Review · Action · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360
Soul Calibur IV
Reviewed: 13 May 2026
PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America · 2008
Ludograph rating
C
Mixed
55 /100
Soul Calibur IV is a fighting game that builds strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination, though it has frequent fantasy violence and mild sexual themes.
Growth (BDS)
44
Risk (RIS)
28
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
17+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.52 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.20 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.65 | |
Soulcalibur IV is a fighting game that emphasizes strategic thinking, quick reflexes, and hand-eye coordination. Players can learn to anticipate opponent moves, develop complex combos, and adapt to different fighting styles. The game also offers opportunities for learning and transfer as players master different characters and their unique abilities.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.13 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.28 | |
The game contains frequent fantasy violence with some blood effects and mild sexual themes in character designs. Competitive play may expose younger players to toxicity, and the focus on individual performance could lead to social comparison. While there are no direct monetization pressures, the game's reward systems could encourage extended play sessions.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 1.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.67 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.33 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.