No bare bums or boobs in Soulcalibur IV

The BBFC has deemed Soulcalibur IV worthy of a 12 rating in the UK for its "moderate fantasy violence".

Official blurb on the decision also points to the "exaggerated 'curvy' figures" of the female models, but scuppers our wildest dreams by confirming there will be no bare bottoms or boobs.

"The Guidelines at '12' state that 'Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood'," begins the BBFC summary.

"The game also contains some female warrior characters with exaggerated 'curvy' figures accentuated by skimpy costumes. They are presented in a comic book manner and although the game allows characters' costumes to be customised, the player is not able to create a character with full breast or buttock nudity."

Meanwhile, Namco Bandai has claimed suggestions Soulcalibur IV on PS3 will require a 6.5 GB install and produce 2 GB saved game files are "significantly overblown".

"Those numbers are not accurate and are significantly overblown. The actual amount of space for the Soulcalibur IV install and save data file are in-line with other games requiring this feature," a Namco Bandai spokesperson told Kotaku.

Soulcalibur IV is due out for PS3 and Xbox 360 on 1st August.

It's better looking and more attacking-minded than any of the previous instalments, and there's a fancy critical finisher move that instantly kills your opponent if you can press the right buttons after you diminish your opponent's Soul Gauge and turn it briefly black.

Darth Vader, Yoda and the Secret Apprentice from The Force Unleashed are in it as well.

Pop over to our Soulcalibur IV gamepage to see it in action.

Incidentally, if you can't wait for a taste of Soulcalibur you can always download a revamped version of the Dreamcast original from Live Arcade today for 800 Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60).