late, but I’m not sure pitting the characters against the DC stars is the right way to go. Again, it is the issue of compatible universes that I take issue with. I know that Scorpion is a hell-spawned ex-ninja, but do you really expect me to believe he can take The Flash?

Obviously the MK fighters have a range of special powers and abilities at their disposal, still prevalent in this title. Sub-Zero has his Freezing Ice Ball move, Scorpion his Spear, Shang Tsung his Fireball, and so on. I have no issue with this, or them fighting each-other, but The Flash is faster than sound! He can vibrate his molecules through walls!

Midway has explained that Superman has lost some of his ability due to the magic used to bring the two worlds together, so they can make him into a balanced character. He still retains his Heat Vision and Freeze Breath, amongst other powers. I want Superman to be the Man of Steel he should be, unfortunately.

I think it just all feels rather odd, to me. It is like an itch on your brain that you can’t scratch. I am confident that Soul Calibur 4 will be a great title, regardless of how much they want to pimp Yoda to potential players. Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe does look interesting, and it is a title I’m keeping an eye on to see how it shapes up. However, these additions could make or break each title. They carry the risk of alienating existing fans, but also putting off new players. Some people (whisper it) don’t like Star Wars. So due to the characters featuring so prominently in the promotion, it may be off-putting to some.

Crossover titles are always risky. Fans of either game or universe will always have gripes because certain characters will be compromised or changed to fit in with the new title. If done right, then it can provide a new and exciting setting for the characters and a new way of looking at them. I certainly am not judging the quality of how theses games play or anything like that, as I haven’t played either title yet. This may work, it may not. Time will tell, and I look forward to finding out.

Head on over to The Score forums to chip in your view or just to say why having Yoda in SC4 is clearly the best thing EVAR. Or something.

MattyJ

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