A sumptuous, dark and entrancing 3D adventure. Switching between physical and spirit worlds is brilliant, the writing is mature and puzzles inspired. An unfairly forgotten masterpiece.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player16+
Description
Raziel, a resurrected vampire, explores gothic chapels and underground cities to take revenge in this Eidos action game. Published by Eidos, released in Europe in November 1999. Action-adventure with Raziel draining enemies' souls, 2D and 3D exploration, puzzles and combat in gothic universes. European version.
Legacy of Kain - Soul Reaver review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
By Crystal Dynamics, Soul Reaver builds a gothic, decayed Nosgoth of ruined cathedrals and dizzying chasms. Its visual coup, the real-time shift between material and spectral realms that warps the architecture, elevates exploration. Organic textures, Raziel's gaunt silhouette and wan light form a dark, mesmerizing atmosphere.
Kurt Harland's score wraps Soul Reaver in dark, sepulchral ambient: cavernous synth pads, spectral choirs and dissonant textures that respond in real time to the shift between realms. This organic, evolving music makes Nosgoth's ruins breathe, sustaining a sacred unease and constant gravity. A sonic setting of rare coherence.
Written by Amy Hennig, the story follows Raziel, lieutenant to the vampire Kain, cast into the abyss and reborn as a vengeful soul-devourer. Shakespearean prose, masterful voice acting and themes of betrayal, fate and free will lift this dark fantasy far above the ordinary. Ambitious, memorable writing.
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver PAL is the European multilingual edition of Crystal Dynamics's Dreamcast port, distributed by Eidos. Collector value comes from the port's recognised quality (often cited as superior to PS1/PC versions on several technical aspects) and from the franchise's limited presence on Sega's console, making it a pivotal piece in a European DC action-adventure collection.
Is Legacy of Kain - Soul Reaver still worth playing in 2026?
A direct sequel to Blood Omen, Soul Reaver casts Raziel into a melancholic and brilliantly written Nosgoth. The flip between material and spectral planes is a strong mechanic that shapes both exploration and puzzles. Combat stays basic and the camera occasionally snags, yet the gothic atmosphere, the quality of the English voice work and the coherence of the world hold up admirably. A foundational work of narrative gaming worth rediscovering, provided its small period flaws are accepted today.
