SoulCalibur V 360/PS3 promises an unlikely return for the series. This was the start of my multiplayer passion and its fifth iteration looks as strong as ever.

There’s no better knife edge to cut your teeth on in the world of multiplayer gaming than a fighting game. I remember first encountering SoulCalibur (as Soul Edge back then) on the original PlayStation. I’ve been transfixed by this out-sized fighting master-series ever since.

Many will decry the ridiculous storyline and fantastical collection of characters and moves. But you can keep your Street Fighters and BlazBlues with their feet on the ground, give me SoulCalibur’s ridiculous love of the bizarre any day of the week.

SoulCalibur V sees publisher Namco Bandai and developer Project Soul finally arrive for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in February. It was a release that seemed like it might never happen. After SoulCalibur IV was wrapped up in 2008 the team was disbanded and to all intents and purposes the franchise had, with Street Fighter IV in the ascendance, run aground.

But outrage in the surprisingly large SoulCalibur community caused Namco Bandai to think again. So here we have SoulCalibur V 360/PS3. True to form this is a dyed in the wool SoulCalibur rental game. Early indications suggest that it ticks all the familiar boxes.

Like its predecessors, SoulCalibur V 360/PS3 draws the same stable of Japanese fighters – from the diminutive females to the over sized and cumbersome males. But more than simple gender caricatures each of has their own story and feels different to play. Fighting styles, melee weapons and even guns mean that they need respect and must be learnt to capitalise fully on their abilities.

Along with its fast and loose approach to storytelling is a propensity to include characters from other games and franchises. I enjoyed the inclusion of Link, Darth Vader and Kratos in SoulCalibur IV. This flirting with the great and late of the geekdom continues in SoulCalibur V in the form of Ezio Auditore di Firenze of Assassin’s Creed fame.

The story, as much has been revealed of it so far, brings back Nightmare — although exactly how is unclear as he was decisively dispatched at the end of the previous game. His return, and subsequent world domineering will likely be the subject of the doubtlessly wacky storyline in SoulCalibur V 360/PS3.

Other characters to return this time are community favourite Dampierre (in case you don’t remember he’s the flashy business like fighter from the PSP game). Series stalwarts like Seigfried are of course included, although now the passing years have had their toll on him — whereas he started as a young 17 year old fighter, he is now a middle aged man — so different tactics are required to get the best out of his older self.

Although there is still plenty more to see of the game, I can already tell (with the pieces in play already) that this is going to be another compulsory purchase for fans of the series. The bigger question is whether it will be able to win over new converts with such steep competition from its peers (I’m thinking Super Street Fighter and BlazBlue here mainly).

However it turns out, it perpetuates my advice for those who want to get into (or understand what all the fuss is about around) multiplayer gaming. Fighting rental games are the best place to start. SoulCalibur V looks set to continue that tradition in its own inimitable style.

SoulCalibur V will be available to rent or buy from Boomerang on the Xbox 360 and PS3 from 3rd February 2012!

If you’re looking to rent, our packages start from just £3.99 a month! And you can now become a Priority Member from as little as £10.99 a month! Why not try our 21 day free trial? Click here to join now!  

Want to reserve your own copy? Click here to order at a great price and free P&P! We also sell ex-rental copies in ‘as new’ condition complete with brand new box & manual!

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