MrTroubleMaker
Member
.Draft said:
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The Legacy of Kain - Remembering past games, imagining future ones.
- Thread starter Mama Robotnik
- Start date
TheDarkKnight774
Member
Well thanks to this thread, i just wanted to point out that i've gone and purchased all the games i didn't already own from the franchise off of ebay. I really only played Soul Reaver 1 on PSOne partially before i got distracted. I remember liking what i played though. I've purchased the DC version of SR 1, and the rest of the titles on the playstation systems (for b/c purposes)
I really enjoyed the intricacy of the story in Soul Reaver 2 with the plot twists. They did leave it open for sequels with the ending in Defiance, but I'm not going to lose sleep worrying whether or not that'll happen. I'd rather have them leave the series as it is, rather than producing inferior follow-ups especially with the voice of the Elder God gone.
Shai-Tan
Banned
A dude named Joudas has had most of the series up on youtube for a few years now. The gameplay was never very good but if you do want to play it I would recommend watching up until Soul Reaver 1, then playing the remaining games as the older titles have issues running on newer hardware/os configurations.
EternalGamer
Banned
This should be a no brainer for Square-Enix. It has to be Eidos' strongest license. They didn't buy that company just to get another production facility running. They can can find cheap teams anywhere to farm out their own license to. They bought Eidos for the IP and this is the best one. It's just a question of "how soon."
Tomb Raider is probably dead for now after the poor performance of the last game. So the next best bet is Legacy of Kain.
Tomb Raider is probably dead for now after the poor performance of the last game. So the next best bet is Legacy of Kain.
Mama Robotnik
Member
Snowden said:
DarienA said:
I have found the channel for you. These tell the story of each LOK game, with all cutscenes and some small samples of gameplay to convey continuity.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Soul Reaver 2
Some great memories in there.
KittyKittyBangBang
Member
I LOVED Legacy of Kain on PS1, still to this day one of my favs, lost a little intester with Blood Omen 2 but still enjoyed all the games in this series
brandonh83
Banned
Soul Reaver 2 is the one I played and man did I love the hell out of it. Why can't we have new awesome gothic art driven games?
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
ahh imagine they brought back the whole cast and characters for a sequal to legacy of kain soul reaver 2...... I hope santas reading this.
My dream is for Crystal Dynamics to remake Blood Omen 1 in 3D. I think that is the best conceptual game in the series.
However I do have a lot of love for the super awesome Soul Reaver 2.
Soul Reaver 1 had a cool FMV intro and some cool boss battles. But that's it. The decrepit nosgoth was one generic repeating scenery that really was boring. The endless block puzzles were horrible as well.
However I do have a lot of love for the super awesome Soul Reaver 2.
Soul Reaver 1 had a cool FMV intro and some cool boss battles. But that's it. The decrepit nosgoth was one generic repeating scenery that really was boring. The endless block puzzles were horrible as well.
Mama Robotnik
Member
MiamiWesker
Member
I love the franchise, I started with the first way back in the PS1 days and fell in love. Soul Reaver was the high point, at its time it was so brilliant. After that it started to falter, SR2 was a huge disappointment to me. BO2 sucked. Defiance was a cool change, but it still never reached the heights of the first two.
I plan to replay the first two some time this year. I really hope LoK comes out on the PSN store, its been rated since forever. I have the game but I hope the PSN version will reduce load times.
I plan to replay the first two some time this year. I really hope LoK comes out on the PSN store, its been rated since forever. I have the game but I hope the PSN version will reduce load times.
manofmandango
Member
Hands down, one of my favorite series. It's a shame Blood Omen 2 was not up to snuff. Regardless, Defiance while not amazing, definitely filled in some necessary plot points and had it's high notes. We NEED a new game or a revamping of the series (no pun intended).
I remember watching Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame when I was a kid. I remember thinking that the main villain of the movie sounded familiar. It wasn't until I watched the credits that it hit me, Tony Jay voiced the character. Mind blown.
Blast Processing
Member
I bought Blood Omen when they put it up on PSN a couple of weeks ago, having been curious to play the game since the PSX days, but never having gotten around to it. The general mechanics and atmosphere are still there (about an hour in at this point), but holy shit that mid-90s CG artstyle looks terrible. Contrast that to how Zelda: LTTP or even the original LoZ still look great.
I was also somewhat amused to see that it was a Silicon Knights game and has Dennis Dyack's name all over the credits.
I was also somewhat amused to see that it was a Silicon Knights game and has Dennis Dyack's name all over the credits.
Commanche Raisin Toast
Member
only played soul reaver and soul reaver 2. the first was epic and one of my fave games, but the second seemed awkward and controls felt different somehow. wasn't that into it. hit a puzzle wall and haven't played since.
a nextgen remake of the first is all i would ever want. as long as the narrator squid god dude's voice is the same. (voice actor died, so just reuse the files)
a nextgen remake of the first is all i would ever want. as long as the narrator squid god dude's voice is the same. (voice actor died, so just reuse the files)
Mama Robotnik
Member
Some good news - Kotaku have confimed that Soul Reaver has been rated by the ESRB for inclusion in the PSOne Classics lineup.
It will be tremendous to play it again.
It will be tremendous to play it again.
I was always hoping they woul redo the Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen. That game was a masterpiece.
I love Soul Reaver 2, and Defiance is good too. But Nosgoth was just never the same after Blood Omen. It was just a boring repetitive looking background or two with one or two freaking NPCs doing their rendition of hamlet.
I love Soul Reaver 2, and Defiance is good too. But Nosgoth was just never the same after Blood Omen. It was just a boring repetitive looking background or two with one or two freaking NPCs doing their rendition of hamlet.
TheRagnCajun
Member
Mama Robotnik said:
I'll pick that up for sure. I've been missing that game.
So happy to see that Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain was added to PSN. Downloaded it yesterday and have been playing through again. The load times are a lot better, and the zoom out in game doesn't seem to slow everything down like it used to.
This was my PS1 system seller game.
I always thought this one was just a great standalone game. The sequels were done well (especially Soul Reaver II which ties up a lot of the loose ends of the original, and re-visits some key moments),
but... I always thought the sequels were missing something the original had. I think it was the down to earth nature of the whole story, and writing. Legacy of Kain had a much more grounded world than the others, just some vampires and other undead in a Germanic medieval landscape. The others were too thesaurus-fest for my tastes. Kain originally sounded like a well learned nobleman, but the characters in the other games seemed like the dialogue was trying way to hard.
This was my PS1 system seller game.
I always thought this one was just a great standalone game. The sequels were done well (especially Soul Reaver II which ties up a lot of the loose ends of the original, and re-visits some key moments),
but... I always thought the sequels were missing something the original had. I think it was the down to earth nature of the whole story, and writing. Legacy of Kain had a much more grounded world than the others, just some vampires and other undead in a Germanic medieval landscape. The others were too thesaurus-fest for my tastes. Kain originally sounded like a well learned nobleman, but the characters in the other games seemed like the dialogue was trying way to hard.
The only one i haven't played is the original, but i already know the entire storyline so i never had a reason to play it. I mean, i remember trying the PC demo and stuff, so i got a sense of what it felt like but i'm more partial to Raziel anyway.
Two things i wanted to share. First, i actually recorded a couple of combo clips from LoK Defiance way back in the day:
Week-One Combos: Legacy of Kain: Defiance
It's only a minute long but it might be worth watching for anyone who plans on replaying the game. The wavedashing trick makes the boring parts go by much faster.
Second, i randomly found an illustration of Raziel by Akiman, the famous Capcom artist. It's not on his website anymore but it's still accessible through web.archive.org:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040204222026/http://www12.big.or.jp/~akiman/index.html
I dunno, i thought it was badass.
Two things i wanted to share. First, i actually recorded a couple of combo clips from LoK Defiance way back in the day:
Week-One Combos: Legacy of Kain: Defiance
It's only a minute long but it might be worth watching for anyone who plans on replaying the game. The wavedashing trick makes the boring parts go by much faster.
Second, i randomly found an illustration of Raziel by Akiman, the famous Capcom artist. It's not on his website anymore but it's still accessible through web.archive.org:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040204222026/http://www12.big.or.jp/~akiman/index.html
I dunno, i thought it was badass.
maniac-kun
Member
anyone else here who dosnt like the games after the original blood omen at all?
Galactic Fork
A little fluff between the ears never did any harm...
Mama Robotnik said:
Is this implying Prime began upgrade based progression? I love Soul Reaver, and it's my favorite in the series, but it's basically Zelda reskinned with vampires. Other than decent writing it was very a paint by numbers Zelda clone. Even a Link to the Past did the whole light and dark world puzzles.
Mama Robotnik
Member
Bump for three reasons, and a reply:
(1) On Eidos Official Forum, the Administrator has a thread up asking for the userbases' favourite franchise, for the purposes of "data collection". If probably wont make a difference, but if you have an account and feel the inclination, drop in a vote for LOK.
(2) Over in Poland, they've recently announced the release of a Legacy of Kain: Anthology if anyone is interested.
Whoever publishes the games in this part of Europe must thinks there's a market for them still, which I suppose is something positive.
(3) If anyone missed it, in a recent IndustryGamers interview with Amy Hennig, Amy gave some insight into the current state of the franchise, and Crystal Dynamics/Eidos' affection for it:
All speculation, but combined with the many LOK easter-eggs in Tomb Raider, its raises hopes that the series hasn't been completely forgotten.
(4) And a reply:
No, its just that Soul Reaver's non-linear exploration of a ruined, hostile world reminds me very much of Metroid Prime. Given the freedom of exploration, the emphasis on atmosphere (especially in audio), the distinctly-different non-cliche environments, and more subtle ability-based progression than say Zelda, I feel that SR and MP are very similar games.
By using the Metroid Prime comparison, I was attempting to highlight how many of Prime's nuances of brilliance can be also found in Soul Reaver.
(1) On Eidos Official Forum, the Administrator has a thread up asking for the userbases' favourite franchise, for the purposes of "data collection". If probably wont make a difference, but if you have an account and feel the inclination, drop in a vote for LOK.
(2) Over in Poland, they've recently announced the release of a Legacy of Kain: Anthology if anyone is interested.
Whoever publishes the games in this part of Europe must thinks there's a market for them still, which I suppose is something positive.
(3) If anyone missed it, in a recent IndustryGamers interview with Amy Hennig, Amy gave some insight into the current state of the franchise, and Crystal Dynamics/Eidos' affection for it:
All speculation, but combined with the many LOK easter-eggs in Tomb Raider, its raises hopes that the series hasn't been completely forgotten.
(4) And a reply:
Galactic Fork said:
No, its just that Soul Reaver's non-linear exploration of a ruined, hostile world reminds me very much of Metroid Prime. Given the freedom of exploration, the emphasis on atmosphere (especially in audio), the distinctly-different non-cliche environments, and more subtle ability-based progression than say Zelda, I feel that SR and MP are very similar games.
By using the Metroid Prime comparison, I was attempting to highlight how many of Prime's nuances of brilliance can be also found in Soul Reaver.
Mama Robotnik
Member
nny said:
Blood Omen is on PSN, it plays like a 2D Zelda except in a much darker, voice acted world of secrets. If you can get past the load times, its a cracking game.
Oneself said:
I feel that Soul Reaver 2 is buyworthy, absolutely. Its a good game. Defiance is buyworthy if you're a diehard fan, and rentworthy otherwise. Blood Omen 2 is best left unmentioned.
PedroLumpy
Member
Mama Robotnik said:
OMG bump redeemed
Obligatory RIP Elder God.
AgentOtaku
Member
Just wanted to say:
fucking bless this thread
fucking bless this thread
Mama Robotnik
Member
Since the thread is already bumped (yeah, by me, I know), I just saw this on another forum.
Left - Ancients in LOK; Right - Asmodians in Aion Online (a PC MMORPG). Both ancient races, locked in an endless war with their ancient enemies. Coincidence in design and background lore, certainly. Wonder if its a homage?
Blood Omen 2 is an average game, but (by LOK standards) it is a very bad story. To compare...
Blood Omen 1 was an epic vision of a world of darkness, with an ignorant sadist fighting his way through space, time and dimensions. His mission is redemption, to regain his lost innocence, to become a normal human once more.
The quest ends with the ghostly revelation that his entire life has been a lie, that he was never a normal human. He is the Last Guardian, and he must die so others can live. The choice of manipulated extinction or defiant apocalypse?
Blood Omen 2 is an evil vampire fighting evil aliens.
SR2. Defiance and BO2 have significant weaknesses. But, whereas SR2 and Defiance make up for them magnificently with stunning original storytelling, art, music, voice acting, atmosphere and pacing, BO2's lack of refinement makes its weaknesses all the more apparent. The setting contrasts wildly with the rest of the series, the voice acting is merely good, the story is trite, and even Kain's character model lacks refinement.
It has some good points, the bosses are fun, combat can be intersting at times, and the Eternal Prison is a nice concept. I enjoyed it somewhat, and can understand how people can. I'd even say its worth playing for a fan. But it is absolutely the weak link.
Left - Ancients in LOK; Right - Asmodians in Aion Online (a PC MMORPG). Both ancient races, locked in an endless war with their ancient enemies. Coincidence in design and background lore, certainly. Wonder if its a homage?
wRATH2x said:
Blood Omen 2 is an average game, but (by LOK standards) it is a very bad story. To compare...
Blood Omen 1 was an epic vision of a world of darkness, with an ignorant sadist fighting his way through space, time and dimensions. His mission is redemption, to regain his lost innocence, to become a normal human once more.
The quest ends with the ghostly revelation that his entire life has been a lie, that he was never a normal human. He is the Last Guardian, and he must die so others can live. The choice of manipulated extinction or defiant apocalypse?
Blood Omen 2 is an evil vampire fighting evil aliens.
SR2. Defiance and BO2 have significant weaknesses. But, whereas SR2 and Defiance make up for them magnificently with stunning original storytelling, art, music, voice acting, atmosphere and pacing, BO2's lack of refinement makes its weaknesses all the more apparent. The setting contrasts wildly with the rest of the series, the voice acting is merely good, the story is trite, and even Kain's character model lacks refinement.
It has some good points, the bosses are fun, combat can be intersting at times, and the Eternal Prison is a nice concept. I enjoyed it somewhat, and can understand how people can. I'd even say its worth playing for a fan. But it is absolutely the weak link.
NinajHeartless
Member
I never got a chance to play this series at all. Dammit Mama Robotnik, I just read this whole thread and now I feel like a terrible person for having never experienced these treasures.
Mama Robotnik
Member
NinajHeartless said:
Well there's always time.
If you want to see where this goes, try and get hold of Soul Reaver on either PS1, PSN, PC, or Dreamcast.
If you want to see where both this, and then this goes, try and get hold of Blood Omen for PS1, PSN or PC.
I'm just hoping Squareid-Osenix get their arses in gear and release them all on Steam.
NinajHeartless
Member
Mama Robotnik said:
That would be perfect for me
I like what I see
As soon as I get mah hands on some copies of these gems...well let's just say the series is about to gain another fan :lol
GillianSeed79
Member
I'm just posting this to say Defiance is criminally under rated.
I've been a fan of the series since the first Blood Omen. I really like Soul Reaver too, but I honestly was really mad at the cliff hanger ending. The sequel made up for it, though.
Blood Omen 2 was rough as a fan of the original. Defiance, however brought the series back to form.
I've been a fan of the series since the first Blood Omen. I really like Soul Reaver too, but I honestly was really mad at the cliff hanger ending. The sequel made up for it, though.
Blood Omen 2 was rough as a fan of the original. Defiance, however brought the series back to form.