In case you missed it, Bandai Namco has announced that Ivy Valentine and some guy in a white cloak will be in Soulcalibur VI. Here’s a trailer for you to check out:

If this is your first time seeing this lady in action, you’re probably thinking whether her dress sense has a place in 2018. Yeah, Ivy’s outfit does leave little to the imagination but to be fair, her fashion sense has seen its low points in the past series.

Plus, she wouldn’t be an iconic Soulcalibur character if she didn’t look like how she was and is now, snake sword and all. Even the fan wiki page stated so:

“Since her first appearance, she has become one of the most recognizable and iconic characters in the franchise, mainly due to her snake sword, large breasts, revealing clothing, and silver hair. “

To pay tribute to the return of Soulcalibur’s titular lady in purple, let’s take a look back at her outfits in past Soulcalibur games; from the late 90s until now. Set your cringe-o-meter to max, if you have to.

Soulcalibur (1998)

The first draft definitely felt drafty for her. The purple colour, the left arm pauldron; clearly she’s dressed for battle and protecting what counts.

Snide remarks aside, Bandai Namco kept true to her OG outfit for part VI. I personally dig the simplicity of this outfit that reflects the disturbed and broken nature of this character. Let’s also not forget her more classed-up 2P outfit.

So how did her ensemble (d)evolve over the years? Let’s go to exhibit B.

Soulcalibur II (2002)

It turns out that the 16th century did have a black market silicon implant operation, because almost all the women in this entry are stacked like Canadian pancake servings. Apart from that, not much has changed though the purple shadings are of a lighter colour.

Her 2P outfit still keeps it classy. She looks like she could perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 after she’s done kicking Cervantes’ deadbeat ass.

Soulcalibur III (2005)

Boob job technology in the 16th century has come a long way, at least in this universe. Now Ivy’s clad in white with some purple-ish stripes to go along with it. I think she murdered a dragon to get those edges for her left pauldron-gauntlet hybrid.

Her 2P outfit seems on point, if she plans on going to her opponent’s funeral after multiple stabbings. Hey, if you have to mourn, might as well go all out and steal the dead show.

Soulcalibur IV (2008)

Now this is just bloody ridiculous. That dragon she probably murdered in Soulcalibur III can probably make a nest in between her comically large bosom. The grey laces on her one piece “swimsuit” are gone so now she’s showing more pale skin that needed. Her 2P outfit looks like she came out of Beverly Hills; all that’s missing is an obnoxious giant frilly hat made out of panda fur.

One wonders if at this point the series has jumped the shark. After all, Soulcalibur IV featured Yoda and Darth Vader; a clear sign that there’s not much of a direction going on in the Project Soul team. Game’s still hype as heck though.

Soulcalibur V (2012)

After many complaints, the designers decided to actually make an effort to balance Ivy’s noble upbringing and risque fashion sense into one package. Soulcalibur V’s Ivy does look better in retrospect.

It has the purple motif down pat, the lacey outfit, and a covered top half with the coat bits and the gauntlet-pauldron combo. She got the nutjob alchemist noblewoman look down pat.

Her 2P outfit on the other hand is a little too nutjob-ey, though it pays tribute to glam rock. The late-but-great David Bowie would be proud.

Image credit: 1up.com

A pity the game didn’t get much love in the pro gaming scene.

Anyway, which Ivy outfit is your favourite or your least favourite? Should Bandai Namco make an effort to cover up to class up their female ensemble in this tale of souls eternally retold? Let us know either on this post or on our Facebook page. Or Twitter too.

Need help with Soulcalibur VI? Check out our ever-growing guide, our DLC character wishlist, and this feature on custom characters of the game.