SoulCalibur II HD Online hits PS3 next week

Hi everyone. We’re all so happy at NAMCO BANDAI Games to bring one of our most popular games ever to the PlayStation Store. When it was originally released in Europe 10 years ago, SoulCalibur II instantly became a fighting game classic thanks to its unique 3D weapon-based gameplay. Widely acclaimed by the critics at launch and still heralded as one of the best fighting games of all-time, it is still considered as THE definitive SoulCalibur game, and it continues to lend its DNA to the series.

Set four years after the events of the first instalment, the game continued the history of the two Soul Swords. It introduced new characters such as Raphael and Sophitia, as well as guest characters, including Todd McFarlane’s Necrid and one of three platform-exclusive characters. It also included new stages, character customisation, improved stunning graphics and a brand new set of refined gameplay features that would become the signature of the SoulCalibur series for years to come.

Next week, in celebration of its 10 year anniversary, we will release SoulCalibur II HD Online on PlayStation Store. Project Soul team re-imagined the original game by adding not only vibrant updated graphics, but also all-new online multiplayer modes to make the fighting experience complete. Fans will also be pleased to learn that the two legendary heroes, SPAWN and HEIHACHI, originally exclusive guest characters, will be available for the first time ever on PlayStation 3.

We all have good memories at NAMCO BANDAI Games each time we play SoulCalibur II, whether it be as a team member involved in its launch, or when we were younger and would have friendly fights after school. Mr Hoshino, the Producer of SoulCalibur II HD Online and has been involved on various levels in each SoulCalibur title starting with SoulCalibur II, has this to say:

I am very pleased to release my favorite SoulCalibur title in HD and I am looking forward to keep playing to it with others thanks to the new online feature, which we couldn’t have at the time of the original game. I believe SoulCalibur II HD Online can definitely satisfy old SoulCalibur II fans. And for those who play SoulCalibur II for the first time, I am pretty sure that they will be surprised by the quality of the game.

What was the reasoning behind the selection of SoulCalibur II for an HD remake?
SoulCalibur II was our first multiplatform title in the series, and is one of the most popular installments, as well as a personal favorite.

Aside from improved visuals, has the game received other upgrades? Be it smoother frame-rate or upgraded fighting mechanics?
With the power of the current console, the frame rate is incredibly stable. For the versus gameplay mechanics, the emphasis was on recreating everything exactly as it was in the original. The biggest addition is definitely the online Vs mode. This wasn’t available in the original, so I’m sure the fans will be pleased to see what it’s like to play the game with today’s online technology implemented.

What do you remember from the time of the original SoulCalibur II development?
I remember that at the time we were developing SoulCalibur II, I could go home only twice a month. I worked until midnight, had late dinner and came back to the office every day. There could be no limit and end if you wanted to improve the game quality to its maximum. And I thought that state of mind toward game development was the spirit of Namco brand. Our SoulCalibur team still has that spirit, so please look forward to our future project!

SoulCalibur II HD Online is already available for pre-order on PlayStation Store for a promotional price and will be available for download next Wednesday, 20th November priced €18.99/£11.99.