Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered (Nintendo Switch) Review

Soul Reaver, while a direct sequel to Blood Omen, stands as a self-contained narrative. Prior knowledge of the original game is not essential to understanding its plot. It is sufficient to know that Kain, a vampire, seized power by overthrowing nine warlocks and subjugating the world. During his reign, he established a hierarchy of lieutenants to enforce his rule.

Soul Reaver's story unfolds over a millennium after Kain's victory. Both Kain and his lieutenants began to mutate, their forms shifting from human-like to more monstrous. Their physical attributes became increasingly vile, characterised by body horror-like transformations, and the acquisition of supernatural abilities. Raziel, one of Kain's lieutenants, was among the first to experience this transformation.

Raziel, once a vampire, was subjected to a horrific punishment by his brother Kain. Stripped of his wings and cast into the Lake of the Dead, he endured an agonizing transformation. Reborn as a wraith, a creature existing between the spectral and material realms, Raziel's physical form was irrevocably altered.

Initially driven by a thirst for vengeance against Kain and his followers, Raziel's quest evolved into a broader exploration of truth and purpose. As he confronted and defeated Kain's lieutenants, he uncovered a complex conspiracy that transcended personal grudges. In Soul Reaver 2, Raziel's journey reached its zenith. Transcending the confines of time and space, he delved into Nosgoth's past and future, seeking answers to the ultimate mysteries of his existence and the fate of his world.

Soul Reaver is a notable title in the history of video games, particularly for its compelling narrative and strong voice acting performances. The game's intricate plot is woven with Gnostic themes, exploring the tension between free will and fate. Raziel's journey, from a vengeful creature to a being seeking enlightenment, is a central narrative thread, punctuated by double-crosses and ironic twists that contribute to the game's memorable quality.

Michael Bell's portrayal of Raziel is a standout performance, capturing the character's emotional range with nuance and power. His voice work effectively conveys Raziel's transformation, from initial anguish to a more nuanced, empathetic state. Raziel's voice work also deserves recognition. His insightful commentary, delivered with a sense of detached curiosity, provides essential world-building information while offering subtle character development.

The voice acting in both titles is exceptional, contributing significantly to the immersive, dark atmosphere. Jay's portrayal of the Elder God is particularly impressive, featuring a deep otherworldly voice that conveys an air of eternal wisdom and divine authority. His performances command attention and elevate every scene. Templeman's interpretation of Kain is equally captivating, his snobbish and boastful demeanour perfectly capturing the arrogance of a powerful vampire.

The Nosgoth of both games presents a unified, expansive world. Soul Reaver in particular adheres to a metroidvania structure, progressively unlocking areas as Raziel acquires new abilities. These powers, such as phasing, swimming, and climbing, expand his movement repertoire, encouraging exploration and backtracking.

Soul Reaver 2, in contrast, adopts a more linear approach, streamlining the player's progression. While this design choice offers a more focused experience, it sacrifices some of the exploratory freedom that defined the first game. The level design, though intricate in Soul Reaver, becomes less varied and engaging in its sequel, occasionally veering towards monotony. Both games feature a relatively basic combat system, characterised by stiffness and limited variety.

Raziel's combat repertoire is primarily composed of lock-on attacks, side-stepping, and the use of disposable weapons and the Reaver, a versatile tool for both melee and ranged combat. The combat mechanics can feel somewhat awkward due to the character's movement and limited move set. Fortunately, the Soul Reaver series emphasizes puzzle-solving and exploration over combat. While combat is necessary to restore health, it is secondary to the game's core gameplay loop. A unique mechanic involves defeating immortal vampiric enemies through specific finishing moves to absorb their souls, adding a puzzle element to battle.

Soul Reaver 2, while building upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor, unfortunately diverges from its strengths. The game's increased emphasis on combat, without a corresponding improvement in melee mechanics, results in frequent and often tedious encounters that hinder the overall gameplay experience. The linear level design, punctuated by repetitive enemy encounters, further exacerbates this issue.

Conversely, the game's narrative takes a bold turn, exploring darker and more complex themes. The intriguing interplay between the spectral and material planes, characterised by surreal transformations and new perspectives, remains a captivating aspect of the series. The well-designed puzzles, while occasionally repetitive, offer satisfying problem-solving opportunities. However, the excessive reliance on block puzzles, particularly in later stages, can lead to frustration and diminish the overall pacing of the game.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered offers a faithful reimagining of the classic titles. The visual enhancements allow players to toggle between the original and remastered graphics. Character models have been meticulously updated to align with their original CG key art, while the level geometry remains intact. The remasters feature a consistent 60 frames per second even on the modest Nintendo Switch's specs, resulting in significantly improved visual smoothness. Image quality has been enhanced, offering a sharper and more detailed experience.

Quality-of-life improvements have been implemented in both games, most notably the addition of full 360-degree camera control mapped to the right analogue stick. This modernises the control scheme and enhances overall accessibility. The inclusion of a world map providing information on missed collectibles further improves the gaming experience.