Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered

About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered screenshot

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,394 reviews

graphics203 positive mentions

stability67 negative mentions

The remaster preserves the original game's charm while enhancing graphics and performance, making it the definitive way to experience Soul Reaver 1 and 2.
The voice acting and storytelling remain top-notch, with a rich narrative that captivates both new and returning players.
The inclusion of bonus content, such as cut levels and behind-the-scenes footage, adds significant value for fans of the series.

The day/night cycle in Soul Reaver 1 can make certain areas too dark to navigate, leading to frustration for players.
Soul Reaver 2 feels less polished than the first game, with fewer graphical improvements and some gameplay mechanics that have not aged well.
There are several bugs and glitches present, including crashes and issues with saving, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.

graphics
852 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
3%
The remastered versions of *Soul Reaver 1 & 2* feature significant graphical upgrades, enhancing the gothic atmosphere with improved textures and character models while allowing players to toggle between original and remastered graphics at any time. However, the lack of customizable graphical options, such as resolution and brightness settings, has drawn criticism, with some players noting minor graphical glitches and a less impactful upgrade for *Soul Reaver 2*. Overall, the remaster successfully retains the essence of the originals while providing a visually appealing experience, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking extensive enhancements.
- “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.”
- “There's no way, that I can find, to set resolution, graphical options, etc...”
- “The lamentable utter absence of graphical options.”
- “And you might be thinking 'well, I'll just turn up the brightness', well, you can't, the game lacks any graphical options, no brightness, no resolution, no nothing, this is completely unacceptable in 2024, especially when you consider this is a remaster.”
story
815 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
55%
1%
The "Legacy of Kain" series, particularly "Soul Reaver 1 & 2," is celebrated for its exceptional storytelling, rich lore, and masterful voice acting, often regarded as benchmarks in video game narrative. Players are drawn into a complex saga of revenge and redemption, featuring deep character development and intricate plot twists that resonate even decades after their release. While the gameplay may feel dated, the immersive narrative and atmospheric world-building continue to captivate both new and returning fans, making it a must-play for those who appreciate profound storytelling in gaming.
- “The legacy of Kain series has an amazing storyline, masterfully written with amazing voice acting.”
- “The story is a saga following a vampire king Kain, his discarded vampire general Raziel, who has been killed and reborn as a soul reaver and agent of the elder god, and both characters journey to try to subvert a heinous destruction of their world, while also trying to influence its eventual condition.”
- “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.”
- “It is exactly like opening a book and starting to read a story at chapter 5, trying to wrap your head around previous events.”
- “My only con is that the story is incomplete as Defiance was not included in the remaster which brings an end to Raziel's particular chapter of LoK.”
- “Soul Reaver is half a game and it ends smack dab in the middle of its original story due to budgetary/publisher issues - it's always such a letdown when you're in the chronoplast and you have a boring fight and it just says 'to be continued' especially knowing there's a whole half of the game they never fleshed out.”
gameplay
459 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
70%
10%
The gameplay of the remastered "Soul Reaver 1 and 2" retains the original mechanics, which many players find clunky and outdated, reflecting the games' age. While the remaster enhances visuals and performance, it does not significantly improve gameplay, leaving some players frustrated with its repetitive puzzles and combat. However, the unique dual-realm mechanic and rich storytelling continue to captivate fans, making it a nostalgic experience for long-time players, though newcomers may struggle with its dated design.
- “The dark, gothic world of Nosgoth feels more alive than ever, and Raziel’s tragic journey hits just as hard, maybe even harder with the updated visuals and smoother gameplay.”
- “The gameplay tweaks make movement and combat feel modern without losing the weight of the original mechanics.”
- “The remaster maintains the core gameplay mechanics that defined the 'Soul Reaver' experience, such as puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat.”
- “Soul reaver 1 and 2 are two old games controlling as such, the gameplay is clunky, old and not very entertaining.”
- “But just don't expect a noticeable improvement in the actual gameplay.”
- “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.”
music
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
67%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers noted the successful re-implementation of the dynamic soundtrack from the console version, which was previously absent in the PC port, resulting in the highest quality audio release to date. While some expressed nostalgia for the original tracks, the remastered music is generally praised for fitting seamlessly with the game's gothic themes and environments.
- “The soundtrack is eerie and suspenseful, as befits a world going through an apocalyptic change.”
- “Complete with unforgettably eerie but gothically fantastic soundtracks made by Kurt Harland and Jim Hedges.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Instead of keeping the higher quality version of certain tracks, they just replaced the entire PC soundtrack with the console soundtrack and called it a day.”
- “The only thing that is a little off is actually the soundtrack.”
atmosphere
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, gothic aesthetic and rich lore, successfully retaining the essence of the original while enhancing it through modern visuals and sound. Players appreciate the moody environments, exceptional voice acting, and intricate storytelling that create an immersive experience, making it a standout feature despite some outdated gameplay mechanics. Overall, the remaster is celebrated for preserving the beloved atmosphere that captivated fans in the past.
- “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.”
- “From the very beginning, Legacy of Kain immerses you in a dark, atmospheric world full of rich lore and complex characters.”
- “I liked the new visuals, even though they do lose a bit of the dark and grimy atmosphere of the original, but even if you don't like the remastered look, you can swap it to the original PS1 crusty goodness instantly at any time.”
- “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.”
optimization
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
42%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance on modern systems and support for high resolutions, including 3440x1440. However, some users report occasional stuttering and bugs, particularly on the Steam Deck, indicating that while the port is solid, it may not be fully optimized for all platforms. Despite these issues, many players find the enhancements in graphics and performance to be significant improvements over the original titles.
- “The performance is obviously great, and on Steam Deck, a full charge projects over 8 hours of battery life.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the smooth performance on modern systems is a huge plus.”
- “Finally, the game runs smoothly and supports 3440x1440, which was crucial for me.”
- “There are some bugs, of course, and it's not yet optimized for the Steam Deck, but I already want to buy it again and will definitely preorder the rest of the series if Aspyr/Saber ever gets to remaster it.”
- “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 needed because the game has stuttering issues unless you have a modern GPU with updated drivers that can make OpenGL and Vulkan games run with a flip model swapchain, which can introduce latency or stuttering.”
stability
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a variety of bugs and glitches, including audio issues, graphical anomalies, and occasional crashes, particularly in the first title. While some users noted that the remastered version runs smoothly overall, others experienced game-breaking glitches that hindered progress. Despite these issues, many players found the game enjoyable, suggesting that while stability could be improved, it remains playable with some minor inconveniences.
- “It runs great too.”
- “No freezes, crashes, or FPS drops.”
- “There are bugs: controls sometimes stop responding, audio glitches like looping reaver hums and lingering sound effects pop up, and occasional crashes occur.”
- “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.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and heartfelt appreciation for the journey and storytelling. Many express that the engaging narrative, intelligent dialogue, and surprising twists create a profound connection, often leading to tears of joy and nostalgia. Despite some technical shortcomings, the overall experience is described as heartwarming and impactful, reminding players of their childhood and the hope for a concluding chapter in the saga.
- “You know that the story is engaging, the dialogue is intelligent, the twists and turns are surprising and even heartbreaking.”
- “Seeing the bonus section and artworks and listening to the OST made me cry, thank you!”
- “It remade me feel the bitter taste of that terrible illusion... hope... hope to see finally the last chapter, the last page of this masterpiece.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
76%
12%
12%
The character development in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting its complexity, memorable designs, and strong storytelling that enhances the overall narrative. However, some criticism is directed at the pacing, noting that while the early parts are engaging, they lack sufficient character development later on. Overall, the combination of voice acting, cutscenes, and dialogue contributes to a rich and immersive experience.
- “Besides, it has one of the best storytelling, voice cast, character development, etc. in game history.”
- “If you like a good complex story with crazy character development, this is the game for you.”
- “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.”
- “It also doesn't seem to be paced that well, since there's a lot to love early and little-to-no character development.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits nostalgia and modders to sell a subpar product. Reviewers express frustration over the perceived lack of effort and quality, suggesting that the game is designed primarily to generate profit rather than provide a meaningful experience.
- “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.”
- “No amount of polish could change the nature of what this half-game is - a cash grab, phoned-in, minimum viable product that someone thought they could get away with serving up like so much thin gruel.”
- “Was this just a summer project cash grab?”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews consistently highlight the grinding aspect of the game as tedious, with simplistic combat, repetitive puzzles, and frustrating controls contributing to a lack of engagement. Players express frustration over the overall experience being monotonous and lacking meaningful rewards for exploration, making the grinding feel particularly burdensome.
- “The game is tedious.”
- “The combat is tedious, the traversal is tedious, the puzzles are not difficult but instead, say it with me now, tedious.”
- “While innovative in its time, the combat felt stiff and repetitive, and the puzzles, though rewarding at times, often leaned toward tediousness.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
50%
38%
The remaster offers significant replayability through its extensive content, including fan art, concept art, and playable cut scenes from the original game. Enhanced graphics and improved camera controls contribute to a more enjoyable experience, allowing players to fully engage with the world and narrative. Overall, the balance between nostalgia and modern gameplay mechanics encourages players to revisit the game multiple times.
- “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.”
- “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!”
- “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.”
- “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.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgia and absurdity, with players finding amusement in repetitive actions, such as flipping a block onto a vampire, and the game's unexpected visual similarities to its past. Despite some frustrations, the comedic elements resonate well, making the experience enjoyable. Overall, the humor is both self-referential and situational, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere.
- “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.”
- “As funny as it sounds, I came in thinking the game's photo mode would include some poses for Raziel, which would also add the possibility for modders to create their own poses.”