SoulCalibur

Review

Common Sense Media says

Best features of popular console game missing from app port.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that SoulCalibur is an iOS adaptation of the popular console and arcade fighting game. There's a substantial amount of violence, but nothing is gory or bloody -- even with the inclusion of weapons like swords and axes. Some characters dress provocatively and there are advertising elements for a console version of the game. Note also that the game will not run on anything less than an iPhone 4, iPad 2, or fourth-generation iPod Touch. Users can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.

  • Ease of use3
    The game features a button layout similar to what you would find on an arcade machine or specialized console controller, but it's not especially responsive and doesn't work well with the gameplay of an iDevice. 
  • Violence3
    Players battle with swords, knives, and other melee weapons -- as well as punches and kicks. None of the attacks involve any blood or gore, but there are plenty of sounds of suffering.
  • Sex3
    Several of the female -- and always buxom -- characters wear revealing outfits highlighting their cleavage.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism2
    The game features a prominent link to the video trailer for a forthcoming SoulCalibur console game.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety4
    Some privacy concerns. Players can opt in to Apple's Game Center to track scores and achievements, and for some games, challenge friends. Players can send and receive friend requests using an email address or Game Center nickname, revealing the first and last name associated with each party's Apple ID and, in the case of email requests, the sender's email address. With iOS 5, players can opt to have a private or public profile, which can include a photo. With a public profile, your real name is visible to all other players, and Game Center will recommend you to other players using your real name. With a private profile, only your friends can see your real name, and Game Center will not recommend you to other players.
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Is it any good?

 

Given how many other arcade and console games have made it to iDevices, it was only a matter of time before SOULCALIBUR made the leap. But in moving the popular fighting game over, the developers left some of its most popular features out. And to make matters worse, they opted to charge substantially more than other apps. 

The game looks pretty good -- and it's certainly fun for a short period -- but whether you'll find $12 worth of entertainment here is highly debatable, especially with the controls dominating the screen to the point that it's sometimes hard to see what's going on. Should you find this for $5 or less, it's worth a look, but otherwise, save your money for something more polished. 

This review was written by Chris Morris

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This review was written by Chris Morris
Category:Action Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$11.99
Size:215.00 MB
Publisher:NamcoBandai Games, Inc.
Version:1.0.0
Release date:January 19, 2012
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.3 or later
This review was written by Chris Morris
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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