Blood Omen 2 - Review / Retrospective

[@ProfessorFessor]

I am commenting because YT counts this as engagement which helps promote the video. No further action is required.

[@finntrovert]

Algorithms are silly, but a part of our lives now.

[@zpacula]

I think that it can be games though. I love it, where can I buy it?

[@Bigbodybenzs]

Commentating to further increase promotion for video

[@finntrovert]

@@Bigbodybenzs appreciate the sentiment!

[@j-biscuitz7370]

Continuing the engagement because I'm tired of youtube suggesting 'introvert" when I search "finntrovert"

[@Grinnar]

Just woke up, and happened to open KZbin. I'm all caught up in the other LOK videos, so I thank you for this gift.

[@finntrovert]

Hope you'll like it!

[@Grinnar]

@@finntrovert I did, thank you again. I look forward to your future videos, they're well made and thought out. :)

[@finntrovert]

@@Grinnar Thank you!

[@Noz3]

Found your channel like a week ago. I've watched your whole Ultima & LoK retrospectives since. And like i said on another video already: You deserve way more views/subs. Your whole production (from the script, editing, to your voice/mic-quality & what not) is just top notch. Just wanted to comment again to help with the algorithm 😊

[@finntrovert]

Thank you, that does mean a lot. Not just the algo stuff, obviously! But the whole thing.

[@MexMX]

I was a little boy when I played this game, didn't even speak English yet, I had little idea about what's going on but I really liked the theme and the bleak presentation, it was just perfectly edgy for early 2000's. The game just popped into my mind and I looked up if someone can fill me in a little. Thank you for this recap and review, I really enjoyed it. Subscribed.

[@FelisImpurrator]

Damn, man, that Zero Wing reference got me good.

[@finntrovert]

I can't help but wonder how many people thought I had a stroke or something while writing the script because of that bit. XD

[@Nigel222]

I liked how the setting of this game was so different from all the other games in the franchise.

[@lindnerfish]

Really enjoy these summaries, thanks for doing this great series!

[@finntrovert]

@@lindnerfish Thanks for watching!

[@quarkbent9165]

You've got an aspect ratio rant count, fantastic :) I think you've done an excellent job covering the series at large. The 'next game twist on the prior instalment' comparison to Ultima you did in Soul Reaver 2, for instance, is something that resonates with me.

[@finntrovert]

Thank you! Since I've been complaining about aspect ratio stuff three videos in a row, I decided to meme it up a bit this time. XD

[@Miraihi]

Legacy of Kain has always had the distinct 2000-s edgy, but Blood Omen certainly turned it up to eleven. Just look at this display of high fashion 32:42 :D I won't say I don't like it at all, but still, what a massive visual departure.

[@finntrovert]

To me, that edginess has always been a part of the charm. XD

[@CatzyCatzy]

I saw Josh Strife and his retrospective on Legacy of Kain... I watched this one because I like the voice. Also I didn't know about Blood Omen and this was the first recommendation. I like the look of the game and atmosphere as well as aesthetic. I do like the idea of many abilities. It is clever.

[@finntrovert]

Thanks for watching! This one, while not necessarily as good as a lot of other games in the series still has a lot of positives to it, and to me it's a shame they never got to expand on this part of the story. There was almost two millennia of lore they could have added to!

[@jackalkhan5676]

This was actually my introduction into the series, which is great because the game's got better from here.

[@virgogaming6488]

This was my favorite game in the series, an open world version of it would be perfect.

[@bannin2916]

As somebody who only knew about the 2 Soul Reaver games, learning about the the blood omen side of the series and the full story of the games has been an enjoyable ride and I look forward to your Defiance review! Keep up the great work Finn!

[@finntrovert]

Glad you've enjoyed them! Thank you!

[@Juxxize]

37:20 lady vampires wore interesting 🤔 outfits

[@TheGrowlingAraknid]

Great video as always 💪

[@finntrovert]

Thanks!

[@MoSweiti666]

The graphics were so good for a 2002 game.

[@casanovafunkenstein5090]

As "of their time" as the vampires' character designs are in this game I do appreciate the fact that a lot of the male vampires' outfits are just as impractical and revealing as the battle bikinis given to the women. That, coupled with vampires being an oppressed underclass, really gives the game a queer subtext to what could easily have been a shallow power fantasy directed at edgy teenage boys. All the male vampires in the resistance are hanging out in these needlessly sexy outfits (with the exception of the older guy who dresses in an extravagantly embroidered silk gown) and whenever Kain encounters one of the collaborators they can't resist being really catty with one another. It's great.

[@finntrovert]

Hell yes! I don't personally have a major issue with revealing outfits, it's just funny how a specific look can embody an era so we'll. XD It's also very cool how it's kind of cultural to the vampires, and had I noticed it before release, I could have mentioned how the male vampire outfits in this are inspired by those seen at the intro cutscenes of Soul Reaver. Show me those midriffs, vampires!

[@Somebody374-bv8cd]

Great video, although I wonder if crystal dynamics would outsource another company to do remasters for the legacy of kain games like they did for tomb raider 1-3. There does seem to still be an audience for this series.

[@finntrovert]

We shall see. Embracer is doing some restructuring of their organization so knowing what will happen with each franchise is very hard to predict now.

[@Hero11170]

This games art style and vibe seriously reminds me of Mortal Kombat Konquest mode. Automatically makes it one of my favorites

[@GeorgeSearsSolidusSnake]

I feel you.

[@Sh1N0bi.mp4]

Great video!

[@finntrovert]

@@Sh1N0bi.mp4 Thanks!

[@Hynotama]

I am so happy they released this game on PS4/5. I can’t stand playing with keyboard and mouse and the shoddy to nonexistent controller support is what kept me from replaying these games.

[@shanara99]

"... Eventually his campaign reaches a city called Meridian, where the vampire forces are confronted by a new enemy, with which Kain confronts, and loses. The enemy was comprised of 59 guys, formally called Meridian 59, but informally called LAG". (obscure references are the best ones) Ah, yes... after defeating the first boss you're introduced to one of the systems of this game: Megamaning! Ah, yes.... playing the game... I'm... interested, but it has tank controls. I don't like tank controls. So, instead, I'll have your harmonious voice narrate me what the game's about. Missed opportunity: His Hilden features no longer ... hidden. Taken opportunity: Kain's amnesia is forgotten. Love that one. Now, in regards to aspect ratio changes... there's something, more subtle... that, to me, it's a disadvantage. When you see the aspect ratio change, you know you can drop your controller. You no longer have any input, until it changes back. This, in TV/movies, doesn't matter, since you never had control to begin with. But, in videogames, regardless of immersion, you are just... robbed of control. Robbed of interactivity. Videogames are defined by precisely that: interactivity. So, by mere principle of Pavlovian conditioning, changing of aspect ratio is associated with lack of control, and one thing that could be considered neutral (aspect ratio) becomes conditioned (lack of control, out of videogame). As such, changing aspect ratio in videogames should be avoided. And damn... you made me go serious there at the end. xD

[@finntrovert]

Hah! Made you go serious!

[@finntrovert]

Fine, I'll also be serious. I agree the aspect ratio thing is likely used for that purpose, to signal to the player they have no control over that scene, and yes, it's bad. Not only because of the lack of interactivity. That I can forgive and understand for narrative purposes. But also because it feels absolutely pandering. As if players can not distinguish between a story cutscenes and gameplay. Just the fact that your UI disappears should clue in basically everyone to that fact.

[@magusi9029]

An underrated LoK/SR game. Enjoyed this one a lot, but it did melt my discreader-console.

[@thegreekgeek9796]

I'm a simple kind of person- I see LoK content, I click.

[@finntrovert]

@@thegreekgeek9796 I can relate to that.

[@yindeejay]

yesssss it's here :D mondo stoked!

[@finntrovert]

Hope you'll like it!

[@wacawgregorczyk807]

Yeah, "not that bad" is a perfect summary. Soul Reaver had a really good design and exploration, Soul Reaver 2 had a great story, Defiance had probably the best combat in the series and Blood Omen 2..... had a Thief-like setting that was cool I guess. I mean nothing in this game stands out for me even in a serie that had some issues from my perspective.

[@finntrovert]

Indeed. The focus of the game is a bit off, which masks some of its better qualities. The first half concentrates on finding vampires from Kain's past, but then the story changes to the main plot about the Hylden, leaving that part of the story very raw. The world is interesting as an idea, but there's basically no focus on that interesting world, leaving that too feeling underdeveloped. There are many pieces that could have been amazing, but they focused on too many things at once so none of them shine.

[@hanayaseth]

Comment for more traction. Love the video too!

[@finntrovert]

@@hanayaseth Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@legefy]

Can't believe I've got here so early! Perfect way to enjoy my afternoon

[@finntrovert]

Thanks for watching! Hope you'll enjoy.

[@dachrinde0]

One of my Favorite games thanks for this vid❤❤

[@Five-Star-General]

Faustus: Faustian Bargain, Magnus: Magnus Carlsen

[@chrisdiokno5600]

One of the first things i see today. Kudos

[@Iymarra]

My shoes are too tight? Alright, Mollari.

[@finntrovert]

Glad someone caught that reference. :P

[@Equalitro]

Hello Finntrovert. My favourite "background noice" is deepdives to retro games. I enjoy works of Grim Beard, I finished a videogame, Josh stryfe, Mandalore gaming, SuperRad, The saltFactory, YOur favourite son. MitchManix, Warlockcracy. I am wiritng this because I want to note your transition from playtrues to retrospectives, I think thats a good idea. I wouldnt dare to give you any technical suggestions on editing and things but I would dare to suggest to look on vids of some of those I mentioned above. Maybe you will see something you like and use. But main reason I am writing this is because I would like to suggest a game from one of your future video retrospectives. When going thru the list of your uploaded videos I noticed you played thru The Mystery of the Druids. I think, if you write a good script, it could be a really good vid. Mandalore gamings video "The Mystery of the Druids: A Bizarre Adventure Game" has 8 milion wievs. Either way, I am always happy to discover a smaller channel that caters to my niche of: games I played as I child and had no idea what I was doing coz I didnt speak English... such as Soul Reaver and Ultimas

[@finntrovert]

Thanks! First I do want to kind of clarify, technically I didn't transition from one to another, since I still stream and the videos are still on Twitch, I just don't upload them here anymore since I also started doing these! Nitpick, I know, but still. XD That is good company to be in, I know of Grim Beard and Mandalore. I do appreciate your suggestions and comments, and I might do Mystery of the Druids and Limbo of the Lost at some point. I'm still learning how I want to do things and am not yet sure how I would do adventure games with this format, but I definitely will in the future! As I do more, so I hope my skill set improves and I can do more things and still keep it fun and interesting! Thank you again, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment.

[@josephsouza9599]

Just helping out with engagement, long live LOK content

[@finntrovert]

All hail our vampire overlords!

[@JammyONE]

Uma's 2000s design is superior compared to the current day so called "female" design.

[@GothSwan2109]

I’ve gotten copies of these games because of these videos!

[@McMathwin]

Cool video man

[@finntrovert]

Thanks!

[@Chaosherold]

To me, these videos are quite helpful to better understand the - at some times - confusing story, when I wasn't able to properly catch up watching the streams. On another note I have to say: I like Raziel way more than Kain - even though I can appreciate his amusing arrogance.

[@finntrovert]

I'm glad! That means the videos are serving at least one purpose they were meant to! :P

[@polyemphis]

Great vid

[@finntrovert]

Thanks!

[@Duterasemis]

For everything this game did poorly with its story, it absolutely nailed Kain's character, even down to his mannerisms and speech. Garishly purple and gloriously Fakespearean. Kain wakes up with a nasty hangover, and he says "From the shards of tattered dreams I rose, unwilling, cast upon tides of pain that ebbed and flowed and left me searingly awake and -- more revoltingly -- *alive.*" Goddamn it I love it.

[@finntrovert]

@@Duterasemis Kain is absolutely fantastic, no doubt his character plays a large part in what really drew me in to the series.

[@dane7584]

Awesome, will watch later. As free time is precious and this is my least favorite in the series it is ATM better to revisit it in this way.

[@finntrovert]

I can very much understand that sentiment. It is a girthy game to commit to especially if it's not one of the favourite ones.

[@royalslash2223]

Good game :)

[@regularguy3879]

honestly i was only able to go through blood omen 2 once and i LOOOOVE this series. Great music, cool atmosphere, Unfortunately veeery Mid plot compared to the rest and tank controls and overall stiffness and repetetive nature of the game really annoyed me over the entire game. For me it was somewhat missed opportunity for a 3d game about Kain only. God i hate tank controls, especially when this team just could copy the soul reaver 2 movement and it would probably be waay better than it was

[@Five-Star-General]

Skipped the magnus battle

[@Chaogardenx]

yay

[@azforu29]

Bullshit. You cant even use the Soul Reaver. I havent beat it yet and I was hoping you get it.

[@darklordyianni4463]

This game sucks, tbh....the others in the series are ALL better, esp. Soul Reaver 2.

[@neofluxmachina]

Like @professorFessor I am also commenting because YT counts this as engagement which helps promote the video. No further action is required.

[@finntrovert]

Much appreciated!