Algol
From the Soulcalibur Wiki
| Algol | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birthplace | An ancient dynasty whose name has been lost to history |
| Birthdate | Meaningless now |
| Age | Everlasting |
| Height | Whatever he wills it to be |
| Weight | Whatever he wills it to be |
| Blood type | Stream of pure power |
| Weapon | Soul Edge & Soul Calibur |
| Weapon name | Soul Edge & Soul Calibur |
| Fighting style | Control of the stream of power |
| Family | All things of the past Son, Arcturus (deceased) |
| Appears in | Soulcalibur IV Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny |
| English voice actor | Jamieson Price |
| Japanese voice actor | George Nakata |
Algol is a character in the Soul series of fighting games and the main antagonist in Soulcalibur IV. He can be played like other standard characters, but must be unlocked by defeating him in story mode. He appears as one of the final bosses along with Siegfried and Nightmare. Algol has been confirmed to return in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.
Contents |
[edit] Character Overview
In the words of Hideo Yoshie, the main character designer of Soulcalibur IV, Algol is "a character that obviously proves the setting of being the strongest character ever in SC series".
Algol's costume originates from a culture so ancient that it was not recorded in history, and the designer says it was very difficult to design it for that reason. The "bird" was decided to be the final motif of Algol's armor although there were many other ideas such as the lion and dinosaur. A black tattoo of an eye is visible on his chest if his middle armor is shattered. His nails are long, almost talon-like, following the bird theme.
Algol is seen on the opening video with brown hair and blue eyes, showing him in his living human form.
Despite appearing malevolent, craving power, and playing a somewhat antagonistic role, Algol still possesses a noble soul and is willing to help others. In Sophitia's ending, he saves her from Soul Edge's corruptive wrath and protects her children from the sword, sympathetic towards her situation since his own son suffered the same fate (see below). Many of the goodly- and neutrally-aligned characters spare Algol in their endings, stating that they have come for the swords, and that he is not evil.
[edit] Background
Algol, also known as "The Hero King," was able to obtain Soul Edge and, with an indomitable will, avoided being controlled by it. According to the legend, he used the sword to spread peace among the lands. His son, Arcturus, jealous of his father's power, took Soul Edge, unaware of its malevolent properties, and was possessed. Algol battled and defeated his son with a fatal strike.
Remorseful after his son's death, Algol desired to create a sword to counter the evil within Soul Edge. The legend says that, using purified shards obtained from the battle with his son and the assistance of various sages, Algol was able to create Soul Calibur after many failed attempts and the sacrifice of his own life. However, the "successful" ritual produced unexpected results: the blade created was extremely similar in nature to Soul Edge due to the restlessness in Algol's soul. The tribe that was tasked with the protection of the new sword slowly purified her, sealing the Hero King's soul, keeping his thirst for power dormant over the centuries.
During the immense surge of power released when the cursed sword and the spirit sword clashed, Algol's soul, then formless, was able to absorb a small fraction of the energy. With what little he gained, he built himself a body fashioned after his older one, as well as a tower, which he deemed the "Tower of Remembrance", to reside in. Algol knew that it all would not last—once the power he absorbed had been used up, everything he had created would disappear like a mirage. He needed to obtain the swords if he intended to remain a reality. The Tower of Remembrance's sudden appearance would draw warriors to him. The swords, he knew, must be amongst them. Forging himself weapons based on memories of the cursed sword and the spirit sword, he waited patiently for the first arrivals.
[edit] Weapons
[edit] Soul Edge & Soul Calibur
As the strongest character in all the Soul series, he wields both Soul Edge & Soul Calibur, thus giving his hands a blue or red glow. He contains ten weapons within his body, including: a giant claw that extends from his chest; spikes which emerge from his back; two arms which can morph into cannon-like appendages (see below); Soul Edge & Soul Calibur; blades similar to the aforementioned spikes which erupt from the lower part of either of his two arms; and blades that come out of his feet, both at the front and heel of either foot.
Algol also has the unique ability to fire floating, purple ball projectiles from his arm cannons that can be reflected back at him (and reflected back again). He also has the ability to quickly teleport behind his opponent, placing him in an advantageous position during combat.
[edit] Fighting Style
Algol's moveset revolves around strong, fast, close combat attacks and powerful throws. The purple bubble projectiles are used in conjunction with attacks or movements to occupy, juggle, or otherwise set up the opponent for a powerful combo. He is equipped with a variety of moves to keep enemies within melee distance, including the aforementioned teleportation move, a forward leap (which can be supplemented by various attacks), and an attack throw which automatically hits if the opponent is backstepping.
[edit] Soulcalibur IV Ending
Algol defeats Siegfried and claims Soul Calibur, using her power to resurrect himself. However, even with his new body and power, he is unable to undo the past. As the new sovereign of this world, he decides he must not look back, claiming he doesn't have that luxury. The text-only epilogue then says What the resurrected Algol aims to achieve is an eternal rule that will never die.
[edit] Stage
[edit] Tower of Remembrance - Degradation
[edit] Gallery
 Algol, while still human. |
 Algol in his new form, as he appears in the game. |
 Algol from Soulcalibur IV |
 Algol wallpaper from Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny |
[edit] Critical Finish
Algol blasts his opponents into the air with bolts of energy from his hands. He then teleports above them, and punches them to the ground. Once they hit the ground, he ensures that they stay there by dropping his throne on top of them, and then sits on his throne, to patiently await the next arrival.
[edit] Trivia
- Algol is also the name of a trinary star system in Perseus. It is Arabic for 'winking demon', and is named for the fact that β Persei B regularly eclipses β Persei A, so that the star appears to periodically brighten and dim.
- Algol is also the name of the star system the original "Phantasy Star" series (1987-1994) takes place in.
- In Soulcalibur II's Weapon Master Mode, there is a city named after Algol (Chapter 9). In a extra chapter of the mode, his son, Arcturus, is also included as an ancient knight.
- In the fourth of Algol's Story Mode, Algol fights Arcturus, who is actually an illusion created by Zasalamel.
- Recently through the rising popularity of Algol many fans have besieged the official website via email requesting he be included in the next game on account of boss characters rarely being continued from game to game. Algol will indeed reappear in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, although said game is simply an enhanced remake of SCIV. It is currently unknown whether Algol will be included in the next "real" Soul Calibur game.
- Algol places high on most "tier lists" made by the tournament community, and is often banned from his tournaments due to the humourless deciding that his unusual fighting style means he is not a "serious" character..
- In Soulcalibur II, Algol appeared in the introduction of Weapon Master Mode, alongside "missing" characters from the game like Edge Master, Arthur, Li Long, Hwang, Rock, and even Johan Dürer.
- Algol uses Soul Calibur and Soul Edge on the opposite hands that the actual wielders of the sword use (For example: Nightmare uses Soul Edge with is left hand, while Algol uses Soul Edge with his right hand).
- Algol is the only character in the Soul Series strong enough to successfully use Soul Edge without being affected by its malice (i.e. going insane, becoming a host, etc.).
[edit] Relationships
- Was forced to kill his son Arcturus, who had been possessed by Soul Edge.
- Created the spirit sword, Soul Calibur
| Main characters in the Soul series |
|---|
| Algol | Amy | Astaroth | Cassandra | Cervantes | Charade | Dampierre | Edge Master | Hilde | Hwang | Ivy | Kilik | Li Long | Lizardman | Maxi | Mitsurugi | Necrid | Nightmare | Olcadan | Raphael | Rock | Seong Han Myeong | Seong Mi-na | Setsuka | Siegfried | Sophitia | Taki | Talim | Tira | Voldo | Xianghua | Yoshimitsu | Yun-seong | Zasalamel |
