A bittersweet remaster returns to Nosgoth in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a brilliant and borderline triumphant return of two games that defined genres. Like the originals, it set up new standards and delivered a great blend of action, exploration, and storytelling into a single, undeniably perfect package. The original games were developed by Crystal Dynamics, led by the legendary Amy Hennig.
These games evoke a plethora of emotions and entice players with their sublime lore and hauntingly beautiful world. A new generation of gamers now gets to experience the same thing thanks to Aspyr’s remaster, which lets you fill in Raziel’s shoes once again and explore a world torn between revenge and destiny. But how does it stand against other games of the genre?
The plot follows Raziel’s journey of vengeance. Once a devoted nobleman turned undead warrior under Kain’s rule, Raziel’s fate took a dark turn when his growing power outshone that of his master. Betrayed and cast into the abyss, he is resurrected as a spectral wraith, a hollow shadow of his former self. Angered and guided by a thirst for justice, Raziel embarks on a quest to confront and destroy the vampire overlord who condemned him.
In the first game, you travel to a dark, ruined Nosgoth, a world where Kain reigns supreme. Raziel must fight and kill his other fellow lieutenants, all the while adjusting to his powers as a spectral being. Then there’s the sequel Soul Reaver 2, which continues where the last game left off, with Raziel still pursuing Kain, only this time, it is set in a restored era of Nosgoth. Much lore still goes around in this installment, explaining Raziel’s past as a warrior sworn to hunt demons.
Both games have some elements of semi-open-world exploration with combat and environmental puzzles. Some humans, who thirst to eradicate his kind, will try to end Raziel’s life along with his vampiric brethren. He also has to do some puzzle-solving and even encounter some light platforming challenges in the game. Although block pushing and switch flipping would feel too simplistic for modern standards, such were hallmarks in adventure games some years back in the late ’90s.
In terms of gameplay, neither Soul Reaver nor its sequel stands up well compared to modern third-person games, understandably so, given the era in which they were created. While Crystal Dynamics is a renowned developer, these titles were made during the early days of 3D gaming.
There is no denying that Soul Reaver was revolutionary upon its release, particularly with regard to its audio-visual presentation: the visuals and voice acting were extremely good. The fact that it was on DVD meant that there could be lots of dialogue spoken, something that hardly ever happened at the time. It is still the most lastingly impressive thing about these cult classics, even now- with the voice acting.
There are a few minor quality-of-life improvements in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, such as a basic map for Soul Reaver 1 and improved camera controls for both games, but these changes are insufficient to modernize the gameplay. Soul Reaver 1, in particular, suffers from awkward movement, while both titles feature repetitive combat and fairly lackluster level design. The combat quickly grows tiresome. That said, the narrative across both games remains a highlight. It’s still one of the most compelling stories in retro gaming.
However, diving into the series through these games can feel off and a tad bit disjointed. The absence of the first title, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, means there’s context that is missing, though Soul Reaver 1 does a fairly decent job of setting the stage. Players who are able to handle the dated mechanics will find there’s plenty of content to explore, with 30 to 40 hours of gameplay across the two games if you aim to complete everything without the help of guides.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered has a cryptic charm that makes puzzle-solving engaging, I believe Soul Reaver 2 surpasses it with more inventive puzzle designs that go beyond just moving blocks or executing flawless platforming.
Both games present their unique challenges, but it’s rarely the combat or boss fights that will slow you down. Instead, they aim to stimulate your imagination. At times, the lack of guidance on what to do next can be pretty annoying, but every boss encounter leaves a lasting impression.
You’ll probably notice the most significant upgrades in the character models; they now look fantastic compared to their predecessors. You can switch between updated visuals and the old low-polygon designs by pressing the right joystick; it’s crazy how modern technology is transforming iconic characters.
Another highlight of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is their extraordinary voice performance. The characters fully immerse themselves in the melodrama of the vampiric lore, making the story itself come alive. Perhaps Soul Reaver 2 dips into its dramatic flourishes a bit too much at times, but the acting sparkles, featuring some of the most memorable early theatrical moments in gaming history.
And then there’s the music in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered — phenomenal. It’s a soundtrack that stays with you, adding to the allure of returning to Nosgoth for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered. Though nostalgia fueled my excitement for this remaster, it also reinforced my hope to see this series soar once more in the future.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a remaster that preserves the essence of the originals while giving it a modern visual update. It also includes behind-the-scenes footage accessible through the launcher, which is a neat bonus. While some people might want a quick save feature, I feel it would detract from the existing fast-travel system, which encourages you to remember the symbols of each region, enhancing the immersive experience of the journey.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a nostalgic journey into a world of gothic intrigue, masterful storytelling, and unforgettable characters. This remaster has given a lifeline to two classics while polishing their visuals and minor quality-of-life updates. However, it hasn’t reached the modern standards of the remasters released recently.
Although the updated character models and ever-timely voice acting shine, the out-of-date gameplay and the relative absence of any remarkable new features do quite a lot to make the whole affair seem futile…
For longtime fans who have been part of the Kain cult for decades, this bittersweet remaster returns to Nosgoth: enough to relive some old memories but not enough to sate the desire for a real revival. For the amateur, it will give them a taste of why such games are loved but perhaps not enough to keep them interested when battling against shinier competitors in this genre. Here is hoping that this will rekindle renewed interest in Legacy of Kain, leading to more substantial revival attempts sometime in the future.
