Soul Calibur III

[Ikaruga]

Well no. But I was playing SCII last night on the Weapon Master mode and although very good, it was lacking an idea i've had for a fighting game for a long while.

Why is the weapon master mode not a fully fledged RPG? With NPC's and REAL towns you have visit instead of just reading a story which gets a little tiring after a while. Everytime you have to battle someone, instead of a turn-based battle , the game simply turns into the well known fighter perspective. SCII already has the exp points, you can buy things from A shop. Surely a 3D engine could be implemented to take advantage of this superb idea?

Namco, listen up. You have the chance to do something very special with the inevitable next installation. Why not employ the expertise of Square-Enix?

[Welrain]

Its an interesting idea, though hardly new or particulary superb

The weapon master mode isnt a fully fledged rpg because SC isnt an rpg its a fighting game. The weapon master mode is a bonus and not the true meat of the title.

I'd rather SC stuck to what is did best rather than become a mismatch of ideas. Perhaps they should have concentrated harder on the meat this time rather than the dressing and SC2 might have been a worthy succesor to SC.

[Ikaruga]

Ah, but I disagree.

Namco could concentrate on keeping the same fighting formula, but just add greater depth and adventure into the weapon mode. I know i'd rather see that in the next one.

If done properly, It could certainly add a lot more to the fighting genre, not to mention the longetivity of the game.

I don't understand why people want the same over and over again in these games, yet when they do, they complain about it not delivering enough originality. Never happy.

[C']

But to do that you're talking about at least twice as long development time. The time needed to develop the game for the arcades (along with any character/gameplay additions that Namco add). Then when it comes to a port, the time needed to develop a fully fledged RPG is massive and it would still be considered an extra and many SC experts would be more interested in the main fighting game, rather than an RPG extra.

Namco have already ticked off a diligent hardcore of original SC players with the sequel. They cannot afford to do the same for SC3.

[Welrain]

I don't understand why people want the same over and over again in these games, yet when they do, they complain about it not delivering enough originality. Never happy.

People what orginanility with a genre, your talking about merging two genres together, thats an entirely different kettle of fish.

[Ikaruga]

Fair enough, you don't agree. Difference of opnion.

I think the weapon master mode is weak. I was dissapointed when it told me to 'Navigate around the dungeon, and defeat the boss' and all I can do it go through a fairly linear path of opponents and collect items by defeating each one in a samey manner. There is hardly any sense of exploration, and the text of the story drains my attention.

I think they should spend less time listening to the 'hardcore fighting fans' and play jazz so to speak. Rehashing old ideas to suit a fanbase is a terrible waste of what could be a great and new direction in the series.

[Madbury]

Why is the weapon master mode not a fully fledged RPG? With NPC's and REAL towns you have visit instead of just reading a story which gets a little tiring after a while. Everytime you have to battle someone, instead of a turn-based battle , the game simply turns into the well known fighter perspective. SCII already has the exp points, you can buy things from A shop. Surely a 3D engine could be implemented to take advantage of this superb idea?

Sort of like Shenmue, but with more emphasis on the fighting? How cool would that be. Shrink the scope of Shenmue, to a single day, played out in real time, Story, Ryo tries to uncover some sort of Triad side plot, kicking 7 shades in the process. Less wandering around, more linear with lots of fighting.

They should release this as some sort of Shenmue Gaiden.... It would sell like hot cakes.

--EDIT-- build it on the VF4 evo engine, with lots of different characters. Better still have the same story playable from each characters perspective, Sonic Adventure style. Suzuki has to make this game

[C']

Fair enough, you don't agree. Difference of opnion.

I think the weapon master mode is weak. I was dissapointed when it told me to 'Navigate around the dungeon, and defeat the boss' and all I can do it go through a fairly linear path of opponents and collect items by defeating each one in a samey manner. There is hardly any sense of exploration, and the text of the story drains my attention.

I think they should spend less time listening to the 'hardcore fighting fans' and play jazz so to speak. Rehashing old ideas to suit a fanbase is a terrible waste of what could be a great and new direction in the series.

But you're asking them to fundamentally change a franchise. You want an RPG with a more developed cmbat system. Your aspirations are noble but the Soul series has always been a one-on-one fighter and it will always stay that way. To expect a developer to add a fully fledged RPG as an aside to the main fighter is execting a bit too much I reckon.

however, there's no reason why a developer can't develop a new game with the ideas you mention. Just that the game should not be in place of SC3 (which is something that I highly anticipate, whether it's a massive revolution or "the same over again").

[GordonJ]

This thread is giving me Ehrgeiz flashbacks, although I never played the rpg section much.

Must dig it out and have a go soon

[Ikaruga]

But you're asking them to fundamentally change a franchise

I'm not asking anything. I'm discussing an idea.

The SC franchise (I hate that word btw) is only 3 games strong.

It's not like i'm wanted capcom to 'fundamentally' change the SF series into a strategy sim or something.

[C']

But you're asking them to fundamentally change a franchise

I'm not asking anything. I'm discussing an idea.

The SC franchise (I hate that word btw) is only 3 games strong.

It's not like i'm wanted capcom to 'fundamentally' change the SF series into a strategy sim or something.

OK, the idea that you are discussing, if it came to pass, is asking them to fundamentally change a franchise. Sheesh

The series (I'll use that word since you really hate the other one) may ONLY be 3 games strong, but it now has massive following that have come to appreciate it for what it is. A deep, rewarding versus fighter with almost limitless multiplayer potential. Can't see too many fans being overly enamoured if the next one was a single player RPG, with no challenge potential at all. I would say your idea is similar to changing Street Fighter into a strategy sim though.

[Ikaruga]

Oh christ, stop taking me too seriously.

A deep, rewarding versus fighter

I don't think it IS a vs fighter. It has a larger single player factor on the home consoles. By far. With the survival, practice modes, galleries, extras, weapon master mode, etc...

I'm not saying the next one should be a linear singleplayer rpg...When did you all lose your imaginations? Please don't become games designers.

That's not to say i'm taking anything away from SCII, it's great. I'm just adding what i'd like to see SCIII progress into. A superb fighting game with a well oiled RPG mode instead of the slightly tedious and afterthought that is weapon master.

[C']

Oh christ, stop taking me too seriously.

A deep, rewarding versus fighter

I don't think it IS a vs fighter. It has a larger single player factor on the home consoles. By far. With the survival, practice modes, galleries, extras, weapon master mode, etc...

I'm not saying the next one should be a linear singleplayer rpg...When did you all lose your imaginations? Please don't become games designers.

That's not to say i'm taking anything away from SCII, it's great. I'm just adding what i'd like to see SCIII progress into. A superb fighting game with a well oiled RPG mode instead of the slightly tedious and afterthought that is weapon master.

I'd kind of figured out that you didn't view the game as a versus fighter, but sorry bud, thats what it is. The extras are there because the demands of the current market seem to insist that they should be included but personally I could live without them. I see it as shame that you've not experienced the versus aspect of the game as you are missing out on a significant part of the package. I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying. Weapon Master Mode is limited and not an indepth single player experience (but then again neither were the same options in Soul Edge and Soul Calibur). I actually had a massive versus session on SC2 over the weekend, and the fun that I had playing fellow players was several times more rewarding and exciting than any single player experience with the same game. I guess until you experience that you won't fully appreciate why I am against what you are suggesting.

Like I said, I think your idea is noble and I can see it having potential as a seperate game. (Oh and don't worry, I have no aspirations to be a game designer. I simply play them well, I couldn't possibly design them ^_^)

[Ikaruga]

I see it as shame that you've not experienced the versus aspect of the game as you are missing out on a significant part of the package

Erm...

When?

I was playing Vs Team battle with a few mates last night. The VS Aspect of SCII is excellent. Not a problem, it's really addictive and great fun.

But there are many more single player options included catering for the lone videogamer. AND ONES WHICH I BELIEVE NEED IMPROVING UPON!

Hence the idea.

[C']

I see it as shame that you've not experienced the versus aspect of the game as you are missing out on a significant part of the package

Erm...

When?

I was playing Vs Team battle with a few mates last night. The VS Aspect of SCII is excellent. Not a problem, it's really addictive and great fun.

My mistake. I assumed that, based on your statement that

I don't think it IS a vs fighter.

I completely fail to see how someone that enjoys the multiplayer aspect can make that statement above.

Ah well, live and learn