Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered
Release Date: December 10, 2024
Action, TPP, fantasy, package, remasters/remakes, action adventure, singleplayer
Steam
A package featuring remastered versions of 2 classic action-adventure games. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered has us playing as Raziel who's hunting for the vampire Kain. Remasters offer refreshed graphics with upgraded character models and sharper textures.
December 3, 2024
Games of December 2024 - Indiana Jones and the Searchers of Lost PoE2 on the Trail of Soul Reaver Remastered
We're ending the year quietly but in pretty good style. Path of Exile 2 will appear in Early Access, we will also get Marvel Rivals and Delta Force. There will also be no shortage of other games to choose from.
Videos and Screens
[1:18] Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered - Launch Trailer
[0:39] Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Raziel's Abilities Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Rich Storytelling and Voice Acting: The narrative is highly praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging character development. Many players regard it as one of the best in video game history.
- Enhanced Graphics: The remastered version features improved character models and textures, allowing players to switch between original and remastered graphics seamlessly.
- Bonus Content: Includes a wealth of additional features such as soundtracks, galleries, outtakes, and previously cut levels, which enhance the overall experience.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Features like a map, compass, and hints for interactable objects have been added, making it more accessible for new players.
- Nostalgic Appeal: Long-time fans appreciate the return to Nosgoth and the preservation of the original game's atmosphere.
The main cons of the game
- Graphical Limitations: While character models have improved, some players feel that the overall graphical enhancements are lacking, particularly in environmental textures.
- Camera and Control Issues: Many reviews mention persistent camera problems and clunky controls that detract from the gameplay experience.
- Lack of Autosave: The absence of an autosave feature is a significant drawback, as players must manually save frequently to avoid losing progress.
- Bugs and Glitches: There are reports of various bugs, including crashes, graphical glitches, and issues with enemy AI during combat.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- No Graphical Options: Users noted the lack of customizable graphical settings such as brightness, contrast, and resolution adjustments.
- Modern Saving Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for more modern save features, such as quick saves, to accommodate contemporary gaming habits.
- Inconsistent Quality in Remastering: While *Soul Reaver 1* received significant attention in its remaster, many feel that *Soul Reaver 2* was not given the same level of care, leading to disappointment in its visual and gameplay updates.
- Dynamic Day/Night Cycle Issues: Some players found the newly implemented day/night cycle to be problematic, making certain areas unplayable due to excessive darkness.
Summary
- Overall, while the remaster has been well-received for its nostalgic value and storytelling, it has also faced criticism for technical shortcomings and a lack of modern gaming conveniences.
Summary generated on:
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Description
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is a compilation of refreshed versions of two parts of the cult action-adventure game series titled Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. The package is the result of a collaboration between Crystal Dynamics, the company that started the series, and Aspyr Media.
Plot
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered takes us to the ghostly land of Nosgoth. After the events presented in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, the main character – vampire Kain – rules Nosgoth with an iron fist. During the game we take on the role of Raziel - a former lieutenant who, after incurring the wrath of his ruler, was executed by him.
Ultimately, Raziel is resurrected by the Elder God, who sees the vampires as a threat to the cycle of reincarnation he controls. The deity pushes the protagonist to take revenge on Kain, in order to restore order in Nosgoth. And so begins a dark adventure stretched across both space and time. In the second installment of the Raziel series, he ends up in the past, where he continues his crusade against Kain.
Gameplay
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is played from a third-person perspective (TPP). Traveling through the grim land of Nosgoth, we must make use of Raziel's supernatural abilities, which allow him to travel between dimensions and jump between his corporeal and spiritual forms. We mainly use them when solving environmental puzzles. For example, only in the physical world can the hero move objects or switch levers, while only in the spiritual dimension can they pass through bars.
In addition, fighting opponents plays an important role here and combat is similar to popular slashers. Raziel must be in constant motion, performing dodges and delivering accurate counterattacks, attacking adversaries primarily with his claws. On Raziel's forearm is the titular sword, "loaded" with souls sucked from fallen enemies. Besides that, the hero can use weapons such as spears or torches found along the way.
On our path we most often encounter standard enemies, among which we can find both aggressive humans (warriors, clerics or vampire hunters), as well as starved vampires. From time to time we have to face powerful bosses. As we progress through the game, we develop the protagonist and face greater challenges.
Graphics
Both games included in the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered package have received a refreshed graphic design. The creators did not limit themselves to just adapting the originals to work with higher resolutions and panoramic screens. Developers have focused on character models and object textures. In addition, the color scheme has been changed and it has become more vibrant than it was in the originals.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Summary
Game Series: Legacy of Kain
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: Crystal Dynamics / Aspyr Media, Inc. (PC) / Aspyr Media, Inc. (PS4) / Aspyr Media, Inc. (XONE) / Aspyr Media, Inc. (Switch) / Aspyr Media, Inc. (PS5) / Aspyr Media, Inc. (XSX)
Publisher: Aspyr Media, Inc.
Age restrictions: 16+
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3 / AMD FX-4100 3.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GT 620 / Radeon HD 8670D, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 2080 / 12 GB Radeon RX 6750, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit