15 Years Ago, Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Atoned For Soulcalibur 4’s Sins

15 Years Ago, Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Atoned For Soulcalibur 4's Sins

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming history under my belt, I can confidently say that Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny holds a special place in my heart and in the franchise’s legacy. This title, though essentially a handheld port of Soulcalibur 4, managed to carve out its unique identity and stand tall against its console counterpart.


2009’s “Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny” was a pivotal milestone in the franchise’s history, as it successfully transitioned the game from console to handheld format (PSP). Despite being an adaptation of Soulcalibur 4 with some modifications, this title established its own distinct identity by overcoming new technical challenges and offering a unique gaming experience. In terms of the most debated era in the “SC” series, “Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny” is often considered the best representation of the fourth installment due to one key factor – its standalone quality.

When Soulcalibur 4 debuted as the latest installment of its series during a new generation, it built upon previous versions in a continuous manner of enhancement. However, one decision from this title continues to be a point of contention among fans up until now. In a series that gained notoriety for featuring guest characters following Link’s appearance in Soulcalibur 2, cameos have consistently been a part of each subsequent release. The inclusion of Star Wars characters in SC4, however, deviated from the trend of historically-accurate selections that had come before. This decision is still seen as a blemish on the franchise by some enthusiasts, but it was rectified with the introduction of the much more popular choice in Broken Destiny.

Soulcalibur 4’s Clash of Universes Didn’t Mix as Well as Previous Attempts

Darth Vader and Yoda Are Tough Sells in a Historical Setting

Incorporating characters from the Star Wars universe into Soulcalibur 4 seemed strange to many players because the game is usually set in a late medieval period and most of its guest characters have been consistent with this setting. Characters like Starkiller, Yoda, and Darth Vader felt out of place alongside knights due to their futuristic sci-fi backgrounds. The inclusion of an entire Death Star stage further emphasized the disconnection from the game’s established lore. Additionally, the decision to make Vader and Yoda exclusive to consoles while Starkiller was available on both platforms added fuel to the backlash. Although characters like Heihachi from Tekken in SC2 also came from an anachronistic setting, his design still aligned with the series’ overall aesthetic.

Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny’s Kratos Makes Up For Its Handheld Port Concessions

Complementing Bandai Namco’s Medieval Fantasy World

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Broken Destiny Stands as a Strong 3D Fighter Despite Its Lacking Content

In exchange for the PSP version of Soulcalibur 4 losing its story mode and certain customization features, it retained the same fundamental gameplay mechanics as the console edition. Despite being on a less potent system, the game’s streamlined experience remained faithful to all aspects of the combat system at that time. The inclusion of Kratos as a guest character not only maintained a consistent tone but also harmonized well with the available fighting options, fitting perfectly within the game’s setting.

A Similar Scenario Still Affected the Most Recent Soulcalibur

In Soulcalibur 6, Geralt might have continued the tradition of fitting guest characters, yet the introduction of 2B from Nier: Automata reintroduced a science fiction figure into the series. The current ambiguous state of the franchise echoes past times when Star Wars guests didn’t quite fit, suggesting that future cameo fighters should harmonize better with the established Soulcalibur universe to avoid excessive disruption. Even after several sequels, Broken Destiny remains a strong example of how a well-matched guest character can significantly influence the Soulcalibur series in a positive way.

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2024-09-01 22:03