Rise from the Lake of the Dead
By Paul Hunter
Back in the PS1 and PS2 eras, the words "Soul Reaver" meant that you were about to experience not just a great game, but a masterpiece of storytelling and innovation. Over time, however, this magnificent series fell victim to the passage of time and some questionable business decisions, including Nosgoth, a failed multiplayer game that ultimately put the series on hold.
While younger gamers may not have heard of this series, back in its heyday it was considered peak gaming. Fortunately, this new remastered package from Aspyr exhumes the stories of Raziel and Kain, reintroducing it to longtime gamers who already fell in love with the series and letting these titles reach an entirely new audience.
The Legacy of Kain saga consists of five games, beginning with Blood Omen on the PS1. However, the two Soul Reaver titles in this collection serve as a perfect entry point for anyone entering this world for the first time. After all, these were the two entries that garnered the most commercial success and critic praise, making them an ideal entry point for this cherished series.
As the story goes, for a millennium, Kain and his vampire brethren have kept a firm grip on the few surviving humans of the dying world Nosgoth, with Raziel faithfully serving as the first among his generals. That is, until the day Raziel made the grave mistake of evolving beyond his master, sprouting wings that ignited Kain's jealousy. Blinded by envy, Kain ordered his men to cast Raziel into the swirling maelstrom of the Lake of the Dead, which tears the vampire's flesh and condemns him to centuries of torment.
Years pass until one day an entity known as The Elder God revives Raziel as a wraith to become his "soul reaver" and exact vengence on Kain. This simple yet impactful introduction is merely the entry point into one of the most captivating narratives in the world of video games, rivalling the best storytelling told even today.
The first Soul Reaver's plot is a relatively straightforward endeavour, focusing on a tale of revenge where Raziel must locate and kill Kain's lieutenants while getting accustomed to his newly acquired abilities. Soul Reaver 2 continues Raziel's pursuit of his former master Kain, but eventually gets superceded by his desire for freedom and to learn about his past life as a human.
The gameplay of Soul Reaver 1 & 2 is effectively a Metroidvania, with players exploring vast, interconnected areas teeming with secrets. To progress, you often need to solve environmental puzzles or defeat bosses, absorb their powers and utilise the new ability to access previously unreachable regions.
This is all presented in a full 3D space where you can seamlessly transition between the material and spectral planes. Each plane has key differences—a platform may be visible only in the spectral plane, for example—that becomes the driving force behind the majority of the game's puzzles.
This ability to shift perspectives not only introduces new pathways for progression but effectively doubles the explorable areas, with the material world and its denizens undergoing significant changes when viewed through the spiritual lens. This core mechanic, which was groundbreaking at the time and remains remarkably intuitive and functional even now, is the true star of the show.
Sadly, not all of the game's mechanics have aged as gracefully. The platforming sections, especially in the first Soul Reaver, can be overly punishing, forcing you to repeat entire sequences due to a single misjudged jump. This is exacerbated by controls that feel somewhat slippery and unresponsive, an issue that was thankfully addressed in the sequel.
The combat system, while serviceable, is rather rudimentary, relying on a basic lock-on and the classic light and heavy attacks, dodge, and parry (the latter introduced in Soul Reaver 2). It's clear that combat was not the primary focus, with most boss encounters treated as puzzles to be solved rather than foes to be defeated through brute force. The introduction of simple spells adds depth the combat, with abilities like launching enemies or freezing them in place making the fights more engaging.
Since most enemies you face are vampires, it's not possible to dwindle down their health to kill them. Instead, you have to use the environment creatively to douse the vampires in water, expose them to sunlight or impale them them on nearby spikes. One of the best aspects of the combat is the visceral and gruesome finishing animations, which remain impressive and entertaining, further accentuated by the remaster's enhanced visual flair.
Overall, the gameplay of the Soul Reaver titles, while showing its age in certain areas, remains a unique and captivating experience, with the ability to shift between the material and spectral planes being the clear standout feature that elevates the exploration and puzzle-solving to new heights.
The character designs of the two Soul Reaver titles are undoubtedly among the most iconic ever conceived, and the world they present is instantly recognisable at a single glance, thanks in no small part to the stunning environments that boast an artistic direction that still hold up well today.
The vampires of this realm follow almost all the tropes of gothic storytelling, including a weakness to sunlight and water, yet they are presented in a wholly unique and varied fashion. Each vampire lieutenant possesses distinct characteristics that tie seamlessly to the environments they inhabit and the methods by which they hunt, imbuing these undead creatures with a palpable sense of personality and individuality.
It would be criminal not to mention the exceptional voice acting that has become synonymous with the Legacy of Kain saga. The work of Simon Templeman as Kain, in particular, has entered the annals of gaming legend, standing toe-to-toe with some of the most iconic performances ever committed to pixels. Complementing this incredible vocal work is one of the most distinctive soundtracks ever composed, utilising unorthodox instrumentation and primal rhythms to craft an experience that will linger in your memory long after the final credits have rolled.
On the technical front, this remastered package delivers a solid performance, with a stable 60FPS framerate and no major bugs to speak of (save for a few odd pop-ins during some cutscenes). You can rest assured that you are in safe hands, and if Aspyr's track record with the recent Tomb Raider collection is any indication, even the few shortcomings mentioned will likely be addressed and polished with future updates.
The artistic vision that permeates every facet of the Soul Reaver experience remains as captivating today as it was two decades ago. The gothic, almost oppressive atmosphere is masterfully conveyed through the architectural design and environmental storytelling, with each location feeling like a living, breathing extension of the narrative.
Whether you find yourself exploring the desolate streets of Nosgoth's cities, navigating the treacherous caverns of the Silenced Cathedral, or traversing the lush, overgrown landscapes, the sense of place is palpable. This world feels cohesive and interconnected, with a level of detail that rewards careful observation and exploration.
The remastered visuals serve to enhance this immersive quality, with character models and environments receiving a significant visual upgrade. While Soul Reaver 2 may not have received the same level of attention, the visual consistency between the two titles ensures a seamless transition. You'll find yourself constantly in awe of the gothic splendour that permeates every corner of this hauntingly beautiful realm. What's cool is at any time you can press the R3 button to switch between the legacy visuals and the remastered ones, which clearly demonstrates how much effort Aspyr put into improving the graphics.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Aspyr
Publisher: Aspyr
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.

By Paul Hunter
Back in the PS1 and PS2 eras, the words "Soul Reaver" meant that you were about to experience not just a great game, but a masterpiece of storytelling and innovation. Over time, however, this magnificent series fell victim to the passage of time and some questionable business decisions, including Nosgoth, a failed multiplayer game that ultimately put the series on hold.
While younger gamers may not have heard of this series, back in its heyday it was considered peak gaming. Fortunately, this new remastered package from Aspyr exhumes the stories of Raziel and Kain, reintroducing it to longtime gamers who already fell in love with the series and letting these titles reach an entirely new audience.
The Legacy of Kain saga consists of five games, beginning with Blood Omen on the PS1. However, the two Soul Reaver titles in this collection serve as a perfect entry point for anyone entering this world for the first time. After all, these were the two entries that garnered the most commercial success and critic praise, making them an ideal entry point for this cherished series.

As the story goes, for a millennium, Kain and his vampire brethren have kept a firm grip on the few surviving humans of the dying world Nosgoth, with Raziel faithfully serving as the first among his generals. That is, until the day Raziel made the grave mistake of evolving beyond his master, sprouting wings that ignited Kain's jealousy. Blinded by envy, Kain ordered his men to cast Raziel into the swirling maelstrom of the Lake of the Dead, which tears the vampire's flesh and condemns him to centuries of torment.
Years pass until one day an entity known as The Elder God revives Raziel as a wraith to become his "soul reaver" and exact vengence on Kain. This simple yet impactful introduction is merely the entry point into one of the most captivating narratives in the world of video games, rivalling the best storytelling told even today.
The first Soul Reaver's plot is a relatively straightforward endeavour, focusing on a tale of revenge where Raziel must locate and kill Kain's lieutenants while getting accustomed to his newly acquired abilities. Soul Reaver 2 continues Raziel's pursuit of his former master Kain, but eventually gets superceded by his desire for freedom and to learn about his past life as a human.

The gameplay of Soul Reaver 1 & 2 is effectively a Metroidvania, with players exploring vast, interconnected areas teeming with secrets. To progress, you often need to solve environmental puzzles or defeat bosses, absorb their powers and utilise the new ability to access previously unreachable regions.
This is all presented in a full 3D space where you can seamlessly transition between the material and spectral planes. Each plane has key differences—a platform may be visible only in the spectral plane, for example—that becomes the driving force behind the majority of the game's puzzles.
This ability to shift perspectives not only introduces new pathways for progression but effectively doubles the explorable areas, with the material world and its denizens undergoing significant changes when viewed through the spiritual lens. This core mechanic, which was groundbreaking at the time and remains remarkably intuitive and functional even now, is the true star of the show.
Sadly, not all of the game's mechanics have aged as gracefully. The platforming sections, especially in the first Soul Reaver, can be overly punishing, forcing you to repeat entire sequences due to a single misjudged jump. This is exacerbated by controls that feel somewhat slippery and unresponsive, an issue that was thankfully addressed in the sequel.
The combat system, while serviceable, is rather rudimentary, relying on a basic lock-on and the classic light and heavy attacks, dodge, and parry (the latter introduced in Soul Reaver 2). It's clear that combat was not the primary focus, with most boss encounters treated as puzzles to be solved rather than foes to be defeated through brute force. The introduction of simple spells adds depth the combat, with abilities like launching enemies or freezing them in place making the fights more engaging.
Since most enemies you face are vampires, it's not possible to dwindle down their health to kill them. Instead, you have to use the environment creatively to douse the vampires in water, expose them to sunlight or impale them them on nearby spikes. One of the best aspects of the combat is the visceral and gruesome finishing animations, which remain impressive and entertaining, further accentuated by the remaster's enhanced visual flair.
Overall, the gameplay of the Soul Reaver titles, while showing its age in certain areas, remains a unique and captivating experience, with the ability to shift between the material and spectral planes being the clear standout feature that elevates the exploration and puzzle-solving to new heights.

The character designs of the two Soul Reaver titles are undoubtedly among the most iconic ever conceived, and the world they present is instantly recognisable at a single glance, thanks in no small part to the stunning environments that boast an artistic direction that still hold up well today.
The vampires of this realm follow almost all the tropes of gothic storytelling, including a weakness to sunlight and water, yet they are presented in a wholly unique and varied fashion. Each vampire lieutenant possesses distinct characteristics that tie seamlessly to the environments they inhabit and the methods by which they hunt, imbuing these undead creatures with a palpable sense of personality and individuality.
It would be criminal not to mention the exceptional voice acting that has become synonymous with the Legacy of Kain saga. The work of Simon Templeman as Kain, in particular, has entered the annals of gaming legend, standing toe-to-toe with some of the most iconic performances ever committed to pixels. Complementing this incredible vocal work is one of the most distinctive soundtracks ever composed, utilising unorthodox instrumentation and primal rhythms to craft an experience that will linger in your memory long after the final credits have rolled.
On the technical front, this remastered package delivers a solid performance, with a stable 60FPS framerate and no major bugs to speak of (save for a few odd pop-ins during some cutscenes). You can rest assured that you are in safe hands, and if Aspyr's track record with the recent Tomb Raider collection is any indication, even the few shortcomings mentioned will likely be addressed and polished with future updates.
The artistic vision that permeates every facet of the Soul Reaver experience remains as captivating today as it was two decades ago. The gothic, almost oppressive atmosphere is masterfully conveyed through the architectural design and environmental storytelling, with each location feeling like a living, breathing extension of the narrative.
Whether you find yourself exploring the desolate streets of Nosgoth's cities, navigating the treacherous caverns of the Silenced Cathedral, or traversing the lush, overgrown landscapes, the sense of place is palpable. This world feels cohesive and interconnected, with a level of detail that rewards careful observation and exploration.
The remastered visuals serve to enhance this immersive quality, with character models and environments receiving a significant visual upgrade. While Soul Reaver 2 may not have received the same level of attention, the visual consistency between the two titles ensures a seamless transition. You'll find yourself constantly in awe of the gothic splendour that permeates every corner of this hauntingly beautiful realm. What's cool is at any time you can press the R3 button to switch between the legacy visuals and the remastered ones, which clearly demonstrates how much effort Aspyr put into improving the graphics.

The Verdict
There is no denying that the Legacy of Kain saga holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, and this remastered package of the Soul Reaver titles serves as a testament to why. Despite the passage of time and the inevitable ageing of certain mechanics, the sheer quality that permeates these two games makes it incredibly easy to overlook the few areas that show their age. The narrative, in particular, remains one of the most captivating and cohesive stories ever told in the medium, and unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and dual realities creates an experience that simply must be experienced.Final Score: 8/10 - Great

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Aspyr
Publisher: Aspyr
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.