Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Game Cover

"Celebrate 25 years of Soul Reaver in Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered, which includes the original games with updated graphics. As the revived Raziel, seek revenge against your former master, Kain, by defeating your former vampire brethren using your spectral abilities, including telekinesis and the powerful Wraith Blade. Transverse between the material and spectral worlds to solve puzzles and defeat enemies."

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,145 reviews
graphics99 positive mentions
stability31 negative mentions
  • The remaster preserves the original gameplay while enhancing graphics and controls, making it a nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
  • The story and voice acting remain exceptional, with a rich narrative that captivates both new and returning players.
  • The inclusion of bonus content, such as cut levels and behind-the-scenes material, adds significant value to the remaster.
  • The day/night cycle can make certain areas too dark to navigate, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Some bugs and glitches persist, including issues with textures and occasional crashes, which can disrupt the gaming experience.
  • The combat mechanics feel dated and clunky, which may deter new players unfamiliar with older game design.
  • graphics402 mentions

    The remastered graphics of *Soul Reaver 1 & 2* have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant visual upgrades, particularly in the first game, which features sharper textures and improved character models. However, some players feel that the enhancements in *Soul Reaver 2* are minimal and that the remaster lacks essential graphical options, such as brightness and resolution settings. Despite these criticisms, the ability to switch between old and new graphics seamlessly has been highlighted as a major positive, allowing players to appreciate both the nostalgia of the originals and the improvements made.

    • “The remastered graphics breathe new life into these classic games, giving the eerie environments and epic set pieces a gorgeous facelift while staying true to their original vibe.”
    • “The ability to switch between modern and old graphics on the fly even during cutscenes is great and allows you to get that nostalgia fix.”
    • “The remastered versions boast a significant graphical overhaul that breathes new life into the gothic world of Nosgoth.”
    • “While Soul Reaver 1 benefits from sharper textures and cleaner visuals, Soul Reaver 2—which was already a visual marvel in its time—shows only marginal improvement.”
    • “The HD textures are welcome, but the minimal changes are strikingly apparent when switching between old and new graphics, particularly in Soul Reaver 2.”
    • “The graphics are still old enough to where you get lost because everything looks the same and the Sarafan stronghold becomes a turntable of death and boredom, the combat is still junk as you end up entirely ditching the combat engagements by circling the enemy clockwise and spamming the attack button.”
  • story378 mentions

    The "story" aspect of the *Soul Reaver* series is widely praised for its intricate narrative, rich lore, and exceptional character development, particularly that of Raziel and Kain. Players appreciate the Shakespearean dialogue and the emotional depth of the storytelling, which combines themes of revenge, betrayal, and redemption within a dark fantasy setting. While some critiques focus on the gameplay mechanics, the overarching narrative remains a standout feature that captivates both new and returning players, making it a must-experience for fans of story-driven games.

    • “The plot is nothing short of a masterpiece, weaving themes of destiny, betrayal, and redemption into a storyline that grips you from start to finish.”
    • “Soul Reaver 1 & 2 remain an absolute masterclass of storytelling and voice acting - even nowadays there are very few games that come close to it.”
    • “The story is not the same in any way, but the performance of the cast, the delivery of the story, and the personal investment you as a player will end up with in the characters that is comparable.”
    • “The story begins as a simple revenge plot.”
    • “The story is complex.”
    • “The story, the dialogue, the setting was all perfect and still is; the game was ahead of its time in that regard, so you can just play for a good and intriguing story.”
  • gameplay204 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered "Soul Reaver" series retains its original mechanics, including the unique dual-realm shifting and puzzle-solving elements, but many players find it dated and clunky compared to modern standards. While the remaster enhances visuals and controls, the core gameplay experience remains largely unchanged, leading to mixed feelings among fans—some appreciate the nostalgia and storytelling, while others are disappointed by the lack of significant improvements in gameplay dynamics. Overall, the series is celebrated more for its rich narrative and atmosphere than for its gameplay mechanics.

    • “The dual-realm mechanic—allowing players to shift between the physical and spectral worlds—is ingenious, adding depth to both exploration and puzzle-solving.”
    • “The gameplay has a unique 'reality shifting' mechanic where you travel between the physical and spectral realms, which is criminal to think that no other game does this. Fighting vampires in the first game feels good, wail on them until they're stunned and then finish them off depending on what weapon you currently have.”
    • “This remaster not only enhances the visual fidelity and audio quality but also lovingly preserves the intricate storytelling and unique gameplay mechanics that made the original games beloved by fans.”
    • “However, compared to its predecessor, Soul Reaver 2 makes significant trade-offs that may disappoint fans of the original’s exploration-heavy gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay may feel archaic, but the design, lore, and atmosphere are timeless.”
    • “The original gameplay mechanics definitely show their age, with clunky combat and somewhat repetitive puzzles, and no autosave system that can lead to significant setbacks if you forget to save manually or encounter bugs.”
  • music85 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and haunting quality, enhancing the overall experience and nostalgia for players. Many reviewers appreciate the return of the dynamic soundtrack, which was missing in previous PC versions, and highlight the exceptional voice acting that complements the music. However, some players express disappointment over changes to certain tracks compared to the original, wishing for the classic compositions that resonated more deeply with them.

    • “I love the soundtracks for the various locations/fights!”
    • “The voice acting and music are beyond compare.”
    • “The music is moody and atmospheric, the controls are quite smooth for a PlayStation-era game, and the story still holds up even so many years later.”
    • “I want the original music; it hits harder than this MIDI soundtrack you have going on in the background, and it really takes me out of it.”
    • “Most of you know how important it is to be able to hear in-game sounds and voices, but the sound and music are broken for this game.”
    • “The only thing that is a little off is actually the soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its gothic architecture, rich lore, and immersive storytelling, creating a dark and apocalyptic world that captivates players. The remastered visuals enhance the original's ambiance without losing its essence, while the voice acting and music further contribute to the overall experience. Despite some gameplay shortcomings, the atmospheric depth and character-driven narrative make it a compelling journey for fans of the genre.

    • “From the very beginning, Legacy of Kain immerses you in a dark, atmospheric world full of rich lore and complex characters.”
    • “The world itself is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship, filled with history, deep lore, and an atmosphere that feels alive.”
    • “The remastered versions don’t just modernize the visuals—they elevate them, enhancing the dark, gothic atmosphere that defined the world of Nosgoth and made it so unforgettable.”
    • “I liked the new visuals, even though they do lose a bit of the dark and grimy atmosphere of the original.”
    • “Seems to be mainly made for old-timer fans since the combat and puzzles can still feel a bit off to the modern consumer, but if you're up to a desolate and oppressive atmosphere in a world full of flavor and lore, this game is for you.”
    • “While the games are sometimes lacking a bit in gameplay, the story, atmosphere, and voice acting are worth it alone.”
  • optimization35 mentions

    The optimization of the remastered Soul Reaver games is generally well-received, with improvements such as 60fps performance, widescreen support, and enhanced graphics while maintaining low resource consumption similar to the originals. However, some users report issues with stuttering, particularly on systems without updated drivers, and occasional graphical glitches in widescreen mode. Overall, while the performance is mostly smooth and visually appealing, there are still minor bugs and optimization challenges, especially on certain platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “Overall, a solid port that brings back at a reduced price the two best games of the Lok saga: Soul Reaver 1 and 2, adapting the original material to modern OS and hardware, solving compatibility problems without having to resort to patches or cracks. The new port adds +60fps performance, widescreen support, and the remastering includes a retexture, new 3D models of the main characters, and improved lighting and shadows, especially enhancing the first Soul Reaver.”
    • “The performance is perfect, which is rare nowadays.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, the smooth performance on modern systems is a huge plus.”
    • “Not sure if I am the only one here, but the performance so far is not great at all.”
    • “A built-in OpenGL to DXGI interop is necessary because the game has stuttering issues unless you have a modern GPU with updated drivers that can run OpenGL and Vulkan games with a flip model swapchain, which can introduce latency or stuttering.”
    • “There are some bugs, of course, and it's not yet optimized for the Steam Deck.”
  • stability33 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a significant number of glitches and bugs, particularly in the first title. While some minor graphical and audio issues are noted, others experienced game-breaking glitches and crashes, especially during critical moments. Overall, while the remaster shows promise, it is marred by stability issues that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “It runs great too.”
    • “No freezes, crashes, or FPS drops.”
    • “The freezes if you try to skip cutscenes and large sections of essential geometry not loading thereby softlocking the player I cannot.”
    • “Filled with bugs/glitches, for me it fully crashes 100% of the time at Dumah's Fortress (Ash City) when you swap to spectral realm.”
    • “I tried to love the first PC port on Steam, but it was so buggy it was unplayable.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about their childhood and feeling moved by the nostalgic elements, such as the artwork and soundtrack. The engaging story and intelligent dialogue evoke strong feelings, with some moments described as surprising and heartbreaking. Despite some technical limitations, the overall experience is heartfelt and appreciated, highlighting the game's ability to resonate emotionally with its audience.

    • “Playing this made me feel like a kid again.”
    • “Seeing the bonus section and artworks and listening to the OST made me cry, thank you!”
    • “You know that the story is engaging, the dialogue is intelligent, the twists and turns are surprising and even heartbreaking.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Overall, reviews highlight that the game features strong character development, enhanced by excellent voice acting, storytelling, and memorable character designs. While many praise the depth and complexity of the narrative, some note pacing issues that result in uneven character development throughout the game.

    • “This is what makes SR2 the classic that it is: the story, the dialogue, the expressive cutscenes, the voice acting; it all comes together to create a much deeper narrative filled with character development, twists, turns, and memorable quotes.”
    • “Voice acting, storytelling, world-building, and character development still hold up.”
    • “If you like a good complex story with crazy character development, this is the game for you.”
    • “It also doesn't seem to be paced that well, since there's a lot to love early and little to no character development.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it exploits nostalgia and modders to attract purchases without delivering substantial gameplay value. Overall, the sentiment reflects frustration with modern monetization practices in gaming.

    • “It feels like a cash grab where they exploited modders to make something shiny to lure in the nostalgic who will buy it and not even play it.”
    • “So, cash grab?”
    • “Was this just a summer project cash grab?”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by updated graphics, improved camera controls, and the inclusion of subtitles, making it more accessible and enjoyable for players. The remaster offers a wealth of content, including fan art and previously cut scenes, which adds to the overall experience and encourages multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the balance between preserving the original feel and enhancing playability for a modern audience.

    • “Not only are you getting updated graphics, but they made the game more playable by adding in proper camera controls so you can actually take in the world around you and subtitles so you can read all that delicious dialogue.”
    • “The remaster is just wonderful, filled with all possible content, from fan art, concept art to cut game scenes from the original game which are playable!”
    • “They found a good balance between keeping the original feeling and making it a tad bit more playable in 2024 with most of the work going into the first game.”
    • “Just having camera control with the right stick makes most games of this era way more playable; I'm not sure if the popularity is there, but I'd love it if they made another collection with Blood Omen 2 and Defiance.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious, characterized by simplistic combat, frustrating puzzles, and janky controls. The lack of direction and minimal rewards for exploration further contribute to a monotonous experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.

    • “Very simplistic combat, tedious puzzles, and platforming with janky controls, a general lack of direction, and no reward for exploration.”
    • “These are all forgivable, but far worse than all this is the combination of the rebellious camera and the tedious combat.”
    • “The combat is tedious, the traversal is tedious, the puzzles are not difficult but instead, say it with me now, tedious.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of frustration and amusement, with players finding comedic value in repetitive actions and unexpected features, such as the photo mode. Many reviewers appreciate the nostalgic humor, noting that certain elements remain amusing despite their familiarity. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience.

    • “I had to start from the beginning; it annoyed me, but it was also funny.”
    • “And flipping a block onto a vampire for the fifth time is as funny as it was the first time.”
    • “Funny thing, the game looks now like I remember it did 20 years ago (which it didn't).”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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