July 2008

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Hot Play

Yes, it’s a fighting game. But Soulcalibur’s combat is just so darn genteel


By Scott Gardner

Soulcalibur IV (pictured above)

PS3, Xbox 360

Unlike most bare-knuckle, button-mashing videogame brawls, the acclaimed Soulcalibur series is part of a more genteel fighting tradition — one where beautiful, engaging characters test their skills with the elegant blades of a bygone age. More like Olympians than street fighters, these warriors — men, women and otherworldly beings — have come in search of vengeance, honour or salvation, driven by a desire to wield the magical Soul Swords.

 

These supernatural swords are weapons, which, after causing much bloodshed and woe, became magically imbued with souls, and Soulcalibur IV promises to finally complete their backstory. And that’s a major difference between the Soul series and many other fighting games — this one actually has a story. It ain’t Ulysses, but at least there’s a reasonably compelling single-player mode.

 

Also key to Soulcalibur’s appeal are its mystical Far East vibe, flowing, anime-style visuals, and now, online matches. The game features more than 30 customizable characters (including Darth Vader and Yoda!) brandishing every pointy, pre-gunpowder weapon imaginable. And there’s also some serious girl power, which maximizes these consoles’ ample power to render shiny lips and tackle the complex physics of string-top battle bras.

 

While artistic flourishes sometimes mask weak gameplay, this edition again boasts a deep and varied combat system. Instead of just hammering the “X” button until an opponent’s wrists give out, success requires tactics, timing and even a little psychology. So it’s not all sunshine and lollipops — even the comeliest combatants are, after all, trying to stick their elegant blades in each other. They’re just, you know, classy about it.

Release Date: July 29   

 

Beijing 2008

PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Until next month, the Olympic motto will have to be “faster, higher, stronger — and quicker thumbs.” Beijing 2008 collects 35 events (267 fewer than the real Games, but still not bad), including running, throwing, jumping, swimming, diving, judo, shooting, kayaking and gymnastics. Nationalist gamers can even compete online for global bragging rights.
Release Date: July 8   


 

B-Boy

PS2, PSP

Using 800 moves motion-captured from real break­dancers, B-Boy has players slowly build their crews and reps from neighbourhood battles, all the way to the world championships. And drop the needle — B-Boy also features 40 licensed tracks from the likes of James Brown, Cypress Hill and the Black Eyed Peas.
Release Date: July 15


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    As the largest motion picture exhibitor in Canada, Cineplex Entertainment operates 130 theatres with 1,347 screens serving more than 70 million guests annually. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Cineplex Entertainment operates theatres from British Columbia to Quebec and is the largest exhibitor of digital, 3D and IMAX projection technologies in the country.