In a realm where our minds can easily become transfixed by glitter, hurrahs and a lack of resplendent original titles, it's hard to imagine that we've truly been introduced to "The Next Level". Sega is presently allocating all resources to create the biggest marketing campaign the entertainment industry has ever seen. Allied in their new engagement stands a company, which initially has even propelled Sega's stock percentages by considerable margins. Are crops seeing a better harvest this season? Hardly. It's all about games folks and the users which will give indefinite attention to Sega Dreamcast as the system is unveiled to the US September 9. As gamers flock throughout the dozens of outlets and retailers holding dozens of preorders, there will be one game alone which many will buy, or will buy after witnessing first hand the purest, most enlightening and entertaining fighting game which has yet to be enjoyed by the entire world. Big words? No, they're well deserved as Namco has unleashed another level by which all fighters from this point will be judged, and you'll see it when you personally embrace Soul Calibur.

To even acknowledge as many editors and peers alike will state: "This game is pure arcade bliss and perfection", doesn't truly quantify a significant degree of words to express the feelings I gained from the whole experience. If not for the very fact that you'll actually be playing what now has become THE most anticipated game of the year, it will surely also become one of the most popular, the most played and definitely the most discussed title for the months to come. I can't begin to express that when you're finally enjoying this game in your home, after several uncontrollable grins and maniacal laughter (yes, I happened to do that several times and it was justified mind you), you'll come back to reality and conclude - Sega's back.

After the real time, two minute-ultra sharp introductory sequence plays out (via the highly detailed and fluid characters rendered by actual in-game graphics...no FMV here), you'll immediately be psyched to jump into the game. Again, like other titles developed for DC, don't expect load times, none significant anyhow; (unless one second really just is too much for the impatient). The character select screens, music, and overall layouts are exactly as they were previously portrayed in the arcade. Yet...unlike its predecessor, everything in this game has been improved greatly to take advantage of the systems' hardware.

You'll find characters for one thing, are much sharper in detail, more fluid and most importantly; more lifelike. How much more? Take a moment to truly gaze at how much Namco shows their concern to truly improve upon excellence and you'll be surprised no less. Characters now have been designed with actual torso and other added joint ligaments. What this translates into is a much higher degree of realism, all at 60fps which can get so intense during battle, you'll swear the speeds were running at a higher frame rate. In addition, though the arcade counterpart did primarily demonstrate actual speech and facial movement, Dreamcast takes it one step further. Each of the characters now have actual lip-synching in correlation with their win quotes. Gone are the bland textures, you'll notice actual renders of mouths adjusting with the speech, chin movement, even going so far as to be detailed to the point where various quotes will even depict certain characters gnashing their teeth. Real enough for ya? Heh, this is just one highlight...more which will be expressed in our full blown review next week.

Namco has designed Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast from the ground up. Every character was completely redesigned to reflect the most realistic animated polygon fighters to date. Without a doubt, this game rivals anything which is on the market, including the popular Virtua Fighter 3. Yes, it does look THAT good! All the backgrounds are also graced by the prowess of programming ingenuity. Forget about the 2.5D backdrops form the arcade, you'll notice that each background (many which have a dual look to them according to the respective character of that stage) are detailed to the tee. Taki's stage is composed of a huge Buddha statue while various flags casually animate in the background. Mitsurgi's stage taking place on a large wooden platform while ships in the background are engaged in battle, (cannon fodder and actual shrapnel animated along with smoke too!). These are just a few of the spectacles you'll see. Naturally, if you've also heard any of the soundtrack scores as well, you're quite aware how much they can get you engrossed in playing. I've never been too big with the "Soul" series, but playing this at home was a perfect testimony to keep me entertained for hours.

Of course, what home version would not be complete without the extra bonus options which have been made exclusive in every Namco conversion to date? Several options are packed inside, many which will be unlocked through the Mission Mode. This requires you acquire battle points in the similar fashion as World Tour Mode found in the DC/PSX versions of Street Fighter Zero 3. Upon successful completion of each mission, points will be acquired. Various modes will then present themselves on the main menu such as Museum Mode (which has several sub options such as an Exhibition Mode and a Illustration Mode containing well over 2 dozen images of CG and professional fan art flavor). Finally, just to briefly highlight as one of the best features I've yet to see anywhere else, Exhibition Mode. Here you can study your character's battle profile, weapon, voice samples, and the stage. Yet, the best kicks will be to actually see the characters perform there kata (which in English roughly translates into [their] "battle style" or "way of doing". All are truly impressive to watch and can be configured accordingly to your personal tastes based on the menu provided for you.

To simply summarize, this game has shown that the Dreamcast not only can handle 3D smoothly, but also struts it stuff with a variety of hardware effects. An aspect, that's just the icing on the cake as surely future titles will surpass what is being introduced here. Inferno's stage and the character himself is a sight that's best left to be personally experience rather than me attempting to orally express the degree of amazement you'll no doubt avert to. Namco's first generation title should dismiss anyone's doubts about home conversions, technical prowess and the fact that Sega is serious about delivering arcade quality at home. Soul Calibur does this without little effort. From a company which has repeatedly displayed excellence on all the platforms its developed for, Dreamcast is the perfect foundation for any future titles which await us. Ironically, the game's announcer makes an appropriate statement by which to judge Namco, Soul Calibur (which evolved from the sleeper hit, Soul Blade) and most importantly, Dreamcast:

The legend will never die.

· · · Bahn