PixlBit

I hear ya!  Hwang was also my favorite character.  I always thought  Yunsung  was meant to be Hwang's replacement in SCII but he also had some Hwoarang blood mixed in the moveset  (I like Hwoarang a lot in Tekken too, but Yunsung was simply not as effective as either Hwang or Hwoarang, just 'fancy').

I also miss  Li Long  because I never found Maxi comfortable to use.  Too much memorizing involved in his nunchaku-based combo variations.

It seems clear to me that Namco-Bandai could do much more if they had the interest.  My intention is not to 'hate' on them but, honestly, they used to give us much more  (ahem...  console port of Tekken 2)!   =)

Great review.  Informative, concise and well-structured.  Good to know they adapted Ezio well in the game.  Also, totally agree with Vic there - Soul Edge  (US read: Soul Blade) and Soul Calibur 2 were also top for me.  Since then everything started feeling "same-y" about this frachise, just like with Tekken, even though they are all very fun games.

Geek wishlist:  Actually, seeing  Hwang Seoung Kyung  or perhaps  Han Myong  (seen only in the PS Soul Edge)  could spark some interest in me.  And, no, "Assassin" didn't count  (in Soul Calibur II)...   LOL