Soul Blade - Arcade Mode - Mitsurugi - Falx - Ultra Hard difficulty

Mitsurugi playthrough, using the Falx.

Game settings used:

Character: Mitsurugi
Special weapon: Falx
Difficulty level: Ultra Hard
Ring Size: 18m (default)
Battle Count: 2 (default)
Life bar: 90%
Battle time: 30 seconds
CPU Character's Weapon: Special

Using my favourite character, Mitsurugi. Special Weapon used: Falx. This weapon is fast, though has a weak defence. You can be knocked out in only a few hits - especially if your opponent has a powerful weapon. Though using the speed of the Falx, you can hit the opponent in the air more often. You can also put together combos with the Falx, that wouldn't otherwise be possible with a slower weapon (as the recovery time is quicker) - such as a Shoulder Charge, followed up by a Tiger Sweep. I also set the health to 90% - which means you have to be especially careful using a weak defensive weapon. Using a disadvantageous weapon / conditions is good practice.

I didn't use Mitsurugi's final weapon in this video, the Murasame - as it would have been too easy for me. The Murasame is a total killer weapon. It can inflict significant damage on an opponent, especially if they have a weak defence (2 or 3 hits - even if they block). As the description states: it renders any defence almost ineffective (the Murasame can be even more damaging when an opponent is blocking) - this is true, against almost all but the strongest weapon defences. The only real weakness of the Murasame is its durability. It can quickly be destroyed if you block against a weapon with good strength properties. Another weakness is that it is a slightly slower than the Falx, and it can sometimes be difficult to launch an attack against a quicker opponent who is constantly making you block. The Murasame needs to have these weaknesses though. I don't like to use the Murasame for the main reason that it is highly damaging even when opponents block, as it can take the skill away from finding an opening in an opponents attack.

It's only fair that I allowed the CPU to use the special weapons also. This can make for some interesting fights, as the computer can use a very powerful weapon, and you have a weak defence - and you can be knocked out easily. It can also use a highly defensive weapon, with health regenerating properties. This can add an extra challenge to the game. There is an element of strategy involved in choosing your weapon - especially in Edge Master mode.

* I only just got this game back last night, using the Playstation emulator ePSXe. I hadn't played this game in 12 years, so I'm still not at my best.