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11 characters we’d love to see in Soulcalibur VI
We are super excited for Soulcalibur’s grand return, but who do we want to call to arms?
Next year is shaping up to be a massive year for fighting games. Hot off the heels of an extremely well received global launch of Tekken 7, Namco Bandai have announced that, after nearly six whole years, Soulcalibur would make a grand return to modern consoles with Soulcalibur VI.
Instead of continuing on with the story of Soulcalibur V and its new characters, Namco Bandai are revisiting the past, unearthing the dark history of the Soul series in the 16th century. So, in a long line of unique fighters, who would we like to see in Soulcalibur VI?
Kilik
First on the list is everyone’s Bo Staff-wielding bae, Kilik. After the events of Soulcalibur IV, Kilik took a break after nearly losing his life. Eventually he would be replaced by the much younger Xiba, but thanks to Soulcalibur VI’s setting we have a chance to see Kilik poke and prod at competitors with his devastatingly long staff all over again.
Hwang
The first in our list to have dropped off in the middle of the Soul series is Hwang Seong-Gyeong. As a Chinese sword-wielder, Hwang represented his home nation of China with his deadly sword. In Soulcalibur IV, Hwang would be replaced by Hong Yun-Seong, but when Soulcalibur V was released there wasn’t a Chinese blade-wielding fighter in sight. So, it’s about time that Namco Bandai revitalised these roguish fighters and the Chinese Blade archetype.
Edge Master Soulcalibur V
© Bandai Namco
Edge Master
Although Edge Master has mastered every fighting style in the world, we have never seen him in his purest form, with his original skillset. In every Soulcalibur game that Edge Master has been playable, he's mimicked different fighting styles. Soulcalibur VI could subvert the expectations of avid players by introducing one of the fighting styles from layer games through Edge Master. Or, he could just use the big ol’ sword from his Soulcalibur V art.
Li Long
Alongside Hwang, Li Long is another member of the Soul series alumni who was dropped from the roster prematurely. Poor Li Long was quickly ousted in favour of Maxi, but he managed to make a brief reappearance in Soulcalibur III. As it stands, Maxi’s appearances far outweigh the far more colourful and deadly Li Long. It’s about time Li Long got to make his glorious return to the series.
Spawn
Yes, Spawn! Not Link. Not Heihachi. Spawn. Soulcalibur II went down in history, not only for its sick game modes and gripping design, but for the console war it inspired through Heihachi, Spawn, and Link’s exclusivity on specific consoles. Comic book characters are also all the rage right now. With the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles already claimed by NRS alongside the entirety of the DC universe, Namco Bandai could swoop in and reignite their flame by nabbing the image rights to Spawn ahead of the rumoured 2019 reboot.
Cervantes Soulcalibur V
© Bandai Namco
Cervantes
Honestly, who doesn’t need a spooky pirate in their life? This grey bearded veteran of the series has more than earned his place in the cast. With his iconic swords in each hand and a lavish dress sense, Cervantes could fight from beyond the grave in Soulcalibur VI.
Ivy shows off her unique weapon
© Bandai Namco
Ivy
Obviously, if we are demanding the return of Cervantes, Ivy is also an auto-include. As Cervantes’s daughter, Ivy has also had a wonderfully intertwining story with all of the cast as she discovers that Cervantes was her biological father and the true nature of the Soul Edge. Ivy’s Snake Sword is instantly recognisable as it lies strewn across the floor and envelops Ivy in its poisonous barbs. A quick snap of the wrist and it also becomes a deadly close quarters weapon – making Ivy a versatile and key component of the varying styles of play Soulcalibur caters to. Let’s just hope that there isn’t as much questionable marketing surrounding her this time around.
Seong Mi-na
It wasn’t long ago that we were talking about Kilik being a necessity in Soulcalibur VI. Now imagine Kilik but with a sword at the end of his staff and you have Seong Mi-na. This naginata-wielding Korean would round off the longer ranged fighters and provide a deadly offence contrasting Kilik’s more defensive moves. There's also a fair few ties to Hwang and Ivy that would help Seong Mi-na slip right into the story.
ZWEI Soulcalibur V
© Bandai Namco
Z.W.E.I.
So little is known about Z.W.E.I. and his minion E.I.N. that it would be a waste to see these two fade into obscurity. You could argue that the distinct lack of information surrounding Z.W.E.I. opens up a whole host of possibilities that enable him to make an appearance in the 16th century alongside the more veteran characters of the series. One thing for sure is that Soulcalibur VI needs a character that has some form of summonable help, even if it isn’t the dearly beloved Z.W.E.I.
Kylo Ren
Look, the Star Wars characters in Soulcalibur IV were pretty cool, OK? With a new trilogy now in cinemas, there’s no better time to include a lightsaber-wielding dark horse like Kylo Ren. As Soulcalibur is the definitive weapon-based combat, Namco Bandai would be silly not to at least try and get a cheeky deal with Disney. As long as whoever they end up with isn’t a vertically frustrating size, like Yoda was in SCIV.
Taki
What’s Soulcalibur without a ninja character? Taki, and latterly Natsu, have been dominant fighters throughout the entire series with their huge leaping attacks and quick, in-your-face strikes. It would be a travesty to have a new Soul game without a kodachi-wielding fighter, so our fingers are crossed that Taki (or somebody with a similar design) sneaks in.
With a release window of 2018, Soulcalibur VI is so close you can taste it. With the promise of new mechanics, new story, and a glorious return to form, we're salivating over each and every detail. Namco Bandai most assuredly have a rich and varied cast to play with and we hope that at least a few of our picks make the list.
