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In 1999, we were given, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. It was a sequel to an obscure game with the same game, which was released in 1996. Over the course of the years however, Blood Omen had been growing popularity, this quiet gem which was made so long ago, with no chance for a sequel. Until...
Soul Reaver moved the world on Nosgoth into 3D. Gone now, were the ugly FMVs, and in place was the epic opening to a game which gave Tomb Raider fans something Lara Croft didn't: an easy to control character, great puzzles, execellent story, blood and violence, and no loading times. The impact of Soul Reaver was huge, and it attracted whole new people to the series. So, what exactly is the game like?
It's been a good 3 years since it's original release, but the game is still very impressive. It's graphics are sound, and present to us large buildings and curving landscape of the damned lands of Nosgoth. The graphics are quite balanced, there is no real amazing change in each character, however main characters (ie, Raziel, Kain) are developed more better than basic enemies. Not too big a problem, but worth noting. The enviroments, however, are the great drawcard for the games graphics. Epic in scale, stunning architecture, monolithic mountains, it's absolutely stunning.
The 'no in game loading' is a great feature. In some cases frame rate will drop slightly, but that is a problem which usually corrects itself. You think about it. No loading inbetween cutscenes. Or going through doors. Or when you shift into the spectural realm, watch as the walls around you contort in shape, as pillars push back into walls and floors melt and curve it's original shape. The end result, is a twisted reality to what is real. Your character, Raziel, is now a Soul Reaver, instead of drinking the blood of your enemies for health, you 'devour their souls'. In the material realm, where all the vampires are, you'll have to sustain yourself, and if you lose all your health, you'll shift back into the spectural realm, where you must heal (in the spectural realm, you don't need to sustain your health, it'll heal over time) and find a portal which will allow you to transport back into the material realm. In some cases of puzzles and areas you have to pass in Soul Reaver, it would require you to transfer between the two realms to go forward. (The spectural realm contorts in shape, and where there is no path, in the spectural realm, a path might appear.)
The gameplay itself is superb. Your character isn't difficult to control, he moves nimbly, and jumps fast and high. Raziel's ability to glide is a great feature, and the 'hold the R1 button down, attack mode is simple and none complicated. (This allows you to shift to and from battles as quickly as possible, it's not a complicated procedure.) When you lock onto enemies, you are able to unleash a multiple of attacks, and once you've beaten your vampire foe to a bloody pulp, impale him on your staff, and replenish your health on his hovering soul. Simple, yet satisfying. There are simple tricks you can play on your vampire enemies, like sniping them from afar with the various staffs or javlens you acquire across the game.
The puzzles over the course of the game are quite involved and take a while to complete. However, it's very satisfying completeing these, (and at the end of the game you'll be looking at cubes with a new perspective).The in game music is another great piece of the game which adds great modds to the whole experience.
Fans of the original game will be pleased with the voice cast in this sequel. Though there was great controversy over the fact that Crystal Dynamics were creating the sequel alone, (where the first game was a callaboration between Silicon Knights, Activision and Crystal Dynamics), but the level of detail and beauty to Soul Reaver shows a definate dedication to Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. Raziel, the lead character, is played with such talent and crisp wording by Michael Bell, whos talents have been lent in shows such as Star Trek: Next Generation, Transformers, and even recently as Medivh in Warcraft III. And the return of Simon Templeman as the now philosphically evil, Kain. Simon Templeman enjoyed playing Kain so much, that according to sources, he signed up for the role as Kain even before Soul Reaver began construction. Anna Gun returns to give the voice of Ariel, the former Balance Guardian, and acts as a further guide to Raziel. Tony Jay returns to the series, a voice actor famous for his role as Megabyte in the series Reboot, but it's not the role of Mortanius he portrays, it's the voice of the Elder God. Richard Doyle, the voice of the manipulative Moebius returns for another bout as the Time Streamer, and a new cast member, Neil Ross, plays the voice of Rahab. Michael Bell also plays the voice of last born vampire brother, Melchiah, Simon Templeman, the arrogant and derranged Dumah, and Tony Jay, the twisted over-evolved Zephon. Richard Doyle also portrays Turel's Tomb Guardian liuetenant. The cast list is astonishing, and the story progresses at a fantastic rate.
The bad points of this game is the upgrades. The magic spells, Glyphs. Though they look great, they aren't really worth it, and it doesn't effect the game at all if you get them all or not. However, the journey of finding them and completing the challenge to get them is worthwhile. Some people complain that the game lacks direction, because it is too open and free, however, it is this freedom which gives gamers a whole new experience. Exploring Nosgoth and finding the secrets for yourself, it's great. The 'pie' upgrades are neat, and is the really the only upgrade you might actually need as the game progresses. You have to collect 5 pieces of a circle emblem, (let's call 'em pieces of pie) to 'augment' your health bar. There is four lots of pie in total, 20 pieces, better start looking!
The music is stunning, and changes for each area, but the music itself never stops playing, it will merely morph into the next area's theme. The music never becomes monotonous and reptitive, however, suitible background music you never tire of. The game is generally dark, and is difficult to play if you live in a bright room. The game is most effective at night time, and fun to play. This is one for the record books, good graphics, no loading times, great voice acting, probaly the best in any game up until Soul Reaver 2, stunning story, amazing bad guys, radicle twists, and an unforgetable 'cliff-hanger' ending. No matter what anyone says, it doesn't ruin the whole game, if you're new to the series. Why? Because the sequels out, that's why!
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