Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Review

The remastered versions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 present a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern gaming tweaks, yet leave some game design fans craving more innovation. For anyone who once wielded Raziel’s spectral legacy through the eerie corridors of Nosgoth, this remaster serves as a comforting return to familiar lands. But be warned, it’s akin to visiting your childhood home: the structure’s the same, but you’ve outgrown the bunk bed.

Graphics & Visuals

The Soul Reaver remaster tantalizes players with upgraded graphics, crisp textures, and a delightful feature that lets you switch between enhanced and original visuals at the click of a button. This invites a playful nostalgia, allowing you to relive the past while appreciating the facelift given to these iconic games.

However, if you’re hoping for crystal-clear vistas, brace yourself. The lack of overhaul in draw distances is an oversight that stands out like a gigantic sore thumb. Specifically, in Soul Reaver 1, the fog remains a persistent companion, veiling anything beyond a few spirit-stride’s reach. Some might argue it’s maintaining the moody atmosphere of its predecessor, while others may lament it as a lost opportunity to embrace next-gen clarity.

Additionally, although largely improved for modern systems, occasional graphical bugs still rear their pixelated heads. It’s a reminder that no remaster is flawless, especially one that attempts to straddle the demands of modern hardware while honoring its roots.

The original games are quite old now. When we hear the word remaster, there is an expectation that the game will be brought up to modern standards while preserving the original game as best as possible. Sadly, it just feels like an advanced AI upscale of all of the textures while just leaving the same engine and all of its dated visual limitations in place.

Gameplay Mechanics

The enhanced controls are a welcome change, expectedly optimizing Raziel’s movements for newer systems. Yet, despite this progress, remnants of the past linger, making the mechanics feel dated to fresh hands. Fighting with the strict and quick camera movements can be harder than dealing with the vampires that roam Nosgoth. It takes almost no character movement for it to snap back to its default position, making it almost pointless that they allow you move the camera at all.

Combat mechanics remain another sticking point. With stiff controls and hitboxes sourced from Raziel’s finest fever dreams, encounters with enemies can feel more like an optional event than a thrilling skirmish. Most of the time, you’ll find you can simply ignore the enemies and breeze through the game as if you’re leading a ghost tour rather than a vampire-hunting vendetta. When players can skirt past confrontations, it’s a sign that the combat mechanics could use a kernel of inspiration from elsewhere.

The absence of an autosave feature might evoke fond frustrations from veteran players, but newcomers might find themselves pining for the comforts of modern convenience after a cumbersome game over screen.

Storytelling & Atmosphere

Still, what could possibly outweigh combat pitfalls? Enter the saving grace: storytelling. Both games in the remastered collection feature the rich, brooding narrative that made them cult classics. From intricate character developments to a plot woven with mythological finesse, violins play in sync with nostalgic heartstrings as soon as the opening dialogue kicks in. The voice acting retains its original charm, effortlessly immersing you back into the tale without missing a sinister beat.

There’s something timeless about the atmosphere in the Legacy of Kain series, and the remaster delivers it wrapped in a riddle and dripping in ambiance. The audio design, accompanied by haunting melodies, thoughtfully punctuates the game’s eerie ambiance, pulling you in deeper with each spectral whisper and clang of eerie cathedral bells.

The inclusion of both games in one package, bundled with bonus content, only sweetens the deal for long-time fans. It’s a treasure trove readily dusted off with your favorite childhood snacks, serving both a trip down memory lane and a chance to rediscover lost nuances in the story.

THE VERDICT