Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered
- December 10, 2024
- Aspyr
Celebrate Soul Reaver’s 25th Anniversary Experience the epic conflict of Kain and Raziel in original form or with remastered graphics. Included Game Titles Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 Experience the Legendary Narrative Centuries after your former master, Kain, betrays and executes you, you rise again and embark on a relentless quest for revenge. Wield the Powers o…
Reviews
- The remaster beautifully enhances the graphics and audio, making the iconic world of Nosgoth visually stunning while retaining the original's atmosphere.
- The storytelling and voice acting remain top-notch, with a rich narrative that captivates both new players and long-time fans.
- Quality of life improvements, such as a map and the ability to toggle between original and remastered graphics, make the experience more accessible and enjoyable.
- The gameplay mechanics feel dated, with clunky controls and frustrating puzzles that may deter new players unfamiliar with the original titles.
- There are some bugs and glitches present, including issues with lighting and occasional crashes, which can disrupt the gaming experience.
- The lack of extensive graphical options limits customization, leaving some players wanting more control over their visual experience.
- graphics110 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The remastered versions of Soul Reaver 1 and 2 feature significantly improved graphics, with enhanced textures and character models that breathe new life into the gothic world of Nosgoth while retaining the original aesthetic. Players appreciate the ability to toggle between classic and remastered graphics on the fly, although the lack of customizable graphical options has drawn some criticism. Overall, the remaster successfully modernizes the visuals, making the experience more accessible while preserving the nostalgic charm of the originals.
“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 graphical improvements are absolutely beautiful!”
“The remastered versions boast a significant graphical overhaul that breathes new life into the gothic world of Nosgoth.”
“There's no way I can find to set resolution, graphical options, etc...”
“The lamentable utter absence of graphical options.”
“There are no options to fix the graphics, and for a remaster, it looks more like it did 25 years ago.”
- story84 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The "Legacy of Kain" series, particularly "Soul Reaver," is celebrated for its exceptional storytelling, complex characters, and masterful voice acting, which many players regard as some of the best in gaming history. The narrative intricately weaves themes of revenge, betrayal, and redemption across a richly developed world, making it a compelling experience that resonates deeply with fans. While the gameplay may feel dated, the immersive story and atmospheric presentation continue to captivate both new and returning players.
“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.”
“Some of the best voice acting and storytelling in any video game I've ever played, still 26 years later.”
“It is exactly like opening a book and starting to read a story at chapter 5, trying to wrap your head around previous events.”
“If you can deal with the technical issues, you should get it, if for no other reason than the dialogue and story.”
“I understand this game isn't for everybody especially if you've never played Blood Omen and don't understand Kain's backstory.”
- gameplay48 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the remastered Soul Reaver 1 and 2 retains the original mechanics, including puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat, while enhancing visuals and audio quality. While some players find the controls clunky and the gameplay dated by modern standards, others appreciate the nostalgic experience and the subtle tweaks that modernize movement and combat without losing the essence of the originals. Overall, the remaster offers a compelling narrative and unique gameplay elements, though it may not satisfy those seeking significant gameplay improvements or modern mechanics.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“When I think fondly of the Legacy of Kain games, the gameplay is certainly not coming to mind, so there is much to improve on, and yet this remaster barely scratches the surface.”
- music32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric quality, perfectly complementing the gameplay and environments. Reviewers highlight the reintroduction of the dynamic soundtrack from the console version, which enhances the overall experience and showcases improved sound quality while retaining the original voice acting. Overall, the remastered music is described as a significant upgrade, contributing to the game's gothic and immersive atmosphere.
“The sound quality is notably improved while maintaining the original voice acting and music.”
“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.”
“Exceptional Shakespearean writing, amazing lore, unforgettable characters, godlike atmosphere, and phenomenal music, now in HD.”
“Start the game and fasten your seat belt because you're in for quite an adventure with music that will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
“The only thing that is a little off is actually the soundtrack.”
“Unlike the old PC port, this version properly features the PS1 version's dynamic soundtrack, along with 60fps framerate, achievements, widescreen, and a bunch of good quality of life improvements.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its moody, gothic aesthetic that enhances the storytelling and world-building. Reviewers highlight the thoughtful craftsmanship of the environments, rich lore, and exceptional music, all of which contribute to a vibrant and immersive experience that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. The remastered visuals elevate the original's atmosphere, making it feel alive and unforgettable.
“The world itself is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship, filled with history, deep lore, and an atmosphere that feels alive.”
“Environments are lush and intricately detailed, showcasing the dark and atmospheric aesthetic that the series is known for.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Where Soul Reaver really shines though is the atmosphere and storytelling.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering smooth performance on modern systems, including impressive battery life on the Steam Deck. While some users noted minor bugs and initial scaling issues, adjustments to resolution have resulted in a visually appealing experience without performance degradation. The voice acting remains a standout feature, enhancing the overall quality of the game.
“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.”
“Playing through Soul Reaver 1, it's the same game but with better controls, higher resolution textures, and 60fps with no stuttering even in cutscenes.”
“I tested it on both SR1 and SR2 just to make sure there was no performance hit.”
“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 ever gets to remaster it.”
“Playing through Soul Reaver 1, and so far it's the same game but with better controls, higher resolution textures, and 60fps with no stuttering even in cutscenes.”
- stability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
The game's stability is inconsistent, with users reporting various issues such as unresponsive controls, audio glitches, and occasional crashes. While some players experience graphical glitches and minor animation issues, others note that the game runs smoothly without significant freezes or frame rate drops. Overall, the presence of numerous glitches detracts from the experience, but many are considered minor and manageable.
“It runs great too.”
“No freezes, crashes, or FPS drops.”
“This game is plagued by the same issue, but unfortunately changing the dxgi swapchain doesn't work in this game since it introduces severe graphical glitches.”
“There are bugs: controls sometimes stop responding, audio glitches like looping reaver hums and lingering sound effects pop up, and occasional crashes occur.”
“Glitches galore: I encountered more glitches than I did in my high school math class.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with improvements in graphics, cutscenes, and character design enhancing the storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight it as one of the best in gaming history, offering a complex narrative and significant character growth that appeals to fans of deep storytelling.
“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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the journey it offers. The heartfelt congratulations suggest that the experience resonates strongly with players, evoking significant feelings and memories.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to those who were on this marvelous journey since the very beginning.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews express strong dissatisfaction with the monetization practices in modern games, labeling them as exploitative cash grabs that prioritize profit over player experience.
“This game feels like a modern cash grab.”
“The monetization strategy is overly aggressive and detracts from the gameplay experience.”
“It's frustrating how much you have to spend to enjoy the game fully.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The remaster offers high replayability due to its extensive content, including fan art, concept art, and playable cut scenes from the original game, providing players with a rich and varied experience.
“The remaster is just wonderful, filled with all possible content, from fan art and concept art to cut game scenes from the original game that are playable!”
“Every playthrough feels fresh due to the multitude of choices and paths available, making it easy to dive back in for a different experience.”
“The game offers a variety of endings and side quests, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny for a truly unique adventure each time.”