The Necropolis Gate Puzzle in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

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As a seasoned adventurer with countless tales of dungeons and dragons under my belt, I can confidently guide you through this intricate puzzle from the Legend of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2. The Necropolis Puzzle is as challenging as it is rewarding, requiring a keen eye and nimble fingers to solve.

In its initial release, the first Soul Reaver game graced the original PlayStation console and left an indelible mark on culture due to its exceptional 3D graphics that were groundbreaking for the era. The revamped versions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2, titled “Remastered”, invite players to revisit iconic dark gothic landscapes, engage in epic battles against formidable bosses, and challenge their memory with intricate puzzles. In addition to these classic aspects, the remastered edition boasts new features for enhanced gameplay.

In Necropolis, players encounter a two-piece riddle that may hinder their advancement. To solve this, they must engage their minds with heavy stone constructs in each segment, which are essential for moving past a massive gate and revisiting a prior location. However, before they can proceed to the road ahead, they need to first unveil the path that lies open.

The Necropolis Puzzle in Soul Reaver

As gamers navigate their journey, they can consult a map displaying the labels of each zone. In Necropolis, they’ll reach an area indicating that altering the Spectral Realm could uncover secret passages. It appears there is no way to ascend in the Material Plane; instead, players must manipulate the environment to trigger a cutscene. Following this change, players will come across their initial wraith adversary. These are the twisted spirits of vampires that have lingered for too long in the Spectral Realm. Defeat the wraith and seize its spirit using combat similar to classic PS1-era hack-and-slash games.

At this juncture, players might find themselves unsure of their destination, but fear not! The walls will shift, unveiling sections you can climb. These areas are situated adjacent to Melchiah’s former spawn point. Ascend this path and look to your left for a ledge you can glide across. On the extreme left of this ledge lies a block you can manipulate. This is where you’ll learn to rotate blocks, a handy skill! Manipulate the block by pushing it rightward and then flipping it to a higher level. Leap over the block, pull it once, then leap back over and push it until it vanishes into the wall. This action will serve as a key, unlocking the upper gate.

The Necropolis Puzzle (Second Room)

Approach the gate ahead, beyond which lies another significant gate on the other side, accompanied by hostile figures stationed below, primarily hidden beneath the ground. However, one of them has been pinned to a spear. Pull out the spear from this enemy to reanimate it and use it to eliminate all the adversaries, pinning them down with the same spear and collecting their spirits as they expire. This action will also vanquish the ghost in the Spiritual Plane. Move to the right side of the large gate, where you’ll discover a movable object that can be extracted from the wall. Shove this block into the pit and steer it towards the stairs situated opposite the large gate.

If foes emerge from the ground, quickly stab them with your spear first, then proceed to move the block.

Lift the brick upward along these steps and insert it into the rectangular hole on the right side of the gate, which is adjacent to the one you just came from. This action will create a path for you to reenter the room where you began. At this point, both small gates will be accessible. Retrace your steps to the upper gate, and you’ll notice a beam you can leap over. Additionally, there are weight scales on either side of the chamber. In the Spiritual Realm, you won’t weigh anything, so stepping on these scales won’t affect them. However, in the Physical Plane, your steps will cause a reaction. Step onto one scale in the Physical Plane to lower one and raise the other, thus adjusting their balance.

The Necropolis Puzzle (Final Room)

Venture into the Spectral Realm and ascend to the uppermost gate, then gracefully descend towards the side adorned with scales – it’s been elevated significantly. This ascent will enable you to leap across to a ledge situated at the room’s far end. This maneuver leads you into another chamber, home to a perplexing block puzzle. To maintain your energy reserves and return to the Material Plane, collect the spectral orbs that drift around. In this new room, you’ll notice indentations as large as blocks on either side, with a massive gate standing between them. These indentations bear symbols that both blocks must share, but only one block will be correctly positioned. On each side of the imposing gate, there are ledges where players can push up the smaller blocks to dislodge the larger one from its base.

Here are the steps you can follow to get both blocks facing the correct way, even if you have already moved it from its starting position.

  • Push the top block off the bottom block.
  • Flip the top block so that its symbol is facing straight up.
  • Flip the top block so that its symbol is facing away from its slot.
  • Repeat flipping and pulling the block to rotate the symbol until it matches the bottom block.

If you have not yet attempted to move it, here is how you can get it facing the correct way.

  • Push the top block north, off the bottom block.
  • Flip the top block from the south.
  • Flip the top block from the west.
  • Flip the top block from the north.
  • Both blocks will now match and can be slotted on either side.

Solving this puzzle doesn’t grant any in-game awards or trophies, but players should still experience a sense of accomplishment since it marks their progression to the next thrilling chapter of the game’s narrative. At the top of this entrance, you’ll find two wooden doors that lead to a spot with a movable block near an edge. Move this block so it’s adjacent to another one. Then, turn it over onto the block beneath and push both toward the south. Once they’ve reached their southernmost point, move them east against a wall. Leap over these blocks high, then do so again to reach the ledge atop the wall. Keep going on the path ahead to discover the puzzle that leads you to the Melchia boss battle and one of the game’s Glyph Statue rooms.

To the south of these block structures lies a portal leading to a rapid transit chamber. Previously, players have traversed this quick transit hub, meaning they won’t need to revisit it or make the long trek back this time.

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2024-12-09 20:36