GAMING: SoulCalibur V

The SoulCalibur series, of which this is the sixth, has always been a superior fighting game, with gorgeous cinematics and graphics and tight battles.

GAME: SOULCALIBUR V (PS3)

PRICE: R500

AGE: 16

SC5 holds its own in terms of the series' strengths, but this latest instalment is also a bit of a curate's egg. In some ways, such as the fight mechanics, it is the best since SC2.

But SoulCalibur has fallen prey to a common problem: the single-player campaign is rudimentary and short, so you need to play the multiplayer and online options to get value for money.

Without a top-speed internet connection and lots of bandwidth at your disposal, whole sections of the game are beyond your reach.

In South Africa, this reduces the appeal of SC5.

Which is a pity, because the online component is particularly good.

Storylines are seldom a strong point in fighting games, but this one is notably silly.

It's set 17 years after the events of SC4 in the 17th century - but, while characters such as Ivy appear ageless, others are the descendants of some of her peers.

The fighting, which forms the bulk of gameplay, has been tightened up, but there are some other changes that make winning very challenging.

You can no longer get very, very good at blocking and use only that to raise your "Critical Gauge" to intensify attacks.

Eventually, your opponent - or the computer's AI - will break down your blocks, which is a bit frustrating.

Brave Edge and Critical Edge moves bring strategy into play and make SC5 much more than a simple button-masher.

THE GOOD

SC5 is beautiful. It has some of the best graphics I've seen on PS3 - especially in a fighting game - and the characters, whether in story or fighting mode, are truly individual.

The battles are back to the quality of SC2, not the disappointing SC4.

THE BAD

Not only is the plot poor, but many of the linking sequences are told in storyboard mode. It feels as if someone couldn't have been bothered with the time and cost of full animation. It reduces a fine visual experience.

If single-player is your only option, it's very, very short.

RATING: 7