Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

1999 · Action-Adventure · PlayStation

Overview

Soul Reaver (1999) is Amy Hennig's Crystal Dynamics action-adventure, in which the wraith Raziel shifts between material and spectral realms to take revenge on Kain, with no loading times.

Deep Dive

Raziel, once Kain's vampire lieutenant, is killed by Kain and revived by the Elder God as a soul reaver. Shifting between the material and spectral realms changes the layout and what can be used, which drives the puzzles. Combat is hack-and-slash, and Raziel takes his brothers' powers after defeating them.

Developer Story

Hennig directed, co-wrote and co-designed it, with music mostly by Kurt Harland. Delays forced cuts, including extra powers and a third battle with Kain. It came out in August 1999 and scored 91 on Metacritic; critics loved its atmosphere and voice acting but found the play repetitive.

Did You Know?

Hennig said the team had "over-designed the game" and split the story in two, which explains its cliffhanger.
It is set 1,500 years after Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain.