Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|1999 video game}}

{{Infobox CVG| title = Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}{{Infobox video game

|image = [[Image:Soulreaver.jpg|200px|Soul Reaver box cover.]]

| title = Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

|developer = [[Crystal Dynamics]]

| image = Legacy Of Kain- Soul Reaver Cover.jpg

|publisher = [[Eidos Interactive]]

| alt = A black-haired blue-skinned vampire with large claws stands atop a rock. His body resembles a muscular skeleton and his face is covered with brown cowl loosely wrapped around his neck. Behind him are rocky mountains obscured by green fog.

|designer =

| caption = Cover art featuring the main protagonist Raziel.

|engine =

| developer = [[Crystal Dynamics]]{{efn|Ported to Dreamcast by [[Nixxes Software]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nixxes.com/projects/19-uk/projects/134-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |publisher=Nixxes |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906111946/http://www.nixxes.com/projects/19-uk/projects/134-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver |archive-date=6 September 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

|released = [[1999]], [[2000]]

|genre publisher = [[AdventureEidos game|AdventureInteractive]]

| director = [[Amy Hennig]]<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|modes = [[Single player]]

| producer = Andrew Bennett<br />Amy Hennig<br />Rosaura Sandoval<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Mature (M)

| designer = Amy Hennig<br />Seth Carus<br />Richard Lemarchand<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|platforms = [[PlayStation]], [[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]], [[Personal computer|PC]]

| programmer = Carl Stika<br />Marc David<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|media =

| artist = Arnold Ayala<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|requirements =

| writer = Amy Hennig<br />Richard Lemarchand<br />Jim Curry<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

|input =

| composer = [[Kurt Harland]]<ref name="Voice Cast"/>

| series = ''[[Legacy of Kain]]''

| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]<br>[[Windows]]<br>[[Dreamcast]]

| released = '''PlayStation'''{{Video game release|NA|August 16, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |author=Crystal Dynamics|date=1999-08-16 |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |url=https://www.crystald.com/projects/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/|access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Crystal Dynamics |language=en}}</ref>|UK|September 3, 1999<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1999 |title=The Software Store |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929675408 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |work=Gloucester News |pages=28 |quote=Available Friday 3rd September//''Soul Reaver'' (PSX)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2024 |title=''Legacy of Kain 2: Soul Reaver'' |url=http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=0883 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030128081122/http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=0883 |archive-date=January 28, 2003 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |website=Chipsworld}}</ref>}}'''Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|September 10, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 10, 1999 |title=Shipping: ''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver'' |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_09/10_pc_legacy/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010505035201/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_09/10_pc_legacy/index.html |archive-date=May 5, 2001 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver'' |url=http://pc.ign.com/games/11337.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010608150549/http://pc.ign.com/games/11337.html |archive-date=June 8, 2001 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>|UK|September 18, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Games Of 1999 ~ Europe |url=http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210220535/http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml |archive-date=February 10, 2001 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |website=Gone Gold}}</ref>}}'''Dreamcast'''{{Video game release|NA|January 25, 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-01-05 |title=''Soul Reaver'' Release Date Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/05/soul-reaver-release-date-confirmed |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>|UK|February 25, 2000}}

| genre = [[Action-adventure]]

| modes = [[Single-player]]

}}

'''''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver''''' is a [[video game]] developed by [[Crystal Dynamics]] and published by [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]]. It's the second game in the ''[[Legacy of Kain]]'' series. It was released on the [[PlayStation]], [[Sega Dreamcast]], and [[Personal computer|PC]]. The game chronicles the journey of newly appointed Reaver of Souls [[Raziel (Legacy of Kain)|Raziel]] as he exacts his revenge upon his [[vampire]] brethren and [[anti-hero]], [[Kain (Legacy of Kain)|Kain]].

'''''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver''''' is a 1999 [[action-adventure]] [[video game]] developed by [[Crystal Dynamics]] and published by [[Eidos Interactive]] for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[Windows]]. A port to the [[Dreamcast]] developed by [[Nixxes Software]] was released in 2000, serving as Nixxes' first project. The second game in the ''[[Legacy of Kain]]'' series, ''Soul Reaver'' is the sequel to ''[[Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain]]''. ''Soul Reaver'' was followed by three games, one of which, ''[[Soul Reaver 2]]'', is a direct sequel.

{{spoiler}}

== Background ==

Taking place a [[millennium]] after Kain's fateful decision to not sacrifice himself to restore the [[Pillars of Nosgoth]] to their former state, [[Nosgoth]] is vastly different from how it looked in ''[[Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain]]''. Dilapidated and run down, the vampires and [[Sarafan]] hunters are constantly vying for food and security, and what structures still remain are pathetic remnants of a former glory. This Nosgoth is now ruled on high by Kain, who himself has evolved as a vampire. His throne rests on the center pillar, the ''Pillar of Balance''.

Taking place 1500 years after the events of ''Blood Omen'', ''Soul Reaver'' chronicles the journey of the [[vampire]]-turned-[[Wraith (entity)|wraith]] [[Raziel (Legacy of Kain)|Raziel]], lieutenant to the vampire lord [[Kain (Legacy of Kain)|Kain]]. Raziel is killed by Kain, but is revived by [[Elder God (Legacy of Kain)|The Elder God]] to become his "soul reaver" and to exact revenge. Raziel shares this title with Kain's sword, the Soul Reaver, which he acquires during the game.

Kain takes the corpses of the Sarafan who conspired to kill the vampire leader [[Janos Audron]], who now were to become his loyal vampire servants: Raziel, [[Turel]], [[Dumah]], [[Rahab (Legacy of Kain)|Rahab]], [[Zephon]] and [[Melchiah]]. Being the leader of the Sarafan, Raziel was turned over first, and as a result was the strongest of his brethren; Melchiah, being the last Sarafan to be turned, inherited the least amount of Kain's powers. It was a sad irony considering that the brothers became the very creatures they sought to purge from the land.

Crystal Dynamics began development of the game in 1997, but a deteriorating relationship with [[Silicon Knights]], who had developed ''Blood Omen'', created legal problems. This and other delays forced material originally planned for ''Soul Reaver'' to be instead released with later games of the series. ''Soul Reaver'' gained critical acclaim. Critics praised it for its intriguing gothic story and high-quality graphics. However, the game was criticized for its simple and repetitive gameplay and an unsatisfying climax. By 2001, the game sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.

=== Evolution ===

Being the ''master vampire'', every few hundred years Kain would go through an [[evolution]]ary change, and his followers would "catch up" sometime down the road. However, for reasons unknown at the time, Raziel's latest transformation preceded that of Kain by sprouting a set of wings. When Raziel presented his new gift to Kain, it incited Kain to apparent wrath and jealousy. Kain, examining the wings up close, violently rips the skeletal structure off the wings, causing Raziel to scream and faint in pain.

Remastered versions of ''Soul Reaver'' and its sequel were released on December 10, 2024 as ''[[Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-24 |title=Aspyr & Crystal Dynamics Reveal Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, Launching Dec. 10, 2024, on PC & Consoles |url=https://www.crystaldynamics.com/blog/2024/09/24/aspyr-crystal-dynamics-reveal-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launching-dec-10-2024-on-pc-consoles/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Crystal Dynamics}}</ref>

=== Punishment ===

In addition, Kain had Raziel thrown in the abyss of the [[Lake of the Dead]], a hellish place where traitors and weaklings were cast. Upon hitting the waters, Raziel's flesh was seared and burned as if engulfed in flames. As he plummeted to the depths his flesh and lower jaw were worn away, leaving a near-skeletal mass of muscle fiber and cartilage, hair and white glowing eyes. Eventually, he hits the bottom and his corpse sits idle for an unknown length of time.

=== Revenge =Gameplay==

The player controls Raziel, a disfigured and ghostly vampire. The game is normally shown from a third-person perspective behind Raziel, but players can rotate the viewpoint around him. [[Gameplay]] relies largely on shifting between the material and spectral [[Plane (esoterism)|planes]] of existence to progress through areas. Although interaction with objects is limited in the spectral realm, this can be advantageous, because Raziel can phase through otherwise impassable gates there, and water is insubstantial, allowing him to walk on lakebeds; however, blocks, doors, and switches can be manipulated only in the physical realm.<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Doug |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review |website=IGN |date=August 19, 1999 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/20/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-5 |access-date=2008-03-05 |archive-date=2013-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213195120/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/20/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-5 |url-status=live}}</ref> Many puzzles are based on the differences between the two realms; for example, platforms and environment features in one realm may change form to open new paths in the other. [[Puzzle platformer|Block puzzles]] are also common and require the rotation, flipping, and moving of large blocks to progress, often with a time limit and while avoiding enemies.<ref name="IGN Review"/>

Eventually awakening, Raziel found himself in what turned out to be the [[Spirit Realm (Legacy of Kain)|Spirit Realm]]. It was [[The Elder God]] who made Raziel regain consciousness, and told him that his role in the future of Nosgoth had just begun. He was to become the [[Death (personification)|Angel of Death]] for the Elder God, sucking in souls to feed himself and restore the cycle of life and death that had been horrendously corrupted by Kain. Fueled by nothing but hatred for Kain, Raziel set forth blindly to do the Elder God's bidding, since it allowed him to exact vengeance upon all those who cast him into the abyss.

[[File:SoulReaverRealmComparison.JPG|thumb|left|150px|The player can cause Raziel to shift between planes of existence, which have similar layouts but different aesthetics. Shown is the same ___location, a human town, in the material (top) and spectral (bottom) realms.]]

== New Surroundings ==

Combat in ''Soul Reaver'' is a [[hack and slash]] system, involving the use of [[Combo (video games)|combinations]] of various different attacks before a finishing move. Raziel's enemies are grouped into humans, spectral creatures, and most commonly, vampires.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Human enemies include peasants, [[vampire hunter]]s and vampire worshippers. In the spectral realm, players fight minor enemies called Sluagh and the souls of dead vampires who have become wraiths. Each brood of vampire enemies has unique powers reminiscent of their clan leader.<ref name="Gamespot Review">{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Fielder |title=GameSpot review |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=August 16, 1999 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-review/1900-2535657/ |access-date=2008-03-05 |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019122434/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-review/1900-2535657/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Human and spectral enemies can be killed with Raziel's claws or any weapon, but vampires must be bludgeoned into a stunned state and then destroyed by impaling them, setting them on fire, or tossing them into a hazard such as sunlight or water.<ref name="RPGamer Review">{{cite web|first=Brad|last=Lohr|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|publisher=RPGamer|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/lok/loksr/loksrrev.html|access-date=2008-03-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914121305/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/lok/loksr/loksrrev.html|archive-date=2011-09-14}}</ref> When killed, enemies leave behind souls that replenish Raziel's health, which automatically decreases in the material realm and increases in the spectral. Possession of the Soul Reaver sword stops automatic degeneration of health in the physical realm, but Raziel loses the sword instantly if he sustains damage and can regain it only by restoring his health to full.<ref name="RPGamer Review"/>

Having lost his physical body upon death, he inhabited the Spirit Realm, the other plane of existence in Nosgoth where ghosts, spirits and wraiths inhabit. The surroundings are similar to the [[Physical Realm (Legacy of Kain)|Physical Realm]] he once inhabited, but walls, floors and landmarks have been warped to a certain degree, vastly changing the terrain. Water is now thin as air, and if he sucks in enough souls he has the ability to enter the Physical Realm, albeit for a limited time. While in the Physical Realm his existence is tenuous, and either by length of time, falling in water (initially), or taking damage, he is unvoluntarily shunted back into the Spectral Realm if he cannot maintain his strength.

At first, Raziel can jump, glide using his torn wings, move blocks, and pick up and throw objects and enemies.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Initially unarmed, he fights using his claws, but can alternatively use weapons such as rocks, torches, spears and staffs, and the Soul Reaver.<ref name="RPGamer Review"/> Raziel can freely shift to the spectral realm, but can return to the material realm only through special portals when at full health. Raziel automatically shifts to the spectral realm if he runs out of health. As the game progresses, Raziel gains the powers of his clan brothers after defeating them and becomes able to phase through gates in the spectral realm and climb walls in the material realm. Initially vulnerable to water, he overcomes this weakness and learns to swim.<ref name="IGN Review"/>

Once warped back into the Spirit Realm, any weapons he may have been carrying fall by the wayside and disappear. Being dead, Raziel is seemingly incapable of death. It is later revealed that history itself can purge irritants of history's path, and so Raziel can die this way. But for the time, death is not a factor in his mission at all, though being thrust back into the Spirit Realm suddenly can set back progress, especially since the player cannot open doors, scale walls, etc. when Raziel lacks corporeality.

He also gains the ability to constrict objects and enemies with a band of energy, although this feature was one of the few abilities not to feature in future games. Players can find an ancient relic that gives Raziel the power to fire bolts of [[telekinetic]] energy, which cause little damage by themselves but can knock enemies into hazards and push objects from a distance.<ref name="IGN Review"/> [[Baptism]] in holy flame can transform the Soul Reaver into the Fire Reaver, which can set enemies aflame and adds fire to Raziel's telekinetic bolts. Players can also find magical [[glyph]]s that allow Raziel to expend magical energy to attack groups of enemies simultaneously.<ref name="Gamespot Review"/> These glyphs typically involve vampire weaknesses such as sunlight, fire, water, or sound, as well as additions such as telekinetic force (available well before the normal telekinesis becomes available) and the causing of earthquakes to temporarily stun enemies. Glyphs are acquired through finding glyph altars, specific locations in Nosgoth where the skills can be learned, and solving a puzzle before being granted the magical ability. However, Raziel begins the game with access to the 'Shift' glyph, granting the ability to shift between the material and spectral planes, with no glyph altar necessary.

==Plot==

== Gained Abilities ==

===Setting===

At first, he can only glide through the air, since his wings' structure was violently torn off. This allows him to traverse pits that are otherwise too long to jump. His other power is to suck souls, which as mentioned before feed both his energy level and the Elder God. After successfully felling his brothers, he gains their powers, which enhances his ability to survive in both realms.

{{see also|Legacy of Kain}}

''Soul Reaver'' takes place within the fictional world of Nosgoth, where the health of the land is tied to the nine Pillars of Nosgoth, and each pillar in turn is represented by a guardian. Before the events of ''Soul Reaver'', the guardians became corrupt, and, after Kain killed eight of them, he discovered he was the final one.<ref name="Blood Omen">'''Elder God:''' This world is wracked with cataclysms – the earth strains to shrug off the pestilence of Kain’s parasitic empire. The fate of this world was preordained in an instant, by a solitary man. Unwilling to martyr himself to restore Nosgoth’s balance, Kain condemned the world to the decay you see. In that moment, the unraveling began... now it is nearly played out. Nosgoth teeters on the brink of collapse – its fragile balance cannot hold. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Refusing to sacrifice himself to restore the Pillars, he doomed Nosgoth to eternal decay and proceeded to raise his vampire lieutenants, including Raziel, to besiege the land. By the time of ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s introduction, the vampires are now the land's dominant species and [[apex predator]]s, the humans have been decimated, and the vampire tribes have each claimed a region of Nosgoth and turned their attention to internal matters. Unknown to the vampires, beneath Nosgoth lurks The Elder God, an ancient and powerful entity. The Elder God controls the [[Rota Fortunae|Wheel of Fate]], a cycle of [[reincarnation]] of souls that circle the Wheel in a loop of [[predestination]]; however, because vampires are [[Immortality|immortal]], their souls do not spin with the Wheel, causing the land to decay as the Wheel stalls.<ref name="Raziel's Revival">'''Elder God:''' The birth of one of Kain’s abominations traps the essence of life. It is this soul that animates the corpse you 'lived' in. And that Raziel, is the demise of Nosgoth. There is no balance. The souls of the dead remain trapped. I can not spin them in the wheel of fate. They can not complete their destinies. Redeem yourself. Or if you prefer, avenge yourself. Settle your dispute with Kain. Destroy him and your brethren. Free their souls and let the wheel of fate churn again. Use your hatred to reave their souls...I can make it possible. Become my soul reaver, my angel of death... {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> By the time that Raziel is revived centuries after the game's opening cinematic, Nosgoth is on the brink of collapse, little more than a wasteland wracked with cataclysms and earthquakes.<ref name="Blood Omen"/>

=== Phasing Characters===

{{see also|List of Legacy of Kain characters}}

One of the most valuable skills he gains is the ability to phase, or pass, through certain doorways in the Spirit Realm that would otherwise be impassable in the Physical Realm. This is gained from Melchiah, who has degenerated into an amalgation of dead bodies.

The protagonist of ''Soul Reaver'' is the vampire-turned-wraith [[Raziel (Legacy of Kain)|Raziel]], whom [[Kain (Legacy of Kain)|Kain]] casts to death at the beginning of the game. Although Kain is the protagonist of the previous game, ''[[Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain]]'', he is the primary antagonist and final [[Boss (video game)|boss]] of ''Soul Reaver''. The Elder God resurrects and assists Raziel, explains the game's controls, and describes previous events in the story.<ref name="Gamespot Review"/> [[Ariel (Legacy of Kain)|Ariel]], who preceded Kain as the guardian of the Pillar of Balance, appears as a spirit and offers Raziel advice on occasion. During his quest, Raziel meets his brothers - [[Melchiah]], [[Zephon]], [[Rahab (Legacy of Kain)|Rahab]] and [[Dumah (Legacy of Kain)|Dumah]] - who serve as the game's bosses. Each has developed different powers that Raziel partially gains by killing them and devouring their souls. A fifth brother, [[Turel]], was omitted due to time constraints on development.<ref name="IGN-GIA Article">{{cite web |author=Douglass Perry |title=Was Kain's Story Cleaved? |website=IGN |date=August 15, 1999 |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/070/070041p1.html |access-date=2009-04-14 |archive-date=2007-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917053605/http://psx.ign.com/articles/070/070041p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Constrict Story===

Raziel approaches Kain's throne and extends newly grown wings. In an act of seeming jealousy, Kain tears the bones from Raziel's wings and has him thrown into the Lake of the Dead, a large natural [[whirlpool]];<ref name="Introduction">'''Raziel:''' I am Raziel, first-born of his lieutenants. I stood with Kain and my brethren at the dawn of the empire. I have served him a millennium. Over time, we became less human and more...divine. Kain would enter the state of change and emerge with a new gift. Some years after the master, our evolution would follow. Until I had the honor of surpassing my lord. For my transgression, I earned a new kind of reward...agony. There was only one possible outcome – my eternal damnation. I, Raziel, was to suffer the fate of traitors and weaklings – to burn forever in the bowels of the Lake of the Dead. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> however, Raziel is resurrected as a wraith by The Elder God to become his "soul reaver" and kill Kain, thus restoring Nosgoth.<ref name="Raziel's Revival"/> With The Elder God's guidance, Raziel adapts to his new form and returns to Nosgoth. Infiltrating a Necropolis inhabited by the Melchahim vampires, Raziel finds his brother Melchiah, who has devolved into a beast unable to sustain his own flesh.<ref name="Raziel meets Melchiah">'''Raziel:''' My brother, Melchiah, was made last, and therefore received the poorest portion of Kain’s gift. Although immortal, his soul could not sustain the flesh, which retained much of its previous human frailty. This weakness, it seemed, was passed on to his offspring. Their fragile skins barely contained the underlying decay. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> After Raziel kills Melchiah and absorbs his soul, he confronts Kain among the ruined Pillars of Nosgoth in the Sanctuary of the Clans. Kain does not appear surprised to see Raziel, apparently having even been expecting him, and implies that he has destroyed Raziel's vampire clan, which only enrages Raziel even further. When Raziel begins to criticize him, Kain simply launches a tirade against him before noting what has become of the empire and engaging him in combat.<ref>'''Kain:''' Raziel... / '''Raziel:''' Kain! / '''Kain:''' The Abyss has been unkind. / '''Raziel:''' I am ''your'' creation, Kain. Now, as before. You criticize your own work. What have you done with my clan, degenerate? You have no right! / '''Kain:''' What I have made, I can also destroy, child. / '''Raziel:''' Damn you, Kain! You are not God! This act of genocide is unconscionable! / '''Kain:'''Conscience?! You dare to speak to me of conscience?! Only when you feel the true gravity of choice should you dare question ''my'' judgment! Your lifespan is a flicker compared to the massive doubt and regret that ''I'' have born since Mortanius first turned me from the light! To know the fate of the world hangs on the advisedness of my every deed! Can you even ''begin'' to conceive what action ''you'' would take in ''my'' position?! / '''Raziel:''' I would choose integrity, Kain. / '''Kain:''' ''[laughs]'' Look around you, Raziel. See what has become of our empire. Witness the end of an age. The clans scattered to the corners of Nosgoth. This place has outlasted its usefulness, as have you. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Kain quickly overpowers Raziel and attempts to strike him down with the Soul Reaver, a powerful sword that absorbs its victims' souls,<ref>'''Raziel:''' The Soul Reaver. Kain's ancient blade, older than any of us and a thousand times more deadly. The legends claim that the blade was possessed and thrived by devouring the souls of its victims. For all our bravado, we knew what it meant when Kain drew the Soul Reaver in anger: it meant you were dead. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> but the Reaver shatters when it strikes Raziel, and Kain escapes, strangely satisfied.<ref>'''Kain:''' The blade is vanquished. So it unfolds. And we are a step closer to our destinies. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Raziel enters the spectral realm to find the blade's soul-devouring spectral form, which binds itself to him.<ref name="Raziel finds Soul Reaver">'''Elder God:''' From this moment and ever afterward, you and this blade are inextricably bound. Soul Reaver and reaver of souls, your destinies are intertwined. By destroying the sword, you have liberated it from its corporeal prison and restored it to its true form: a wraith blade, its energy unbound. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> After this, Raziel meets [[Ariel (Legacy of Kain)|Ariel]], who restores his strength, and learns of Zephon's ___location from The Elder God.

After running two consecutive circles around an enemy or object, a band of energy would constrict to the center of the circle, either crushing an enemy or activating a switch/lever that would otherwise be impossible to manipulate. This is gained from the nigh-invincible Dumah, and does not appear in later sequels.

Raziel ventures into a large [[cathedral]] once inhabited by the humans and finds the Zephonim clan. After ascending into the cathedral's spires, he finds that Zephon is now a large insect like creature whose body has merged into the cathedral spire in which he dwells.<ref name="Raziel confronts Zephon">'''Raziel:''' Zephon, your visage becomes you. It's an appropriate reflection of your soul. / '''Zephon:''' And you are not his handsome Raziel anymore. His precious first-born son, turned betrayer. You have missed so many changes, little Raziel. Look around you! See how the humans' weapon of destruction has become my home. Indeed, my body. A cocoon of brick and granite from which to watch a pupating world. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Raziel kills Zephon and uses the gained power to infiltrate an ancient [[crypt]]. There, Raziel discovers coffins for members of the Sarafan, a fanatical order of [[vampire hunter]]s killed centuries before Kain's rule. To Raziel's horror, he finds the crypt was designated for him and his brothers; as cruel irony, Kain revived the Sarafan to serve him as his vampire sons.<ref name="Raziel enters the Crypt">'''Raziel:''' These crypts ... defiled caskets of Sarafan saints ... bearing my brothers' names.... And my own.... The irony of Kain's blasphemous act rushed in on me with the crushing force of revelation.... / '''Elder God:''' Yes, Raziel – you were Sarafan...born of the same force that all but destroyed your race. Before the dawn of the Empire, you were chosen. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Raziel ventures through a secret passage under the crypt and finds a flooded abbey inhabited by the Rahabim clan, whose members have mutated into amphibians; its leader, Rahab, has become a [[merman]]. Raziel tells Rahab what he has learned about their human pasts, but Rahab is unmoved, claiming that Kain "saved" them, and attacks.<ref>'''Raziel:''' Do you know what we were before Kain spawned us? / '''Rahab:''' Human. / '''Raziel:''' Sarafan, Rahab. The antithesis of all we ever believed. / '''Rahab:''' Does it matter? We were lost. He saved us. / '''Raziel:''' Saved us? From what? / '''Rahab:''' From ourselves.</ref> Raziel defeats Rahab and absorbs his soul, then crosses the Lake of the Dead to the abandoned fortress of his brother Dumah. The Elder God explains that the Dumahim vampires were scattered following an invasion of human hunters. Raziel eventually finds Dumah shackled to his throne with his heart pierced.<ref name="The Dumahim">'''Elder God:''' It was not Kain, but Dumah’s own arrogance that brought the downfall of his clan. These are human weapons, Raziel – believing themselves invincible, Dumah and his offspring failed to see an attack coming from the least likely assailants.... Complacent in their arrogance, they were taken by surprise, allowing the human vampire hunters to decimate their ranks with little resistance. The few that escaped have been reduced to scavengers. / '''Raziel:''' My brother, Dumah – a powerful warrior, in life. He would have burned with shame, to have me find him here like a stuck pig. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Raziel revives Dumah and leads him into a giant furnace, burning him alive and absorbing his soul.

=== Swimming ===

At first, water destroys his corporeal body in an instant, but after killing Rahab he gains the power to swim and dive in all bodies of water, excluding the Lake of the Dead.

Afterward, Raziel discovers the Oracle's Cave, where [[Moebius (Legacy of Kain)|Moebius the Time Streamer]] once hid the Chronoplast, a magical time machine. Raziel traverses the caves and finds Kain in the Chronoplast's control room. Raziel is angered over what he has learned but Kain says that his actions are justified due to being subject to [[destiny]],<ref name="Confrontation With Kain">'''Kain:''' As long as one of us stands, we are legion. And that is why when I must sacrifice my children to the void, I can do so with a clear heart. / '''Raziel:''' Very poetic, Kain, but in the end you offer no more than a convenient rationalization for your crimes. / '''Kain:''' These chambers offer insight for those patient enough to look – in your haste to find me, perhaps you have not gazed deeply enough. Our futures are predestined. Moebius foretold mine a millennium ago. We each play out the parts fate has written for us. We are compelled ineluctably down pre-ordained paths. Free will is an illusion. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> and when Raziel confronts him over transforming the Sarafan into vampires, Kain scoffs at his perception of them as noble crusaders defending Nosgoth.<ref>'''Raziel:''' I have been to the Tomb of Sarafan, Kain. Your dirty secret is exposed. How could you transform a Sarafan priest into a vampire? / '''Kain:''' How could I not? One must keep his friends close, Raziel, and his enemies closer. Can you grasp the absurd beauty of the paradox? We're the same, Sarafan and vampire. With our holy wars, our obsession with Nosgoth's domination, who better to serve me than those whose passion transcends all notion of good and evil? / '''Raziel:''' I will not applaud your clever blasphemy. The Sarafan were saviors, defending Nosgoth from the corruption that we represent. My eyes are opened, Kain. I find no nobility in the unlife you rudely forced on my unwilling corpse! / '''Kain:''' You may have uncovered your past, but you know nothing of it. You think the Sarafan were noble? Altruistic? ''[chuckles]'' Don't be simple. Their agenda was the same as ours. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Raziel attacks Kain while the latter continues to adjust the Chronoplast's controls. Although Raziel eventually gains an advantage, the Chronoplast activates, and Kain escapes through a time portal, beckoning Raziel to follow. Raziel complies, ignoring warnings from The Elder God. At the end of the game, Raziel emerges from the timeslip and is greeted by Moebius.

=== Force Projectile ===

''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver'' ends on a [[cliffhanger]] by showing a postscript, a verse where Moebius comments on the nature of time and his ability to "plunge the fate of planets into chaos", leading directly into the events of ''[[Soul Reaver 2]]''.<ref name="Ending">'''Kain:''' You nearly had me, Raziel. But this is not where, or how, it ends. Fate promises more twists before this drama unfolds completely. / '''Moebius:''' Raziel. Redeemer and destroyer, pawn and messiah. Welcome, time spanned soul. Welcome, to your destiny. {{cite video game|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |developer=Crystal Dynamics |publisher=Eidos Interactive |date=August 16, 1999 |platform=PlayStation}}</ref>

This enables Raziel to fire a projectile of energy at remote objects, perhaps to enable a switch, or at an enemy to attack them. Another very indispensable tool, and it works in both realms as well. A Turelim vampire grants this ability.

==Development==

=== Wall climbing ===

[[File:SoulReaverEarlyConcept.JPG|thumb|An early version of the [[Glyph]] menu during development]]

Certain walls in the Physical Realm have a specific texture that allow Raziel to dig his claws into them to scale. Areas otherwise impossible to access now become easy to get to. He attains this ability in the Silenced Cathedral after defeating Zephon.

''Soul Reaver'' entered development alongside ''[[Blood Omen 2]]'' in 1997 and focused on puzzle solving instead of ''Blood Omen 2''{{'}}s action.<ref name="Dev.Diary">{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Lemarchand|title=Legacy of Kain: Defiance Designer Diary #1|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=October 23, 2003|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/legacy-of-kain-defiance-designer-diary-1/1100-6077249/|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-date=2016-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411205555/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/legacy-of-kain-defiance-designer-diary-1/1100-6077249/|url-status=live}}</ref> During design, the development team created larger areas that could be explored more thoroughly as Raziel acquired new powers, avoiding the "shallow[ness]" of ''Blood Omen''{{'}}s layout.<ref name="NextGen Preview">{{cite journal|date=November 1998|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Preview|journal=[[Next Generation Magazine]]|at=48–49|issn=1078-9693}}</ref> Crystal Dynamics based ''Soul Reaver'' on Silicon Knights' research of vampire mythology for ''Blood Omen''.<ref name="Dennis Dyack Interview">{{cite web |first=Phillip |last=Kollar |title=Denis Dyack on Story and Content in Games, Part 2 |website=[[1UP.com]] |date=March 17, 2003 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3166972 |access-date=2008-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730001755/http://www.1up.com/news/denis-dyack-interview |archive-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> Other aspects of the game, such as the idea of a fallen vampire who devoured souls, were inspired by the epic poem "[[Paradise Lost]]".<ref name="Dev.Diary" /> According to senior designer Richard Lermarchand the "look and feel" of the game was inspired by "stylish vampire flicks...like ''[[Blade (1998 film)|Blade]]'', ''[[Interview with the Vampire (film)|Interview with the Vampire]]'' and ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]''", as well as "the more arty renderings of the old black and white ''[[Nosferatu]]'' and a great film for the 80s called ''[[Near Dark]]''". Character and level designs were influenced by [[Islamic art]] and culture, [[anime]] and [[manga]], including ''[[Vampire Hunter D]]'' and the films of [[Hayao Miyazaki]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=6 April 2000 |title=In the hot seat with Crystal Dynamics |journal=[[Official Dreamcast Magazine (UK)]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |issue=7 |pages=96–97}}</ref>

The staff aimed to develop gameplay similar to ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' and used an upgraded version of ''[[Gex 3]]''{{'}}s [[game engine]] to generate the [[3D computer graphics|three-dimensional]] game world.<ref name="GP-127">{{cite magazine| magazine = [[GamePro]]| title = Soul Reaver: Kain's Legacy| issue = 127|date=April 1999| author = Scary Larry| pages = 40–41}}</ref><ref name="GI Review" /> The team developed its own [[Stream (computing)|streaming technology]] in order to minimize load times.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blog.playstation.com/2024/11/19/the-legacy-of-kain-series-retrospective-with-original-developers/|title= The Legacy of Kain series: retrospective with original developers |author= Staff |date= 2024-11-19| website= PlayStation Blog| publisher= Sony Interactive Entertainment|agency= |___location= |access-date= 2024-11-27|url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= }}</ref> According to Lemarchand, they also aimed to combine gameplay with storytelling in a similar manner to ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tH3TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA203|title=Atari to Zelda: Japan's Videogames in Global Contexts|first=Mia|last=Consalvo|date=April 8, 2016|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=9780262034395|via=Google Books|access-date=October 19, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819230250/https://books.google.com/books?id=tH3TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA203|url-status=live}}</ref> Amy Hennig, the game's director, likened the technological advance from ''Blood Omen'' to ''Soul Reaver'' to the evolution of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' series from the [[Super Nintendo]] to the [[Nintendo 64]]—bringing the franchise into [[3D computer graphics|3D]] while maintaining a similar style.<ref name="IASIG">{{cite web |first=Alexander |last=Brandon |url=http://www.iasig.org/pubs/interviews/eidosjh.shtml |publisher=IASIG |title=Interactive Composition Column 1.2 |access-date=2012-10-31 |archive-date=2012-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214185917/http://www.iasig.org/pubs/interviews/eidosjh.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Soul Reaver ===

After Raziel's first confrontation with Kain upon his return to the Physical Realm, the [[Soul Reaver]] shatters the instant Kain tries to strike Raziel down with it. Kain ponders the ramifications of this (which aren't full revealed until ''[[Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2|Soul Reaver 2]]''), and then takes off. The Soul Reaver's physical restraints were eliminated upon contact with Raziel, and now takes on its true form as a wraith blade; a "Soul Reaver" in the literal sense. In addition, the Soul Reaver is now permanently fused to Raziel's right arm, making it an extension of his own body. Down the road it gains elemental enhancements, like the power of flame.

Before ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s release, the relationship between Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics dissolved. Because their research was used, Silicon Knights filed an [[injunction]] to stop further promotion of the game.<ref name="SK-CD Dispute">{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Johnston |title=Knights Fight for Kain |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=April 19, 1998 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/knights-fight-for-kain/1100-2463492/ |access-date=2008-09-27 |archive-date=2016-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411205514/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/knights-fight-for-kain/1100-2463492/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Other delays pushed the release date from October 1998 to August 1999.<ref name="Delays">{{cite web |author=Gaming Intelligence Agency staff |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver ships |publisher=Gaming Intelligence Agency |date=August 15, 1999 |url= http://www.thegia.com/news/n990815a.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020423081207/http://www.thegia.com/news/n990815a.html |archive-date=April 23, 2002 |access-date=2008-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=1999-08-17 |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/17/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-6 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Crystal Dynamics|date=1999-08-16 |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |url=https://www.crystald.com/projects/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/|access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Crystal Dynamics |language=en}}</ref>

== Mission ==

While the obvious course of action for Raziel is to kill each of his brothers and eventually taken down Kain, there are much more important, and far-reaching, machinations being plotted. Not only does he begin to learn what happend to him and his brothers as the course of the story moves on, but starts to understand that the Elder God isn't being 100% honest with him. This becomes very apparent when Raziel confronts Kain for the final battle of this arc of the story, and Kain reveals that he is not the bad guy in all this. Kain slips into the time stream, and Raziel gives chase.

These delays forced Crystal Dynamics to cut significant game material, including additional powers for Raziel, a third battle with Kain, and an expanded Glyph system which would have given elemental powers to the Soul Reaver.<ref name="OPM Preview">{{cite journal|last=Griffiths|first=Daniel|date=February 1999|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Preview|journal=[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]|issue=42|pages=50–53}}</ref> In an interview, series director [[Amy Hennig]] stated that the development team split the original, much larger plans in two after realizing that they had "over-designed the game", given the constraints on time and data. This decision explains ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s [[cliffhanger]] ending and the appearance of originally planned material in later games.<ref name="Hennig Interview">{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Johnston |title=Soul Reaver Response |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=September 5, 1999 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/soul-reaver-response/1100-2460963/ |access-date=2008-05-07 |archive-date=2021-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225005812/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/soul-reaver-response/1100-2460963/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the split, Hennig explained that the team left unused components - such as extra power-ups and enemies - in ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s game engine to avoid unforeseen glitches that might have arisen from their removal.<ref name="GP-127"/><ref name="Hennig Interview"/>

Upon entering the time stream to follow, he meets the great puppet master of time, [[Moebius the Timestreamer]], who welcomes him to his destiny. It's only the beginning of what fate had in store for tragic character Raziel.

== Trivia =Audio===

[[Kurt Harland]] composed most of the music for ''Soul Reaver''; Jim Hedges handled the remaining audio. Harland remarked that, under Amy Hennig's direction, he programmed music to [[Dynamic music|change]] based on the current gameplay situation - for example, combat or swimming. This variation was accomplished through a custom [[Musical Instrument Digital Interface]] (MIDI) driver, which altered music based on signals from the game engine. Each vampire tribe had corresponding music; one tribe of vampires was associated with a slow, thumping theme to convey a sense of working machinery.<ref name="Audio Interview">{{cite interview |last=Hedges |first=Jim |last2=Harland |first2=Kurt |subject-link2=Kurt Harland |last3=Hennig |first3=Amy |interviewer=Brandon Alexander |title=The Eidos Interview |publisher=Interactive Audio Special Interest Group |url=http://www.iasig.org/pubs/interviews/eidosjh.shtml |access-date=2008-09-14 |archive-date=2012-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214185917/http://www.iasig.org/pubs/interviews/eidosjh.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> To further fit the music to the environment, the sound team consulted level designers regarding layout and appearance.<ref name="Audio Interview" /> Music from both ''Soul Reaver'' and ''Soul Reaver 2'' was released on a promotional soundtrack in 2001.<ref name="Soundtrack">{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=October 16, 2001 |title=Eidos packs in the extras with Soul Reaver 2 |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/eidos-packs-in-the-extras-with-soul-reaver-2/1100-2818096/ |access-date=2009-04-16 |archive-date=2021-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224140005/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eidos-packs-in-the-extras-with-soul-reaver-2/1100-2818096/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

* As episodic the story may be, there was a substantial amount of dialogue, story and characters that didn't make the final cut. Crystal Dynamics's grasp was beyond their reach, and had to cut a lot to make deadline. This explains a missing [[boss (video games)|boss]] encounter against one of his brothers, and two encounters with females that had heavy plot points. To make a full list here is futile, but here are the three major characters that didn't make the cut that would have filled in a lot of storyline gaps:

*'''Turel''', the 2nd oldest vampire brother, can be seen in the opening [[full motion video|FMV]], and you fight in his lands, but he is nowhere to be seen. Defeating him would have earned you an ''Enhanced Force Projectile'' attack. Instead, a Turelim underling, which was no stronger than a regular enemy, granted you the original ''Force Projectile'' attack. This was a last minute swap, which explains a lot of the head-scratching story gap. Turel's disappearence is later explained in Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

For the game's voice acting, Raziel was voiced by [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]], and [[Tony Jay]], who had provided the voice of Mortanius and other characters in ''Blood Omen'', voiced The Elder God. [[Anna Gunn]], [[Simon Templeman]] and [[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] reprised their roles from ''Blood Omen'' as Ariel, Kain and Moebius. Bell, Templeman and Jay also provided the voices of Melchiah, Dumah and Zephon, respectively, and [[Neil Ross]], who voiced Malek the Paladin and King Ottmar in ''Blood Omen'', voiced Rahab.<ref name="Voice Cast">{{cite web|title=Legacy of Kain:Soul Reaver Credits|publisher=[[Allgame]]|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21151&tab=credits|access-date=2008-10-29|archive-date=2014-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114110440/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21151|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*'''[[Ariel (Legacy of Kain)|Ariel]]''', the previous guardian of the ''Pillar of Balance'', was to make an appearance and explain to Raziel that the Soul Reaver is not powerful enought to defeat Kain. Only by striking her down would the weapon gain its full power. In addition, Kain was to know of this and taunt Raziel about it. This plot point is slightly changed and used in Legacy of Kain: Defiance (Where every past Balance Guardian, not just Ariel, appears and charges the Soul Reaver with energy, purifying it)

*'''The Priestess''', who leads a clan of vampire-worshippers, would have granted Raziel the ability to possess other beings upon her defeat.

==Release==

===Marketing===

''Soul Reaver'' was showcased at the 1998 [[E3]], where attendees were given free demo discs.<ref>{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Klepek|title=10 Years of Attending E3|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2457292/direct-from-sf-e3/|publisher=MTV.com|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307030727/http://www.mtv.com/news/2457292/direct-from-sf-e3/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Over time, further demo discs were released, including one bundled with ''[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|Official PlayStation Magazine]]''. ''Soul Reaver'' was released for the PC and Sony PlayStation in 1999 and for the Dreamcast version in 2000. The Dreamcast version used a much higher [[frame rate]] than did the PlayStation or PC version, and the Dreamcast port had further graphical enhancements. A Japanese release for the game was planned, but canceled.<ref name="Release Info">{{cite web |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Release Summary |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/legacyofkainsoulreaver/similar.html?mode=versions |access-date=2009-04-22 |archive-date=2010-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603053402/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/legacyofkainsoulreaver/similar.html?mode=versions |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, ''Soul Reaver'' was added to Sony's "Greatest Hits" list,<ref name="Greatest Hits List">{{cite web |author=IGN Staff |title=PlayStation Greatest Hits: Complete List |website=IGN |date=January 9, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/10/playstation-greatest-hits-complete-list |access-date=2009-03-30 |archive-date=2013-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310011242/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/10/playstation-greatest-hits-complete-list |url-status=live}}</ref> and the combined, global sales of its PlayStation, Dreamcast and computer versions surpassed 1.4 million units by late 2001.<ref name=ops2sales>{{cite journal |title=''Soul Reaver 2'' | author=Faragher, Steve |issue=14 |date=December 2001 |pages=115, 116 |journal=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK#Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine|Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine]]}}</ref> Sony later re-released the game for [[Digital distribution|digital download]] on the [[PlayStation Network]] in 2009.<ref name="PSN">{{cite web |first=Grace |last=Chen |title=PlayStation Store Update |publisher=PlayStation.blog |date=November 19, 2009 |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/19/playstation-store-update-112/ |access-date=2009-11-20 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715081152/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/19/playstation-store-update-112/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Eidos Interactive]], the game's publisher, spent US$4,000,000 on a pre-release advertising campaign, which included magazine articles, television ads, and a [[tie-in]] comic book published by [[Top Cow Productions]].<ref name="Marketing">{{cite press release|title=Highly-Anticipated 'Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver' Looks to Take a Bite at the Electronic Game Charts This August|publisher=[[Business Wire]]|date=July 29, 1999|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Highly-Anticipated+%60Legacy+of+Kain%3A+Soul+Reaver'+Looks+to+Take+a+Bite...-a055290555|access-date=2008-09-15|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102840/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Highly-Anticipated+%60Legacy+of+Kain%3A+Soul+Reaver%27+Looks+to+Take+a+Bite...-a055290555|url-status=live}}</ref> Because such films like ''[[Stir of Echoes]]'', ''[[The Sixth Sense]]'', ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]'' and ''[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]]'' had premiered earlier in 1999, ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s release was considered "ideally timed" for a horror-oriented game. The lack of load times was a key marketing point praised by several reviewers.<ref name="Marketing"/><ref name="US News and World">{{cite journal|last=Terrell|first=Kenneth|date=October 26, 1999|title=Scream if you love vampires|journal=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|volume=127|issue=16|issn=0041-5537|at=69}}</ref><ref name="DreamcastRelease">{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Simmons |publisher=TotalVideoGames |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Preview |url=http://www.totalvideogames.com/articles/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_879.htm |access-date=2008-09-15 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104235814/http://www.totalvideogames.com/Legacy-of-Kain-Soul-Reaver/preview-874.html |archive-date=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After release, Eidos and BBI partnered to release [[action figure]]s of Raziel and Kain.<ref name="Playthings">{{cite journal|last=Gerardi|first=Dave|date=April 2001|title=Pixel properties|journal=[[Playthings (magazine)|Playthings]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|volume=99|issue=4|at=53|issn=0032-1567}}</ref>

====ESRB rating====

The PlayStation version of the game initially received a Teen rating from the [[ESRB]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/cover-art/gameCoverId,22059/|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999) box cover art|website=MobyGames|access-date=2019-05-08|archive-date=2019-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508032513/https://www.mobygames.com/game/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/cover-art/gameCoverId,22059/|url-status=live}}</ref> but this version's rating was increased to Mature when it was released as a [[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|Greatest Hits]] title,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebay.com/p/2899|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (Sony PlayStation 1, 1999) for sale online|website=eBay|access-date=2021-10-19|archive-date=2021-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227184928/https://www.ebay.com/p/2899|url-status=live}}</ref> which is also retained with its PSN reissue. The Dreamcast port of the game had always been rated Mature.

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews

| GR = PS: 88%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197763-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for PlayStation |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2020-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013651/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197763-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />PC: 78%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/142681-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2020-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011529/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/142681-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />DC: 88%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197762-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for Dreamcast |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2020-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013645/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197762-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

| MC = PS: 91/100<ref name="Metacritic Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for PlayStation Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2009-04-07 |archive-date=2010-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119054611/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver |url-status=live}}</ref>

| Allgame = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllGame Review">{{cite web|first=Jonathan |last=Licata |title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21151&tab=review |access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209215139/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21151&tab=review |archive-date=2012-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

| CGW = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="CGW Review">{{cite magazine|date=January 2000|title=Quick Hits|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|issn=0744-6667|at=134}}</ref>

| Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge review"/>

| GI = 8.5/10<ref name="GI Review">{{cite magazine|last1=McNamara|first1=Andy|last2=Anderson|first2=Paul|last3=Reiner|first3=Andrew|date=September 1999|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=77|pages=14–15}}</ref>

| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="Gamespot Review"/>

| IGN = 9.3/10<ref name="IGN Review"/>

| NGen = PS: {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="NGv2n2"/><br />SDC: {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="NextGen DC Review"/>

| OPMUK = 9/10<ref name="OPM Review">{{cite journal|last=Griffiths|first=Daniel|date=March 1999|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|journal=[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]|issue=43|pages=82–87}}</ref>

}}

Daniel Erickson reviewed the PlayStation version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Difficult puzzles and the omission of a map make this stylized game for hardcore adventure-gamers only."<ref name="NGv2n2">{{cite magazine|last=Erickson|first=Daniel|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=2|issue=2|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=October 1999|page=113}}</ref>

''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s dark and gothic atmosphere was generally well-received, and several publications praised the game's [[cut scene]]s.<ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Gamespot Review"/><ref name="GP-127"/> [[IGN]]'s reviewer called it "such an ambitious game – and one that achieves nearly everything it sets out to do – that few games come close to it", and praised the soundtrack for blending with the atmosphere unobtrusively.<ref name="IGN Review"/> The Dreamcast port was cited as "perhaps one of the best looking console games ever made".<ref name="IGN Dreamcast Review">{{cite web|last=Dunham|first=Jeremy|website=IGN|date=January 26, 2000|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/27/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-review|access-date=2009-04-07|archive-date=2012-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109142302/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/27/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-review|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Next Generation Magazine]]'' echoed this, stating that, "even if you own the PlayStation version, you may want to rent this anyway", but expressed disappointment that no new features were added to the Dreamcast port.<ref name="NextGen DC Review">{{cite journal|date=May 2000|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|first1=Chris|last1=Charla|journal=[[Next Generation Magazine]]|volume=3|issue=5|issn=1078-9693|page=96}}</ref> [[Allgame|AllGame's]] reviewer called the cut scenes "seamless", and their frequency neither too high nor too low.<ref name="AllGame Review"/> The game's storyline was praised by ''[[Game Informer]]'' as being "grim and interesting".<ref name="GI Review" /> ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s voice acting was also highly praised; [[GameSpot]] ranked this aspect of the game in its list of top ten "Best Voice Acting in Games".<ref name="Gamespot List">{{cite web|first=James |last=Cheung |title=The Best Voice Acting in Games |website=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/tenspot_voiceacting/page1.html |access-date=2008-09-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831172217/http://www.gamespot.com/features/tenspot_voiceacting/page1.html |archive-date=2011-08-31}}</ref> GameSpot also considered the atmosphere as rich as that of ''Blood Omen'', yet less dramatically overstated, and considered the graphics "among the best that have ever been on the PlayStation."<ref name="Gamespot Review"/>

''[[GamePro]]'' praised the aspect of shifting between realms, particularly the visual effects involved.<ref name="GP-127"/> Similarly, ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' described the transition between realms as a "complex and inspired piece of design", noting that it makes players think on different levels and consider "each room as two rooms, the answer to a puzzle possibly existing in either."<ref name="Edge review">{{cite magazine |title=Soul Reaver |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=73 |pages=78–79 |date=July 1999}}</ref> However, the magazine criticized the save system for occasionally forcing players to replay large sections of the game to get to new areas.<ref name="Edge review"/> IGN stated that acquiring and learning the powers of Raziel's brothers constituted part of the fun, and that Raziel's moves were well animated and articulated.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Finding minimal difficulty in using camera controls, GameSpot likened them to those of ''[[Banjo-Kazooie (video game)|Banjo-Kazooie]]'' and stated that players would want to adjust the camera deliberately to watch Raziel's movements.<ref name="Gamespot Review"/> Presenting differences between Soul Reaver and the [[Tomb Raider|''Tomb Raider'' series]], AllGame stated that the game's puzzles would challenge "all but the most experienced gamers",<ref name="AllGame Review"/> while ''Game Informer'' considered the puzzles "difficult-to-the-point-of-insanity".<ref name="GI Review" /> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' enjoyed the devouring of souls.<ref name="CGW Review" />

Website reviewers deemed ''Soul Reaver''{{'}}s gameplay too non-linear and its objectives too unclear.<ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Gamespot Review"/><ref name="AllGame Review"/> GameSpot criticized the warp system for using confusing symbols that did little or nothing to indicate the warp's destination, and weighed the fun of impaling vampires with the Soul Reaver against the lack of challenge presented by bosses and most enemies.<ref name="Gamespot Review"/> ''Next Generation Magazine'' considered the game challenging due to "difficult puzzles and lack of a map", requiring the player to backtrack.<ref name="NextGen DC Review"/> ''[[The Tampa Tribune]]'' also criticized the camera controls, though noted that the "auto-facing" feature made the difficulties negligible.<ref name="Tampa Tribune">{{cite news|date=March 10, 2000|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (Eidos)|work=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|issn=1042-3761|at=38}}</ref> ''[[PC Zone]]'' criticized the PC port of the game for "chunky" graphics and bad camera controls, stating "it feels too much like a PlayStation release ported hurriedly on to the PC".<ref name="PC Zone">{{cite journal|title=Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Review|journal=PC Zone |issue=81|date=October 1999|url=https://archive.org/stream/PC_Zone_Issue_081_1999-10_Dennis_Publishing_GB#page/n77/mode/2up/search/kain|page=79}}</ref> ''Computer Gaming World'' similarly felt that the limitations of the PlayStation carried over in the PC port, rendering the latter's visuals "mind-numbingly boring".<ref name="CGW Review" /> The publication praised the [[Lucifer]]-based story for engaging players, but was disappointed that "it peters out in an unsatisfying climax".<ref name="CGW Review" /> ''Game Informer'' stated, "Even after years in development, ''Soul Reaver'' doesn't feel finished. It feels rushed."<ref name="GI Review" /> [[1UP.com]] ranked ''Soul Reaver'' second on its "Top 5 Games That Ended Halfway Through", stating "it's pretty clear that the plot would have been a lot different if the money hadn't inconveniently run out."<ref name="1Up Top 5 List">{{cite web|title=Top 5 Games That Ended Halfway Through |last=Sharkey |first=Scott |website=[[1UP.com]] |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3171873 |access-date=2009-04-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206045522/http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-games-ended-halfway |archive-date=2012-12-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] placed ''Soul Reaver'' at #4 on a 2007 list of the top seven video game apocalypses, regarding the post-apocalyptic Nosgoth as "one of the most fascinating wastelands we've ever explored".<ref name="GamesRadarApoc">{{cite web|first=Mikel|last=Reparaz|title=The Top 7... Apocalypses|date=16 October 2007|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-apocalypses/3/|access-date=2010-10-02|page=3|archive-date=2021-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225061731/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-apocalypses/3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver'' for "Console [[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure]]/[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Role-Playing]] Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2000&idGame=517 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver |website=interactive.org |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref>

==Notes==

{{notelist}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

*{{moby game|/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver}}

*[http://www.thelostworlds.net/index.html Legacy of Kain: The Lost Worlds]

*[http://www.eidos.com Eidos official site]

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