The Legacy Of Kain Series Is Officially Back With Two New Games Coming This Year

The Legacy of Kain series is GOATed as far as I'm concerned. I started with Blood Omen on the PS1, but it wasn't until three years later, with Soul Reaver, that I was hooked.

Sadly, after 2003's Defiance, the series mostly remained dormant, aside from one canceled multiplayer game. Now, it's coming back in a big way thanks to Crystal Dynamics.

Including Cut Content

If you're not familiar with the series, 2003's Defiance was the culmination of the narrative involving the wraith Raziel and the vampire Kain, continuing the storyline that began in 1996 with Blood Omen. By playing the 2024 Soul Reaver re-releases and Defiance, you'll get an encapsulation of the relationship between the two, who are the two key lore figures of the series.

The Defiance remaster is due out on March 3 on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch 1/2, Xbox, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store). It'll cost you $24.99 for the standard edition, $29.99 for the deluxe edition, and $44.99 for the "Heart of Darkness Edition," which includes another game. It's published by Crystal Dynamics, and developed by Bit Bot Media in association with FreakZone Games.

What Do You Get With The Defiance Remaster?

Fortunately, we already have a ton of details as to what that extra cash nets you. Crystal Dynamics told Screen Rant that this is the “full remaster treatment," with the following improvements:

• Remastered graphics and lighting
• Overhauled intro and ending cinematics
• Remastered audio and new music player
• Improved controls and HUD
• Combat tutorial for new players
• Photo mode
• Achievements/Trophies
• Cheat Menu
• New Localizations
• Lost Levels bonus content
• Additional Arcane Tome collectibles
• Completely overhauled camera
• Local level maps
• Improved 3D lore map
• Player character skins

Dark Prophecy is somewhat of a mystery element for fans, and Crystal Dynamics told us that internally it was even coded as "Legacy of Kain] LOK 6." While it's not returning to its full glory here, you will be able to play a "recreated" version using game code, concept art, and designs. Finally, there's a "Heart of Darkness Edition," which includes:

• Legacy of Kain: Ascendance
• An Ascendance-themed skin pack for Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, and
• The pre-order exclusive “Defiance Remastered Shifter Skin Pack"

Ascendance Is A New Retro-Inspired Legacy Of Kain Game

With Blended Art Styles

Shifting gears a bit, Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a brand new retro-inspired 2D platformer coming very soon. It's out on March 31 this year and priced at $19.99. Developed by Bit Boy Media and published by Crystal Dynamics, we'll follow four characters: two versions of Raziel (vampire and wraith), as well as Kain and the relative newcomer Elaleth from the recent Dead Shall Rise comic.

Fascinatingly, the game uses "blended styles," including retro pixel art and sprites, PS1-era 3D callback portions, and an anime-inspired hand-drawn set of cinematics. Taking place between Blood Omen 2 and the first Soul Reaver, the narrative will jump around a bit to recreate "iconic moments" from the franchise. The original voice cast is also returning for the project, including Michael Bell (Raziel), Simon Templeman (Kain), Anna Gunn (Ariel), and Richard Doyle (Moebius).

The Soul Reaver remasters were "the beginning of the revival," according to the studio. If you're a Legacy of Kain fan, there's more to come. Matt McCloskey, franchise general manager at Crystal Dynamics, told us to "expect further announcements of additional projects in the franchise in the spring."