Well what can i say.There has never been and perhaps never will be a game like Legacy Of Kain.The thrill the passion is gone.Finishing this game was my deepest desire and also my greatest sorrow.This time Kain and Raziel combine their efforts to stop the true evil of Nosgoth.Moebius finds his dark games with a bitter taste at the end.All is unveiled at this last episode.All the heroes and all the villains unmasked.Redeemer and Destroyer .This game is far superior in graphics than any other in the series.Here you can see Raziel and Kain as you really have imagined them.Some of the game-play has been changed for the better.And most importantly of all you will see who is the savior of Nosgoth.The end left me almost in tears , as i have waited and hoped for a good ending , the ending that was given does more than feeds my cravings.A little camera problem is present as usual very annoying in some spots.But never the less this is the perfect ending to the Perfect Game.
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SteveFOX_8626 April 2007
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HorrorSeeker9 November 2007Defiance have all the element you want from action horror game Great game play ,Best story for a game to date .
Why They Forget LEGACY OF KAIN Seriese Now ? after all successful of these games:- LEGACY OF KAIN:Blood Omen, LEGACY OF KAIN:Soul Reaver, LEGACY OF KAIN:Soul Reaver 2, LEGACY OF KAIN:Blood Omen 2, LEGACY OF KAIN:Defiance.
it deserve next-gen game, and i wonder !!!!!!!!! why they make movies to games which don't have a solid story like this one!? after LEGACY OF KAIN:Soul Reaver (1999) i cant stop thinking about what the movie will look like if they make it . i wish it will be soon .alone in the dark are bad example of game to movie, but on the other hand resident evil is a good one. LEGACY OF KAIN MOVIE if they let it see the light with good production value and good cast it will be the best example of game to movie. -
ThePreacher23 November 2003Legacy of Kain fans have waited around 2 years to play this game. Both Soul Reaver 1 and 2 left off at huge cliffhangers (SR2 even more so), and it left the player desperately wanting to find out what happens next in the story. However, something that has somewhat alienated the fanbase is that Defiance was made to attract newcomers to the series as well as wrap up pretty much all the story questions for long time fans. Both of these are accomplished.
Chances are you're reading this because you've heard good things about the game. Well worry you not long time LoK fan or newcomer, Defiance is spectacular.
Gameplay:
Let me tell you, I played this thing to death and never got bored. The only time I put it down was when I was sleepy as hell, and this was stopping at around 1:30am after playing 5-6 hours straight.
Defiance is extremely fun to play and easy to get into. One of the goals of the fighting system was to make the player feel like a badass and make the fighting epic. That goal was certainly accomplished, you'll be hard pressed to get tired of kicking ass, and if you do, you'll be pumped up to do it the next time you play the game.
One thing that does get slightly annoying though, is the camera. It looks amazing, but sometimes doesn't play very well, particularly when making certain jumps. Sometimes the angles are just too awkward to jump at and it's hard to react in time or judge how far they are. Hopefully this little problem will be ironed out in the next LoK game.
The control system works remarkably well. You'd think since the PS2 pad has more buttons, the controls would be awkward when 'converted' over to the Xbox (''Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance'' springs to mind). This is not the case, and it makes me think that quite a few buttons on the PS2 pad must do nothing.
In case you're wondering (and speaking of the PS2 version anyway), the Xbox version has the following major advantages over it:- Slightly sharper graphics - Larger draw distance - Progressive Scan mode - Widescreen capability - No frame rate drop - Less load times
One last issue concerning Gameplay, and something I feel is important to note, is that players need not worry when switching between Kain and Raziel since the button commands are contextually the same for both of them. For example, jumping then holding A/X will result in both of them slowly floating down when playing as them. So worry you not, there are no new control schemes to learn or remember.
Story:
The story has always been the backbone of the series. Long time LoK fans were initially concerned about the implementation of a new combat system, worried that the story would suffer as a result. Fortunately, this was not the case. Nothing was downgraded or prioritized less to make room for it, improvements were added on at the sacrifice of nothing.
SR2 was all about the story, it was what made it so epic and praised by fans. Defiance not only goes beyond it in quality of story, but gameplay too. Defiance has taken the crown of every LoK fans favourite game. The cinematics were spectacular and the ending scenes just blew me away.
LoK fans, this is the game you've been waiting for. If the law of mathematics allowed it, I'd give this 11/10.
Graphics:
Better than ever before. The environments are spectacular and I've spent a good 20-30 mins of gameplay time looking at and pondering over the many mysterious murals scattered through the game.
There are however, glitches here and there. Nothing big, the only problems seem to be Raziel's wings and a clash of polygons every now and then. I did run into this really stupid glitch where I was slammed through the floor and proceeded to fall to my death.
It wasn't really much of a hassle as dying doesn't really matter, checkpoints are conveniently frequent.
Sound:
Everything is top notch. I was never a fan of the music like some long time LoK fans are, but it was very good overall and I thought ''Ozar Midrashim'' played during two certain epic fights was a touch of genius (the theme for the SR1 intro).
The voice acting is, as ever, superb. Ask anyone who's ever played an LoK game, they won't tell you any different. The cinematics captivated me and the ending scenes was truly emotional, it moved me more than any movie ever has.
Replayability:
Definitely replayable. If not for the story, then definitely for the fighting system.
Buy or Rent?
This is definitely one to buy. Onward, LoK fans! -
dzimpact6 February 2005Fans of LOK games have been hooked by the ongoing story ever since the series stepped up its theatrical presentation with its second incarnation: Soul Reaver. Simon Templeman, whose rendition of Kain continued in Soul Reaver as a principle character in the story however, the game introduced a new character, Raziel, who became the protagonist of the game.
The character of Raziel was brought to life with the voice talents of Michael Bell. The dialogue between he and Simon Templeman is what turned what would otherwise be a good game into a chapter in a story that got LOK fans hooked. This was also with the helpful of support from Tony Jay who plays the role of the Elder God. Though the game ended with a cliffhanger, it had enough substance to enlist its own cult following that stayed with the series just to find out what happens next.
What did happen next was Soul Reaver II. The story continues but, instead of answering all of the questions of the first game, it introduced some new questions and twists to the story that would leave anyone's head spinning. Voice actors, Tony Jay, Anna Gunn and Richard Doyle return to play their respective supporting roles in this sequel. Paul Lukather, from the original Blood Omen, reprises his role as Vorador. Rene Auberjonois, of Star Trek DS9 fame, is introduced to the series to reprise the role of Janos.
Finally, there is Defiance. The third game in this storyline and the fifth LOK game overall, this became what I feel to be the game with the best-written story out of all of the series of LOK games. The efforts put into putting this game together become obvious as the story unfolds itself. There are twists and unexpected turns in the story leading to a satisfying ending.
Unfortunately, Defiance's gameplay doesn't match its theatrical prowess. This is the first game where both Kain and Raziel are playable characters in the game. Though both characters are powerful, I can't help but wonder why they had to be made virtually identical in terms of capabilities. These two characters that are supposed to be so different offer virtually nothing that the other doesn't as well. It is one of the shortcomings of the game.
The greatest shortcoming of the game is actually something that the makers of the game consider one of its improvements. The restrictive nature of the camera system in this game inevitably lead to disorientation with allot of people who play the game. The camera will reverse the angle as you go from one area to another, which can, and often does, send you back into the area from where you just came.
The developers of the game say that the camera gives you "the best possible point of view" but unfortunately, that just is not the case. It would have been a massive improvement for the sake of those interested in playing the game if the developers would offer the option to give the player control over the camera. Their reluctance to do so adds an unnecessary level of frustration that takes away from all of the things that are so good about the game.
In all, the game is a mixed bag of good, great and disappointingly bad elements that leave you wondering if the game was good or not. To take it all and average it up, the game is adequate. The real shame is that it could have been so much more. -
pickdlm11 January 2004As a semi newcomer to the series (I never played any of the games until I got SR1 cheap for PC, and almost didn't get SR2, except because of a whim) I love these games. They are story writing at it's best. Defiance is no let down on this fact.
Although, I wouldn't say Defiance is replayable due to events in the game like others that are a new game every time. But if you are a fan of truly well written stories, then Defiance will impress you every time. Drama, sacrifice, betrayal, discovery, it has it all. The graphics ar eimpressive. The music will astound you (or bring back memories for old fans because they are remixed versions of the previous games music). Crystal Dynamics has made an impressive game with each new addition. This is definitely a game worth buying. -
GoldenSnake27 February 2004The Legacy of Kain series began in 1996, with a joint venture between Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics which was dubbed Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. It was quite a departure from the other games of its era, with the bitter anti-hero Kain as its protagonist and telling a dark story fully integrated into the gameplay. Since then, it has moved on to Raziel's story, and Defiance brings both together beautifully. It is, without a doubt, one of my personal favorites, and Crystal Dynamics' best product thus far.
Gameplay
Gameplay is, of course, the heart of any game, and Defiance delivers beautifully in a category that previous Legacy of Kain installments have been lacking in, to say the least. The combat is pretty much the core of the game now, utilizing a Devil May Cry-esque system to make full use of Kain and Raziel's powers. Both control quite well, bearing the same layout in order to keep control a simple issue. But cool as he was, Dante could never do what Kain and Raz do. The telekinesis (or TK) system is an absolute joy to use, allowing the player to do all manner of unpleasant things to his or her foes. One can blast their foes back, or lift them up into the air to toss them off cliffs, into fires, onto spikes, and even towards Kain (and later, Raziel) to initiate or continue a flurry of attacks. It can be used to push away foes so that one can concentrate on a particular antagonist, or be integrated into combos as described above.
The puzzles are less complex than in Soul Reaver 2, but still somewhat challenging, at least for Raziel. His chapters focus less on combat and more on puzzle-solving, and they are a decent challenge for those that enjoy this sort of thing.
There are only a few issues that annoy me. First off, the camera system could have stood some more tweaking. The previously used ''follow-me'' system would simply not work in this game, but Crystal D is rather inexperienced with the static, cinematic-style camera that Defiance uses, and it shows. It sometimes obscures vision, and allows enemies to disappear off-screen for a bit, or else confuses and disorients the player with flawed placements. Also, it does not make objects transparent when it swings behind them. This, too, makes combat more frustrating. Second are the glitches. There is not an overwhelming amount of them. Few are significant--some occasional AI glitches, a collision detection problem or two, but there is at least one known glitch that stops the game, forcing the player to reset and go through again. Bear in mind though, these are minor gripes, and the gameplay overall is absolutely mind-blowing. 9/10
Graphics
Three words that cover this department: ''Oh. My. God.'' Crystal Dynamics are the masters of texture-mapping. From the beautifully rendered environments to the equally well-rendered, textured, and animated characters and enemies, this game is astounding in terms of its beauty. Raziel scrambles along and leaps about as the agile ghoul he is, and Kain's heavy leaps and sword swipes are befitting of the ancient warrior. Lip-sync is flawless. The cutscenes have been expertly-made to ensure that they look stunning, and fit the scripts well.
What's more, the Spectral Plane, to which only Raziel can go, given his nature, is far eerier than it has been in the Soul Reaver series. There is a constant blur of sorts, a ''visual echo'' that complements the shadowy realm, with its twisted landscape and frozen light.
Bravo, Crystal Dynamics. 10/10
Story
To go into depth in this department would spoil the game. Just know that it is good. Really good. Amy Hennig is a fantastic writer, and this work shows it. Many questions raised by previous games are answered, and the few raised are just enough to whet the player's appetite for the next installment. There are even a few surprises for veterans and newcomers of LoK alike.
10/10
Sound and Music
The sound in this game is very good. Kain's footsteps resound realistically in the hallway of the Sarafan Stronghold, and crunch in the snow outside. The screams of foes falling off cliffs, the hideously chilling taunts of Raziel's undead foes, the war cries of the Sarafan== all contribute to a wonderful ambience that draws the player in.
The voice acting, of course, is wonderful. The old cast of players is assembled again, and each captures their character flawlessly. Simon Templeman's dramatic and deliberate voice lends a lot of depth to the arrogant and bitter Kain, Michael Bell creates the perfect voice for the brash, sarcastic, and tormented Raziel, and every other voice is done to perfection. This is thanks not only to Amy Hennig's brilliant dialogue, but also to the talented actors, and of course the directors who would not settle for anything but the best.
The music is done very well. It uses music from past installments, and adds on to them for combat and cutscenes, and even introduces a few new tunes. Thankfully, they include the veritable theme of the games, Information Society's ''Ozar Midrashim,'' a dramatic instrumental that fits the series well.
But where the sound is at its best is the Spectral Realm. It is absolutely chilling now, filled with the tormented whispers of souls, the sound of weeping women, the wearied chants and agonizing screams of dead men, and the occasional bone-chilling whisper of ''Raziel...'' The player is made to feel as if he or she is actually in the world of the dead.
Again, fantastic. 10/10
Replay Value
I have chosen not to rate this section at all. The game runs about 15-20 hours on the first run, and gameplay itself is a bit linear. If you're like me, then you play games like this to death, not happy until you've played it so much you actually start to become sick of it and move on to another game. However, it might be annoying to some gamers. Thankfully for them, cutscenes can be skipped, and hits can be turned off, so one can fully enjoy the gameplay and try to get all the power-ups there are to get. However, they give all the bonus materials away as soon as the player beats the game. The ''Arcane Tome'' system would have worked better if players had to work harder, to unlock sections of the bonus materials instead of getting it all at once. Hopefully, CD will improve on this in the next game.
Conclusion
LoK: Defiance is enjoyable for all players, and an absolute masterpiece for fans of the series. If you are unfamiliar with the Legacy of Kain, go out and rent it first. Otherwise, I suggest you go out and buy this incredible game immediately.