View source for Necrid

{{short description|Fictional character}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox character
|name=Necrid
|image=Necrid01.png
|image_upright = 1.3
|caption=Necrid from ''[[Soulcalibur II]]''
|series=[[Soulcalibur]]
|firstgame = ''[[Soulcalibur II]]'' (2002)
|designer=[[Todd McFarlane]]
|voice=
|weapon=Maleficus ([[Energy|Enigma]])
}}
{{nihongo|'''Necrid'''|ネクリッド|Nekuriddo|lead=yes}} is a character in the ''[[Soulcalibur]]'' series of weapon-based fighting games. Designed by comic book artist and toy designer [[Todd McFarlane]] through a collaboration with [[Namco]], the character appeared in console [[Computer port (software)|ports]] of ''[[Soulcalibur II]]'' and later as part of an [[action figure]] set created by McFarlane Productions. Necrid's concept and physical build were outlined by Namco, who aimed to target North American audiences with the character, while McFarlane provided the character's design and name.

Once a human warrior who sought the cursed sword Soul Edge, he was instead pulled into the dimension that the sword's spirit inhabits. Though he escapes, his mind and body were drastically mutated, while he lost his memories and sanity. He now wields various forms of energy as weapons while searching for fragments of the shattered Soul Edge to ease his pain. Necrid's spoken lines in the game are unintelligible, and no [[Voice acting|voice actor]] has been credited.

The character has received a divisive response. While some sources criticized the character's design for clashing with the game's aesthetic, some others praised the visual appeal of the character when in motion. Some have called Necrid one of the best characters introduced to the series, while others considered him one of the worst. McFarlane's involvement with the character's creation was also a particular point of criticism, with some feeling it had fallen short of its potential. Necrid has also been the subject of scholarly study, which examined the nature of monstrous designs in video gaming and how players react to such.

==Conception and development==
Series producer Hiroaki Yotoriyama learned that comics creator [[Todd McFarlane]] was a fan of the ''Soulcalibur'' series and that McFarlane had praised their characters' designs.<ref name="famitsu" /> Text in each version of the game's [[Computer and video game packaging|box art]] also drew attention to Necrid.<ref>{{cite web | title=SoulCalibur II - GameCube Cover Art | url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/gamecube/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,24199/ | publisher=[[MobyGames]] | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2011-06-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605234659/http://www.mobygames.com/game/gamecube/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,24199/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=SoulCalibur II - PlayStation 2 Cover Art | url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/ps2/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,24204/ | publisher=[[MobyGames]] | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2010-07-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714182613/http://www.mobygames.com/game/ps2/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,24204/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=SoulCalibur II - Xbox Cover Art | url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/xbox/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,25023/ | publisher=[[MobyGames]] | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2009-04-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420103614/http://www.mobygames.com/game/xbox/soulcalibur-ii/cover-art/gameCoverId,25023/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, McFarlane was interested in creating a new video game based on the ''[[Spawn (comics)|Spawn]]'' comic book franchise; his search for a developer resulted in a deal with ''Soulcalibur'' publisher [[Namco]]. When the topic of toys arose in discussions,<ref name="D.">{{cite web | author=D., Spence | title=E3 2003: Todd McFarlane Speaks | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-todd-mcfarlane-speaks | website=[[IGN]] | date=2003-05-14 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-02-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223221206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/15/e3-2003-todd-mcfarlane-speaks | url-status=live }}</ref> McFarlane and Namco reached an agreement to release a line of action figures based on ''Soulcalibur II'' characters. Afterward, Namco proposed that their company design a new character for [[video game console]] [[Computer port (software)|ports]] of the game, an idea that McFarlane accepted because he considered it an opportunity to create a toy based on Necrid's finished design.<ref name="D." /><ref name="pm" />

Necrid's design targeted North American audiences, specifically fans of [[American comic book]]s.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite journal |journal=[[Famitsu Xbox]] | author=Staff | title=Hiroaki Yotoriyama Interview | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/28160/hiroaki-yotoriyama-interview/ | publisher=[[Famitsu]] |date=April 2003 |issue=14 |language=ja | access-date=2009-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214213648/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/28160/hiroaki-yotoriyama-interview/|archive-date=2009-02-14}}</ref> Although McFarlane received most of the credit for the character,<ref name="mf1" /><ref name="mf2" /> Necrid was the result of a collaboration;<ref>{{cite web | author=Yap, Eric | title=Namco unveils Soul Calibur II at press event | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/namco-unveils-soul-calibur-ii-at-press-event/1100-2908830/ | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=2003-01-15 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-04-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408161922/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/namco-unveils-soul-calibur-ii-at-press-event/1100-2908830/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Namco outlined the then-unnamed character's traits, such as his in-game role and physical build,<ref name="xbn">{{cite journal |year=2003 |title=Spawn of McFarlane |journal=[[Ziff Davis#Discontinued properties|Xbox Nation]]|issue=9|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> and McFarlane's company completed the design.<ref>{{cite web | author=Staff | title=Todd McFarlane Q&A | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/todd-mcfarlane-qanda/1100-2909455/ | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=2003-01-22 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-04-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408161908/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/todd-mcfarlane-qanda/1100-2909455/ | url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, both companies hold a partial copyright for Necrid, with Namco's rights to the character as a [[derivative work]] of McFarlane's illustrations.<ref>{{cite web | author=Staff | title=『ソウルキャリバーII』アーケード版のタイムリリースキャラが登場!! | url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1139104_1407.html | language=ja | publisher=Famitsu | date=2003-03-08 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2011-05-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520082711/http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1139104_1407.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Design===
Standing 196&nbsp;cm (6&nbsp;ft 5 in) tall,<ref name="necprofile" /> Necrid is a bald, green, and muscular humanoid. His eyes glow bright red, and short bones protrude from his left arm, back, jaw and a [[Mohawk hairstyle|Mohawk]]-like ridge on his head. The fingers on his right hand have claw points, but his left hand is much larger and has three fingers with large, talon-like bone claws. Two large, ram-like horns extend from opposite sides of his left wrist, toward and slightly beyond his elbow. His clothing consists of dark blue pants, large metal sandals held together by bandages, and armor plating covering his abdomen, the sides of his legs, and the back of his lower right arm.<ref name="necartbook">{{cite book |title=The Art of SoulCalibur II |last1=Davis |first1=H. Leigh |first2=Christian |last2=Sumner|year=2003 |publisher=BradyGames |isbn=0-7440-0295-8 |pages=48–49}}</ref> A pulsating red jewel described by McFarlane as a "power plant" is set in a circular piece of metal strapped to his chest.<ref name="pm">{{cite magazine |last=Staff |date=April 2003 |title=Todd McFarlane Talks Soul Calibur II |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |issue=67}}</ref>

Necrid's alternate appearance differs heavily, and features scaly, reddish–orange skin. Additional differences include teal eyes, black pants, and a blue jewel. The protruding bones are isolated and bigger on his left shoulder and arm, and appear crystalline. A [[pauldron]] covering his right shoulder is fastened to the jewel's support harness, and the armor on his legs incorporate a pair of greaves. He wears a [[Faulds (plate armour)|fauld]] on his abdomen, and bandages wrap around his stomach. A mask covers his face and is held in place by two straps around his head.<ref name="necartbook" /> Necrid's speech is unintelligible, and the vocal samples in the game's [[sound test]] feature are named after emotions, such as "Determination" and "Indignation". He is the only speaking ''Soulcalibur II'' character whose voice does not change when the player selects a different language setting.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid profile}}</ref>

==Appearances==
As introduced in ''Soulcalibur II'', Necrid is a warrior who fought and defeated a former wielder of the cursed sword Soul Edge in 400 B.C., and was pulled into the [[Plane (metaphysics)|dimension]] where the sword's spirit, [[Siegfried and Nightmare#Inferno|Inferno]], inhabited.<ref name=newlegends/> Instead of battling Inferno, he fled, and became trapped in the dimension for centuries. Warped physically and mentally by the dimension as a result, he escaped during the closing events of ''[[Soulcalibur (video game)|Soulcalibur]]''. However he quickly found that without the dimension's energies he experienced intense pain and would eventually die. Attacking travelers he perceived as enemies, he happened upon a fragment of Soul Edge and felt his pain dampened.<ref name="necprofile">{{cite web |author=Staff |script-title=ja:ネクリッド |url=http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/calibur2/gc/17necrid/c17.htm |language=ja |publisher=Namco Bandai |access-date=2009-05-17 |archive-date=2009-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509214823/http://www.soularchive.jp/tmr/calibur2/gc/17necrid/c17.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Pursuing other fragments of the sword, he encountered [[Talim (Soulcalibur)|Talim]], who was also seeking them, and helped defeat the resurrected Inferno.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid Destined Battle| quote = '''Necrid''': (Suspicion 1) / '''Talim''': What are you? / '''Necrid''': (Suspicion 2) / '''Talim''': You're human, aren't you? / '''Talim''': What's going on?}}</ref> His memories and sanity restored by the battle, Necrid closed the entrance to the void, trapping himself within.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid ending| quote = His soul yearning for repose, Necrid sought the pieces of Soul Edge. At long last, Inferno appeared before him. A warrior's blood and his honor... long forgotten memories and reason reawakened within him. Victorious against the heinous Inferno, Necrid solemnly closed the opening to the void. And thus he disappeared into that darkness...}}</ref>

To date, Necrid has appeared in only one game of the series, ''Soulcalibur II''. He did not appear in the original arcade version, but was added later when the game was [[Porting|ported]] to the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] video game consoles. When asked whether the character would return in ''[[Soulcalibur III]]'', Yotoriyama replied, "Necrid has gone on vacation."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Staff |date=September 2005 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-134249033/soul-searching-productservice-evaluation.html |title=Soul Searching |access-date=2011-04-10 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023084222/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-134249033/soul-searching-productservice-evaluation.html |archive-date=October 23, 2012 }}</ref> When the subject came up again during the production of ''[[Soulcalibur V]]'', game director Daishi Odashima responded via his [[Twitter]] account, “To be honest, that will be too hard to do due to copyright issues.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/02/soulcalibur-director-discusses-necrid-issues-and-the-importance-of-cospla/ |title=Soulcalibur Director Discusses Necrid Issues & The Importance of Cosplay |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |work=Siliconera |date=2 May 2011 |access-date=2012-02-05 |archive-date=2011-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810014957/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/02/soulcalibur-director-discusses-necrid-issues-and-the-importance-of-cospla/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, his backstory was later elaborated on in the book ''SoulCalibur: New Legends of Project Soul''.<ref name=newlegends>{{cite book |title=SoulCalibur: New Legends of Project Soul |date=2014-05-16 |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |isbn=978-1926778952 |page=11}}</ref>

===Gameplay===
Using fighting skills Yotoriyama described as "horrific splendor",<ref name="splendor">{{cite magazine | author=Minkley, Johnny | title=Interview: Namco talks Soul Calibur II | url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/90392/interviews/interview-namco-talks-soul-calibur-ii/ | magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] | date=2003-05-01 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102194719/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/90392/interviews/interview-namco-talks-soul-calibur-ii/ | archive-date=2012-11-02}}</ref> Necrid attacks using Maleficus, a transforming, physical manifestation of the energy in Soul Edge.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid weapon descriptions, Maleficus| quote=This weapon is a fragment from another realm, which Necrid broke off and brought with him when he returned to this world. It is something never before seen in this world—a physical manifestation of the same energy contained within the Soul Edge. This substance is both comforting and familiar to Necrid, which is why Maleficus is such a well-suited weapon for him.}}</ref> He controls Maleficus by channeling it through his hands to form various bladed weapons, able to set them aside or reabsorb them as needed.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid Weapon exhibition}}</ref> Necrid can also attack using other forms of energy, such as ''[[will-o'-the-wisp|ignis fatuus]]'', [[Aether (mythology)|æther]], and chaos, represented in game as equipable alternate weapons with varying effects and attributes.<ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid weapon description for Ignus Fattus}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid weapon description for Ehternal Edge}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game| title = Soulcalibur II| developer = Namco| publisher = Namco| date = 2003-03-27| version = Console| level = Necrid weapon description for Chaos}}</ref> Necrid also incorporates [[acrobatics]] into his fighting style through a variety of flips and kicks.<ref name="pm" />

Several of Necrid's attacks duplicate physical motions and properties of attacks used by other characters in the series.<ref name="moves" /> However, each attack causes his weapon to extend from then retract into his hands, resulting in different visual cues than the move they derive from.<ref>{{cite web | title=Soul Calibur II Game Guide - Necrid |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203082646/http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/Soul_Calibur_II/PUGG/p-14.html |archive-date=2007-12-03 | url=http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/Soul_Calibur_II/PUGG/p-14.html | publisher=PlayStation.com | access-date=2009-05-17}}</ref> Some attacks combine elements of two other existing character moves; for example, Dragon Blaze begins with one attack used by [[List of Soulcalibur characters#Maxi|Maxi]] and ends with another from [[Siegfried and Nightmare|Nightmare]].<ref name="moves">{{cite web | title= Soul Calibur 2 Guide - Necrid| url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16958/page_27.html | website=[[IGN]] | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040605053240/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16958/page_27.html | archive-date=2004-06-05}}</ref> Despite this fact some moves are unique to Necrid's repertoire, such as "Elder Topaz", an attack stance that allows the use of an altered set of attacks for a short time, and "Void Cannon", which creates a small explosion on the ground at varying distances from Necrid.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Staff |date=September 2003 |title=Necrid |journal=[[GameNOW]] |url=http://www.mywire.com/a/GameNOW/Necrid/425117?&pbl=273 |issue=23 |access-date=2009-06-01 |archive-date=2014-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219043009/http://www.mywire.com/a/GameNOW/Necrid/425117?&pbl=273 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Promotion and reception==
Yotoriyama announced Necrid early in ''Soulcalibur II''{{'}}s production for the Xbox, in an interview with the Japanese  magazine ''[[Famitsu]]''.<ref name="famitsu" /> McFarlane Productions distributed one thousand copies of a limited-edition [[lithograph]] to promote the character at [[E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)|E3 2003]]. Drawn by [[Greg Capullo]], the lithograph featured a comic-book rendition of Necrid, fighting Spawn in one of the game's arenas.<ref>{{cite web|author=McFarlane Productions |title=Don't Miss Todd and Namco on May 14 |url=http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=12156 |publisher=Spawn.com |date=2003-05-13 |access-date=2009-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526221451/http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=12156 |archive-date=2011-05-26 }}</ref> In August 2003, Namco included a sculpture of Necrid in a set of five based on different ''Soulcalibur II'' characters. The figure was based on Necrid's secondary outfit, stood {{convert|6|in|cm}} tall (with a base), and allowed for adjustment of its head and arms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Necrid Soul Calibur II |author=McFarlane Productions |url=http://www.spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=1869 |publisher=Spawn.com |access-date=2009-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525032945/http://spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=1869 |archive-date=2009-05-25 }}</ref> McFarlane Productions later gave the sculptures and copies of the game as prizes in a contest named after the character.<ref>{{cite web|author=McFarlane Productions |date=2003-08-22 |title=Soulcalibur II Coming to Stores |url=http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=12206 |publisher=Spawn.com |access-date=2009-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526221524/http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=12206 |archive-date=2011-05-26 }}</ref>

[[File:Todd McFarlane by Gage Skidmore.jpg|upright=0.85|left|thumb|Much criticism about Necrid revolved around [[Todd McFarlane|McFarlane]]'s involvement in his creation]]
Critical response to Necrid varied. A staff writer for ''[[GameNOW]]'' magazine called the visual design "silly" and compared the character to an "old-school ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe|He-Man]]'' character", but added that Necrid's gameplay was decent.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Staff |date=July 2003 |title=New to SC2 |journal=[[GameNOW]] |issue=21 |url=http://www.mywire.com/a/GameNOW/New-To-SC2/425783?&pbl=15%20New%20to%20SC2 |access-date=2009-06-02 |archive-date=2014-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219042720/http://www.mywire.com/a/GameNOW/New-To-SC2/425783?&pbl=15%20New%20to%20SC2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another magazine, ''GMR'', described him "the game's crudfest character" and "a prime example of why Japanese developers should steer far away from Western 'designers' [...] his design is taken straight from the pages of Bad American Comic Book Design 101".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Staff |date=September 2003 |title=Soul Calibur II Review |journal=[[GMR (magazine)|GMR]] |issue=8 |pages=63–64}} Retrieved on 2009-06-02</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s Kaiser Hwang called Necrid a "disappointment" and questioned the character's design in comparison to others in the series; he also felt Necrid was "filler" rather than a complete character.<ref name="mf2">{{cite web | author=Hwang, Kaiser | title=Soul Calibur II Press Event | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/28/soul-calibur-ii-press-event | website=[[IGN]] | date=2003-03-28 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-02-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223221203/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/28/soul-calibur-ii-press-event | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' made similar comments in their review of the game,<ref name="mf1">{{cite web | author=Staff | title=Soul Calibur II Updated Impressions | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/soul-calibur-ii-updated-impressions/1100-6024195/ | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=2003-03-28 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-04-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408161918/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/soul-calibur-ii-updated-impressions/1100-6024195/ | url-status=live }}</ref> as did ''[[GameSpy]]''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Nutt, Christian | title=Soulcalibur II Review | url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/soulcalibur-ii/6113p1.html | publisher=[[GameSpy]] | date=2003-08-26 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2012-02-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214162943/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/soulcalibur-ii/6113p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s Xbox article editor described the character's inclusion as an unnecessary marketing ploy and would have preferred new characters made without McFarlane's involvement; the editor also wrote that Necrid did not "vibe" with the rest of the game.<ref>{{cite web | author=Staff | title=Xbox Mailbag | url=http://xbox.ign.com/mail/2003-04-02.html | website=[[IGN]] | date=2003-04-02 | access-date=2009-05-17 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210081812/http://xbox.ign.com/mail/2003-04-02.html | archive-date=2005-02-10}}</ref> ''[[1UP.com]]''{{'}}s [[podcast]] ''[[Retronauts]]'' criticized the design and stated that the character's name was used as a [[synonym]] for "shitty". They further added that McFarlane had "tainted" the game with Necrid's inclusion, with host Jeremy Parish stating "I could close my eyes and draw a better character".<ref>{{cite podcast| url =http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3156908| title =Retronauts Episode 46| website =[[1Up.com]]| last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |first2=James |last2=Mielke |first3=Ryan |last3=O'Donnell |first4=Richard |last4=Li |first5=Shane |last5=Bettenhausen| date =2008-07-17| access-date =August 9, 2008| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110919024351/http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3156908| archive-date =September 19, 2011}}</ref> In a retrospective of the series, ''[[Joystiq]]'' used him as an example of the series succumbing to "commercial gimmicks", citing his design as reviled and that Necrid was either too strong or too weak a character to play as, depending on who one asked.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/why-soul-calibur-still-quietly-burns-after-more-than-a-decade/ |title=Why Soul Calibur Still (Quietly) Burns After More than a Decade |publisher=[[Joystiq]] |author=Bailey, Kat |access-date=2012-01-26 |date=2012-01-23 |archive-date=2014-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219202928/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/why-soul-calibur-still-quietly-burns-after-more-than-a-decade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]'', when reviewing the 2013 HD remaster of ''Soulcalibur II'', stated that in terms of in-game balance Necrid was the only character "in need of a tune-up", further adding "unless you really want to play as this emaciated [[Hulk]] with a chest-plate, it's easy just to forget that he's there".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/soulcalibur-2-hd-online-review |title=SoulCalibur 2 HD Online review |last=Edwards |first=Matt |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=2023-04-13 |date=2013-11-22 |archive-date=2023-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414042457/https://www.eurogamer.net/soulcalibur-2-hd-online-review |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Paul Disalvo of ''Game Rant'' described Necrid as one of the worst character designs in fighting games, stating that while McFarlane's involvement had potential, the results were "far from stellar" and "To say that Necrid is out of place in Soul Calibur's roster of samurai and knights would be an enormous understatement."<ref>{{cite web |website=Game Rant |last=Disalvo |first=Paul |accessdate=2023-04-14 |date=2020-10-11 |title=The Ten Worst Character Designs In Fighting Game History |url=https://gamerant.com/ten-worst-character-designs-fighting-game-history/#necrid-soul-calibur-ii |archive-date=2023-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414071147/https://gamerant.com/ten-worst-character-designs-fighting-game-history/#necrid-soul-calibur-ii |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other outlets instead praised the character's gameplay and design. An editor for the video game website ''GameZone'' wrote that his attacks compensated for his appearance and described him as "cool", while also praising both his weapon and fighting style.<ref>{{cite web | author=Bedigan, Lewis | title=Soul Calibur II Review | url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2003/09/01/soul_calibur_ii_xb_review | publisher=GameZone | date=2003-08-30 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2014-02-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220060206/http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2003/09/01/soul_calibur_ii_xb_review | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Adam Sessler]] and [[Morgan Webb]] of ''[[X-Play]]'' stated that, while Necrid did not seem to fit the aesthetic, the character did have some appeal.<ref>{{cite episode |title = {{'}}Soul Calibur II,{{'}} {{'}}Beyond Good & Evil,{{'}} and More| series = X-Play| series-link = X-Play| credits = Presenters: [[Adam Sessler]] and [[Morgan Webb]]| network = [[TechTV]]| location = [[San Francisco]], [[California]]| airdate = 2003-09-03 | season = 2 | number = 113}}</ref> ''[[UGO]]''{{'}}s Doug Trueman stated Necrid's weapon had to be "seen to be believed", and described him among other new characters as "[adding] something spectacular to the ''Soul Calibur'' pantheon".<ref>{{cite web | author=Trueman, Doug | title=Soul Calibur 2 review | url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/soulcalibur2/review.asp | publisher=[[UGO Networks]] | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311172641/http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/soulcalibur2/review.asp | archive-date=2005-03-11}}</ref> [[Tim Rogers (journalist)|Tim Rogers]] of website ''Insert Credit'' called Necrid "a work of digital art both in form and function" and added that "as far as console-only characters go—everybody wins with Necrid".<ref>{{cite web | author=Rogers, Tim |author-link=Tim Rogers (journalist) | title=Soul Calibur II Review |url=http://www.insertcredit.com/reviews/scii/index4.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615080032/http://www.insertcredit.com/reviews/scii/index4.html |archive-date=2011-06-15 |publisher=Insert Credit | date=2003-04-07 | access-date=2009-05-17}}</ref> Despite their negative remarks, Jesse Schedeen of ''IGN'' wrote that while they felt the character's gameplay was unbalanced, it added to Necrid's appeal, stating "what do you expect from a man who shares a symbiotic relationship with the very energy that powers Soul Edge? If you needed to clean house in [''Soulcalibur II''], Necrid was the man for the job."<ref>{{cite web | author=Schedeen, Jesse | title=Soulcalibur: Top Bonus Characters | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/31/soulcalibur-top-bonus-characters | website=[[IGN]] | date=2008-07-31 | access-date=2009-05-17 | archive-date=2013-05-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501053740/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/31/soulcalibur-top-bonus-characters | url-status=live }}</ref>

University of Delaware professor Rachel Hutchinson cited him as an example of the cultural stereotype of human versus monster, a "mutated or damned [creature] deviant from the human norm" that the game's human characters are expected to vanquish.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hutchinson |first=Rachel |date=October 2007 |title=Performing the Self: Subverting the Binary in Combat Games |journal=[[Games and Culture]] |volume=2 |issue=4 |doi=10.1177/1555412007307953 |pages=283|s2cid=10067087 }}</ref> In a later study involving students, male students stated an assumption that female players would not be interested in playing an "ugly character" like Necrid over other strong female characters in the game like [[Taki (Soulcalibur)|Taki]], a belief she noted her data did not support as she found an unwillingness to play as the character regardless of gender. Another student suggested they believed it due to being unable to "relate" to monster characters in such games, however Hutchinson retorted characters like [[Voldo]] were popular choices by comparison, and other students had reacted more favorably to other non-human characters in the ''Soulcalibur'' series.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hutchinson |first=Rachel | title=Gender Stereotypes in Japanese fighting games: effects on identification and immersion |volume=10 |issue=1 |journal=Journal of New Medias and Cultures |date=October 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Soul characters}}
{{Todd McFarlane}}

[[Category:Characters created by Todd McFarlane]]
[[Category:Fantasy video game characters]]
[[Category:Fictional monsters]]
[[Category:Male characters in video games]]
[[Category:Soulcalibur characters]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 2003]]

[[ja:ソウルキャリバーの登場人物#ネクリッド]]