Over a dozen characters gather for the fight of their lives in Soul Calibur 2. This is the first Soul Calibur game for the GameCube. Soul Calibur 2 was simultaneously released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox at the same time. The GameCube version offers The Legend of Zelda hero, Link!

Each character has a story of his or her own that brings him or her to the battle. Some seek riches; others seek more noble winnings. In the end, only the one who survives can truly claim victory.

What is not to like? There are men and barely dressed women fighting it out via hand to hand and weapon combat. The moves of many of the characters are almost like a dance. Some of the other characters move and fall like bricks. Being defensive can only hold for so long until there is no other choice but to attack or lose.

The graphics in this game are perfect. The detail, animation and scenery are near realistic. The game's menus are beautiful and are easy to read. It nears impossible to find any overlay or graphical glitches. To add a bit of art to the game a gallery eventually becomes an available option. The gallery allows players to view still pictures of characters separately and grouped.

There is nothing like the sound of two swords clanging against each other. The taunts, groans, footsteps and swishes sound excellent. There is perhaps few, if any, games with better sound quality on the GameCube today. The music is very inspiring. The type of music and the pace of many of the beats can almost hypnotize the player. Some of the music is so soothing that it makes a player want to close their eyes, sit back and relax.

The controls of the game are very familiar. A newbie to a hardened fighter can pick up a controller and bash away on an opponent. The characters vary in ease of control. A good rule of thumb is that the bigger they are, the slower they are and the more open the player is to attack. Just keep in mind that the big guys are strong, so it is a trade of speed for strength. The best character for a new player is one with attacks for both far and close ranges. A well-balanced character is the difference between being swatted like a fly and ruling the roost.

Soul Calibur 2 has so many hidden features and extras that no one with a life could solve everything in under a week. If you have no life and are very devoted, grab the supplies needed for a week and try to solve the entire game and unlock all the extras. From a role-playing mode, to various challenges and the ability to purchase over 200 different weapons for the characters, players are sure to be kept busy for a long while.

You must love medieval weaponry and be a fighting fan to enjoy this game to its fullest. Dedication, fair play and a few friends make this game well worth the price paid.