I don't "get" Soul Calibur

[Anayo]

I've sank my teeth into maybe 3 fighting games. These would be Street Fighter Alpha 3, Tekken, and Virtua Fighter. In each one, I spent a while studying how to play, then got a 'feel' for how the characters handled so I could build muscle memory for how to fight. I never got really awesome at any of them but I did get started in that direction... I could at least intuitively decide when to use a quick jab, a long, heavy hitting punch, or a throw, etc.

I got Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast lately and tried to make sense of the combos for characters. I think I'm doing something wrong cause it just feels like button mashing to me. I feel like I press whatever seems convenient at the time, special moves happen by accident, and while it looks fantastic I can't make heads or tails of what I'm really doing.

I realize this is really vague but can anyone help me understand this? How did you get the hang of Soul Calibur?

[dsheinem]

I realize this is really vague but can anyone help me understand this? How did you get the hang of Soul Calibur?

I have found each game in this series to be exceedingly easy to beat by button mashing. If there's a strategy I haven't found it and have felt no need to...

[noiseredux]

I've only played the 2nd game, and very little of it. I guess I'll find out when we do the first game for TR in a few months.

[Sideroller]

I've played Soul Calibur more than any other fighting game (Tekken is a close second) and although I wouldn't say I'm a pro by any means - I think I understand the key to becoming decent.

Basically you just have to know when to guard and how/when to deflect your opponents attacks (parry) and throws. You do this by guarding and hitting a throw combo just as they are about to throw you or press an attack button when they are about to attack you to parry (I think. You should check the command list). Anyways, doing this allows you a chance at a counter attack and possibly unleashing flurry of attacks and throws. When your opponent guards try and go for a low attack or sidestep. I believe side throws and back throws do much more damage and can be good for creating distance between you and your enemy. If the distance is too far try charging at them and then go into a slide kick to knock them down use vertical attacks to hit them while down.

Basically your three ways of attacking are this:

Vertical strikes: They should be used when your opponent is infront of you or crouching/jumping.

Horizontal strikes: Are most effecticve when your opponent is trying to circle you, and they can be used to sweep them from off the ground.

Kicks: Basically these can be used to knock your opponent back and leave them open for more attacks or to just get them off of you.

These are the very basics I feel. Of course there are lots of combos and certain characters (ahem Voldo) have very different attack patterns/stances but this should hopefully help you get the hang of it. Once you have you should start learning some more powerful moves/combos to obliterate your enemies.

[Gunstar Green]

The computer isn't too bright in Soul Calibur usually but when I've played against other people I've had some really incredible struggles. One of the things that made the game popular back in the day was the adventure mode thing.

Another thing that made it popular was the graphics and animation was like nothing we'd seen on a home console at this point. It still looks great today but when it came out it was amazing.

[Reprise]

Soul Calibur is awesome! When the game first came out, I played it for years, mastering many of the characters and taking the time to learn lots of the techniques and moves.

What I loved about it was the depth it had. While some would argue that the actual fighting engine itself is quite shallow (it is quite button bashing-y), what I mean is the Adventure mode Gunstar Green mentioned, as well as all the unlockables. There's loads of stuff to unlock and see (or at least it seemed that way back in 2000, when most fighting games featured very little).

It's been ages since I played it, but generally what Sideroller says seems to ring true to me. Other than that, use the practice mode and try to learn as many of the techniques and moves you can. The Adventure mode is also good for training and learning new moves to begin with, if I remember rightly.

[sevin0seven]

not a big fan of the series either. maybe you should try Weapon Lord (also from Namco). that at least takes time to master and learn the combo. more than a button smashing sword fighting game.

[Hatta]

I think I'm doing something wrong cause it just feels like button mashing to me. I feel like I press whatever seems convenient at the time, special moves happen by accident, and while it looks fantastic I can't make heads or tails of what I'm really doing.

This perfectly describes my experience with all fighting games.

[wip3outguy7]

Use Mitsurugi. He is Paul Phoenix with a sword.

[Sideroller]

Use Mitsurugi. He is Paul Phoenix with a sword.

or better yet - Maxi who practicall does combos automatically