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.
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
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is the final installment in a franchise that has become beloved by fans. With Portuguese translations, well-crafted music, and a new lighting and texture system, you can even relive the original experience with a single click, making this vampire series a truly worthwhile experience to try today.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is more than the return of a beloved classic; it marks the long-awaited revival of one of gaming’s most ambitious, mature, and narratively accomplished franchises. More than two decades after its original release, Defiance remains a striking reminder of what set Legacy of Kain apart from many of its contemporaries. Its intricate narrative, richly realised cast, and uniquely oppressive vision of Nosgoth continue to resonate, while the improvements introduced in this remaster make the experience significantly more accessible to modern audiences. The revised camera system, refined controls, enhanced presentation, and wealth of archival material collectively strengthen the package, without compromising the identity of the original work. Not every aspect has aged gracefully. The absence of modern navigational aids can, at times, make progression feel unnecessarily opaque, while parts of the archival bonus content remain locked behind premium editions. These shortcomings, however, are ultimately minor when weighed against the significance of what has been preserved here. More than twenty years later, the story of Kain and Raziel remains one of the most compelling and thematically ambitious narratives the medium has produced. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered does more than revisit a classic; it reaffirms its place among gaming’s most important storytelling achievements. Above all, it serves as a timely reminder that few fantasy worlds have ever felt as rich, as distinctive, or as enduring as Nosgoth.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a good remastering operation, with some pleasant innovations for a chapter appreciated by fans of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review