SC2 features seven distinctive modes of game-play including: Arcade, Vs, Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle, Practice, and the console exclusive, Weapon Master. Weapon Master is a "complete the mission" mode combined with an RPG twist. In this mode, the player can collect and equip their character with up to 200 different weapons, thus adding a deeper level of strategy to every new battle.
In addition to other new characters, each platform will also feature a special appearance by a well-known pop culture icon. Characters will be fully playable with their own individual styles, strengths, and abilities. The Nintendo GameCube version will feature a sword-wielding Link from Nintendo's best-selling Legend of Zelda series. The PlayStation 2 version will feature a bare-fisted Heihachi from Namco's ever-popular Tekken series. And finally, armed with a battle-axe, the Xbox version will feature Spawn, Todd McFarlane's best-selling comic book character whose renderings set new artistic standards in the comics industry. All three versions will also introduce Necrid, a brand new character to the series created specifically for Soul Calibur 2 by Todd McFarlane Productions, Inc.