Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered Reviews
I'm not trying to judge an old game by modern standards, but it's still worth remembering that the original is 22 years old, and it probably would've benefited more from a full remake than a remaster. So before jumping into a classic like this, it's important to keep its age and quirks in mind. That said, on a purely personal level, I still enjoy the gameplay of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver much more than what Legacy of Kain: Defiance offers.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Defiance Remastered makes earnest effort to present Defiance in the best light it could possibly be in, while also catering to both side of the often-divided remaster camp. The original experience as it was originally shown is still here, but those who want something a bit more tweaked will appreciate the little mod cons that the remaster provides. For that, it’s praises are worth singing. this is easily the best version of Legacy of Kain: Defiance that you can play. Warts and all.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is finally on modern consoles, bringing its entire mythos fully intact for audiences to sink their fangs into.
Legacy of Kain – Defiance Remaster stays close to the original and has received an appealing visual upgrade. However, the game design is unmistakably from 2003 and feels dated by today’s standards. When it comes to the story, the dialogue, and the way those dialogues are presented, the developers created a magnificent work back then that still stands the test of time in these areas. Fans can experience the finale of Raziel’s story again here in a polished form, but beyond that there aren’t many reasons to return to Nosgoth.
Review in German | Read full review
PlayEveryWare’s remaster shows a lot of respect for Defiance’s tone, improving upon its atmosphere with new lighting and textures, while also allowing players to freely pick and choose between its quality-of-life features. Touching up a classic is never easy, and while I do wish fewer corners were cut, especially when it comes to AI upscaling, I can’t deny that it does look great for the most part. It’s very clear that all of the remaster’s changes are well-intentioned and aim to modernize the game in optional ways, respecting those who prefer the original experience while also attempting to sand down some of its rougher edges.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered takes the best of the original title and strengthens its weaknesses. It might not be for everyone, but it's certainly an essential title for anyone who wants to experience a great narrative.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The remastered final installment of the Legacy of Kain saga, Defiance, has arrived. A solid remaster, on par with the original, that will leave no one indifferent.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you've been exploring the series for the first time thanks to the remasters, you're getting one of the most outstanding mainline titles in the franchise, and a deep dive into what made this game so special to begin with.
I still love the series and am keen to see it continue, but Legacy of Kain: Defiance just hasn't aged well and represents the very nadir of PS2-era action adventure games. The repetitive combat and uninspired level design grow tedious and the new additions are not particularly exciting. The use of AI upscaled textures helps explain the underwhelming nature of the graphical updates and is emblematic of a remaster that feels cheap. Considering the original game is still available on Steam and PlayStation, I'd suggest picking that up instead. Like so many modern vampires, this game's resurrection is more of a curse than a blessing.
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Legacy of Kain: Defiance is an overall decent remaster that does a great job of upgrading the game for a modern audience, especially with its brand-new camera. Everything else, unfortunately, is hit-and-miss. The visual upgrades are great in some areas and worse in others, and the additions of the Lost Levels leave a lot to be desired. While a solid game upon its original release, this remaster was the perfect opportunity to update and fix some of the game's more glaring issues with its sound design and some frustrating combat sequences.
An astonishingly ineffective attempt to remind people of Legacy of Kain's fame, doing nothing beneficial to freshen up an already rough product.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a debt paid and, in many ways, a success: not a miraculous resurrection, but a restorative treatment that brings a classic back to life and makes it playable again without having to hook up an old console to the TV.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Legacy of Kain series has sadly been one whose gameplay shortcomings have always kept it down, never truly escaping the confines of the world of cult classics. The same happened with the culmination of the franchise, which once again offered a story worth paying attention to…while everything else occasionally felt like an afterthought. Bad? Not even close. It was a thoroughly enjoyable action-adventure - just one that never quite reached its towering potential. That said, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered does a fine job at giving it a striking visual upgrade, as well as some much-needed tweaks and refinements, making it the best way to experience the finale(?) of Kain and Raziel’s dark saga.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered reanimates the final chapter of the saga starring Raziel, with new features that go beyond a new coat of paint and help make it a more accessible and pleasant experience than it originally was. At its core, however, it's still the same game from two decades ago.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a beautifully preserved gothic classic that prioritizes narrative depth and atmosphere. While some mechanics reveal their age, the storytelling and world-building ensure a compelling return to Nosgoth.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered brings the concluding instalment of Crystal Dynamic's gothic, operatic vampire story to the modern gamer.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a solid, albeit flawed, nostalgia trip that manages to feel particularly special thanks to its bundled in extras. With some revamped visuals and quality-of-life features, as well as brilliant bonus features like a playable demo of an unreleased entry in the series, cut levels, and lore documents to catch up on the narrative, it is a real treat for returning fans. I’d be lying if I said it was perfect – it can be clunky and the game’s age really can show in some aspects of its design – but it does exactly what it sets out to do: offer an exciting (and convenient) way to experience what was a top-notch release in the Legacy of Kain series.
Yes, this remaster has quite a few strengths, but at the same time you also get clunky controls, a camera that behaves like a rebellious teenager, and a combat system that (despite not being bad) does get boring after a while - it's an entertaining ride, but in 2026 you can't help but notice its age.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
It goes without saying that as a fan of Legacy of Kain, I’m holding my breath in regards to Ascendence, having little to go by besides the quick trailer that it’s got over the last few months. Still, having the opportunity to get reacquainted with the series through Legacy of Kain: Defiance and coming up for air after diving into so much bonus material, I’m hopeful that it’s all an indication that the actual new entry in the series will be worthwhile. It won’t be long now until we find out, I suppose.