Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain

'Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain' is half the story of the as-of-yet four game series 'Legacy of Kain', the half that deals with the future of the world Nosgoth. Where the original game 'Blood Omen' and its sequel focus on the vampire Kain, Soul Reaver 1 and 2 follow one of his former lieutenants, Raziel. For the audacity of evolving before his master Kain, Raziel was brutally executed, then brought back as an avenging spirit, a horrific angel of death, by a being known as the Elder God. Armed with the soul-devouring wraith blade the Soul Reaver and seeking vengeance on his 'master' and his former vampire brethren, Raziel eventually realizes he's being played a pawn by nearly everyone around him, manipulated in attempts to control the destiny of Nosgoth.

One of the best games to come out of America, and very arguably one of the best games on PS2, or PS1 for that matter, Soul Reaver is highly story oriented. It delivers an unparalleled level of gothic darkness and sweet, sweet angst, plenty to satisfy that hungry, sadistic little demon that lives inside you. Here are a few of its cheery images of gothic torment!

The cover to Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain. One of my favorite things about Soul Reaver is the vampire design; the oldest and most powerful of the vamps evolved cloven hands and feet. Makes me wonder whether Soul Reaver or Buffy the Vampire Slayer got to the idea first. I'm thinking it was SR.

Though Kain is Raziel's first and most hated enemy, he's still only one of those trying to manipulate the Soul Reaver, and not even the most dangerous.

More of Kain's beautiful visage. Handsome devil isn't he? [gags]

The cover to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. Everyone's favorite little blue assassin, heh.

The cover to the Soul Reaver 2 booklet. Gotta love Raziel's attire.

I'm a sucker for the whole flying-with-arms-outstretched pose; Crimson, Gundam Wing, and now this. Damn that's cool.

He is so ready to jump someone.

Raziel about to emerge at the site of the Pillars of Nosgoth.

The cover to the short comic book from Top Cow based on Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. The comic's only about as good as you can expect from a comic adaptation (the structure of the wings in this image is one of a few inaccuracies, and storywise it does little more than retell the opening video sequence of the first game) but some of the art is decent.

More comic art, by David Boller and colorist Matt Nelson...whoever they are.

A game rendering from the strategies section at the back of the comic. Luckily I didn't need that section. I had my brother, who's much better than any strategy guide.

More rendering. Nice shot of his cloven hands and the texture of the wraps.

Raziel dispatching one of the desiccated vampires of Nosgoth's future. Each is vulnerable to one or several elements-sunlight, water, fire-and all are killed by impaling.

Legacy of Kain: Defiance. Fall 2003. Kain AND Raziel, playable characters in the same game. Fook yes. Screenshots ahoy!

The Dynamic Duo, back in action. Hell yes. This glorious piece comes from PSM, issue 72.

Ready to step on someone. Also from PSM.

Hey, five against one, that's not fair! Those poor things... From Gamepro, issue 179.

"I can fly! Looka me mommy!" Again, from Gamepro.

You can see its soul LEAVING ITS BODY!! AAAH! COOLNESS!!

What is with that look on his face...

"And with the handy-dandy Soul Reaver, you too can slice, dice, and fricasee enemies, even in midair!"

"Hmm...but how to trick Kain into the leash and cuffs..."

We can never get enough of this guy! Especially when he's being this bad ass.

Tee hee, that tickles!

You can see his reflection in the floor, for cryin' out loud!! How much better can the graphics get?!!

Another shot of the Dynamic Duo. Fook, I can't wait any longer!! The game must be out, NOW!! [twitches, spasms repeatedly, dies]

And now for something completely different. More Soul Reaver! This is the cover of the promotional soundtrack on which I spent WAY more money than I should've. Twas worth it.

-Back to the pics!

-Home sweet home!

-Talk to Spooky!

Disclaimer: Soul Reaver and all characters and likenesses thereof belong to Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Interactive, and are reprinted here without permission. Please don't sue me. I'm poor. All scans were created by me. Please ask if you want to use them. I'd hate to have to hunt you down and do unpleasant things to you.

The cover to Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain. One of my favorite things about Soul Reaver is the vampire design; the oldest and most powerful of the vamps evolved cloven hands and feet. Makes me wonder whether Soul Reaver or Buffy the Vampire Slayer got to the idea first. I'm thinking it was SR.
Though Kain is Raziel's first and most hated enemy, he's still only one of those trying to manipulate the Soul Reaver, and not even the most dangerous.
More of Kain's beautiful visage. Handsome devil isn't he? [gags]
The cover to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. Everyone's favorite little blue assassin, heh.
The cover to the Soul Reaver 2 booklet. Gotta love Raziel's attire.
I'm a sucker for the whole flying-with-arms-outstretched pose; Crimson, Gundam Wing, and now this. Damn that's cool.
He is so ready to jump someone.
Raziel about to emerge at the site of the Pillars of Nosgoth.
The cover to the short comic book from Top Cow based on Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. The comic's only about as good as you can expect from a comic adaptation (the structure of the wings in this image is one of a few inaccuracies, and storywise it does little more than retell the opening video sequence of the first game) but some of the art is decent.
More comic art, by David Boller and colorist Matt Nelson...whoever they are.
A game rendering from the strategies section at the back of the comic. Luckily I didn't need that section. I had my brother, who's much better than any strategy guide.
More rendering. Nice shot of his cloven hands and the texture of the wraps.
Raziel dispatching one of the desiccated vampires of Nosgoth's future. Each is vulnerable to one or several elements-sunlight, water, fire-and all are killed by impaling.

The Dynamic Duo, back in action. Hell yes. This glorious piece comes from PSM, issue 72.
Ready to step on someone. Also from PSM.
Hey, five against one, that's not fair! Those poor things... From Gamepro, issue 179.
"I can fly! Looka me mommy!" Again, from Gamepro.
You can see its soul LEAVING ITS BODY!! AAAH! COOLNESS!!
What is with that look on his face...
"And with the handy-dandy Soul Reaver, you too can slice, dice, and fricasee enemies, even in midair!"
"Hmm...but how to trick Kain into the leash and cuffs..."
We can never get enough of this guy! Especially when he's being this bad ass.
Tee hee, that tickles!
You can see his reflection in the floor, for cryin' out loud!! How much better can the graphics get?!!
Another shot of the Dynamic Duo. Fook, I can't wait any longer!! The game must be out, NOW!! [twitches, spasms repeatedly, dies]
And now for something completely different. More Soul Reaver! This is the cover of the promotional soundtrack on which I spent WAY more money than I should've. Twas worth it.