DESCRIPTION

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is the sequel to Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. Eidos began the series on the PlayStation and released this sequel on the PlayStation in 1999 (previous to the existence of the Dreamcast in the U.S.) and in September 1999 on the PC. The Dreamcast version is not unlike the PlayStation or PC release in that they both contain the same storyline, levels and gameplay. However the game is closer to the PC version in presentation. Thus, the Dreamcast game is basically a port of the PC release with some sound and graphical enhancements.

As the story goes, the now evil and treacherous vampire Kain originally fought to save the Netherworld in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. In the original, game players were given a choice at the end of the game — save the world or rule it. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver begins as if you, or Kain, chose to rule the world. Kain has since taken six souls from the underworld and created his lieutenants from them. Each lieutenant went on to construct a legion of vampires to use in their pillage of Nosgoth, that which is where the humans live. Nosgoth was conquered with ease and vampires took complete control. Too easy perhaps as the evil entities became overcome with boredom. The lieutenants, known as The Council, allowed the lesser vampires to feud with each other for their amusement which resulted in fallen legions. It did not seem to matter what happened as the humans would never be able to take back what was once theirs. However, a new threat was already in the making.

Kain and his lieutenants are not your standard vampires, they evolve over time. As the most powerful of the seven, Kain would always receive the next transformation first. About a decade after one of Kain's transformations, his lieutenants would then receive the same transformation. However, at one point, one of Kain's lieutenants, he who is known as Raziel, grew wings before him. Thus Kain viewed Raziel as a threat to him and sentenced him to a never-ending death by tossing him into the Lake of Lost Souls. Unfortunately for Raziel, water and his flesh don't mix — he basically felt as if he was bathing in acid! As he fell through the Lake of Lost Souls he began to hear a voice. Eventually Raziel determined that the voice was that of The Elder. The Elder explained to Raziel how he once fed on the souls of Nosgoth but because of Kain's invasion he has been starving for centuries. For his sake, The Elder offered Raziel redemption if he agreed to destroy the five remaining lieutenants and his former ruler Kain.

Raziel agreed, of course, and now you take command of Raziel on his quest to avenge Kain for the pain he inflicted upon you when sentencing you to the Lake of Lost Souls. You may have evolved earlier than Kain but that does not necessarily make you more powerful than him or his lieutenants. There is no way of knowing how long Raziel was in the Lake of Lost Souls and during that time the others were evolving into new forms. Fortunately, along the way weapons can be found to assist Raziel in his destruction of his enemies. One such weapon is the Soul Reaver. This powerful sword-like weapon can shatter a creature on impact.

Throughout the adventure you will also find teleportation devices that allow you to warp between two planes of existence — the Spectral Realm and the material world of Nosgoth. Depending on the plane that you are in, your abilities will differ. The Spectral Realm is your actual home as Raziel is undead. Here his fighting powers are stronger as he can use magic. In Nosgoth your powers will slowly deplete as you use them to perform such actions as manipulating objects, something that can only be performed in Nosgoth. Object manipulation, such as pushing crates or flipping switches, plays a major role in the game as Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is not solely about action, players will also have to solve puzzles. No need to worry about using up your power though, since Raziel is already dead he won't die. Instead you simply return to the Spectral Realm and consume more souls to regain power. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide