Soulcalibur forges Broken Destiny on PSP

Weapons-based fighting-game fans should be en garde: Soulcalibur is making its first strike in the world of handheld gaming. Namco Bandai Games America announced today that Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny will be released exclusively on the PlayStation Portable this summer.

Using many of the fundamental mechanics of last year's Soulcalibur IV, Broken Destiny will feature a roster of more than 20 fighters. Although gamers won't be able to play as Star Wars stand-ins Darth Vader, Yoda, or the Apprentice, the game will attempt to offset those losses with the addition of at least one new character, Dampierre.

Other additions include an expanded version of the character-customization feature that let Soulcalibur IV players make a menagerie of unique-looking fighters to go along with the standard cast. Namco Bandai is also bolstering the series' staple Arcade, Versus, and Survival options with a new single-player mode to ease beginners into the higher levels of play. Part gameplay, part tutorial, the new mode will feature more than 80 missions designed to teach players the ropes and hone their skills.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's first impressions of Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.