Legacy of Kain: Ascendance
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance
Game
Game2026
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered
Developer Crystal Dynamics, PlayEveryWare
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a 2026 action-adventure video game developed by PlayEveryWare and published by Crystal Dynamics. It is a remastered and expanded version of Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003), the fifth entry in the Legacy of Kain series. It was released on March 3, 2026, during the franchise's 30th anniversary year. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
387 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
95
LovedLoved
228 positive · 11 negative
95% range 92–97%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 228 | 11 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 22 | 3 | 81 |
| Mastodon * | 6 | 2 | 15 |
| Lemmy * | 3 | 2 | 14 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
458 of 472 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
95% recommend · 231 yes, 11 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 242 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (737 of 764 positive).
Players praise the new camera perspective as a transformative improvement. [1][2][3] Many reviewers feel the remaster shows deep respect and passion for the original. [4][5][6] Some players note the gameplay is dated but the story and voice acting remain exceptional. [1][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [4]
This feels like a heartfelt tribute to the series and its devoted fanbase. The additions feel like a long-overdue gesture of goodwill toward the community that has kept the franchise alive for years. I really hope Crystal Dynamics is testing the waters before making a long-awaited return to Nosgoth once more. "Vae Victis... woe to the conquered!"
- [1]
The new third-person camera really makes this game far more playable. Gameplay-wise, this isn’t some God of War–level PS2 masterpiece. It’s a fairly average game from that era where you mostly work your way through empty hallways while fighting hundreds of enemies waiting for the next cutscene to play. However, the story, characters, and the Shakespearean writing by Amy Hennig make it a real treat to experience.
- [6]
This game goes above and beyond what a "remaster" is expected to do. It adds content, fixes complaints from the original release, restores optional cut content... It's like nothing I've ever seen. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is the rare occurrence where an officially released title is combined with unbridled passion comparable only to standout modder projects. From my understanding, the developer team …
- [7]
Well... it is a shinier version of an old toy. Doesn't bring the same joy as discovering the story for the first time. The combat mechanics are brain dead, the controls are flaky (both keyboard and gamepad). I played it with the hopes I will experience the story anew... granted I am 23 years older now. The story is great, you endure the gameplay for the story. Voice acting is unmatched til this day.
- [2]
The remade camera perspective alone makes this worth buying. Native ultrawide support, smooth framerate. Please give it a shot so we can possibly see a new mainline Legacy of Kain one day.
Summarised from 34 of the 372 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered talk about new camera makes the game far more playable; those who didn't talk about gameplay is average and combat is brain dead. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the PlayStation 5 and PC versions of Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered received "mixed or average" reviews, while the Xbox Series X version received "generally favorable" reviews. Individual scores ranged from the high 80s down to the low 50s. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 54% of critics. Reviewers widely praised the remaster for preserving the original game's strong narrative, intricate lore, and acclaimed voice acting. Richard Wakeling of GameSpot described the writing as "dramatic, evocative, and excellent," with remastered audio making the "phenomenal voice acting…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 387 · most liked firstFollow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 8 Steam codes for Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered (courtesy of @aspyr.com). Giveaway ends December 15th, 6 PM PT. Game is available now on Steam and consoles store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/...
neutral · AI labelView post →This feels like a heartfelt tribute to the series and its devoted fanbase. The additions feel like a long-overdue gesture of goodwill toward the community that has kept the franchise alive for years. I really hope Crystal Dynamics is testing the waters before making a long-awaited return to Nosgoth once more. "Vae Victis... woe to the conquered!"
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I never completed this game as a child because they were way too cryptic for me and now that I am adult.. it's still too cryptic for me.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Suppose you throw a coin enough times...suppose one day, it lands on its edge. Today the coin has landed on it's edge.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hello guys :) My favourite Video Game Series are : 🎮 Legacy Of Kain 🎮 Mass Effect 🎮 Resident Evil 🎮 Silent Hill 🎮 Dead Space 🎮 Fallout 🎮 The Elder Scrolls 🎮 Dark Souls 🎮 Metal Gear 🎮 Half Life 🎮 Tomb Raider 🎮 Quake #promosky #gamingsky #gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →The new third-person camera really makes this game far more playable. Gameplay-wise, this isn’t some God of War–level PS2 masterpiece. It’s a fairly average game from that era where you mostly work your way through empty hallways while fighting hundreds of enemies waiting for the next cutscene to play. However, the story, characters, and the Shakespearean writing by Amy Hennig make it a real treat to experience.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Worlds most c*nty vampire turns into a handsome skeleton, I got my motivation back at 10pm and played ozar midrashim on loop #legacyofkain #soulreaver #raziel #bloodomen
positive · AI labelView post →Wrote about the TWO new Legacy of Kain projects www.gamespot.com/articles/leg...
neutral · AI labelView post →Velociraptor has always been part of my fursona identity. Old artwork back from 2010 as proof! This was sort of my dark/alt side. The color scheme and jagged swirl is directly inspired by Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, which was a big game for me back in the day.
neutral · AI labelView post →Lost In Cult x @cookandbecker.bsky.social x Crystal Dynamics present: Legacy of Kain: The Book of Nosgoth official encyclopedia and Legacy of Kain: Scourge of the Sarafan tabletop role-playing game. Back now on @backerkit.bsky.social👇 bit.ly/LoKTTRPG
neutral · AI labelView post →Developer Interview: my Q&A with the creator of EmuReady. I've been lucky in my incessant poking at the developers of all kinds of gaming projects, programs and sites recently. I'm sure by now you'll know that I've done this with plenty of devs: from Heroic and Lutris, to RomM and RetroDECK. With plenty others as well. My aim is to chat to the people who create the things you all know and love, and might use yourselves. I feel that it can be rare to hear from those devs. Rare that they get…
neutral · AI labelView post →Another Legacy of Kain game is seemingly coming to modern platforms soon. vgc.news/news/another...
neutral · AI labelView post →In remembrance of my uncle. He introduced me to Soul Reaver in 2000/1 on his pc in his office. Nostalgia. Bought it during a free hour from high school at a local toy store in 2004. I still have it exhibited in my office now. Like a shrine.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Watch me play this game here: https://youtu.be/ixqBlHr2Q9I?si=D9jTqa-m-GnxENLT I Love This Remaster! Best Remaster of the Series! They Polished Everything! Lost Levels! Arena! Deluxe Surprise! Easter Eggs Oh My! Better POV, and you can switch on a whim, from 3rd person to cinematic, and when you do, it looks even more cinematic! The frame rate is outstanding, the graphics are outstanding, the choosing enemy during combat is outstanding, Tony Jay sounds better than ever, like Soul…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Chilling and Gaming! Join me this evening! Returning to Nosgoth after 2 years! Revived as a wraith! The game I been wanting to play on stream since I started streaming! Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver Remastered Artist @pandabeto.bsky.social www.twitch.tv/scintillavt
positive · AI labelView post →Game installers used to be art. #LegacyOfKain
neutral · AI labelView post →Jim Curry, writer on Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and Akuji: The Heartless, and marketing for Gex and more, has passed away. (Read more: Game Developer)
neutral · AI labelView post →The remade camera perspective alone makes this worth buying. Native ultrawide support, smooth framerate. Please give it a shot so we can possibly see a new mainline Legacy of Kain one day.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1+2 Remastered is by far the best way to experience the classic games, but suffers from lack of much needed tweaks to fix some of the older issues. Luckily, it's perfect to play on the #SteamDeck. A copy was provided by Aspyr for review. steamdeckhq.com/game-reviews...
neutral · AI labelView post →TL:DR - a tasteful improvement which respects on the original game. Is it mediorce by modern game standards? Yes. Is it still awesome after all these years? Yes, absolutely! I cannot express just how happy I am to return to one of my favorite childhood games after all these years. The updated camera and much, much needed controller support make playing it again a much more pleasureable experience than trying to boot and make the old one work. I'm only 3 chapters in, but I'm confident I'll…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game night! Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Remastered Question for you all! Pecs or Glutes? www.twitch.tv/scintillavt
neutral · AI labelView post →PlayStation Plus Game Catalog | September ▪️WWE 2K25 ▪️Persona 5 Tactica ▪️Fate/Samurai Remnant ▪️Green Hell ▪️Crow Country ▪️The Invincible ▪️Conscript PS Plus Premium ▪️Legacy of Kain: Defiance ➡️ blog.playstation.com/2025/09/10/p...
neutral · AI labelView post →One last Prime Gaming Giveaway.... ...before this account dies. Sorry for being so dramatic, but since my instance is closing down, i'll quickly give away some GoG codes I have lying around. Just mention which game you would want (and make sure you intend to play it) and also write one or two lines about some good gaming memories you would like to share. One game per account and account must be more than a week old. - Blood Omen 2 : Legacy of Kain - Wild Country - Mordheim: City of the…
neutral · AI labelView post →Chuck Zimmerheld @chucktowski.com reviews Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, the first original Legacy of Kain game in over 20 years. giantbomb.com/reviews/lega...
neutral · AI labelView post →With new legacy of Kain stuff being announced just wanted to share some of my fav pieces I’ve made over the years Genuinely one of my favourite game franchises and I’m glad to see it get the love it deserves #legacyofkain #soulreaver
positive · AI labelView post →The Lost in Cult Legacy of Kain encyclopaedia and role playing game are live on Backerkit! I am the writer for the TTRPG portion of this project www.backerkit.com/c/projects/l...
neutral · AI labelView post →The video game franchise Legacy of Kain is getting a *checks notes* TTRPG that uses *checks notes again* MORK BORG.
neutral · AI labelView post →One of the best remasters i have ever played in my entire life, not only whoever made it put some effort in. you can also play with a new camera mode or the OG one, nothing was cut or sanitized and it truly shows respect for the original game, it's a 10/10 in my book
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the other game of the year nominees didn't have Raziel from Legacy of Kain in their games. possible correlation?
neutral · AI labelView post →This was my first Vampire game I ever played as a child and from then I have loved the entire series. I hope they bring back this franchise. Once of the best worlds and characters to explore. Crystal Dynamic I know you love Tomb Raider but this Franchise deserves a new game to the series that has the same budget as Tomb Raider. Love the new camera angle. Feels like a whole new game but also very natural. Loved the Soul reaver 1 and 2 remake and cant wait to finish this as well!!! Thanks for…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Eidos Montreal was working on a 'Legacy of Kain' soft-reboot before the Embracer acquisition. The game was 1 year in development and got cancelled, the IP rights got transfared to Crystal Dynamics. insider-gaming.com/legacy-of-ka...
neutral · AI labelView post →That sounds a bit too optmistic. Sauce - https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2e/EGM_US_086.pdf , page 96 "[Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain] is expected to offer at least 120 hours of gameplay."
neutral · AI labelView post →The Remaster makes me enjoy the game even more. The new camera and graphics turn this masterpiece into a bigger one. Now we need a REAL Reboot of the series, starting with Blood Omen 1
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Crystal Dynamics just announced the first new Legacy of Kain game in 23 years (and another slick-looking Soul Reaver remaster, too) www.eurogamer.net/legacy-of-ka...
neutral · AI labelView post →We are so back!!! This is exactly what fans hoped for. After the 2 previous remasters made from ASPYR, Crystal Dynamics somehow managed to raise the bar even higher. The graphics are next level while still keeping the dark gothic atmosphere. But the real highlight for me is the free camera. After all these years it makes the game feel surprisingly fresh, improving exploration and combat in a big way. And of course, the voice acting is still phenomenal. The performances from Kain and Raziel…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There’s a 2D Legacy of Kain game coming out next week?!?
neutral · AI labelView post →What's a series you haven't played that you think you'd love? Legacy of Kain Always looked cool but never got around to it. Hope to someday :)
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm so glad to finally share Legacy of Kain: Ascendance! I worked on character animation and other pixel art with the incredible @freakzonegames.bsky.social Please check out the trailer, wishlist the game, and look forward to its release March 31st www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkdJ... #pixelart
neutral · AI labelView post →What game(s) would you instantly buy if it got a remaster and gameplay update? Bushido Blade Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen Oblivion SSX Tricky
neutral · AI labelView post →Today #RandomGameSaturday throws out Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, the first game in what became the Legacy of Kain series. Oddly old-fashioned at a time when everyone was diving into cutting edge tech, but I appreciated its gloomy gothic fantasy.
positive · AI labelView post →Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered coming 3 March on Steam.
neutral · AI labelView post →This game goes above and beyond what a "remaster" is expected to do. It adds content, fixes complaints from the original release, restores optional cut content... It's like nothing I've ever seen. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is the rare occurrence where an officially released title is combined with unbridled passion comparable only to standout modder projects. From my understanding, the developer team consulted and even hired on prominent members of the series' fanbase. For a remaster…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Legacy of Kain the only long-running video game series that's made entirely out of cancelled titles.
neutral · AI labelView post →It's Defiance with a fresh coat of paint and free camera instead of the forced angles of the original (toggleable setting, just like the new graphics). Only judging the remaster and not the contents of the game, it is great. Though I would like if the skins you can unlock said where they are from, even as a huge Legacy of Kain fan I couldn't identify some of them. Unlike the fanfic that is Ascendance, Defiance is actually good, despite ending in a sort of cliffhanger.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Looks like more #LegacyOfKain content could be on the way with the announcement of a backerkit for an official encyclopedia and tabletop role playing game. Find out more below. www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
neutral · AI labelView post →I'll start by saying that Legacy of Kain series, especially the Soul Reaver games are the cornerstones of gaming for me. I played these games when i had just started gaming and my fascination was at peak. I have finished this game in around 14 hours, i mostly played offline on Steam Deck, that's why time shows less here. LoK Defiance carries the name forward, i did not get a chance to play this game when it released back in early 2000s, so a remastered version was ideal for me to play. It's…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Well... it is a shinier version of an old toy. Doesn't bring the same joy as discovering the story for the first time. The combat mechanics are brain dead, the controls are flaky (both keyboard and gamepad). I played it with the hopes I will experience the story anew... granted I am 23 years older now. The story is great, you endure the gameplay for the story. Voice acting is unmatched til this day.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →NEW GAME ALERT! We're starting Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Remastered tonight! AHHHHHHHHHH! twitch.tv/xopeachi
neutral · AI labelView post →Just replaying Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen for the first time in 25 years and it's one of the best game experience I've had. 😊
positive · AI labelView post →It's great. QoL changes to the gameplay are meaningful enough to justify another playthrough. However, the most significant feature of the remaster is the plethora of bonus and additional content. You are given a lore-accurate map of the entire realm of Nosgoth with detailed and well written description of visited landmarks, a gamplay-accurate map of each location, in-game encyclopedia of multiple timelines, and many, many more. The unlockable costumes/skins look amazing and pay homage to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Been a fan of the series in a kid. Kinda sad that BO2 has been skipped over with the remasters, but I cant complain at this remaster at all. Its worth £20 just to unlock the awful camera, which straight up sucked the fun out of the original.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Legacy of Kain Official Encyclopedia and Tabletop Role-Playing Game are fully funded already! Up on BackerKit now: www.backerkit.com/c/projects/l...
neutral · AI labelView post →Played Legacy of Kain: Ascendance! It felt so good to play a new game of this franchise I love so much. It's been 23 years! 😭
positive · AI labelView post →This remaster has exceeded my expectations. Everything about it is perfect. For those who are HARDCORE about keeping it original, no worries. There is literally an easy switch not only on the graphics but the camera controls as well. If you literally want an updated port of this game from the original that has a hard time running period on newer systems without downloading any files to make it work, this is it. They did such a good job with this. Its a hit or miss but I hope they update the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Highly recommend! Vastly exceeded my expectations. I actually didn't like the original Legacy of Kain Defiance due to the camera angle. I reluctantly finished it in 2003 because I wanted to know how the story ended. I was more of a Blood Omen guy. However, this remaster fixes all my previous gripes about the original game and I see what a masterpiece it was. It takes you back to an era of gaming that we long for. I can tell this is going to be a great experience. I have some mild gripes…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Plays a lot better than the Soul Reaver 1/2 remasters. Maybe one day we will get full remakes of these games and experience them at their maximum potential.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →TOMORROW! I'm back from my trip with a new stream game! Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - the remaster specifically.
neutral · AI labelView post →Defiance Remastered isn't the only #LegacyOfKain game coming in 2026! @bitbotmedia.bsky.social presents Legacy of Kain Ascendance -a 2D retro action platformer. Coming March 31st. Watch the Trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd_J... #LegacyOfKain #Ascendance #BitBot
neutral · AI labelView post →Well this looks rather tasty, a rather deluxe looking encyclopaedia of the Legacy of Kain series written by Nic Reuben (who has written of video games for us in the past) and an accompanying MÖRK BORG based TTRPG written by @infrabeige.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →LoK: Blood Omen was a fantastic game. One of my all-time favorites. Let's be real, here, though: It doesn't even have 12 hours of gameplay, unless you count the time spent futzing around waiting for the areas locked by the in-game timer to open, and it's one of the *longer* games in the Legacy of Kain series.
positive · AI labelView post →
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