The Legacy of Kain series, and especially the Soul Reaver games, hold a unique and irreplaceable place in my heart. My journey with Raziel began when I was just a curious child rummaging through my stepfather’s CD collection, looking for something new to play. Among the stacks, I stumbled upon a disc full of game demos. Excitedly installing everything I could, one demo in particular captured my attention: Soul Reaver.

The blue-skinned character with glowing eyes, half his face covered, wielding a luminous blade that emerged from his hand—Raziel—fascinated me instantly. He wasn’t just a typical knight or human hero; he was a supernatural entity battling other creatures like himself. Controlling him gave me a sense of power and intrigue I’d never experienced before. That memory has stayed with me, etched into my soul, even after more than 20 years.

Years later, during middle school, a friend reminded me of the game, reigniting my passion. Once I discovered the title, Soul Reaver, I went to great lengths to obtain the full version. This marked the beginning of a lifelong love for the Legacy of Kain series. I devoured Soul Reaver 1 and 2, Blood Omen 2, and Legacy of Kain: Defiance. What captivated me most was the deeply intricate story, the well-crafted characters, the artistic voice acting, and, above all, Raziel himself.

Raziel isn’t just a character for me; he’s an icon of tragedy, strength, and destiny. His design, his sorrowful tale of betrayal, and his role in Nosgoth’s grand narrative are all reasons why he remains my favorite character of all time. Only a few others, like Simon "Ghost" Riley from Call of Duty, have come close to reaching his level in my heart—but Raziel stands unmatched.

Released in 1999, Soul Reaver is the second installment in the Legacy of Kain series and introduces Raziel, a once-proud vampire lieutenant in Kain’s service. Raziel surpasses his master by evolving wings, but Kain’s jealousy leads to a brutal betrayal. Cast into the Abyss and left to suffer for centuries, Raziel is resurrected by the Elder God as a wraith, tasked with devouring souls and seeking vengeance on Kain and his vampiric brothers.

Nosgoth, the game’s setting, is a hauntingly beautiful yet decayed world—a reflection of its fall from grace after Kain’s decision in Blood Omen to let the Pillars of Nosgoth crumble. The gothic architecture and apocalyptic atmosphere perfectly align with Raziel’s dark journey.

The game’s semi-open-world design was ahead of its time, encouraging exploration as Raziel gains new abilities by defeating his brothers. These powers gradually unlock previously inaccessible areas, creating a satisfying loop of discovery. The dual-realm mechanic—allowing players to shift between the physical and spectral worlds—is ingenious, adding depth to both exploration and puzzle-solving.

Speaking of puzzles, they are a significant part of the gameplay. While many are clever and rewarding, some feel repetitive, occasionally stalling the narrative momentum. Combat is straightforward, relying on environmental interactions to defeat enemies. Despite its simplicity, it remains engaging thanks to its creative use of the surroundings.

The narrative in Soul Reaver 1 serves as an introduction to Raziel’s story. It sets the stage for the larger conflict, making it feel more like a prologue to the grander tale explored in subsequent titles.

Soul Reaver 2 dives deeper into Nosgoth’s lore and shifts focus from revenge to self-discovery. Raziel’s journey becomes more philosophical as he grapples with destiny, free will, and the manipulative forces around him. The story introduces complex time-travel elements, expanding the scope of the Legacy of Kain saga.

However, compared to its predecessor, Soul Reaver 2 makes significant trade-offs that may disappoint fans of the original’s exploration-heavy gameplay. The semi-open world of the first game, with its interconnected environments and freedom to explore, is replaced by a far more linear structure. Players often find themselves running back and forth between points A and B across different timelines, which can feel repetitive and reduces the sense of adventure. The complete removal of collectibles further diminishes the exploration aspect, leaving players with little to focus on besides the story.

Another noticeable drawback is the lack of boss fights. In the first game, defeating Raziel’s vampiric brothers was not only a narrative highlight but also a rewarding gameplay challenge. Soul Reaver 2 replaces these encounters with a heavier emphasis on dialogue and cutscenes, which, while compelling, make the gameplay feel less dynamic.

That said, the environments are visually stunning, showcasing more variety than the first game. Combat remains simple and relies on environmental interactions, but its role is downplayed in favor of narrative progression. The realm-shifting mechanic continues to be a key feature, though its use leans more into advancing the story rather than solving puzzles.

For me, Soul Reaver is more than just a series of games—it’s a personal connection to a character and a world that shaped my love for storytelling and gaming. While both games have their imperfections—repetitive puzzles and simpler combat in the first, and linearity and lack of boss fights in the second—they excel in crafting a timeless narrative.

Raziel’s journey is a masterpiece of tragedy, betrayal, and redemption. His story, paired with Nosgoth’s rich lore and the incredible voice acting, creates an unforgettable experience. If you’re a fan of dark, gothic tales or complex characters, Soul Reaver 1 and 2 are essential experiences that stand the test of time.

The release of Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered was a dream come true for fans of the Legacy of Kain series, providing a chance to experience these beloved classics on modern systems. Developed by the same teams that handled the stellar remastering of Tomb Raider 1, 2, and 3 earlier in the year, expectations were understandably high. However, the results, while welcome, fell short of those lofty hopes.

Unlike the Tomb Raider remasters, which brought a massive visual overhaul while retaining the original games’ aesthetics and enhancing them with stunning new visuals, the Soul Reaver remasters feel more like enhanced editions than true remasters. The most significant improvements include:

Updated character models, especially for Raziel, whose updated design is breathtaking and brings his tragic form to life like never before.
Facial animations, a particularly noteworthy addition in Soul Reaver 1, which lacked these entirely due to the limitations of the original PS1 hardware.
Beyond these enhancements, the visual updates are minimal. While Soul Reaver 1 benefits from sharper textures and cleaner visuals, Soul Reaver 2—which was already a visual marvel in its time—shows only marginal improvement. The HD textures are welcome, but the minimal changes are strikingly apparent when switching between old and new graphics, particularly in Soul Reaver 2. This reveals just how impressive the original game was when it debuted.

Performance and Features
On the technical side, the remasters allow the games to run at unlocked framerates, higher resolutions, and with full compatibility on modern hardware. This is undoubtedly a relief for fans, ensuring the series’ accessibility for a new generation of players. The games are stable and perform seamlessly, which is a crucial win.

Missed Opportunities
However, the remasters miss the opportunity to bring these classics fully into the modern age. The absence of more extensive visual upgrades, improved environmental details, or revamped lighting systems makes the remasters feel like a missed chance to breathe new life into Nosgoth. Unlike the Tomb Raider remasters, which struck a near-perfect balance between nostalgia and modern appeal.