Soulcalibur IV set for July 29 unsheathing

Namco Bandai dates regular and limited edition versions of Xbox 360 and PS3 fighter; $20 premium pays for exclusive customization options, comic, and more.

Soulcalibur IV represents a number of new frontiers for the venerable Namco Bandai fighting franchise. Fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting the chance to try out the first proper entry on the current generation of systems and see how it has been changed by the inclusion of online multiplayer, finishing moves, and high-profile cast additions like Darth Vader (for the PlayStation 3 edition) and Yoda (for the Xbox 360).

Angol Fear is one of Soulcalibur IV's new fighters.

Now gamers as obsessed with Soulcalibur IV as the game's protagonists are with the titular sword can finally mark their calendars. Namco Bandai today confirmed a July 29 North American release date for the game, which will launch in regular and limited Premium Edition packages.

Customers who pick up the Premium Edition will get an art book/comic that serves as a prequel leading into the story of Soulcalibur IV, a tournament kit, and exclusive access to "extra customization content." Exactly what the tournament kit entails is unknown, but Namco Bandai said it would "give fans the opportunity to document the battle amongst friends." The Premium Edition will come in metal packaging and retail for $79.99.

155 Comments

  • Herkamer

    Posted Jul 27, 2008 7:25 pm PT

    who cares that it would cost 10$ extra anyway if you get the special edition? plus stop whining about the exclusive characters. they may actually be awesome, but you can make that call when you ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME, instead of talking about "how bad they will be." this game will rock. i am only hoping for one thing though: A BROAD SWORD!!!!! they have every weapon imaginable, but the weapon that pretty much symbolizes other weapons. imagine the possible creations you can come up with. plus it would be nice anyway because, even though the iron sword's cool, it would be nice to see a weapon that actually suited the character, like, i don't know, aragorn from lotr. my ranting's done. can't wait for this game.

  • jeremiah06

    Posted Jul 10, 2008 10:30 pm PT

    @blueguykisame both have the apprentice

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 9:26 am PT

    nice, 32 playable characters (minus 1 of the 2 exclusive) + create-a-character returns.

  • blueguykisame

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 12:05 pm PT

    Kenji_Masamune:

    look up soul calibur 4 on wikipedia, they have the roster =)

    Anyways, the game looks good and I'll buy it (360), but I'd personally rather darth vedar in both games... oh-well, atleast 360 has his secret apprentance...

  • PyroPice

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 2:39 pm PT

    To Psido, agreed :ink was a pretty solid character and in amateur tournaments often came out on top, but in real competitive soul caliber theres only ever like 5-6 characters that are worht your time (excluding the god tier :p)

  • ichbinpwnzilla

    Posted Jun 22, 2008 11:05 am PT

    Both versoins have character customization like in 3
    I think the special edition content includes extra costumes and weapons that you'd have to download otherwise

  • tdl346

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 11:23 am PT

    can u in soulcaliber4 create your own chars and give them the weapons u want like in soulcaliber3?? plz answer this

  • Palsa

    Posted May 23, 2008 3:13 pm PT

    If "Special Edition" means character creations, then I'd rather stick with SC3. Special Editions cost to much, and my primary interest in the game is the feature allowing you to customize your own player.

  • Dragorro

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 11:34 am PT

    Yoda+better online=win

  • ctg867

    Posted Apr 18, 2008 8:04 pm PT

    Alright, now these damn special editions are taking options away from the original packages. "Extra customization content" sounds like things that should be in my $60 worth of game. And The whole idea of a collectors edition is stupid, because most of the games out of Sony's camp like Ratchet, Resistance, Uncharted, and God of War have more "collector's edition" type stuff like documentaries, interviews, deleted levels, concept art, etc, then most of these collector's editions do. Minus the extremely cheesy packaging and just as unnecessary art booklet (which could easily be put into the game digitally). Sorry, but I don't buy it, especially when it comes off as bad as this. Namco is going to rip people off. If they do, I really hope this bites them in the ass, because then they'd damn well deserve it.

  • kos1085

    Posted Apr 18, 2008 11:50 am PT

    I know alot of people are complaining about extra content in the limited edition but what if they just released it on XBLive and PSN instead??? Wouldnt it be the same thing as paying $20 for the collectors edition???

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Apr 17, 2008 8:36 am PT

    wish we'd get a roster of playable characters at some point and time, but even SSBB didn't release it's roster until pretty much the game was released -_-

  • PseudoFinrod

    Posted Apr 17, 2008 12:49 am PT

    To Millennium_King-
    I must disagree, sir. Playing as Link on the GC version was a blast, and I actually got pretty good with him.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:27 pm PT

    Hope it falls on its arse!! money grabbing b%st$^ds!!!

  • khmeranimeguy88

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 9:00 pm PT

    WTF!? why star wars character PS3 for all your fighters

  • Millennium_King

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 8:52 pm PT

    Everyone here must be about 17 years old. All vets of Soul Calibur know that the console exclusive characters always suck.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 8:03 pm PT

    I am so going to get this

  • hotlavaman posted Apr 16, 2008 6:57 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    hotlavaman

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 6:57 pm PT (hide)

    woot 360 get yoda!!!

  • Vash67

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 6:39 pm PT

    I love the Soul~ series but I will not be picking up the limited edition. You know, you'd think the $10 price hoke on PS3 and X360 games would be enough, but in addition, all the publishers are making LEs and CEs priced at $20 more. What's up with that?! Then you have Microsoft who gives people a fishbowl shaped like a helmet for like an extra $100.... this is why you can't help but love little publishers like Atlus who include art books and soundtrack and other stuff with their game but don't mark them up,

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 6:10 pm PT

    vader + free online multiplayer = win

  • Tallwhitemocha

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 5:09 pm PT

    As a guy who loves the ta-ta's, the huge racks the female characters are sporting annoy the crap out of me. They look ridiculous and the only reason I can think of for them is to get pubescent boys and celluloid fetishists hot and bothered. The Japanese never cease to amaze me.

  • cccp1988

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 5:03 pm PT

    ..............Vader................. why becous the youda is smal and hi is simply destroy the fight(some attaks(~80%) are over his had the fight becomes not intresting and you nead too use some stupid moves its realy bouring ...Like it was in Tekken 3 whit Gon!!!)
    This game looks good but not sou big step too SC3 like SC3 in HD+some better sadows *and mybe ~+10% of poligons but it is inaf for Best looking fighting game until TEKKEN comes

  • Haku_Ryushi

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:46 pm PT

    Yes! I cant wait to get my hands on it and own all with Vader!

  • ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:44 pm PT

    Oh yea, and Yoda rocks!! He's more agile and ninja-like then Vader.

  • ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:41 pm PT

    I think Angol Fear looks awesome! Can't wait to see her spin that huge club thing around in her white hooker boots and mad cleavage! To all the people saying it looks cartoony, SC has never been about photo-realism or realistic characters. In fact I think photo-realistic graphics & realistic characters are over-rated. We'd miss out on great character design, extra vivid colors, we'd just end up loosing a lot more then we gained. SC4 is going to be SIIICK~! Angol Fear & sexy costumes FTW!

  • enoslives7

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    What a load of crap !!!! I have to pay 80 bucks to play a complete version of the game?!?! Sounds like something those greedy b@stards at EA would do.

  • Sam-os_IMP

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 3:53 pm PT

    What the heck has happened to soul calibur...last time I played soul calibur.. the second one.. it was not as clowny looking as this... I skipped the third one cause it looked ridiculous and this one is looking even more ridiculous. Its soul calibur not sugar calibur, this game looks like smash brothers or something.

  • metalgeekguy

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 3:35 pm PT

    To all Star Wars fans complaining about having to choose between Vader and Yoda (and their respective console) cool your jets. Can't remember which issue it was, but a recent issue of EGM had SC4 on the cover. Interview inside seemed to suggest that both of the Exclusive characters would be DLC for the other version, and even made mention that other Star Wars characters would make it in as DLC as well. So....WOO!

    And Yoda wins over vader any day. You know why? cause he could actually move in more directions than forwards and back. And he was smart enough to survive to a natural death, rather than being killed by his weak ass son. And another thing....

    ....you know what, my Star Wars geekness has shown itself enough today.

  • The_Dude1212

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 3:16 pm PT

    "Fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting the chance to try out the first proper entry on the current generation of systems"

    You implying something, GameSpot?

    /Fanboyism

  • opeth13

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:41 pm PT

    remark666, I agree with you, I have a 360 and will be wishing I had a ps3 because Vader pwns Yoda.

  • MetalMan300

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:31 pm PT

    Im definately getting this for 360. Id rather play as a small, crazy green ninja instead of darth vader. Oh and seriously, who uses the 360's D-pad for fighting games? The thumbsticks are WAY better than a musht D-pad.

  • Petri87

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:04 pm PT

    Some actually don't seem to know that the Premium edition isn't the only edition of the game that you can buy, or so it seems by the looks of the comments that pop up. Just to clerify, you can buy the standard edition of the game for 60 bucks.
    You are not forced to buy the PE if you don't want the stuff or don't want to pay over 60 bucks for it.
    Just grow up and don't complain about something that you don't even want in the first place, and if you do want it then pay the price and you will get it. Special editons are more expencive since you get more stuff and a different case, now if the stuff is worth it is up to you if its not then you dont want it its that simple so don't complain about it.
    You will never se a special edition for cheaper then the standard game.

  • remark666

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 1:56 pm PT

    angol fear just looks plain stupid, so does the elf character, i'd pay extra not to have them in the game...

    ohh yeah, choosing PS3 payed off, VADER!!!!

  • sidious

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 1:39 pm PT

    hegetshiskeys :

    That is why most magazines and websites have called the 360 controller the best of the three next gen controllers time and again.

    Don't get me wrong, the d-pad could be better. But it is still by far a better controller by most experts opinions. And it least it vibrates without having to buy an all new controller. lol.

    Ok, I'm starting a flame war. I hate flame wars. Forgive me. For the record, I'm getting a PS3 in May, and own both a 360 and a Wii... so I'm not what you would call a "blind fanboy". And I personally like the Wii controller. But the 360 controller does get the most props from magazines and websites.

  • Nineball2112

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 1:02 pm PT

    Quote from article: "...with the titular sword"

    I have to wonder at the choice of words in the quote considering the picture of Angol Fear in the article... O_O

  • mastertimx

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:54 pm PT

    It makes sense though. yoda is white and green, just like the 360 console, and vader is black and red, just like the ps3. i like how namco bandai did that, it was clever.

  • mastertimx

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:49 pm PT

    i'll get the regular version, also i can't wait to play darth vader, he'll be my main character....unless he sucks which i highly doubt.

  • mellomr

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:36 pm PT

    simply put can't wait!

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:36 pm PT

    Woah, this game is ready to come out already?

    WTF? This game was developed after Tekken 6 and it's being released before it?

    That's what you called messed up. Either someone is rushing or someone is lagging.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:34 pm PT

    Soul Calibur is the best fighting franchise. Too bad they're making lame special edition packages.

  • Requem

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:33 pm PT

    $20 for an extra customization crap? Bull sh*t . In the future , we have to pay extra money to get some sword to fight in the game. Ans they say pirating is stealing so what is this?

  • hegetshiskeys

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:27 pm PT

    PS3 version will be better... screw the 360's D pad all to hell!!!~... everyone needs to know that the 360's D pad is the worst of its kind

  • Rhubarb9

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:14 pm PT

    wow I'm really looking forward to get acquainted with this new Angol Fear character :q

  • EddyG0RD0 posted Apr 16, 2008 12:11 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    EddyG0RD0

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:11 pm PT (hide)

    give us a release date for Tekken 6 on PS3 , no one cares about SC

  • Gameboy2k

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:07 pm PT

    Hmmmm. I got PS3 and 360. Vader or Yoda. hmmmmmmm. Please someone, help me choose.

  • lowkey254 posted Apr 16, 2008 11:49 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    lowkey254

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:49 am PT (hide)

    I call for a boycott due to the money grubbing hands of Namco's Financials. Spread Boycott to every gaming site/store/venue that you go to.

  • MuscleCarMan

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:59 am PT

    dont care for yoda too much, rather have vader. But then again i never bought a soul caliber game to play as star wars characters. Just icing on the cake.

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:53 am PT

    Count me in for getting it on launch day!!!

  • Pman1

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:26 am PT

    What the f? I want Darth Vader,!

  • Simulator_Shock

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:25 am PT

    this game lookds pretty awesome and I'll deffinatly be picking up a copy but that extra special edition is a waste of money and space.

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