Soulcalibur III Confirmed for PS Plus Classics Catalog in Late 2025
This historical fighting game is expected to be re-launched in December. The revised version has new features and improved performance. The game was initially launched in 2005, but it has launched several improved versions to keep players satisfied. In this new PS Plus Classics catalog, developers decided to collect all previous features into a single series. The latest release will expand its availability to PS4/5, previously limited to PlayStation 2.
Why is This Game Still Important?
Its first version was officially released in arcades in 2005. At that time, its features were sword combat, like other fighting games. Critics and players alike appreciated its superb graphics and character-creation features. Rapid downloads and positive user reviews have boosted Soulcalibur’s 83/100 score on Metacritic. Over other competitive fighting games, Soulcalibur earned its viewership with weapon-based 3D fighting instead of others’ hand-to-hand fighting.
In this game, players can move in all directions, rather than being limited to left and right. Guard impact is another distinctive feature of this game, allowing players to stop the enemy’s attack and counterattack within a few moments. It makes the fighting more exciting and engaging. Players also love customization options that let them personalize their character appearances. Over the years, Soulcalibur maintained its audience and impact in gaming with engaging stories and complex weapon combat.
PS Plus Classics Strategy and Enhancements
The primary purpose of the PS Plus classic window release is to introduce a collection of older PlayStation games to modern players. Developers want to teach the legacy of old fighting games by collecting their features from PS1, PS2, and PSP. This effort will allow modern players to enjoy the game as it was initially played. However, not all players will be able to enjoy the revived version.
Only premium subscribers with an expensive subscription plan can get smooth access. The re-released version of Soulcalibur combines classic and modern features. In improved functions, players can save their fight status at any time, not just at checkpoints. They can rewind the game for a few seconds if they miss the target by mistake. Developers also worked on visual features to improve resolution and graphics.
Franchise Legacy and Cultural Impact
The idea for this series originated with the Soul Edge game in 1996. After two years, the thoughts turned to the proper name Soulcalibur, which played a significant role in the franchise’s progress by introducing diverse, weapon-based fighting.
Soulcalibur III was the last series to be released in arcades. However, later, the same series and features shifted to home consoles. The III series was limited to PlayStation 2. It didn’t restrict its popularity. Both critics and players still appreciate it for its creative features. Its advanced graphics and customization system, with scalability options, inspired other games.
What to Expect in This Re-Release
The core features will remain the same as in PS2 mode despite the latest core updates. It means that available fighting options, character list, and appearance will not change. However, developers focused on its visual appearance to make it modern and compatible with PS4/ PS5. Its resolution will become clearer, and the game can run faster on the latest platforms. Confirmation about online multiplayer is still pending. So, it will be decided at launch whether players can fight online with friends.
