Great game if you like multiplayer and/or Customization.
Now to start off, SC5 is NOT a SF clone! Characters in SC5 CAN execute an "ultra" move similar to SF4, but that is where the similarities end. SC5 is a fully 3d fighter meaning your character can move up, down, left and right. It is a completely different style of fighting game then SF, Blazblue, KoF ect. They are 2d fighting games and because of that wholly DIFFERENT. Now that that's out of the way, lets get to the pros and cons of SC5.
Pro's:
Fast, Responsive combat.
Excellent graphics, Fantastic Character models and resolutions, Jawdropping multi-layered stages.
Toned down announcer!
Great music that fits the game, Characters are voiced quite well.
Online play is MUCH smoother then SC4 and there are more online options. Replays finally are here!
Best character customization mode of any fighting game, ever.
Neutral:
Some "new" Characters are about 60-80% copies of older characters. Example: Natsu is the new Taki with the same playstyle but a reworked move list. Some people like it, some people don't.
Con's:
Bare bones single player and local versus modes with no Tower of Soul's.
Crappy story mode.
Some characters are missing. Talim's totally gone while Setsuka's movelist is now used by Potroklos Alpha.
Now if you only care about Single player content(even though Fighting games are made for Multiplayer), this game is very much not for you. You get a CRAP story mode consisting mostly of showing you Drawings of scenes and having some characters speak. There are some nice looking fully 3d cut scenes here and there but as a whole its short, does not make much sense and makes you want to skip every scene. I get the feeling they ran out of funding when it came to making the story mode.
You also have the standard Arcade mode, Training and a Legendary Souls mode. Arcade and training are self-explanatory but the LS mode is little more then a VERY HARD arcade mode. It will punish you but it does have some nice unlockables for beating it.
On to Multiplayer content we got the improved Ranked and Player match options. Player matches are made for people who like to play with friends while ranked is ofcourse just there to show off your Leaderboard prowess. But the real draw is the new Global Colosseo
mode. You can chat, join a random match, join or create tournaments and create Lounge rooms to invite other players in. It's simple and full of everything you need to enjoy fighting online. This is where your gaming dollar really pays off.
And lastly Character Customization mode is back from SC4 but this time its on steroids. You can customize pretty much anything you can think of. From the usual equipment options to the new face paints and pattern selections you have the tools to make whoever (or whatever) you want! This is a big draw to me personally as my Wife and I really enjoy customizing characters. It's streamlined to be fun and easy and is totally worth your time if your into that sort of thing.
So as you can see Soul Calibur is really made for those who like customization options and enjoy playing online. If your looking for a great story or alot of single player content then get an RPG and have at it! But for the rest I will see you online!