Soulcalibur III keeps the series quality high. Deep character creation, new heroes and careful animations. A notch below II, yet still a must.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
A Namco and Project Soul 3D fighter released in 2005, the third main Soulcalibur franchise entry. A massive roster (29 characters at launch), new characters (Tira, Setsuka, Zasalamel), Chronicles of the Sword mode for tactical strategy and a revolutionary character creator. More complete than Soulcalibur II but criticized for gameplay bugs. An excellent game nonetheless.
Soulcalibur III review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Richer still, the game unfurls sumptuous arenas, finely detailed costumes and fighters of great fluidity. The worked-over light and the variety of the settings elevate the art of bladed combat. This polished splendour, snappy and elegant, brilliantly extends the series' visual reputation.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Forging your own fighter with a deep creation suite gives this entry tenfold replay value, beyond an already hearty roster. The Chronicles mode, versus and challenges unlock a wealth of content that fills long hours. That generosity, paired with a precise weapon system, founds a longevity fighting fans cultivate.
A PS2-exclusive entry, Soulcalibur III enriches weapon fighting with a very deep character creation mode and an ambitious adventure mode. Still common in the West, its interest lies in this platform exclusivity and the breadth of its content rather than scarcity. A prime piece for fans of versus offering great customization freedom.
Better with friends
A generous sequel to weapon-based fighting, piling on characters, weapons and modes to wring the versus dry in every form. The competition keeps its elegance and clarity, where eight-way movement and reading distances rule. More sprawling than razor-sharp in its balance, it remains a sumptuous playground where every duo finds their favorite fighters and feeds long-running rivalries.
Is Soulcalibur III still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2005 on PS2, Namco's project enriches the weapon based fighting formula with a character creation mode of unprecedented depth, letting you build your own warrior from scratch. The combat system keeps its exemplary readability and balance, backed by a wider roster and varied weapons. The Chronicles of the Sword mode adds an original strategic layer. Some balance issues and the absence of online play divide purists. A generous and customisable entry, recommended for fans of weapon versus fighting and for players who love to shape their own fighter.
