It retains the weapon-based combat that characterizes the series while introducing a new protagonist, Patroklos, who aims to free his sister from a curse inflicted upon her by an ancient weapon.

The game features an updated "Critical Edge" system, allowing players to fill a meter and unleash powerful special attacks.

In Story Mode, players control the protagonist, Patroklos, along with various supporting characters, guiding him through a series of battles divided into 20 episodes.

The arcade mode allows players to choose any character and face six opponents in time trial matches.

[2] The game takes place in 1607, 17 years after the events of Soulcalibur IV, and centers around the children of Soul series veteran Sophitia.

[3][4] Her son, Patroklos, serves as a soldier for Graf Dumas, the Roman Empire's appointed ruler of Hungary, and is tasked with eliminating the "malfested," a curse bestowed upon anyone who comes into contact with the evil weapon Soul Edge,[5] in exchange for help in locating his sister, Pyrrha, who has been missing since he was a child.

Siegfried inducts him into the group and informs him that Pyrrha is being held captive by Soul Edge devotee Tira, assigning Z.W.E.I.

Returning to the Schwarzwind base, Siegfried entrusts Patroklos with Soul Calibur, the only weapon capable of saving his sister and stopping Nightmare.

When Pyrrha comes to her senses, her desperate attempt to save Patroklos frees his mind enough to confront his "mother," who reveals herself to be Elysium, the spirit of Soul Calibur.

as well as Viola, an amnesiac fortune teller (later revealed to be Raphael's grown-up adopted daughter, Amy Sorel).

Several new characters utilize the fighting styles of previous characters in the series: Taki's student and successor Natsu, Xianghua's daughter Yan Leixia, and her illegitimate eldest son Xiba, who employs a fighting style reminiscent of his long-lost father, Kilik.

[8] The game also features several returning characters, namely Aeon Calcos (Lizardman), Algol, Astaroth, Cervantes, Edge Master, Hilde, Ivy, Kilik, Maxi, Mitsurugi, Nightmare, Raphael, Siegfried, Tira, Voldo and Yoshimitsu.

[13] A collector's edition of Soulcalibur V was released alongside the standard edition in a book-like package containing the game, a CD of the game’s music soundtrack, The Art of SoulCalibur V book, a making-of DVD, and exclusive White and Dark Knight character creation downloadable content.

The first "Launch Day" pack includes a set of character customization items described as "exotic," as well as music from Soul Edge and Soulcalibur.

"[23] On the other hand, IGN's Steven Lambrechts wrote that Soulcalibur V "feels like more of the same" and expressed disappointment with the game, particularly criticizing its main story mode.

"[32] Besides the story mode, many reviewers criticized the absence of the series's longstanding female characters, such as Sophitia, Talim, Cassandra, Xianghua, Taki, and Seong Mi-na.