Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain was and still is a great moment in Playstation history. The best Vampire game since Castlevania.
After two years in the making we finally have a follow up to Kain's legacy. This episode is a different style of game and a bit less gory.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is with out a doubt one of the best games on the Playstation this year and well worth the wait.
The only plot element I will reveal to you is that Kain from the first game is now the villain. You play as Razel a creation of Kain's. After Kain destroys Razel he becomes even more powerful as a mercenary from the underworld. Razel can transport himself back and forth from the dimension of the dead and the living.
Graphically its amazing on the Playstation and even more so on the new enhanced Dreamcast version. The Dreamcast edition is not a complete remake, its more of a port over with graphic enhancements.
The graphic changes on the Dreamcast bring us a better view of Razel and all these dark characters. More detail in the backgrounds and lighting effects.
The Dreamcast version of Kain received a M (mature) rating versus the Playstation's original T (teen) rating due the clearer picture and visible depiction of violence.
The story is excellent and the narrator sounds as creepy as the games gothic look. The control is almost perfect. Except for the camera angles sometimes getting in the way, like in most platform games.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is a true legend in its own time. Its good to have a game that's a little on the dark side. For those of you who have already played the PSX version and are pondering a stab at the Dreamcast edition. Keep in mind that this is just a port over. Improved graphics does not mean better game play, or new game. None the less, its a wonderful edition to the Dreamcast library.
PUBLISHER: EDIOS / CRYSTAL DYNAMICS
PLAYSTATION / DREAMCAST
GRAPHICS: 9 / 9.5
MUSIC & SOUND: 9 / 9
CONTROL: 9 / 8
SECRETS: 7 / 7
ORIGINALITY: 9.5 / 7
FUN & REPLAY: 7 / 7
OVERALL: 9.5 / 9