Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered

Celebrate Soul Reaver’s 25th Anniversary and experience the epic conflict of Kain and Raziel in original form or with remastered graphics. Includes Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver & Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. PS5 version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is the new gold standard that all modern remasters should strive to achieve. Developer Aspyr has taken Crystal Dynamic’s classic tale about a betrayed vampire seeking revenge and delivered an impeccable visual overhaul while maintaining the brooding gothic majesty that won Soul Reaver a legion of fans back at the turn of the millennium.

Aspyr is showing their craft and care, which fills me with hopes that studio truly is the one to finally make the upcoming remaster of the second — and wonkier- Tomb Raider trilogy work.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered revives the long-dormant series with a timely reminder of its everlasting excellence

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered is an impeccable remaster collection. While it has a few flaws, the narrative, world-building, soundtrack, and voice acting make the games a gratifying experience.

The Legacy of Kain series has long been missed, and it’s fantastic to get a chance to return to them on modern systems. Unfortunately, many of the gameplay systems feel dated, and there are a few bugs in Soul Reaver 2 that holds this collection back a little.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered feels a bit archaic by modern standards, but it still tells a compelling tale of vampires and vengeance that highly entertains while also challenging gamers with brain-wracking environmental puzzles.

Two great games afflicted by the curse of time, and only the barest effort seemingly expended to get them functional on modern consoles, the remasters of Soul Reaver and its sequel somehow diminish these pieces of gaming history even as they bring them forward for current audiences.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered holds the franchise and its potential future on its back. Its exceptional writing, story, and sound design continue to remain some of the best on there. It's just a shame that more love wasn't put into the quality of life changes it so dearly needs as Aspyr's other remasters.

When you think back on the Soul Reaver games, you think about their atmosphere, their tone, and that often immaculate voice acting. What you don't necessarily think about, is how awkward and clumsy they were to actually play — and ultimately, those same ups and downs apply to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.

The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Remasters might not be my cup of tea, but they work flawlessly on the Steam Deck.

A worthy remastering of a title completely ravaged to time, with barely functioning combat dragging down an otherwise brilliant example of world-building and narrative.