Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 810 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Game Cover
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In "Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver," players control the vampire ghost Raziel, seeking revenge against his creator, Kain. The game features puzzle-solving and hack-and-slash combat in a gothic, dark fantasy setting. Raziel can shift between the material and spectral planes, enabling unique gameplay mechanics and exploration.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Dreamcast
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • PSP
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 810 reviews
story176 positive mentions
stability25 negative mentions
  • The story and voice acting are exceptional, providing a rich narrative experience.
  • The game features innovative mechanics, such as shifting between the material and spectral realms, which adds depth to puzzles and exploration.
  • Despite its age, the atmosphere and gothic design of Nosgoth remain captivating and immersive.
  • The PC port is plagued with technical issues, including frequent crashes and poor controller support.
  • The controls are clunky and frustrating, especially for platforming sections, making gameplay tedious at times.
  • Many players report that the game does not run properly on modern systems without extensive troubleshooting and patches.
  • story331 mentions

    The story of "Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver" is widely praised for its rich narrative, complex characters, and immersive world-building, often described as a dark, gothic tale of revenge and betrayal. Players are drawn into the haunting journey of Raziel, a tragic anti-hero, as he seeks vengeance against his creator, Kain, amidst a backdrop of intricate lore and philosophical themes. Despite some criticisms of dated gameplay mechanics, the compelling storytelling and exceptional voice acting elevate the experience, making it a standout title in the gaming landscape.

    • “Released in an era when games were defined by their storytelling and atmosphere, Soul Reaver takes players on an unforgettable journey through a beautifully crafted world filled with intricate lore and compelling characters.”
    • “The game's narrative is rich and immersive, featuring Raziel, a tragic anti-hero whose quest for vengeance against his creator, Kain, is both haunting and thought-provoking.”
    • “The story of Soul Reaver is a classical, almost Shakespearean revenge story of a fallen anti-hero seeking vengeance against his despot former master, with a cliffhanger ending that promises a much deeper plot about deception, betrayal, conspiracy, and defiance, told in a highly elevated language by extremely talented and charismatic voice actors.”
    • “The main story is short, and due to how the difficulty plays you can just breeze through it in a couple of hours and only see about half of what the game has to offer.”
    • “As much as I love the mood, tone, story, and characters, at the end of the day it is still a game you have to play and after about ten hours of tedious platforming and combat just to get an ending that gives you the middle finger and explains nearly nothing I was done.”
    • “I really, really want to see how the rest of the story pans out, but the gameplay is just so damn painful I can't push myself to keep going when there are so many other options out there.”
  • gameplay166 mentions

    The gameplay of "Soul Reaver" is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, featuring a unique mechanic that allows players to shift between the material and spectral realms, adding depth to the experience. However, many players find the controls clunky, the platforming mechanics frustrating, and the camera system outdated, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the game is praised for its innovative ideas and engaging story, its gameplay has not aged well, leading to a mixed reception among modern audiences.

    • “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.”
    • “The ability to navigate between the material and spectral realms adds a unique twist to the platforming mechanics, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The game's unique mechanic of shifting between the spectral and material plane was not only innovative but also intrinsically linked to both the narrative and puzzle-solving.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and clunky, not helped by the fact that there's no mouselook, making it incredibly painful to play.”
    • “The mechanics and the gameplay itself are a bit unfortunate, and can be infuriating at some points (especially the platforming aspect of the game).”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's pretty easy to compare Soul Reaver to Zelda, but it all just feels worse than how Zelda or other platformers of the same ilk do it.”
  • graphics104 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its original release in 1999, with many players noting that while they were impressive for their time, they now appear rough and clunky by modern standards. Despite this, the game's unique art style and atmospheric design still resonate with fans, and some appreciate the nostalgic value it holds. Overall, while the visuals may not meet contemporary expectations, they contribute to the game's charm and are often seen as forgivable given its age.

    • “This game features an impressive art style, where each new area has a new theme, weapons, and enemies, giving each a unique feel.”
    • “The art style is dark, gothic, visceral - perfect for what this game is.”
    • “As it stands, this is one of the greatest original PlayStation games with amazing tech behind it for the time, and the graphics still blow me away to this day, even on PC, PS2, and PS1.”
    • “The graphics are rough, but to be fair for a 1999 3D adventure game, the gloomy atmosphere of Nosgoth and its surroundings fits well with the graphical limitations of the time.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay show their age and didn't age very well, but you probably want to play this because of the story and the amazing soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics are very dated.”
  • music82 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting quality, effectively enhancing the gothic ambiance and emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers highlight the iconic soundtrack, composed by Kurt Harland, as a standout feature that remains memorable even years later, despite some technical issues in the PC version that affect its playback. Overall, the music is considered a crucial element that complements the game's narrative and immersive experience, making it a significant aspect of its appeal.

    • “The atmospheric environments, gothic architecture, and haunting soundtrack create a captivating ambiance that draws you into the world of Nosgoth.”
    • “The music is memorable and really captures the ambiance and the environment that you explore on your quest for revenge.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely superb, and one of the best video game soundtracks out there.”
    • “Unfortunately, the port wasn't able to bring the dynamic music, so the music won't change when you are in combat, solving a puzzle, and every boss has the same music as the first one, sad.”
    • “Music won't work correctly and will reset when the game is paused, sound will cut out or altogether be delayed and sound static-like, and, the worst sin, there are songs missing from the game.”
    • “It omits the dynamic music system, whereby the music would dynamically change depending on the situation in the game and instead uses a handful of low-quality tracks that don't loop and awkwardly fade in and out during gameplay.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The atmosphere of *Soul Reaver* is widely praised for its dark, gothic aesthetic, intricate world-building, and haunting soundtrack, which together create an immersive experience that captivates players. The game's visual style and sound design effectively convey a sense of gloom and despair, enhancing the storytelling and emotional depth. Despite some graphical limitations, the overall ambiance and attention to detail in the game's environments and lore leave a lasting impression, making it a standout title in atmospheric gaming.

    • “The atmospheric environments, gothic architecture, and haunting soundtrack create a captivating ambiance that draws you into the world of Nosgoth.”
    • “The game's visual style, sound design, and score by Kurt Harland contributed to the creation of a darkly atmospheric world that still resonates with players to this day.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, and fluid gameplay are better than a lot that are available today.”
    • “The atmosphere is pure gloom and despair...and I know you're into that.”
    • “I wish I could recommend this game, I really do, because I love the story, atmosphere, and the world of Nosgoth, but honestly, actually playing this game feels like smashing my head with a block.”
    • “The atmosphere was foreboding and dark, and the music took your emotions and wrapped them into the game.”
  • stability27 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, audio issues, and crashes, particularly on Windows 10 systems. While some users found success with troubleshooting and unofficial patches, others described the experience as frustratingly unstable, with frequent glitches and performance problems. Overall, the game is considered playable with some tweaks, but many feel it falls short of expectations due to its numerous technical issues.

    • “I love this game; it's one of my favorites ever. It runs great on Windows 10, and the compatibility mode for XP SP3 is perfect. I had no idea this was available on Steam, and I'm really happy now! :D”
    • “Upon taking a few minutes (maybe a touch longer if you're new to these types of apps), the game runs great.”
    • “I only played for a little under two hours, and it’s a bug-ridden mess, which is a shame.”
    • “It's unplayably buggy on Windows 10 with an Intel/Nvidia combo.”
    • “Without some unofficial patches, it's an incredibly bad port with sound issues, poor controller compatibility, and visual glitches.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Reviews consistently highlight the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with clunky controls and poor hit detection detracting from the overall experience. Combat is often described as unengaging, leading players to avoid encounters, while repetitive puzzles, particularly moving-block challenges, quickly become chores. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a laborious task rather than an enjoyable experience, making it difficult for players to remain engaged.

    • “It's just too tedious to have an enjoyable experience.”
    • “The block puzzles wear out their welcome pretty quick and become tedious chores.”
    • “As much as I love the mood, tone, story, and characters, at the end of the day it is still a game you have to play and after about ten hours of tedious platforming and combat just to get an ending that gives you the middle finger and explains nearly nothing, I was done.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues on newer systems, particularly Windows 10. Many feel that it lacks essential enhancements, such as hardware rendering and proper controller support, leading to a frustrating experience. There are calls for a more optimized HD remake to better serve fans of the franchise.

    • “Make an optimized HD remake for the fans they robbed with this.”
    • “If it doesn't run well on yours, then there may be a complication or something affecting its performance.”
    • “I hope that Square makes it more playable soon... maybe with the reboot or remake of the Blood Omen franchise, they will launch its classic games with the best performance.”
    • “But unfortunately it's not optimized for Windows 10.”
    • “Won't start... the game is poorly optimized for newer computers, do not get this!”
    • “No hardware rendering mode, crappy controller support; it's like the devs simply copied the PSX version's code and slapped it on this version with little in the way of enhancements or optimizations.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and maturity, particularly in the protagonist, whose unique design adds to the narrative's richness. Reviewers highlight the impressive voice acting and the compelling story that enhances the overall character arcs, although some express a desire for improvements in accessibility.

    • “From retrospect, this game has great violence, maturity, voice acting, and character development.”
    • “Amazing character development and voice acting all the way.”
    • “Character design 6/10: I mean, having an ugly, disfigured, emaciated protagonist is original.”
    • “I have to say the character development regarding him is well done once you are done with the game.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Users express a desire for improved replayability through potential updates or remakes of classic titles, particularly Blood Omen, to enhance performance and compatibility. While some have found workarounds for control issues, the overall sentiment suggests that the current versions lack sufficient playability, limiting their replay value.

    • “I hope that Square makes it more playable soon. Maybe with the reboot or remake of Blood Omen (rumor) franchise, they will launch its classic games with better performance. Maybe OS compatibility would be a good idea, lol.”
    • “I haven't checked the version of the game on GOG, but I would assume it's more playable than the version on Steam.”
    • “You can, however, with a bit of research, find some fixes to map the keyboard controls to the controller, which makes the game a little more playable.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as unintentionally hilarious, particularly during chaotic moments like poorly executed jumps. Players appreciate the clever and smart humor woven into the gameplay, alongside a memorable and darkly atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The combination of these elements contributes to a unique and entertaining gaming atmosphere.

    • “It's actually hilarious how bad the jumps look sometimes when your character is flinging around the room with the camera spinning super fast.”
    • “This game helped recover medieval artifacts; hope you like riddles and smart humor.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game involved significant investment from Eidos and Crystal Dynamics (now Square Enix) in development, distribution, and extensive advertising, including cross-promotions with other titles.

    • “Eidos and Crystal Dynamics (now rebranded as Square Enix) poured an insane amount of money into this game, both in development and distribution as well as advertising.”
    • “I remember all the advertising, even including demos and trailers in other games, like Gex 3 or Tomb Raider.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a strong, heartfelt recommendation from users, indicating a deep connection to the experience. However, technical issues, such as character control bugs, can detract from the overall emotional engagement.

    • “I will end this review and give one of the most true and heartfelt recommendations I have ever given on Steam!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Play time

1hMedian play time
1hAverage play time
12hMain story
14hCompletionist
1-1hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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