Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast propelled the fighting genre into the next generation. Featuring an excellent combat system, a phenomenal soundtrack and luscious visuals that can still compete with today's games, Namco's weapons-based masterpiece was a revelation. Now, nearly four years after the original sent Dreamcast sales soaring Namco's unleashed its sequel, Soul Calibur 2 upon the current consoles, but does the Gamecube version transcend history and the world as its older brother? Welcome back, to the stage of history.

SC2 is a weapons-based brawler that revolves around fighters from across the world all vying for the Soul Edge, an evil sword that can grant its user unimaginable power. Most of the 23 fighters are distinct and have their own look, weapons and reason for searching for the Soul Edge. In addition to old favorites such as Maxi, Xianghua and Kilik there are the following new fighters: Cassandra, Necrid (an abomination from toy maker Todd McFarlane), Raphael, Talim, YunSung, Charade, Assassin, Berserker, and Lizard Man, and while many of them feel like the other fighters each has different moves that distinguish them from the others.

The combat system is easy to learn so if you're new to it you'll be pleased to discover that you'll be able to execute cool moves from the start, and if you're a veteran, thirsty for more after playing through the Dreamcast version, you'll feel right at home because the mechanics haven't been drastically changed save for the inclusion of wall jumps and a better fleshed out Soul Charge system. Therefore, if you were unstoppable as Cervantes in the Dreamcast version you'll be able to kick butt with him in the sequel, though you may also be a little shocked to discover that some of your favorite fighters, Cervantes included, aren't as powerful, or cheap, as they were in SC. I used to dominate with Lizard Man, but in SC2 I haven't been as successful. Perhaps Namco toned them down, or they simply balanced everything by including equally powerful characters. Regardless, there's someone for everyone.

SC2's combat is the finest of any 3D fighting game. While a match between casual players will de-evolve into mindless button mashing, when the more experienced players face off the game becomes a chess match, each fighter feeling out the other, taking some warning swings to test the waters and then backing away to strategize and size up their opponent. Unlike Sega's Virtua Fighter 4, which punishes beginners, SC2's mainstream appeal is due to its easy to pick up and play nature, not to mention the gorgeous visuals and excellent use of sound. Significantly improved over the Dreamcast prequel, SC2 for the Gamecube is very easy on the eyes, featuring highly detailed characters that have realistic cloth and hair physics as well as life-like animation. Watching each wield their weapons and move about the also impressive looking arenas is absolutely mesmerizing, and when two fighters clash the game explodes in a beautiful ballet of particle effects, shadows and color, and the icing on the proverbial cake is the game's aural elements which are simply stunning. Featuring an epic score, exquisite voice acting (if you change to Japanese voices) and phenomenal sound effects SC2 is the ultimate fighting game package.

The multiplayer is golden, countless hours just waiting to be spent beating up and skewering your friends, but thankfully the game also has a decent single player campaign. In addition to playing Arcade you can play Extra mode where you can select different weapons for your fighter, some of which add a handicap, so you may pick a sword that has powerful overhead strikes but the downside is it drains your life each time you score a hit. This adds another layer of strategy to the matches, each player picking, choosing and watching what their opponents are doing. You can unlock all of these weapons by playing Weapon Master Mode, where you select a fighter and embark upon a quest. The object is to complete a series of matches, most of them with some sort of handicap. You may start with less health or be required to defeat your opponent under special guidelines. For example, one of your tasks is to launch an opponent into the air and juggle him/her to win. While Weapon Master Mode will keep you busy for a while the matches aren't much fun. In fact, they can be damn annoying, sometimes requiring you to face the same fighter numerous times. However, there is an incentive to keep slashing away. Each time you win or lose you're awarded gold that can be used to unlock costumes and weapons. There are also character profiles, special endings and an art gallery to unlock, but the pictures to the gallery aren't as impressive as the first game's. There is definitely plenty to do, and of course if you've unlocked all 23 fighters, game modes, costumes and weapons you can always practice!

While SC2 is fun to play the controls can be frustrating. Namco's done its best to ensure the game is playable using the Gamecube's controller but its design kept me from kicking butt as easily as when I played it on the Xbox. Depending on my mood and the situation I'm in I'll often switch between the analog stick and the d-pad, but with the Cube's digital buttons abnormally small moving a character around can be frustrating. What's worse, the button layout feels alien, especially trying to grab using the X and Y buttons. It's all right once you get used to it, but playing as your favorite fighter using Nintendo's controller is like learning the moves all over again. I much prefer using Microsoft's controller S because it resembles the Dreamcast set up. Still, the game is very playable on the Gamecube.

Other problems abound but they're minor and shouldn't keep you from purchasing the game. I'm upset that Namco took some of the older fighters, renamed and added some new threads to them in order to fool us into thinking the game's chock full of new characters. There was no point in creating Cassandra when she looks and feels like Sophitia, and Assassin is practically YunSung. It would've been nice to see some more creativity.

The combat's largely unchanged and the ability to slam your opponents into walls isn't as thrilling as I'd hoped, especially since DOA 3's game play thrives on said walls actually breaking. The backdrops are a lot more detailed than SC's but many of them are uninspiring. Some of the levels are quite atrocious and drab, especially Inferno's. While I appreciate the ground surging with flames the scenery is absolutely horrible, reminiscent of something a third grader drew. Speaking of Inferno, why am I fighting him again? Couldn't Namco have created a new boss?

Link's inclusion in the Gamecube version of SC2 should please diehard Nintendo fans, who will hum along with the theme music that plays if you select him and the Eurydice Shrine. You can also choose from a selection of weapons from the Zelda games, among them the Master Sword and Hylian Shield, Razor Sword, Megaton Hammer and the Cane of Byrna. During combat he performs familiar moves, so in addition to his sword strikes he also tosses bombs, a boomerang and fires arrows. However, while he's sure to be a favorite among fan boys and Zelda fans he feels and looks a little out of place. It also doesn't help that he's cheap, but other fighters indigenous to the series are also too powerful. While he's certainly fun to play as, after all, he's not rancid like Todd McFarlane's Necrid, he looks strange battling Lizard Man and Mitsurugi.

Since SC2 is available on all three consoles there is much debate as to which is the better version. Technically the Xbox SC2 is superior, featuring sharper visuals and super quick load times but the Gamecube one isn't far behind. The PS2 version is good looking and fun to play as well, but the load times are longer. After that it's simply a matter of choice concerning which special fighter you want: Link, Spawn or Heihachi.

The task Namco faced was a daunting one: Craft a sequel to one of the greatest and most respected fighters ever and not only equal it in quality but surpass it. In many ways they've succeeded despite a few very minor flaws. You can love or hate Link, embrace or toss the Gamecube controller, but no one can deny that this game's an absolute blast to play. The Xbox may play host to the superior version, but if all you have is a Gamecube you wont be disappointed. Lizard Man was wounded, but the soul still burns! Buy it!