Console wars were once so different. They didn’t hinge on Digital Foundry face-offs or timed exclusives, but instead guest characters in Bandai Namco’s unforgettable fighter, SoulCalibur II. Those of a certain age may recall that battle lines were drawn over Link, Spawn, and Heihachi – but victory was almost within the PlayStation 2’s grasp.
While there was nothing wrong with Tekken’s premier bad Dad, he was perhaps the most uninspired of the brawler’s cameos. However, speaking as part of the 8-4 Podcast – a great listen for fans of Japan, games, and Japanese games – localisation producer Nao Higo dropped a bit of a bombshell: Cloud Strife was almost the guest character in the PS2 release.
“The deal fell through on that one – it was supposed to be someone else,” he teased. “I think it’s been long enough. So, apparently they were working out a deal with Cloud. It would have been incredible, [but] at the last minute it got canned.” And so, Heihachi stepped out of a volcano and replaced the Buster Sword with his bare fists.
Shame.
[source giantbomb.com]
Comments 15
Well, really it was a toss up between Link and Heihachi and to be quite honest, Soul Calibur is Tekken + Weapons, which one of those Heihachi already does...so...it feels redundant.
And no one cared about Spawn (That was so random anyway).
Shame Cloud didn't get in though. I guess we will never get to settle the debate of if Cloud or Link is better. One day he will be in a weird crossover fighting game, that isn't strictly FF or called Ergheiz: GOD BLESS THE RING!
I bought the GameCube version personally. I think a lot of people did.
@get2sammyb Yeah, I got the GameCube version too. I played the hell out of that game, was never a massive fan of Link's moveset though. Preferred Mitsurugi.
... We need a new (and good) SoulCalibur.
@BLP_Software You do know Link & Cloud are both in Smash 4, right?
@ShogunRok Yeah funnily enough, I didn't really play as Link much — despite that being the reason I selected that version. It was an amazing novelty at the time all the same, and the game was crack like you say.
@sketchturner They're in what now?
@ShogunRok Didn't Link use the piddly Great Fairy Sword from Majora's Mask? That's a slower two handed affair IIRC, so I imagine that can't be fun.
As for a new one....eh? Tekken seems to be doing well, and Pokken is hardly a worthy franchise so if that dies as fast as most of us want it to, maybe SC6 will happen?
@BLP_Software Pretty sure Link had the master sword - they were never going to give him anything else. He was a good enough character, just a bit bland in terms of fighting style. I assume Namco wouldn't have been allowed to get too crazy with his moveset.
@ShogunRok Ah, Sword and Shield (And even a Bug Net) one of which is the Great Fairy Sword.
I imagine not given how anti-everything his parent company are. Even Pokken is very mundane and look at what that series could have been.
@get2sammyb @ShogunRok I went with the Gamecube version as well, heck it was the reason I bought a GC. I always thought the game looked and ran better on GC compared to the PS2 and Xbox.
I'm curious about how Cloud would be worked into Soul Calibur. He can fit into Smash well due to being able to use his abilities, but in a more basic environment like Soul Calibur, he can't really drop meteors or omnislash the opponent.
Then again, they did put Darth Vader and Yoda in IV, so it could somehow be possible.
I went with the PS2 version even though it was the worst of the bonus characters.
Soul Blade was good, but it was no Masters of Teras Kesi...
Cloud should have been in PS AllStars. Oh and Cloud is better then Link due to Cloud actually having a personality
Zidane > Cloud.
I went with the Gamecube version! Cloud could have easily sold me the ps2 version though: it lacked progressive scan but ps2 had a decent controller (the gamecube controller was a NIGHTMARE for fighting games) so if you add a beloved character...what happened to Soul Calibur? We need a new one! Sophitia ftw
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