Soul Blade

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Jan 15, 1997
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Gamestyle
    100
    It's just about perfect. The multiple play modes will keep you going long after "Tekken" has slid back to the trade in shop. The graphics are out of this world, and I still cannot work out how a game that came out in 1995 can have an introduction that looks so jaw droopingly fantastic. It plays amazing, it looks amazing, it’s quite simply amazing.
  2. GamePro
    100
    Savage moves enable you to beat, stab, slice, and dice opponents with vicious violence that is sure to excite fight fans to unbelievable heights.
  3. Games Domain
    100
    No other fighter on the PSX has so completely combined great graphics with great gameplay and replayability. Soul Blade simply stands in a catagory by itself.
  5. Game Revolution
    91
    By far the best fighter out there at the moment. While it doesn't do anything "revolutionary," it's a damn good game that any fighting game fan should definitely buy.
  6. All Game Guide
    90
    With astounding graphics and nearly every pixel of the arcade version represented, beautiful backgrounds, lighting effects and unsurpassed character animation, Soul Blade is a wonder to watch and even more amazing to play.
  7. TotalGames.net
    89
    Represents state-of-the-art gaming and pushes the PlayStation to its limits -- short of nicking a coin-op, this is the closest thing you'll ever come to arcade perfection in the home.
  8. Absolute Playstation
    88
    The Edge-Master mode is a wonderful idea and really helps to bring each character into focus. This is easily the best looking fighter on the market today, I just wish it had more characters to choose from.
  9. Gamezilla!
    86
    The in game fighting in Soul Blade is where the game really shines. There is little lag time between button selections and the execution of the desired move. The characters move very fluidly and quite fast.
  10. IGN
    83
    Soul Blade's only drawback is that it may be too easy. The combos are fairly simplistic, and button mashing seems to have as much impact as memorizing chains.
  11. GameSpot
    83
    Visually astonishing from the moment you turn it on... A great fighting game with its share of flaws.
  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    83
    This Namco fighter lets you use weapons to kick your opponent's ass. [Jan 2004, p.189]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    The fast and vicious action puts it near the top of its class in the fighting genre, while the interesting characters keep it from being lumped in as just another clone.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PS1 Game of 1997
8
#8 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1997
4
#4 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1997

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
9.9

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. KittyC.
    Jul 24, 2004
    10
    This game is in a whole new league to other fighting games and in my opinion much better than Tekken.
  2. JimO.
    Nov 13, 2003
    10
    This game rocks and taki is lush.
  3. JasonH.
    Oct 27, 2003
    10
    Soulblade was the virst playstation game I saw that could drag me away from my PC, N64, and Vectrex. It was the perfect game for unleashing Soulblade was the virst playstation game I saw that could drag me away from my PC, N64, and Vectrex. It was the perfect game for unleashing violent feelings aroused by employers, roomates, and college professors. No fighter before or since had had features like direction-sensetive blocks, breakable weapons, etc. Sadly, not even the Soul Caliber titles are as well made, though they of course have superior graphics. Soul Blade is one of the few games that solely justifies owning a platform. I give it a ten.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »