Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered – Review

If you had told me a few years ago that we would be getting a remaster of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 , I would have probably laughed nervously and waited for the next disappointment. After all, this iconic series seemed to be relegated to oblivion, stuck in a limbo of copyright and lack of commercial interest. But against all odds, Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered has arrived. When I picked up the controller to revisit the decaying Nosgoth, I wasn’t just playing a game; I was rediscovering a piece of video game history.

These two classic action-adventures not only shaped the industry with their ambitious storytelling and design, but also influenced generations of developers and players. Aspyr’s remaster has brought Raziel back to life with updated graphics, modernized controls, and a host of extras that make this a must-have for longtime fans and a perfect fit for new players.

Now, let’s dive deep into this work and explore every aspect that made this comeback something worthy of celebration.

Mechanics and Gameplay

From the moment you take control of Raziel, it’s clear just how ahead of its time Soul Reaver was. The core mechanics of switching between the Material and Spiritual planes continue to shine. This system not only lends itself to ingenious puzzles, but also redefines how you interact with the world. Inaccessible passages on the physical plane become open pathways on the spectral one, while the geometry of the levels warps in mesmerizing ways. It’s fascinating to see how well this mechanic has aged, even decades after its creation.

Combat, while dated, still has its moments of brilliance. The need to weaken vampires before destroying them with fire, water, or impale adds a strategic layer that requires you to be aware of your surroundings. However, repetition in some areas and the lack of variety in enemy animations show the limitations of the era.

The second game, Soul Reaver 2 , takes a step forward in terms of combat and exploration. The addition of elemental powers to the Soul Reaver (the titular weapon) makes the puzzles more interesting and less predictable. The narrative takes a more philosophical tone, exploring themes of destiny and free will, as Raziel faces his thirst for revenge.

Graphics

The visual remaster is undoubtedly the most impressive element. Soul Reaver 1 in particular has been given the deluxe treatment, with high-definition textures, dynamic lighting, and completely overhauled character models. Raziel, with his torn wings and menacing mask, has never looked more impressive. The ability to switch between the old and remastered visuals with the click of a button is a nostalgic treat for longtime fans.

However, some scenarios feel like they’ve received less attention. Certain areas remain simplistic, with poorly detailed textures, and the brilliance of the graphical improvements can be overshadowed by occasional bugs, such as poorly rendered shadows or objects that look out of place in the environment. Overall, the visual package is solid, but there are times when the remaster’s ambitions falter.

Sound

If there’s one aspect of Soul Reaver that’s never aged, it’s its soundtrack and voice acting. The remastering has breathed new life into Kurt Harland’s score, removing compression noise and raising the quality to modern levels. The moody, atmospheric tracks perfectly capture the gothic essence of Nosgoth, creating a sonic immersion that’s hard to beat.

The dubbing, in turn, is a spectacle in itself. Michael Bell (Raziel) and Simon Templeman (Kain) deliver memorable performances, with deep and impactful dialogues that echo long after the final credits. The nuances in the voices and the weight of the words make each scene a cinematic experience.

Fun

Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a really cool and fun game, and what makes this game so enjoyable is the combination of nostalgia with mechanics that still shine. Exploring Nosgoth is rewarding, with secrets hidden around every corner. However, frustration can arise in moments of excessive backtracking and repetitive puzzles, especially in the first game. Even so, the richness of the story and Raziel’s charisma keep the player engaged.

The second game, more straightforward and with diverse puzzles, brings a fantastic improvement. It eliminates some of the tiredness of the first title and adds narrative layers that increase the interest in the journey.

Performance and Optimization

Although the game runs pretty well most of the time, there are some technical issues that can slightly hinder the experience. For the production of this review, the game’s producer kindly sent Revolution Arena the PlayStation 5 version, and we also played the PC version .

Based on the versions analyzed, what I can say is that on modern hardware, such as powerful PCs or Steam Deck, Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered maintains a stable frame rate and offers smooth transitions between areas. However, it is still possible to verify some graphical bugs, such as missing textures and occasional glitches, which ends up breaking the immersion a little at crucial moments of the game.

Also, I missed graphical adjustment options in the menu, such as adjusting brightness or resolution, but these options are simply not available in the remaster.

Conclusion

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a worthy tribute to one of the most iconic series in video game history. Despite some technical hiccups and dated elements, the remaster modernizes enough to attract new players while maintaining the essence that won fans over two decades ago.

If you’re a fan of deep storytelling, gothic worlds, and compelling characters, this is an experience you can’t miss. Raziel is back, and his journey is just as captivating as it was in 1999. For new players, this is an invitation to explore Nosgoth and understand why the series is so beloved. For veterans, it’s a chance to relive memories while discovering something new. I highly recommend this game!

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Positive Points:

• Rich history and memorable characters.
• Significantly improved graphics from Soul Reaver 1 .
• Remastered soundtrack and impeccable dubbing.
• Modernized and more accessible controls.
• Extra content such as lost levels and concept art.

Negative Points:

• Camera still problematic, especially in Soul Reaver 2 .
• Lack of polish in some environments.
• Repetitive puzzles in the first game.
• Occasional bugs that affect immersion.

Rating :
Graphics: 8.5
Fun: 9.5
Gameplay: 8.5
Sound: 10.0
Performance and Optimization: 8.0
FINAL GRADE : 8.9 / 10.0