As a longtime fan who’s been following the Legacy of Kain series since its inception, I must say that the Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered are a delightful trip down memory lane. These games were already ahead of their time back then, and they’ve only improved with age, much like a fine wine or my receding hairline.
It’s an unusual experience to evaluate remasters of games that have endured as significant cultural landmarks in gaming. This year’s Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered edition served as a notable example. Upon their initial release, all three were instant successes and are still considered classics today. However, compared to modern standards, they seem clunky, imprecise, and difficult to handle. Despite being timeless classics, they might not be as enjoyable for those who don’t appreciate retro gaming or nostalgia trips. Conversely, the Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered, also from the same studio, perform significantly better in this regard.
It’s possible that the unique qualities of the games are the reason for this. Even back in 1998, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver stood out as exceptional. The original Blood Omen (which could benefit from a full remake or at least an upgrade) was an action game with an isometric view, featuring the vampire Kain on his quest for vengeance against a group of mysterious mages, sorcerers, and necromancers who had engineered his death. The conclusion offered players a choice to either save or doom the world of Nosgoth; however, in the lore, Kain chose to condemn it, rising to power as its ruler alongside an army of vampires led by his lieutenants.
In the gaming world, I was once Raziel, the first among many, who transgressed by surpassing Kain in evolution, earning wings as a result. Unfortunately, these very wings led to my downfall, being taken away and sentenced to death. But fate had other plans, as centuries passed, I found myself reborn as Soul Reaver – a revenant capable of traversing both physical and ethereal realms. My mission was clear: seek retribution on Kain and restore balance to the troubled land of Nosgoth.
Although the story doesn’t tie up until the end of the trilogy, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, the two Soul Reaver games tell a fantastic story of vengeance and betrayal, as Kain’s once-favoured son embarks on a singular, determined quest to destroy him. Talk to most fans of the series now, and they’ll likely cite the writing as much as the gameplay. The scripting is simply incredible, elevated by the stunning voicework by Simon Templeman and Michael Bell as Kain and Raziel respectively. The cutscenes may feel clunky now, but at the time they were leagues ahead of most other games, as was the depth of environmental storytelling, not to mention the mechanics.
Experiencing Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered now offers a sleek and responsive gameplay, with Raziel and the enemies receiving an updated aesthetic that gives them a contemporary flair. Many of the movements seem effortlessly modern, yet they aren’t necessary for older games. The animations flow smoothly, making transitions between realms, pushing through metal gates, and even swimming feel like they belong in a more recent title.
Initially, tactics such as leveraging the surroundings for attack, tossing foes into fires or securing them on spikes, were fresh and thrilling when these games debuted. Despite being prevalent nowadays, they don’t seem as repetitive as one might anticipate. There’s a hint of Metroidvania-style gameplay in both titles too. In the first installment, Raziel starts with the skill to glide but quickly acquires additional powers like wall-climbing and swimming by vanquishing his former brethren and ingesting their spirits.
In Soul Reaver 2, you start off with certain abilities already accessible, and you’re initially equipped with the spectral blade, which you can enhance by acquiring elemental powers that assist in solving various environmental challenges. Some of these challenges are straightforward, but others may seem tricky due to issues like the outdated camera system. Although Raziel has an appealing design, the camera feels reminiscent of the 1990s, particularly in Soul Reaver 2. The combat system is based on combos and involves using objects from the environment such as torches or spears alongside the Soul Reaver spirit blade to retaliate against enemies, followed by consuming their souls for healing purposes. In physical form, Raziel’s health gradually diminishes, and coming into contact with water or “dying” will transport him back to the spirit realm. If you expire in this state, you’ll be brought back to a checkpoint.
In the second game, you’re able to quickly move between specific portals scattered across Nosgoth, a world that remains consistent. I sometimes find it challenging to navigate certain spots due to the scarcity of recognizable landmarks and the peculiar way areas seem to reconnect in unexpected loops. However, keep in mind that this design is from an older era, so some rough edges are part of the experience and are generally overlooked.
It’s too bad that some of the settings didn’t get a bit more attention in detailing. You can switch back to the original look anytime by pressing the right stick, but while Raziel and his adversaries appear much improved, certain environments seem to have received only minor touch-ups. The colors stay the same, but textures have been made more vibrant.
One key feature that sets Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered apart from other remasters of “golden age” games is that the original games themselves seemed forward-thinking. While the gameplay might have carried itself well due to enhanced graphics, the overall overhaul isn’t incredibly impressive. However, it’s worth noting that there are some areas where excellent work has been done. As a bonus for fans, the package includes some fantastic extras.
A collection of fan-made artwork, cosplay presentations, and design sketches, along with the Dark Chronicle script repository (which includes all dialogue scripts), an interactive timeline of Nosgoth, and both soundtracks are available, in addition to the “extra levels” that were primarily added for completeness. These levels have minimal interactivity, but for dedicated collectors or die-hard fans, they serve as a delightful extra feature to complete the bundle.
The remastered versions of Soul Reaver 1 and 2 offer a fantastic compilation, primarily due to the pleasure of reexperiencing the campaigns and immersing ourselves once more in this world and its inhabitants. The visual upgrades are appreciated, but it’s the gameplay and the rich, ornate dialogue that harkens back to a gothic era which truly sets this collection apart. For enthusiasts of these timeless treasures, this is an outstanding offering.
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2024-12-09 20:16