Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered Reviews
If it hasn’t become abundantly clear by now, I adore the Soul Reaver games. With it’s stunning story, amazing writing and some of the most phenomenal and iconic voice acting and musical score in videogaming, these games - especially as a whole - are masterpieces of the medium that are as much art as they are entertainment. And having them all available om modern hardware in a more beautiful package is exactly what I’ve waited years for. Legacy of Kain Defiance Remastered rounds out the Soul Reaver saga with a gorgeous, layered package that is a must have for every collection.
On paper, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, much like every title in the franchise, doesn’t seem too special. Average gameplay is once again a plague on the stronger aspects, but it all just works together and presents an honestly outstanding title that is better than the sum of its parts. Some excellent quality of life changes, extra content to dive into, and a flawless framerate with beautiful HD textures manage to edge out some of the nastier aspects of this remaster, including its propensity to crash towards the later stages of the game. I now wait with bated breath for Blood Omen 1 and 2 to get equally as tasty remasters. Vae Victus.
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.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a welcome addition after the Soul Reaver games received the treatment. Though fans may wait for Blood Omen to have its moment, having this 2003 with a suite of upgrades could make it palatable for newcomers to be drawn into the Legacy.
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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The best way of checking out this PlayStation 2 classic in a new generation
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
The team didn't just slap an HD filter over the game; they recognized the structural flaws of the original release and meticulously fixed them. The new free camera and Foresight navigation rescue the game from its 2003 limitations, allowing the unparalleled voice acting, gothic atmosphere, and brilliant narrative to take center stage. While the Deluxe Edition pricing strategies sting and the combat remains a bit floaty, the sheer amount of love poured into this release makes it an absolute triumph. Crystal Dynamics has finally given us our Nosgoth back—now, it's time for a real continuation.