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Relive the classics with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered

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Hey everyone my names Ash, welcome the XPN Gaming website!

The "Legacy of Kain" series, particularly Soul Reaver 1 and 2, has a special place in gaming history. These titles, released from 1996 to 2001, capture players with rich storytelling and gameplay that had a unique blend of mythology, dark fantasy, and complex characters hooks me right from the moment it booted up on my Playstation. Now thanks to Aspyr the duo have been remastered and released on modern platforms to allow a new generation of gamers to experience them for the first time! I had been counting down to the release of this collection since it was first announced. Some of my earliest PSone memories are playing the first game in the series and I couldn't wait to relive those memories with a shiny, new coat of paint. I was sent a copy of the game on Xbox and played it on my Xbox Series X console and whilst I had put alot of time into the first game, I hadn't played much of the second so was looking forward to seeing what I had missed out on!

Set in the gothic world of Nosgoth, Soul Reaver takes players into a realm filled with tragedy and conflict. The story follows Raziel, a former vampire betrayed and condemned to a fate worse than death. Awakening in the spectral realm after being thrown into the abyss, Raziel transforms into a Wraith. His journey begins as he fights for revenge against his former brethren, led by the mysterious Kain.


Now incase you aren't aware, Soul Reaver 1 and 2 are actually the second and third games in the Legacy of Kain video game franchise, that had 5 releases and 1 failed multiplayer only offering. Whilst it would have been nice to have the original Legacy of Kain game remastered as well, the first Soul Reaver takes place some 1500 years after so it isn't necessary to play the original to enjoy the offering here. Also the original Legacy of Kain was 2D, and the 2 games on offer here were 3D action adventure games and much more well known.


On a side note, if you do want to check out the original game in the franchise, it has recently been released alongside the first Soul Reaver game (albeit un-remastered) on the Evercade.


Now both games have had a graphical overhaul, with sharp textures and improved character models. The atmosphere and environments look even more gothic and broody than every before with new lighting and are a fantastic improvement over the blurry retro originals. It's also not just the visuals that have had an upgrade, the controls are now built to work around modern controllers that utilise the thumb sticks - something sorely missing from games of that era, so you can now control the camera which makes a huge different in parts of the game, especially areas where the camera used to clip through the environment making it hard to see what was happening. If you prefer the old school feel and want to see how the game originally looked, you can simply switch between the old and remaster graphics with a single button click, similar to the Halo Master Chief Collection. It's always fun flicking back and forth at points to see how big the change is. Other improvements also include a map and compass, an overview of cut levels, a photo mode, and a day and night cycle which was cut from the original Soul Reaver.

The soundtrack remains the same, but the songs on offer are well worth experiencing and listening to if you get the chance.

Gameplay takes place in a third person perspective and sees you shifting through two different planes (material and spectral) and this mechanic is mainly used for platforming and puzzle progression. By shifting the to spectral plane you may be able to pass through a blocked area, or interact with something that would open up new passageways in the material plane. I always found the platforming sections to be pretty clunky on the original game, but with the improvement to the controls and camera, traversal feels much easier and results in alot less falling or getting stuck. I will say though, if you're a newcomer to the franchise, you may find yourself lost on a variety of occasions as you tend to walk from one room to the next trying to figure out how to complete a puzzle, unlike modern games that literally shout out the solutions on repeat (looking at you there God of War), Soul Reaver does not hold your hand in the slightest.


Outside of the platforming areas there is combat. This sees you hacking and slashing your way through a variety of enemies using combo based attacks. Killing enemies grants you souls that can replenish your health, but the combat will get stale rather quickly as your progress through the game.


Soul Reaver 1 and 2 have profoundly impacted gaming culture. They inspire discussions, fan theories, and a dedicated community that persists even today. The resurgence of interest, especially through these remastered editions, reflects the titles' lasting influence on contemporary game design, storytelling, and character development.



Whether you're familiar with Raziel’s journey or experiencing it for the first time, both titles are treasure troves of memorable moments. The combination of immersive world-building, nuanced narratives, and innovative gameplay ensures that players will remember their time in Nosgoth long after the game ends. Playing through the original game again after so many years, and experiencing it with a new shiny coat of paint and better controls was fantastic and made me fall in love with the franchise again. This is the best version of the two games available so I highly recommend it and I really hope that the later games in the series (as well as the first) get some more love in future releases similar to what's happening with the Tomb Raider collections! If you don't like the PS1/Dreamcast era of action platforming, I would avoid this one, as gameplay remains the same and still has the pitfalls that it did back in the day. But If you love retro gaming, or want to try a cult classic for the first time, then there's no better time to get jump in!


XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (Gold)



Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is AVAILABLE NOW!



A copy of the game was provided for this review. A huge thanks for that!


If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out my review of 8-Bit Adventures 2 HERE.


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