Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Review

Due to the upcoming release of Legacy of Kain Defiance Remastered which is almost upon us, as said game releases 3rd March 2026, I decided to write up this review to help those who are awaiting such a game or are unsure. Look no further; you can buy the previous remasters to get up to speed on the events of the games upon playing these two.

In the shadowed annals of gaming history, few series cast as long and intricate a spell as Legacy of Kain. With Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered, Aspyr has exhumed Raziels vengeful saga from the crypt of PS1 and PS2 classics, polishing it for modern eyes without desecrating its gothic soul. Released on December 10th 2024 to celebrate the originals 25th anniversary, this double pack delivers roughly 20 to 40 hours of Metroidvania mastery, depending on your soul devouring efficiency, and you’ll want to sink your teeth into these.

A timeless remaster of a tale of eternal reckoning packed alongside some everlasting betrayal.

Old becomes refreshed and invigorated as compared above.

The Resurrection of a Wraith

Soul Reaver thrusts you into the decaying empire of Nosgoth as Raziel, a once mighty vampire lieutenant cast into the abyss by his master, Kain. Reborn as a soul devouring wraith, you navigate a world of crumbling vampire clans and eldritch horrors, unraveling a narrative woven with themes of fate, free will, and vampiric hubris. The story spans both games seamlessly, blending Shakespearean dialogue, courtesy of legends like Michael Bell and Tony Jay, with time bending twists that demand multiple playthroughs to fully grasp.

It is dense, philosophical, and unapologetically mature. There is no hand holding here. You do get a map of sorts, but you’ll only get a map that is accessible and shows you the previous and upcoming locations you’ll find yourself navigating through while twisting and turning between the physical and spectral realms. Newcomers might feel lost without prior Legacy of Kain knowledge, but the remasters lore codex and restored Lost Levels, which is cut content like extra bosses and forges, bridge the gap. These show you what was brought back into the remastered games after being left on the cutting floor all those years ago.

Gameplay remains unchanged in essence and nostalgia is enhanced.

Navigating the Realms

Shifting between the Material Realm, which is harsh and physical, and the Spectral Realm, which is ethereal and puzzle enabling, remains a stroke of genius. It enables creative navigation through Nosgoth’s labyrinthine ruins. Combat is visceral: claw foes, devour their souls to heal and evolve, or wield elemental Reaver blades for flair. Puzzles blend platforming, environmental manipulation, and boss specific weaknesses, evoking early Zelda with a bloody twist.

Modern controls efficiently smooth out the tanky PS1 movement, with right stick camera and lock on making brawls more fluid. A dynamic map and compass, which are new additions, banish forever the original’s navigation woes, especially in Soul Reaver 1’s sprawling Metroidvania map. However, the dated jank persists. Repetitive block pushing puzzles grate, the camera glitches in tight spots, and Soul Reaver 2’s checkpoint only saves frustrate. It is a faithful preservation, not a remake, so expect 1999 vibes amid the upgrades. This is probably only one of a few games where I really loved the tank like movements and controls; some remasters, for example Aspyr’s Tomb Raider I through III Remastered, do not hit the mark for me.

Remastered Glory: A Visual and Audio Feast

The star upgrade? Toggleable remastered graphics. Characters like Raziel and Kain boast lavish new models with dynamic shadows and animations that amplify menace. It is a perfect example of old meets new but without changing what was made long ago.

Extras abound like photo mode, a music player, concept art galleries, and achievements, with 83 total. It runs buttery at 60 FPS across platforms and is Steam Deck verified. Purists can swap to the originals anytime, which is great if, like me, you are a sucker for old gems like this. You can really see what it was like all those years ago and there is no need to restart the game to do so either.

The Rough Edges

Yet it is no overhaul. Draw distances lag, bugs like T poses linger, and options are sparse with no FPS cap or ultrawide tweaks. Soul Reaver 2 feels less lavished, widening the gap between the stellar first and the solid sequel.

Pros

• Stunning character models and toggleable visuals

• Modern controls and map/compass QoL improvements

• Restored content and deep extras

• Timeless story and voice acting

Cons

• Dated mechanics and camera quirks

• Repetitive puzzles and weak save points in Soul Reaver 2

• Minor bugs and limited graphical options

The Verdict: Feed and Succumb to Your Wraith-like Hunger

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered is a love letter to fans, while being invigorated and alluring for those new to the eerily decrepit land of Nosgoth. All of its eldritch allure endures.

Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series, Switch Developer: Aspyr Publisher: Aspyr