Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered Reviews
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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Review in Italian | Read full review
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
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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.
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 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
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Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered shows its age in places, with shallow combat, recycled environments, and some technical issues. However, its outstanding story, rich mythology, and charismatic performances from the lead characters still shine. The improved visuals, better camera, and generous bonus materials make this the best way to revisit a classic.
Review in Slovak | 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
A game for hunters of nostalgia. Rose-tinted spectacles can be a blessing and a curse. Yet, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered would need more than a positive outlook to overcome every problem. I think it is fun, but I adore the original. Therefore, it was always an easy sell. Yet, if you are expecting a modern aesthetic, smooth controls, and challenging combat, this will not be for you. However, if you love retro gaming, you should grab a copy from the Xbox store!
A brand new camera system, improved textures, and modern lighting effects are all noteworthy changes that deserve praises. The game also includes plenty of additional materials related to the lore of Nosgoth, plenty of behind the scenes production content, and even playable segments from a canceled sequel. However, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that these are once again locked behind a paid deluxe upgrade, which really shouldn’t be the case.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is, above all, an opportunity to rediscover a series that left a lasting impression on many players.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Although the team at PlayEveryWare tried to smooth over the flaws and shortcomings of Defiance Remastered, it’s hard to be entirely satisfied, as the abundance of pointless and unnecessary downloadable content can easily become overwhelming. The base game itself isn’t free of issues either, but it still fulfills the principle of being necessary and sufficient - more than enough for anyone who wants to finally see the story of Raziel and Kain through to its conclusion.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered feels less like a nostalgia grab and more like a genuine celebration. Not everything survives the passage of time—nor should we expect it to—but what truly matters is how this remaster restores dignity, context, and memory to one of gaming’s most daring and captivating sagas. Crystal Dynamics built a world unlike any other, a weave of destinies and philosophies that still has no real rivals. Seeing Kain and Raziel move, clash, and complete one another again brings back that rare feeling: the sense of witnessing a work that doesn’t just entertain, but demands to be remembered. This remaster isn’t perfect, yet it’s sincere—a love letter to Nosgoth and to those who never stopped hoping for its return. The extras, the archival care, the glimpse at what Dark Prophecy might have been: all of it turns this edition into a historical document as much as a game. A circle closing, yes, but still beating after twenty years, as only legends do.
Review in Italian | Read full review