Soul Reaver 2: The Legacy of Kain Series

by Crystal Dynamics

Product Features

• Encounter new enemies as you unearth the mysteries of Nosgoth's ancient races
• Expose the schemes behind the corruption of the Pillars and the vampire genocide
• Acquire new and improved Soul Reaver weapon enhancements, physical abilities and relics to interact with the environment and unlock the dark secrets of Nosgoth
• Devour the souls of new enemies including vampire hunters, Sarafan warrior-priests, and extra-dimensional demons
• Immerse yourself in a gothic realm of highly detailed architecture, and environments supported with an intriguing storyline, compelling voice-over, and no in-game loading times

Product Details

• ASIN: B00005B70K
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,950 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Soul Reaver 2, despite its name, is actually the third game in the Legacy of Kain series that debuted with Blood Omen on the PlayStation. It concerns a vampire named Raziel and his quest through time to destroy the evil blood-sucking vampire Kain. It's a complicated and confusing plot involving a mysterious being known as the Elder God, lots of dimensional and time travel, nods and references to the previous games in the series, and plenty of combat, puzzle solving, and adventure. You needn't have played the previous games to make sense of this title's plot (although it certainly helps), so newbies and series vets alike will find this a solid and well-built adventure.

The game is played in third-person perspective, and, like most games of that type, it features a lot of climbing, jumping, and puzzle solving through the fine art of pushing things, climbing on them, and exploring for powerful items. Raziel has access to all kinds of power-ups for his mighty weapon, the Soul Reaver sword that lets him suck the spirit energy from fallen foes (à la Elric of fantasy fiction fame). He can glide using his spirit wings and enter a shadowy spectral dimension at will that allows him to pass through certain barriers like a ghost.

The sword plays a much more central role to the gameplay than in previous installments. For one thing, you can now summon it at will, regardless of your health status. But there are also limits in place that keep you from overusing it. If you suck too many souls, it begins to draw power from you. This makes it important to balance the benefits of using it over other weapons, or even making Raziel use his claws. Raziel can no longer sneak up and kill foes without a fair fight, but combat in this game is more fun than in previous games, so consider that a push. Each enemy combatant fights well, making each fight something to enjoy rather than avoid.

The camera system, often the bane of games like this, is well done. It always keeps important things in front of you yet still delivers the goods, letting you see the artwork and animation in the game in all its glory. The graphics are quite a step up on the PlayStation2 and use most of its advanced features well, especially showcasing the detailed Gothic architecture and some of the advanced lighting effects. The sound, always a strong point in the Legacy of Kain games, is equally strong here, with good music and above-average voice acting.

Legacy of Kain fans are a passionate lot, caught up in the soap opera tale the series tells. Many unanswered questions are answered here, but new ones crop up, and some will be pleased to hear this third game also ends with a cliffhanger, meaning a fourth game is on its way. As a bonus, you'll find a short "making of" feature and some voice acting outtakes on the disc. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Excellent controls
• Stunning graphics

Cons:

• It's the shortest in the series
• The story may be too complicated for newbies

Product Description

Soul Reaver 2, despite its name, is actually the third game in the Legacy of Kain series that debuted with Blood Omen on the PlayStation. It concerns a vampire named Raziel and his quest through time to destroy the evil blood-sucking vampire Kain. It's a complicated and confusing plot involving a mysterious being known as the Elder God, lots of dimensional and time travel, nods and references to the previous games in the series, and plenty of combat, puzzle solving, and adventure. You needn't have played the previous games to make sense of this title's plot (although it certainly helps), so newbies and series vets alike will find this a solid and well-built adventure.

The game is played in third-person perspective, and, like most games of that type, it features a lot of climbing, jumping, and puzzle solving through the fine art of pushing things, climbing on them, and exploring for powerful items. Raziel has access to all kinds of power-ups for his mighty weapon, the Soul Reaver sword that lets him suck the spirit energy from fallen foes (à la Elric of fantasy fiction fame). He can glide using his spirit wings and enter a shadowy spectral dimension at will that allows him to pass through certain barriers like a ghost.

The sword plays a much more central role to the gameplay than in previous installments. For one thing, you can now summon it at will, regardless of your health status. But there are also limits in place that keep you from overusing it. If you suck too many souls, it begins to draw power from you. This makes it important to balance the benefits of using it over other weapons, or even making Raziel use his claws. Raziel can no longer sneak up and kill foes without a fair fight, but combat in this game is more fun than in previous games, so consider that a push. Each enemy combatant fights well, making each fight something to enjoy rather

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legacy of Kain remains the same......, April 16, 2001

By 

Mark A. Drake - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Reaver 2: The Legacy of Kain Series (Video Game)

I've been a fan of this series since Blood Omen, and I've loved both games that have came out. But, literally, this game blows away the competition.

First the graphics are a HUGE leap and will be some of the best for any game of any genre for any system to date. Raziel alone takes up more than 30,000 polygons! You can see every little grusome detail better thanks to the Playstation 2, and you're going to have to notice alot details to make it passed the puzzels.

You'll acquire new and improved Soul Reaver weapon enhancements, physical abilities, and relics to interact with the environment and unlock the secrets of Nosgoth. Encounter a whole load of new enemies including vampire hunters, vampires, Sarafan warrior-priests, spectral spirits, and extra-dimensional demons. Immerse yourself in a gothic realm of highly detailed architecture and environments supported with an intriguing storyline, in-game cinematic events and compelling voice-over.

No more pushing blocks around for Raziel, now to get access to certain areas you're going to have some thinking to do, while some tasks are quite obvious, some are not. And some require you to back-track, get a certain ability then return at a later point in the game.

If you liked Soul Reaver, you like Soul Reaver 2, that is, if you've got your playstation 2, if you don't, get one! Happy gamming.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes it's short but still great., November 13, 2001

By 

Bee (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Reaver 2: The Legacy of Kain Series (Video Game)

I almost feel compelled to defend Soul Reaver 2. When I wrote my first review for this game I had not beaten it yet. But now that I have finished the game I feel I can offer a defense for the game.

Yes it is a fairly short game. But really why does that matter? Would people rather have a game that's endless hours of boring game play (Dark Angel comes to mind) or a game that is not very long yet offers a compelling story line, fantastic gameplay and top-notch voice acting? There are plenty of games that you could purchase that would be longer in playing time, but not hold a candle to Soul Reaver 2's quality. And isn't that what we want as gamers, quality gaming?

Sure I wish the game would have been longer too, but that shortcoming doesn't make me wish I never purchased the game. The story line is so incredible that it ranks up there with some of the best games I have ever purchased. Yes Soul Reaver 1 was a longer game, but how many people got tired of the Drowned Abbey section of the game, or the pointless finding of the glyphs (they really had no bearing on the game). Soul Reaver 2 has less wondering around and gives you better direction on where to go and what to do.

Another knock on the game that I have read is that it is too much watching and not enough playing. I can understand this, but the story line is the driving force behind Soul Reaver 2. It's answering questions that span 2 previous games and tying in all the story lines. Which by the way they do fantastically.

So in my opinion this game is not a waste of your (money). Though it may be short, it is a lot of bang for your buck.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps delays arn't to bad., October 1, 2001

By 

J. Rhoades (Wyoming, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Reaver 2: The Legacy of Kain Series (Video Game)

I know many of us have been waiting for this game for a long time (from the moment I passed soul reaver 1), and now it has been delayed further. But the reasons for the delay excite me even more. Eidos said they woiuldn't release the game until it was 100% done. Unlike other companies who are ok with little problems here and there. They are making sure that the frame rate is extremely high everywhere in the game, the are guarenteeing that this will be the greatest game Ever made.

I hate waiting too, but I can wait for gaming perfection.