While it essentially served as a port ofSoulcalibur 4with some modifications, the smooth transition to handheld made by 2009’sSoulcalibur: Broken Destinymarked a significant moment in the franchise’s history. This title may have carried the series' legacy onto the PSP by taking on new technical limitations, but it also managed to stand on its own against the console release by carving out a unique identity. When it comes to addressing the concerns around what might be the most controversial period ofSC,Soulcalibur: Broken Destinymay stand as the definitive version of the fourth entry for one reason alone.
It functioned as a continued improvement over its predecessors whenSoulcalibur 4premiered as the latest of its series in a new generation at the time, but one choice still haunts this title to this day. In a franchise that became famous for its guests afterThe Legend of Zelda’s Link featured inSoulcalibur 2, cameos have remained a fixture in each subsequent release. When several characters fromStar Warsmade it intoSC4, however, they broke the pattern of more historically-appropriate picks that preceded them. This is still seen as a blight on the series by some fans, butBroken Destinyreplaced them with a much more beloved choice.
Soulcalibur 4’s Clash of Universes Didn’t Mix as Well as Previous Attempts
Darth Vader and Yoda Are Tough Sells in a Historical Setting
Considering thatSoulcaliburhas always been set in a late medieval period and most of its guest characters have fit into this setting, it makes sense that the inclusion ofStar Warscharacters inSoulcalibur 4felt jarring to many players. Starkiller, Yoda, and Darth Vader felt out of place fighting alongside knights with their futuristic sci-fi origins, and an entire Death Star stage further disconnected from the game’s established lore. The decision to make Vader and Yoda console exclusives while the less popular Starkiller was available for both only added to the backlash. It may be true that the likes ofTekken’s Heihachi inSC2came from an anachronistic setting as well, but his visual style still fit within the framework of the series' aesthetic.
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny’s Kratos Makes Up For Its Handheld Port Concessions
Complementing Bandai Namco’s Medieval Fantasy World
Broken Destinyexists as a stripped-back mobile port ofSC4, but the absence ofStar Warscharacters that this brought may have actually worked in its favor. The developers chose to replace these guests with aKratos fromGod of Warcameo, a character who fits much more seamlessly into the universe due to his ancient Greek mythology inspiration. His versatile moveset, informed by fantasy magic, is a far more appropriate fit for thematic cohesion with the narrative ofSoulcaliburthan the sci-fi tech of an alien like Yoda.
Broken Destiny Stands as a Strong 3D Fighter Despite Its Lacking Content
The transition to the PSP came at the cost of thestory mode ofSoulcalibur 4and several customization options, butBroken Destinybears the same core gameplay mechanics of the console version. Despite being stuck on a less powerful system, the game’s streamlined experience holds true to all the elements of the combat system at the time. The decision to feature Kratos as a guest not only helped to restore tonal consistency, a sense of cohesion among combat options which actually fit the setting.
A Similar Scenario Still Affected the Most Recent Soulcalibur
Geralt may have continued the legacy of appropriate guests inSC6, but the later addition of 2B fromNier: Automataonce again brought a sci-fi character into the fold. The current uncertain status of the franchise as a whole somewhat mirrors the time whenStar Warsguests didn’t properly resonate, and this potentially highlights the need for cameo fighters who don’t disruptthe established world ofSoulcaliburso drastically. Multiple entries later,Broken Destinystill stands as a testament to the long-term impact of a well-suited guest character inSoulcalibur.
