Legacy of Kain: Defiance

"When video gaming becomes an art form, there shall you find this game."

Legacy of Kain: Defiance

Graphics: 9

Honestly, I think Raziel and Kain look largely the same as they did in the Dreamcast version of Soul Reaver 1. Of course, the models in that game were already exceptionally well-done, so what’s been improved here is mostly character animation and facial expressions. And improved they have been. Everything in the game is meticulously rendered, and well crafted to a specific look that fits with the ever-present gothic feel of the entire series. The characters all have their own specific, personalized way of moving about, and little things like hair, cloaks, and wing tatters sway mostly realistically (Raziels wings seem to stick out solidly at an angle before turning downward). I didn’t notice many lighting effects though, if there were ANY lighting effects. The entire game seems geared toward two things. Promoting the gothic feel, and fitting as many enemies onto the screen as possible. The cutscenes are done with the fully articulate and animated in-game models, sidestepping the “stock animations” that many other games typically employ. And there are many of these cutscenes, any of which can be watched again from the main menu through the “Dark Diary” once you see them in the game itself. One downpoint though is that Raziel’s shifting between the spectral and physical realms no longer brings about the radical changes to the surroundings that it once did. Aside from areas where it’s used for puzzles, the landscape looks the same either way (except for the Spectral Realms neat blur effect).

Sound: 10

An incredible score and Hollywood caliber voice-acting have been staples of the Legacy of Kain games since Soul Reaver 1, and the entire cast from previous games returns for this installment. There’s little to say about this, the entire game’s audio quality is polished so finely that it should be a movie rather than a video game.

Gameplay: 9

In a departure for the series, the game takes a more action-based approach to combat and gameplay. You no longer have to toss enemies into lakes or fire to kill them (though that’s still an option in many places), but instead what you get is more enemy variety and much tougher battles. Enemies range from vampiric grunts and soldiers to vampire hunters who use tactics that you’d expect to see human parties use in MMORPG’s. Sorcerers cast spells to empower their comrades or send magical missiles flying at you while large brutes being their hammers down on your head and smaller, quicker opponents use hit-and-run strategies. Even the best player may have some difficulty dealing with all these different opponents at once without some kind of plan. There are also massive demons, floating specters, shadows, and jungle warriors. Kain and Raziel’s skills are largely interchangeable, with both playing the same. Except Kain is stronger and Raziel is faster. Both, once fully experienced, can pull off insane combos of combos that would make the Marvel VS Capcom characters blush. This combined with the sheer number of enemies makes for a blissfully fast-paced experience. Plus, Kain (and eventually Raziel) has a wicked new telekinesis ability. He can lift enemies into the air and fling them about, into pits, off ledges, into spikes/fire, or into other enemies. After a while though it seems like the aim for the telekinesis goes bad and the environment becomes less deadly. I tried in vain to throw my opponents into many fires and spikes in later levels only to never have them gain enough height and instead slam into the wall. The only time I successfully impaled an enemy later on was by accident. But still, using TK bullets can always clear some enemies out so that you don’t get swamped. Plus the game has puzzles as well, some more grueling than others. But all rather cleverly designed.

Story: 10

I’ll start off here by saying I never played Blood Omen, Blood Omen 2, or Soul Reaver 2, and I still thoroughly enjoyed this game’s story. It’s not hard to pick up on the elements that you missed in previous games, and regardless it all still comes together quite nicely in the end. One of the best sagas in video gaming today finally comes to a close (and might I add the FIRST saga in video gaming history, an example later followed by games like .Hack and Xenosaga. No, games like Castlevania and Megaman don’t count because they’re all self-contained). I hope they make more, though it might be difficult to do given the game’s surprise ending.

Features: 10

There are few secrets to be discovered in the game itself (though there are some cheat codes), but much is unlocked after you beat the game. Including behind the scenes making footage, outtakes with the game’s voice-cast, walkthroughs of some of the game’s areas illustrating what goes into these things, original concepts for character designs going all the way back to the original Blood Omen, and the ability to look at all of the game’s 3D character models. These DVD-like features are pretty nice gifts for successfully completing this entertaining and gripping game.

Overall: 10

Despite some slight deficiencies, the bottom line is that the game is pure action-gaming fun and has a story fit for a Hollywood production, a combination never seen before this game hit (except for possibly Jak II). All I have to say it “buy it… buy it now”.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/09/04