Although Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat are seen as the symbols of the fighting game genre, their styles are not guaranteed hits, with many preferring to venture toward other IPs for the??ir daily dose of ??adrenaline.

But diving into a new fighting game is not a trivial matter, after all, no one wants to fall in love with a title only to find either a bare-bones experience or no one else playing it. Here are the best fighting games to play right now that are not part of the Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat franchises.

10. Killer Instinct

• Release date: November 22, 2013
• Available on: PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X
• Developed by: Double Helix Games (At launch) / Iron Galaxy Studios
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

To start with a well-placed Wind Kick, we have Killer Instinct. Released in 2013 as a reboot, KI earned praise for its action-packed gameplay but divided many given its small roster and content approach. Fast ?forward 10 years and 20 characters later, and the game has grown to be an unquestionable success.

Looking a little more into its combat, Killer Instinct offers an easy-to-pick-up but highly technical approach that revolves around the ability to Combo Break. To put it on as few words as possible, the mechanic allows you to interrupt your opponen?t's offense through a well-timed input. Get the timing wrong, however, and you will be in for one hell of a time.

9. Brawlhalla

• Release date: October 17, 2017
• Available on: Mobile, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch
• Developed by: Blue Mammoth Games
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

Brawlhalla is a live-service platform fighter that plays just like you would expect, you pick a character and then battle your foes until they either fal?l or are propelled out of the screen. Given its free-to-play status and cross-play/progression features, the game can be seen as the ideal pick for those looking to play online with friends new to the genre.

Brawhalla is also widely known for?? its crossover characters. But don't worry, as to avoid turning a F2P game into a pay-to-win experience, all of them (except Rayman) are presented as s??kins to already existing and free-to-obtain units.

8. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2016)

• Release date: December 16, 2016 (PS4) / March 7, 2017 (PC / Xbox One)
• Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Series S/X
• Developed by: CAPCOM
• Does it have rollback netcode? No

An enhanced version of the title of the same name, now running at 60fps, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 allows players to pick from a roster of 50 signature characters as they take part in 3v3 battles. In true MvC fashion, air combos are the norm here, and a well-t??imed assist can change everything.

If you can, I recommend playing the game's ?PC version, as even if its base roster already packs quite a punch, its community has done a? phenomenal job by producing a wide array of extra characters.

7. UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes

• Release date: January 24, 2024
• Available on: PS5, PS4, PC, and Switch
• Developed by: French Bread
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

The latest installment in the series and a direct sequel to Exe:Late[cl-r], UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes takes a nat??ural step forward by smoothing its predecessor's edges and adding new mechanics to the mix. True to the franchise's fame, the title also features o??ne of the most diverse rosters in the market.

It's important to point out that, even if visually similar to other sprite-based series like BlazBlue and even its older sibling Melty Blood, UNDER NIGHT is a completely different beast. The reason? The way its Grind G?rid syst?em awards control, all while penalizing backpedaling and pushing you to be as efficient as possible.

6. Soulcalibur VI

• Release date: October 19, 2018
• Available on: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X
• Developed by: Bandai Namco
• Does it have rollback netcode? No

After the mixed reception of Soulcalibur V, Project Soul decided to bet all of their remaining chips in Soulcalibur VI, a soft reboot of the franchise taking ??place in a new timeline.

But although the game ended up failing to meet its publisher's expectations, SC6 succeeded in presenting the most polished version of the franchise's signature combat, now featuring improved animations and getting a breath of fresh air through new mechanics. In true Soulcalibur fashion?, you will also fi?nd a good amount of single-player content here, be it from its in-depth character creation system or its Soul Chronicle and Libra of Soul modes.

5. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

• Release date: December 11, 2023
• Available on: PS5, PS4, and PC
• Developed by: Arc System Works
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

An updated version of Granblue Fantasy Versus, now featuring new mechanics, improved visuals, and the more than welcome addition of rollback netcode, GBVS RIsing's ability to blend standard fighting and RPG elements makes it one of Ark System Works's most distinct games.

Apart from its story mode bosses, that can be seen in the game's cooldown mechanic. Also featured in the vanilla version, the mechanic does exactly what you might expect and adds different cooldowns to Special Moves/abilities, thus forcing players to ??plan their every move to maximize their damage and options.

4. Dragon Ball FighterZ

• Release date: January 26, 2018 (PC, PS4, Xbox One) / September 27, 2018 (Nintendo Switch)
• Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Series S/X, and Switch
• Developed by: Arc System Works
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

The game responsible for raising the bar when it comes to anime/manga-based titles, Dragon Ball FighterZ takes the already over-the-top approach of most tag fighters and turns it up to 8000 by allowing players to both fly across the screen and make use? of all of the planet-destroying moves they wish to come out on top.

The above is then paired with a roster featuring faces going from the classic Dragon Ball Z anime adaptation (and its many non-canon movies) to Super and even GT. In other words, no matter ??which season is your favorite, you are sure ??to meet a representative here.

3. The King of Fighters XV

• Release date: February 17, 2022
• Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Series S/X
• Developed by: SNK Corporation
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

Even if it hurts not seeing KOF as part of the big three, The King of Fighters XV is considered by many as the franchise's best entry point since XIII. After all, long gone are the da??ys when your execution nee??ded to be pitch-perfect to land damaging combos.

The game also showcases significant improvements in presentation when compared to XIV, as well as a few new mechanics that premiered both at laun??ch and later in the game's cycle (I'm looking at you, Advance Strike). The roster also doesn't disappoint and features a total of 59 ch??aracters at the time of writing.

2. Guilty Gear Strive

• Release date: June 11, 2021
• Available on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X
• Developed by: Arc System Works
• Does it have rollback netcode? Yes

The first Guilty Gear game to go mainstream, Guilty Gear Strive is the seemingly final chapter in the Soul Badguy story and the most inviting title in the franchise. Truly, what ArcSys managed to accomplish deserves commendation, as they s??ucceeded in giving ?the series an overhaul while keeping its soul intact.

But that was not achieved without its losses, as many see the removal of certain moves/mechanics as a tone-down. For me, although I believe GG Strive excelled in adjusting its scope to make sure everything would be up? to par, I can't say that I don't miss the wild Dragon Install Sol combos featured in the older entries.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

• Release date: December 7, 2018
• Available on: Nintendo Switch
• Developed by: Bandai Namco and Sora Ltd
• Does it have rollback netcode? No

The latest in the series that helped coin the term platform fighter, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate takes the first spot i??n our list given how its easy-to-pick-up mechanics and welcoming presentation make the gam?e a guaranteed fit for all, no matter if they are newcomers looking to have fun or seasoned players.

Another huge difference between the game and pretty much all other fighting games in the market lies in its star-filled roster of 82, which ??features both Nintendo staples and wild crossover characters. Have you ever? imagined having Bayonetta and Samus fare off against Joker and Sora? Well, wonder no more.

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So long and thanks for all the beatdowns

Motohiro Okubo, one of t??he longest-serving producers at Bandai Namco, has announced that they are moving on after ?a 25-year tenure with the developer/publisher. Okubo publicly announced the news yesterday via social media.

"It's been a while, but I will leave Bandai Namco Entertainment on August 31," said Okubo in the translated tweet. "Starting tomorrow, I will be working at a game company l??ocated in Shibuya."

"25 years ago, I joined Namco and met various people. I am grateful to all the people I've met. Especially through Soulcalibur VI, I received enormous p??ower from players all over the world... Thank you very much."

Okubo's legacy at Bandai Namco is defined by his work on excellent fighting titles such as 2015's Tekken 7 and the aforementioned Soulcalibur VI, which originally launched in 2018. Okubo has also worked on quirky, smaller-scale hits for Bandai Namco such as Pac-Man 99, which launc??hed on Nintendo Switch back in April of this year.

While Okubo did not o??utright specify the developer he will soon call his new home, said studio will no doubt be exceptionally pleased with its new hire, given Okubo's long-term experience and resume of successful releases.

//twitter.com/achilles_Okubo/status/??1432713496060?481544?s=20

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But it was not to be... TWO BEE... 2...

No-one can deny that NieR Automata's exquisite but highly hazardous android 2B is a perfect fit for Bandai Namco's fantasy fighter Soulcalibur, and as such nobody really batted an eyelid when the hack 'n' slash hero was announced for Soulcalibur VI back in 2018. But according to pr?oducer Katsuhiro Harada, things could have been different.

Speaking on Twitter, Harada noted that both his own fantastic fighter Tekken 7 and NieR: Automata are both approaching the seven million sales milestone. This led the charismatic producer to recall how, initially, 2B was slated to make her fighting game debut in Tekken, not Soulcalibur, a move ?that would have?? seen the YoRHa android square off against the likes of King, Asuka Kazama, and Ling Xiayou.

"Originally, there was a time when 2B was planned to become a guest character for Tekken, and we were moving forward with it behind the scenes," remembers Harada, in a series of tweets translated by Eventhubs' Nicholas Taylor. "However, the discussion changed to 'Isn't she actually a better fit for Soulcalibur?' and that's what happened."

Ultimately, I think we'd all agree that Soulcalibur was a more snug fit for 2B, given her haute couture battle fashions and penchant for bladed weaponry. That said, it would've been great to see her throw down with Tekken's Alisa Bosconovitch – all-out cyborg warfare that would probably shift the entire planet off its axis. Tekken would go on to receive its own cast of guest stars, including Street Fighter's Akuma, Final Fantasy XV's Noctis, Fatal Fury's Geese Howard and... erm... The Walking Dead's Negan.

NieR: A?utomata's 2B was initially planned as a guest for Tekk??en [Eventhubs / Harada]

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The second season pass wraps up with some goodies

The second season pass for Soulcalibur VI is about to wrap up, and it's going out in a good way. Hwang, one of the characters who first appeared in franchise precursor Soul Edge, will fina?lly be made playable when he's added next month as the 13th piece of DLC for the game.

But that's not all. Because on December 2, the game will be getting its 14th DLC pack as well that adds some paid and free goodies to the game. If you love customizing characters, get ready for more options that include new bits from the Tekken universe, as well as a new stage an?d new episodes with Nightmare and Mitsurugi.

And now the wait begins for the complete edition on next-gen consoles.

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Lady Snowblood

Another blood-spiller is sharpening their blade and preparing to make their vengeful return in Bandai Namco's Soulcalibur VI. As revealed during this morning's Japan Fighting Game Publisher Roundtable event, Setsuka is making her l??ong-awaited return to the steel-clashing franchise, as the third character of Season Pass 2.

Originally debuting in 2005's Soulcalibur III, Setsuka is an?? unassuming but deadly swordswoman, originally offering the appearance of a courtesan in order to track the legendary samurai Mitsurugi, whom she holds personally responsible for the death of her mentor, Kokonoe. Able to pass through towns and countryside as a demure, beautiful woman, the ever-alert Setsuka is able to take her foes with sudden surprise, unsheathing her bl??ade from her parasol and making short, violent work of any would-be opponents.

The Setsuka DLC launches August 4 and also includes the new Murakumo Shrine Grounds stage, a new Groh episode, and custom costume parts that will allow players to create Tekken antagonist Heihachi Mishima. The DLC will arrive alongside the Version 2.20 update, bringing a new run of balance changes and bug fixes to Soulcalibur VI and its noble roster of fighters.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

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Here is a picture of Anna Williams

Some of the Japanese fighting game publishers attending this weekend's "Roundtable discussion live stream" have teased that they will be bringing new announcements regarding the??ir respective fighters.

Bandai Namco has announced that it will have new news regarding both Tekken 7 and Soulcalibur VI, while Arc System Works has stated its intention to premier a new character trailer for Guilty Gear Strive. Given the cancellation of EVO earlier this year, it would figure that these publishers had reveals scheduled for the annual fighting game tournament. Capcom will also be holding its own live stream on August 5 to discuss the future of its premier scrapper, Street Fighter V.

Capcom, ArcSys, and Bandai Namco will also be joined on Saturday's roundtable stream by Arika, SNK, and Koei Tecmo. It has been one of the most difficult years in living memory for the? fighting game genre. It will be interesting to see what steps are taken by both the community and the industry itself to restore confidence, excitement, and - most importantly - safety within the competitive scene.

The Japan Fightin?g Game Publisher Roundtable takes place August 1.

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Crossed Swords

In one of the most fitting video game crossovers in some time, Samurai Shodown poster boy Haohmaru is preparing to lock blades with the roster of Bandai Namco's majestic 3D fighter Soulcalibur VI, and will ?arrive as a paid DLC ch?aracter on March 31.

Haohmaru made his debut in SNK's 1993 classic Samurai Shodown, quickly establishing himself as its lead character and going on to appear in every SamSho title to date. Recognised by his stoic style and huge shock of black hair, Haohmaru is a wandering ronin with a deep-rooted sense of honour and justice. His specific and methodical sword skills typify the whole flow and style of Samurai Showdown's meticulously paced combat.

The new trailer below reflects how perfectly suited Haohmaru is to Soulcalibur's sword 'n' sorcery combat, with the vagabond's fighting style and distinct special moves making the transition to the Bandai Namco fighter with ease. More importantly, it's great to see SNK titles mixing with the big leagues again, (see also Geese Howard in Tekken 7), as the company has been on verge of vanishing forever more times than I care to remember.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One. Samurai Shodown is available now on?? PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

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Just ippon over to another franchise

As part of the ongoing EVO Japan 2020 fighting game tournament, Bandai Namco has streamed a brand new trailer for its swords and sorcery fighter Soulcalibur VI, giving us a good look at its next DLC character, Haohmaru, who will be taking time out from Samurai Shodown the square off against Mitsurugi, Taki, Voldo and the rest of the SC crew.

As the poster boy for SNK's classic fighting franchise, Haohmaru brings with him quite a pedigree. A stoic and noble warrior, an exceptional swordsman, and a masterful tactician in combat, Haohmaru will slide right into the Soulcalibur universe, where he will join fellow guest stars Geralt from The Witcher and 2B from NieR: Automata.

You can check out the Haohmaru's trailer below, recorded from live stream by YouTuber Rikukey2.

While we do know that Haohmaru will be the next DLC character to arrive as part of Soulcalibur VI's season two pass, no specific date has been released for the wild-haired samurai. It's a fair be??t to say that fans will probably not be ke?pt waiting much longer.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One. Samurai Shodown is? available now on PS4 and Xbox One, and ar??rives on Nintendo Switch February 25.

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Heads up for Hilde

Bandai Namco has announced that season two of noble fighter Soulcalibur VI will begin next week, November 25, on all platforms. The first new roster addition for season two, Hildegard Von Krone (or just "Hilde" to her buddies) will be made available to purchase ??the following day on November 26.

A new Japanese overview trailer takes a look at the new features headed to Soulcalibur VI in season two. This includes Hilde herself, and new fight mechanics such as the "Resist Attack" counter and the powerful new "Soul Attack." Of course?, you can't throwdown without a battlefield, and season two will be adding new stage "The Sanctuary of Steel Wolves," alongside new training venue "Underground Labyrinth: Sealed Corridor."

But that's not all... Season two will also revamp elements of the Soulcalibur VI UI, add a new chat function to game lobbies, bring about a new selection of customisation items ?to dress up your homegrown warriors, as well as the usual run of balance tweaks and bug fixes. All in, it's going to be a pretty ex??citing week on the Stage of History.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

Soulcalibur VI Season 2 begins November 25 [Gematsu]

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Royal Rumbler

At the culmination of the Soulcalibur VI World Invitational 2019 tournament, which took place this weekend in Las Vegas, producer Motohiro Okubo took the stage to reveal the next DLC character stepping onto the Stage of History: Soulcalibur IV's Hildegard von Krone.

Von Krone - best known as simply "Hilde" - is a young woman of noble blood who had the responsibilities of the kingdom thrust upon her when the evil that plagues the land drove her father, the King, to madness. As the heir to the throne, Hilde was forced to step up at a very young age, guiding her people against the ever?? present menace of the Azure Knight.

Hilde achieved this through her steel ner?ve, tireless patriotism and indomitable spirit. A born leader and even better warrior, Hilde strides confidently into battle armed with both a spear and a short sword, effectively weaving together combat both at range and up-close to make her a severe threat for any foe, regardless of their size or abi??lities.

A trailer, which you can check out below, denotes Hilde as the first DLC character from SCVI's second season pass. Hilde will be followed by Samurai Shodown's Haohmaru at a later date, with two as-yet-unrevealed fighters rounding out the conten???t in future.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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As the kids say

Soulcalibur VI is still doing its thing. Wh?ile Bandai Namco's 3D weapons fighter doesn't quite make the same noise as some other games in the genre, it remains a popular title within the fighting game community at large, and a sharp test of skills on the competitive circuit.

Following on from this weekend's Asia League Finals - held at the SEA Makor 2019 in Singapore - Bandai Namco dropped a new video for the sword and sorcery release, showing off new moves, deflects and combo enders. These moves, one would assume, will be arriving in Soulcalibur VI as part of its upcoming season two content, which will also bring with it four new DLC characters (including Samurai Shodown's Haohmaru) and a slew of balance changes.

While there is still no arrival date for the season ??two content, hopefully producer Motohiro Okubo will have more details for us soon. In the meantime, have a look at the video bel??ow and see what new technique is coming to your favourite fighter on The Stage of History.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

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Season Two on the way

Just before the top eight of Tekken 7 got underway at today's Evo 2019 tournament, Bandai Namco revealed exciting news regarding new content headed to their steel-clashing fighter Soulcalibur VI.

First up, Cassandra Alexandra will be made available as tomorrow, as the final DLC character for the game's initial season pass. Debuting in Soulcalibur II, Cassandra is the sister of veteran roster member of Sophitia, though she c??arries a somewhat lackadaisical personality compared to her more steadfast sibling. Cassandra will be available to purchase tomorrow, August 5.

Also revealed was the existence of a whole new season of content. Season Two will add new mechanics to Soulcalibur VI, along with the addition of four further DLC characters. One such character was then revealed immediately, and it's none other than Haohmaru, poster boy for SNK's Samurai Shodown and more than a snug fit for Soulcalibur's inte?nse weapon-based combat. More information on season two will be coming at a later date.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

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Purrfectly attired

Tomorrow will see a new batch of cosmetic DLC arrive in Bandai Namco's fantasy fighting title Soulcalibur VI. Among the new add??itions headed to the wardrobe are a range of snazzy formal a?ttire, such as glamorous dresses and tuxedos, along with regal-looking armour for the less fashion-conscious members of the roster.

Over 150 customisation items will be made available, as well as a whopping 97 music tracks from previous Soulcalibur releases. However, more importantly than all of that, is the apparent ability to have kittens perched on your fighter's head and shoul?ders. Actual Cat? Hats. I know we all tend to frown on paid DLC, - and understandably so - but that's before I saw this image, and now I'm kind of turned around on the subject.

Those less impressed by the pure pleasure of a feline fedora might find something more their taste in the gallery below, which features characters such as Sophitia, Rock, Mitsurugi and others looking pretty dapper. The "Character Creation Set B" DLC launches tomorrow, May 16, and is expected to cost around $6, or is included as part of the SCVI Season Pass.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Version 1.30 out now

Project Soul has released the latest update to the sword and sorcery fighter Soulcalibur VI. Update 1.30, which is available now on all platforms, makes adjustments not only to the SCVI roster of warriors, but also affec??ts stage size??s and the guard metering system.

Considering the latter first, performing defensive maneuvers such as Reversal Edge and Guard Impact now uses more guard stamina than before, thus putting players who rely heavily on these tactics heavily at further risk than before. Maneuverability has been fi??ne-tuned across the board, with slight changes to actions such as jumping, rolling and the 8-way run.

Two of Soulcalibur VI's stages - Master Swordsman's Cave and Sunken Desert Ruins - have been increased in size, as Project Soul work to reduce the overall frequency of Ring Out in battle. The team are also currently working on improving camera performance, concerned that the view sometimes pulls back too far and can obscure the action. Alongside all these technical changes, individual characters have gone through the usual round of buffs and nerfs. The full patch notes for Update 1.30 can be found right here.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One. The latest DLC character, Amy, will be made available for purchase tomorrow.

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Next paid DLC character on the horizon

Namco Bandai has revealed the release date for the next warrior set to step onto Soulcalibur VI's Stage of History. Goth-Lolita Amy is putting on her Sunday best and is pr??eparing to start dropping fools as soon as next wee??k

Originally debuting in Soulcalibur II, before being made playable in the following entry, Amy is a demure French girl and Soulcalibur's take on the "aloof aristocrat" trope found in Street Fighter's Karin and Tekken's Lili (although Amy is slightly less ar??rogant than her familiars). Armed with a rapier-sty??le sword, Amy fights with a grace and fluidity befitting her charming appearance.

Amy will be made available to purchase on March 26. Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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— SOULCALIBUR (@soulcalibur) March 21, 2019

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Goth girls rejoice

Rapier clad, goth-lolita fighter Amy Sorel is heading to Soulcalibur VI as DLC. Being the third DLC character added to the roster, Amy was first introduced in Soulcalibur II as Raphael's adopted daughter before joining the brawl in Soulcalibur III. Bandai Namco ann??ounced the update at EVO Japan this weekend with a short trailer showing off her updated look. The date is currently listed as "Coming Soon."

If Amy sounds familiar, it is likely because her potential inclusion was leaked months ago. If that leak is to be believed, it seems Soulcalibur main??stay Cassandra will be coming next. I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I can't help ??but feel like these series veterans were cut to sell back at a later date.

SOULCALIBUR [Twitter]

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But who could 'Reptile' possibly be?

As is often the case in the wonderful world of video games, naughty hackers have picked their way through the code of Namco Bandai's fantasy fighter Soulcalibur VI. New entries, made in the game's recent 1.?11 update, appear to point to six new characters headed to the title as DLC roster additions.

The supposed six coded entries refer to the roster slots as "Stone", "Yell", "Star", "Snow", "Reptile" and "Yellow". Of course the SCVI community immediately?? set about trying to ascertain which characters these words could be referring to. Some examples are Rock for "Stone", Setsuka for "Snow" and, of? course, Lizardman for "Reptile".

It should be noted that this is all speculation. Fighting game placeholders have been known to be wrong before and there has been zero word from Namco themselves. At least SC fans might have a hint as to which warriors will be joining the Stage of History this? year. Provided you hav?e the dollar to pay for their entry, of course.

Soulcalibur upd?ate appears to have coded da?ta for six new characters [Event Hubs]

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Highcalibur creations

Soulcalibur VI's character creation tool is an absolute riot. If you need proof, scroll through this list of player-made fighters. Some of them are legitimately neat but most of them are just weird as hell. Definitely do n??ot stop until you get to the flabby-strong Pikachu who has bat wings for ears.

This post, however, is about a project that's designated as legitimately neat. Reddit user MagnificentBunny took the time and care to create all of Darksiders' Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They square off in the video that's embedded above. ?First, War and Death go at it, then it's Fury and Strife's turn. This kind of infighting isn't unheard of with ?the Four Horsemen, even though they are usually a cool, calm, and collected bunch.

It all looks quite good, especially considering it's created entirely within an unaffiliated game's customization tool. Also, it's great seeing Darksiders in a fighting game where its characters absolutely make a great fit. Maybe this is the nudge Nintendo needs to add Darksiders to Smash. If there's no room, Nintendo could get rid of four of the Fire Emblem characters and ?no one would know the difference.

MagnificentBunny doesn't just work in once-dead-but-recently-revitalized franchises. They've also made Soulcalibur VI fighters based on Bloodborne; and Arthas Menethil, Illidan Stormrage, Maiev Shadowsong, and Valeera Sanguinar from Warcraft -- mostly Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. They're all embedded below.

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New year, new fixes

Bandai Namco just recently released Soulcalibur VI's 1.10 patch, but that doesn't mean it can't immediately look forward to the next one. We already know what ?update 1.11 hopes to accomplish.

Ahead of everyone logging off for the holidays, Bandai Namco has detailed Soulcalibur VI's 1.11 patch which will go live sometime in January. It reads a lot like patch notes for a fighting game! Particular emphasis is put on ba?lance tweaks and network fixes.

Of course, this is far away from being the most interesting Soulcalibur news as of late. Nier: Automata's 2B was recently added to the roster, and that's w??hat has most people's attention. Patch notes just can't compete with the beloved robot lady.

Regardless, here are the full update notes for Soulcalibur VI's version 1.1??1, which will release sometime in January:

Gameplay adjustments (PC/PS4/Xbox One):

• Adjusted some aspects of the battle gameplay.
  Example: Fixed instances in which "Astaroth" was able to stay in Soul Charge mode beyond the fixed amount of time. Or instances in which some vertical attacks were not hitting opponents moving in 8WAY-RUN.
• Adjusted certain characters and moves that ended up being more powerful than intended.
  Example: Raphael's Reversal Edge, Azwel's stance change, Voldo's various special stances
• Corrected 2B's movement list, Corrected some inaccurate/erroneous information displayed on 2B's movement list. 

  The tip that specified that activating the following move would result in a continuous combo is inaccurate/erroneous: "During Aggression Shift while soul charged B.B ~ During Aerial Leap B+K." To correct this, we have added information that stipulates the above mentioned move does not result in a continuous combo in all but some of the characters. 

Network issues (PC/PS4/Xbox One):

• The game would get stuck on either the character selection screen or the stage selection screen. This issue will be fixed with the next patch. Temporary fix instructions until the patch: Wait for a few seconds on the stage selection screen.

Ver1.11 Update Note [Bandai Namco Entertainment]

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Classy robo-lassy arrives on The Stage of History

Before the launch of Namco Bandai's Soulcalibur VI, fans were fervently discussing which gaming characters could make an appearance as guest stars in the new fighter. One name came up time and time again, that of 2B, android protagonist of hack 'n' slash RPG NieR: Automata.

Well that theory has now become reality, and the demure-but-deadly battle bot is now available to purchase in-game. 2B brings a host of recognisable moves and attacks from NieR: Automata, from long-range sword attacks to lightning-fast hand-to-hand combat. Even her Pod pal is around to help out and, should? things get dire, 2B can even self-destruct, dropping her health to just a sliver while potentially causing huge damage to her opponent.

2B, in design and fighting style, looks to be a great fit for Soulcalibur, we'll see how well she fits in with Maxi, Mitsurugi, Ivy et al in the coming few weeks. Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Praise be to Alt-2B

It's shaping up to be a big two weeks for NieR: Automata despite being over a year since it released. We already got a weird as hell quote from director Yoko Taro confirmin??g the game of the year edition this week. Next week, the depression-bringing android 2B will ??make her debut on the stage of history.

Releasing on December 18th, 2B will be available to play in Soulcalibur VI. While no price has been set, she is considered to be part of the season pass so those who paid ?for it shouldn't have to do anything. Those looking to buy the DLC characters piecemeal will likely have to front the $5.99 that is being charged for Tira currently.

Between Geralt and 2B releasing for Soulcalibur, and Persona 5's Joker being announced for Smash Bros., I think we're in the ?middle of a beautiful era of crossover fighters.

Stand ready for battle: @NieRGame’s 2B will bring her blades to the stage of history on December 18th! Get your copy of @SOULCALIBUR VI: //t.co/qasTVeNWN5 pic.twitter.com/QlLi9arNa2

— BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment UK (@BandaiNamcoUK) December 13, 2018

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That is the question

NieR: Automata and Soulcalibur fans collectively went a little doo-lally over the news that stylish android gal 2B would be coming to the Soulcalibur VI roster in the near future. A live stream, held by Dengeki Online yesterday, lets us catch the quietly chaotic YoRHa ?unit in act?ion.

As you can see from the footage below, 2B retains most of her skills and attacks from NieR: Automata, including her use of heavy bladed weaponry, hand-to-hand comba??t, and her "Pod" sidekick. 2B will also be blessed with not one, but two Critical Edge attacks. When low on health, 2B can activate her skirt-destroying self-destruct sequence, leaving her with a sliver of heal??th and a cold bum, whilst doing damage to the opponent as a last-ditch effort to save the round.

The stream also gives us a chance to check out 2B's stage which, typically consists of the City Ruins of NieR: Automata. 2B's scanner pal, 9S, can be spotted watching the battle from a distance. There is currently no specific date for 2B's?? arrival as paid DLC.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Love that alt look

Soulcalibur VI is welcoming 2B from NieR: Automata into the fold at some point and people are going crazy over it. Not only is it a fresh relevant pick for a guest character, but Automata also rocks?? and popped up on many ??a Game of the Year list in 2017. 

The trailer dropped over the weekend, but you can check out some extra screens straight from Bandai Namco in the gallery below if that wasn't enough. There's more of a focus on her alternate costume, her Pod (that tiny floating robot) in action and her swath of weapons, including the R050: Spear. You also get a glimpse at her killer Soulcalibur VI style official artwork.

I sincerely hope that 2B heralds in some strange meta-like stuff with her intros and that guest characters add a ton of extra material to the already incredible character editor. This isn't her first guest appearance: 2B has also shown up in Gravity Rush 2, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, SINoALICE, Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin and Phantasy Star Online 2.

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Geralt vs 2B is now real

Continuing the recent trend of crossover, Bandai Namco has announced that 2B from last year's NieR: Automata will be coming to Soulcalibur VI.  The accompanying t?railer reveals a moveset, that pulls heavily from her original game, going so far as t??o incorporate the pod.

While no date has been given, 2B will be bringing plenty of items from NieR: Automata with her to the game. She will once again have Kaine's outfit as an alternate costume, along with several items for the create-a-soul feature, including Emil's head. The City Ruins will act as her stage, and will have music from NieR: Automata.

While 2B is great, and is making me consider the game now, I have a sneaking suspicion that we're going to have a repeat of Tekken 7's initial wave of DLC characters. Expect more characters from other franchises, not ones from the Soulcalibur franchise.

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Nobody is ready for Carly Rae Jepsen

One of the very best elements of Bandai Namco's recently-released Soulcalibur VI is its great character creation tool, Create-A-Soul. Within a week, we have already seen a ton of crazy characters from pop cultur?e, other fig?hting games, and real-life stepping up to throw down on the Stage of History.

However, for some of the community's players it's not all fun and games. Namco Bandai has allowed the use of custom characters in SCVI's online ranke??d mode, where players battle it ou??t for points, rank and leaderboard status, as well as utilising a competitive training ground for their setups, combos and other tactics.

The problem here is that some of the goofy and creative custom characters people are taking into battle are messing with the mechanics; changing hitboxes, c??ausing combos that should work to drop, creating combos that shouldn't, or otherwise breaking the game through size, speed, moveset or an amusing combination of all three. Some players are reportedly also creating characters that blend in with darker stages, giving it the whole John Cena strategy.

Some of the community don't see any problem, saying that the complainers are taking the game too seriously. But to be fair, fighting games are serious biznezz for some, literally. It's easy to see their point when Namco could have simply locked custom characters to unranked play or added an option that levels the playing field, such as Injustice 2's "Competitive Mode". Everybody's happy.

Soulcalibur pro-player and commentator Aris made a typically acerbic statement about this on his channel Avoiding the Puddle, and many others have taken to communities such as Event Hubs to voice their displeasure. For these players, it's not a case of banning custom characters from fighting online, just keeping them away from Ranked Mode. It's definitely a change worth considering, but first, I'd prioritize giving SCVI's online more stability in general. Custom characters or not, lag and long wait times kill everyone's?? fun.

Soulcalibur VI is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Create-a-character

Bowsette is lasting a little longer than most people thought it would. I mean it was born out?? of a Nintendo creation after all, with the insanely weird concept with Toadette becoming a human Peachette (how did that get off the cutting room floor), but nonetheless the community has persevered through external modding and in-game creation tools.

One such tool is the Soulcalibur VI character creator, which folks managed  to play around with this past week to create Bowsette (and Boosette). There's tutorials available if you want to make them yourself, but they both use Azwel's style as well as the Hidden Valley Clan body type. Credit goes to Espiownage for Bowsette?? (Boosette is available as a download from the community in-game).

I told everyone the character creator rocked!

Boo Contaldi [Twitter]

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Get 'em Geralt

Bandai Namco has a lot to answer for after 2012's Soulcalibur V. After gutting the?? beloved core cast and a number of single-p??layer modes the series felt hamstrung, to the point where some felt that it could never come back.

When in doub?t, put a Witcher in your game (?or a Jedi, or a Hero of Hyrule, or an assassin, or Hellspawn, or...you get the point).

Soulcalibur VI (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Project Soul
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Released: October 19, 2018
MSRP: $59.99

Soulcalibur VI rights a lot of the wrongs from six years ago. It's still absolutely gorgeous inside and out with an appropriately regal soundtrack that's so incredible that I often just leave it on as I'm making a sandwich or preparing for a match. It ticks all those boxes. But it also steers the ship back in the right direction for casual and hardcore ?fans alike. Let's start with the cast.

Although a few classic characters are missing, VI mostly hits the mark and brings back several no-shows from V, like Sophitia and Talim. There's a great balance here without having to resort to clones As for the new crew: I absolutely love the decadence of Azwel, the "Leader of Humanity." He's an edgelord and a perfect fit for a game that already held the edge crown with Nightmare. Project Soul is embracing their inner silliness here. His blue and red hues kind of codify Soulcalibur VI's loudness. His odd mi??xup-based fighting style, comprised of counter-like maneuvers, ranged attacks, and heavy-hitting close-quarters combos makes him a welcome addition.

Grøh is shonen incarnate, and although he's perhaps the least impressive new fighter on paper, there's still merit to his inclusion. Grøh's "single blade that splits into two" gimmick has been done before, but the way Soulcalibur stylishly executes it is something unique to this series. He can use his avenger stance to separate th?e swords at will outside of a combo and utilize a ton of movement-based abilities to sneak around the arena. The more I played with him the more depth I discovered. He's in the waiting room of the lab right now, but as more tech is discovered I may bring him into the fold.

Geralt from The Witcher series is a fine (and relevant) guest character. While the idea of Yoda spinning around with a lightsaber is anachronistic enough to turn people off, Witcher's medieval focus is inversely grounded. Geralt's style is based around "signs," which can basically be considered spells. He's kind of an all-comer mid-ranged character and should appeal to just about any fighting game player regardless of their familiarity with the source material. Quen (a sign that lets Geralt rush down an enemy while putting up a shield) is a great example of an ability that will speak to new players (and Soulcalibur in general allows for m??any answers to projectile spam/zoning with its aforementioned freedom of movement??). I'm going to use him to introduce people to the game.

The character creator is off the chain, offering scores of races that completely veer off course from the typically human-centr??ic notions of old. Lizardmen, mummies, skeletons, sculptures, goblins (Malefics), cyborgs (Automatons) and demons (Darksiders) are fair game. You can even kit one of these oddities out with a "narcissistic" voice that proclaims ??they're beautiful before choosing one of 20 fighting styles based on existing characters. It pretty much rules and I was immediately inspired to create my own Wack Pack of creatures.

Their main use here is in the Libra of Soul mode: an RPG based on the create-a-character system. It's lore-heavy with dialogue choices that are mostly fluff, with custom character creations to fight. It has its own narrative, world map, item system, and customization options. It's awesome as it really manages to feel like its own game: like one of many elements you'd find in a '90s fighter like Ehrgeiz.

Despite not changing a whole lot Soulcalibur is still relatively fresh in the fighting game circuit. To this day there still aren't many weapon-based fighters. It's a challenge, absolutely, to balance reach, power, and a ton of frame data around weapons, but Project Soul has done it time and time again. Making positioning matter is also another Soulcalibur staple. With ring-outs and multi-directional movement the stakes are often higher, and there's pretty much a c?ounter for everything.

Which leads me to the big new thing: the reversal edge. Think of it like a parry -- a swift way to push back against an onslaught after it's finished. Successes will initiate a slow-motion rock-paper-scissors standoff (A, B, K to be exact) similar to Injustice 2's clash system: but much more complex with the added bonus of being able to quit out with guard (G) or dodge and with character-specific nuances. It's snazzy and will lead to a lot of shouty moments in pro play. Plus, reversal edges can?? be countered with block-busting break attacks or merely by canceling a combo and dodging the obvious big red flash.

If you're completely lost the training mode also doubles as a tutorial, with tomes of information dealing with mechanics and a theatrical playback of each and every move: so you can see them as they should have been. They even break down individual characters to see if they're right for your playstyle. Between viewing their animations and reading hard data on what exactly it is they do I was able to pin??point a few new mains.

Soul Chronicle is the heart of Soulcalibur VI and functions as a sort of all-star mode. It's a road trip of the past from the original through the third game, but it doesn't make the mistake of foisting brand new characters onto you. It's genius: come back from a lengthy hiatus with a storyline that works as a refresher of sorts without rebooting the franchise and pissing off long-time players. It also incorporates created characters, incl??uding ones you've made yourself!

It's a great way to jump into Soulcalibur for the first time without feeling completely lost. Full voiceovers for both Soul Chronicle and Libra of Soul (including the option for English or Japanese voiceovers) help pull back from the corner-cutty feel of V. Arcade is also back just in? case you're wondering (it's sad how that need to be confirmed these days but so be ?it).

I still remember sitting down for the first time to play Soulcalibur on the Dreamcast and hearing Jeff Manning's voice echo across the room. This is a larger-than-life series that deserves a lot of love and care from its creator: and with VI, it got it. The recent documentary that openly acknowledge??s the past faults of the series gives me hope that Bandai Namco is going to right the Soulcalibur ship.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher. Online play quality was not assessed in this review but? will b?e covered as the game launches if anything is awry.]}

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'But the soul still burns...'

Namco Bandai has released the second part of their mini-documentary series looking at classic fighting title Soulcalibur, the latest edition of which goes on general release tomorrow on multiple platforms.

In part two of the Souls and Swords video series, Soulcalibur pro-players and commentators including Kayane, Maximilian, MarkMan, and Aris continue to provide soundbites on the steel-clashing one-on-one fighter and its enduring legacy.

This part is a bit less documentary and a bit more commercial, spending its entire run-time just talking about how great the new game is, over discussing any real series history. If you wanna hear or see a little more about the previous titles, then you can check out the first part of the documentary right here.

Soulcalibur VI laun?ches tomorrow?, October 19 on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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MarkMan looks at Reversals, Break Attacks and more

We are literally days away from the return of legendary fighting series Soulcalibur, as Bandai Namco prepare to launch the f??ranchise sixth entry on PS4, PC and Xbox One, bringing back a cast of classic?? fighters to do battle once again on the Stage of History.

But perhaps it's been a while since you last took Ivy, Talim, Voldo or Cervantes into battle, and you're feeling a little bit of ring rust. If so, Mark "MarkMan" Julio has got your back in this newest video, which briefly looks over some of Soulcalibur VI's new and returning fighting mechanics.

These include the showy Reversal Edge, Break Attacks, Soul Charge, and the all-new one-button Supers: Critical Edge. Button-mashing gets you pretty much nowhere in Soulcalibur, (well??, unless you choose Maxi), so these basic tec??hniques must be mastered if you don't want to end up picking up your teeth with a broken arm.

Soulcalibur VI launches on PS4, PC and Xbox One on October 19

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Over 20 years of swords and souls

Soulcalibur VI is so close you can almost taste the steel. It tastes like hurting. In order to get the final log on the hype train's fire, Namco Bandai has launched the first in a short series of videos looking at the legacy of Soulcalibur and its impact on the competitive scene, because all fighting devs ch?ase now is eSports.

The video, titled Swords & Souls: The Rise of Soulcalibur, runs just shy of fifteen minutes and looks at earlier titles in the series, showing the evolution of the game from its humble beginnings as 1996's Soul Edge to Soulcalibur VI, which hits the shelves in just under two w?e?eks' time.

Various recognisable figures from the FGC turn up to offer their thoughts and insights, including pro-player Kayane, YouTuber Maximilian and long-time Soulcalibur supporter Aris, among others. It's a fast and fun video and serves well to g??et you in the mood for our forthcoming return to the S?tage of History.

Soulcalibur VI launches October 19 on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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