Verrin
6th Sep 04, 10:26 PM
Year of release: 2003
Development House: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Eidos
Website: http://www.legacyofkain.com/
**************************************
Game score: 62
Graphics: 4.5
Sound: 3
Gameplay: 2
Concept: 5
Execution: 5
Controls: 5
Enjoyment: 2
Replay ability: 0
Difficulty: 4
Learning Curve: 4
Patch version: 1.0
Bugs: 2.5
Modability / Community support: 0
Review
Introduction
I originally was very excited about the initial release of this game. I'm a big fan of The Legacy of Kain games, and I wasn't disappointed by previous titles from the series. I was surprised that this game came out for PC, and I decided to go for it over the console version. I did because I usually prefer the PC for its ability to patch problematic games. Although, the first problem with this game came with the release of its very bulky case: it was more like a DVD movie case designed to hold 4+ disks, when it really only needed to hold two. Also my brand new copy didn't include a manual, which I'm sure was a mistake of some kind in the manufacturing process. But, at the time I shrugged it off.
The Game Mechanics
I start of by saying this game has amazing graphics. The model details are very impressive, and the motion of the characters speaking had moved flawlessly with the voice acting. All the game motions such as walking, running and attacking were all very believable, especially for an old vampire and an ageless soul seeker. Although not as impressive as games like Doom 3, it's still impressive from the stand point of its original release. The level details are also finely tuned; you'll never find two areas that even look remotely alike, and they are all lush and rich. And, as you'd expect from the series, the voice acting is just as impressive. With voice magic such as Michael Bell (as Raziel), and Simon Templeman (as the original Kain), you can expect an impressive show.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/56.jpg
However, some of the sound effects and looping musical scores began to lose their touch. I should note that many of the sounds and musical tracks have just been recycled from previous Legacy of Kain games. They will likely begin to annoy and tire you as much of the sounds you hear are just repetitious, and a lot of the musical tracks sound mainly the same. It's not that they're bad, it's just really they lack in variety.
And as for game play, this is where the game suffers the most. It looks like they attempted to adopt a 'Devil May Cry' style of play, where you run through each scenario as a 'mission'. You defeat monsters with special moves you learn, which play out much similar to a fighting game, where you have to remember the keypad code to initiate them. However there are only about 5 moves you can learn, per character, through gaining experience. Most of the 5 you learn you don't even acquire until late into the game. Also, they all become quit repetitive looking, since many of them don't vary by much: it's either a swing or a blasting effect (half of them appear as psychic abilities). It doesn't help that around every corner you have to continuously fight the same enemies, with the same simple moves. Hell, it's worse because most of the time you can't just run past them. You have to defeat them to continue progressing.
Some of what the previous games were based on to help with the poor game play elements was puzzle solving, which in my opinion worked quiet well in previous LoK games. However, puzzles in this are slim-to-non, and the ones that are present don't require much thinking at all. Sometimes the game subtitles tell you what you have to do to solve a facing puzzle. Also, some annoying elements include how Raziel must go into the spiritual realm to go through grate-like objects, and then you must find a shifting point to get back into the spectral realm. It wouldn't be much of an annoyance if you didn't have to do it several times per level.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/34.jpg
Also, they tried to borrow camera styles from Devil May Cry too. Instead of the camera following you from behind, in third person with the ability to manipulate it, they threw that all out the window and replaced it with a new system. The camera now appears in random hovering locations throughout the level, and it rotates to face at you. The view switches to another camera once you left the previous camera view. Which of course, wouldn't be so bad if they had perfected it properly. The camera is one of the game's biggest annoyances. It gets caught in positions where you can't see anything (like facing a wall) or while you're fighting some enemies and the camera suddenly switches, disorientating the player. It would be better if they at least allowed some control over the awkward camera angles that its views can leave behind.
The Deep Game Elements
The only reason you might want to play this game through 'til the end, is to play through the story and see the dramatic ending. Many of us have been waiting to see if Raziel would get his revenge on Kain, and when they would finally go at it with their final tango of death. Well fear not, they finally have reached that point. It may have taken three games to go through, but it looks like they have finally made some progress.
The game is easily learned with general control hints at the beginning of the game, with simple obstacles which force the player to use an ability or move which the game is hinting at. And, you'll get lots of practice using the same simple moves and attacks on basic enemies, so difficulty is at a minimum.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/36.jpg
Another neat addition is that you can find hidden tombs around each level to unlock concept art of previous LoK games. And when you complete the game, another section is unlocked allowing you to view concepts, renders and other neat junk involving the production of Legacy of Kain: Defiance. However, this game has no replay value. There's nothing you can really do once you've completed the game. But, I'm sure most would agree that they wouldn't want to replay the single player game anyway.
Problems and Add-ons
This game really suffered from a glitchy camera, and a world full of holes. I'd find myself running across a path, and I'd somehow slip through what appeared to be solid ground into the abyss below, to my death. I found many holes where the should have been none. I must have died at least 6 or 7 times just from general strolling, wall climbing, or path jumping when I shouldn't have. As to date, this game has not seen any patching either; it could really use some. Also, there are no game mods or additions to this game.
What you bought you're stuck with.
Final Blow
I seriously would not recommend this game unless you're a die-hard LoK fan, who wants to see some real progress with the character Raziel who was introduced way back in Soul Reaver. Otherwise, avoid. This game isn't really friendly to people who haven't played the previous games, as you start right off after the events of Soul Reaver 2 with no explanation. Too bad, this game had lots of potential.
Good stuff: An amazing story paired with great voice acting, very nice graphics and level design.
Bad stuff: Repetitious game play, lack of challenging puzzles, annoying camera, erratic level 'holes'.
Reviewer System Specs:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.4GHz, with Hyper-Threading
RAM: 1024MB DDR PC3200 @ 400MHz
Video Card: ATi Radeon 9600 PRO [128MB] @ 1280x960
Sound Card and Speakers: Sound Blaster Audigy 2, with Altec Lansing Speakers.
Development House: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Eidos
Website: http://www.legacyofkain.com/
**************************************
Game score: 62
Graphics: 4.5
Sound: 3
Gameplay: 2
Concept: 5
Execution: 5
Controls: 5
Enjoyment: 2
Replay ability: 0
Difficulty: 4
Learning Curve: 4
Patch version: 1.0
Bugs: 2.5
Modability / Community support: 0
Review
Introduction
I originally was very excited about the initial release of this game. I'm a big fan of The Legacy of Kain games, and I wasn't disappointed by previous titles from the series. I was surprised that this game came out for PC, and I decided to go for it over the console version. I did because I usually prefer the PC for its ability to patch problematic games. Although, the first problem with this game came with the release of its very bulky case: it was more like a DVD movie case designed to hold 4+ disks, when it really only needed to hold two. Also my brand new copy didn't include a manual, which I'm sure was a mistake of some kind in the manufacturing process. But, at the time I shrugged it off.
The Game Mechanics
I start of by saying this game has amazing graphics. The model details are very impressive, and the motion of the characters speaking had moved flawlessly with the voice acting. All the game motions such as walking, running and attacking were all very believable, especially for an old vampire and an ageless soul seeker. Although not as impressive as games like Doom 3, it's still impressive from the stand point of its original release. The level details are also finely tuned; you'll never find two areas that even look remotely alike, and they are all lush and rich. And, as you'd expect from the series, the voice acting is just as impressive. With voice magic such as Michael Bell (as Raziel), and Simon Templeman (as the original Kain), you can expect an impressive show.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/56.jpg
However, some of the sound effects and looping musical scores began to lose their touch. I should note that many of the sounds and musical tracks have just been recycled from previous Legacy of Kain games. They will likely begin to annoy and tire you as much of the sounds you hear are just repetitious, and a lot of the musical tracks sound mainly the same. It's not that they're bad, it's just really they lack in variety.
And as for game play, this is where the game suffers the most. It looks like they attempted to adopt a 'Devil May Cry' style of play, where you run through each scenario as a 'mission'. You defeat monsters with special moves you learn, which play out much similar to a fighting game, where you have to remember the keypad code to initiate them. However there are only about 5 moves you can learn, per character, through gaining experience. Most of the 5 you learn you don't even acquire until late into the game. Also, they all become quit repetitive looking, since many of them don't vary by much: it's either a swing or a blasting effect (half of them appear as psychic abilities). It doesn't help that around every corner you have to continuously fight the same enemies, with the same simple moves. Hell, it's worse because most of the time you can't just run past them. You have to defeat them to continue progressing.
Some of what the previous games were based on to help with the poor game play elements was puzzle solving, which in my opinion worked quiet well in previous LoK games. However, puzzles in this are slim-to-non, and the ones that are present don't require much thinking at all. Sometimes the game subtitles tell you what you have to do to solve a facing puzzle. Also, some annoying elements include how Raziel must go into the spiritual realm to go through grate-like objects, and then you must find a shifting point to get back into the spectral realm. It wouldn't be much of an annoyance if you didn't have to do it several times per level.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/34.jpg
Also, they tried to borrow camera styles from Devil May Cry too. Instead of the camera following you from behind, in third person with the ability to manipulate it, they threw that all out the window and replaced it with a new system. The camera now appears in random hovering locations throughout the level, and it rotates to face at you. The view switches to another camera once you left the previous camera view. Which of course, wouldn't be so bad if they had perfected it properly. The camera is one of the game's biggest annoyances. It gets caught in positions where you can't see anything (like facing a wall) or while you're fighting some enemies and the camera suddenly switches, disorientating the player. It would be better if they at least allowed some control over the awkward camera angles that its views can leave behind.
The Deep Game Elements
The only reason you might want to play this game through 'til the end, is to play through the story and see the dramatic ending. Many of us have been waiting to see if Raziel would get his revenge on Kain, and when they would finally go at it with their final tango of death. Well fear not, they finally have reached that point. It may have taken three games to go through, but it looks like they have finally made some progress.
The game is easily learned with general control hints at the beginning of the game, with simple obstacles which force the player to use an ability or move which the game is hinting at. And, you'll get lots of practice using the same simple moves and attacks on basic enemies, so difficulty is at a minimum.
http://www.legacyofkain.com/screenshots/36.jpg
Another neat addition is that you can find hidden tombs around each level to unlock concept art of previous LoK games. And when you complete the game, another section is unlocked allowing you to view concepts, renders and other neat junk involving the production of Legacy of Kain: Defiance. However, this game has no replay value. There's nothing you can really do once you've completed the game. But, I'm sure most would agree that they wouldn't want to replay the single player game anyway.
Problems and Add-ons
This game really suffered from a glitchy camera, and a world full of holes. I'd find myself running across a path, and I'd somehow slip through what appeared to be solid ground into the abyss below, to my death. I found many holes where the should have been none. I must have died at least 6 or 7 times just from general strolling, wall climbing, or path jumping when I shouldn't have. As to date, this game has not seen any patching either; it could really use some. Also, there are no game mods or additions to this game.
What you bought you're stuck with.
Final Blow
I seriously would not recommend this game unless you're a die-hard LoK fan, who wants to see some real progress with the character Raziel who was introduced way back in Soul Reaver. Otherwise, avoid. This game isn't really friendly to people who haven't played the previous games, as you start right off after the events of Soul Reaver 2 with no explanation. Too bad, this game had lots of potential.
Good stuff: An amazing story paired with great voice acting, very nice graphics and level design.
Bad stuff: Repetitious game play, lack of challenging puzzles, annoying camera, erratic level 'holes'.
Reviewer System Specs:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.4GHz, with Hyper-Threading
RAM: 1024MB DDR PC3200 @ 400MHz
Video Card: ATi Radeon 9600 PRO [128MB] @ 1280x960
Sound Card and Speakers: Sound Blaster Audigy 2, with Altec Lansing Speakers.