Legacy of Kain | In Defense of Blood Omen 2

A retrospective of Blood Omen 2. Despite being generally regarded as the worst game in the franchise, for many people, Blood Omen 2 was their introduction to Legacy of Kain. It was their first deep dive into a dark, atmospheric world where you were in control of a formidable blood-drinking vampire. Due to a lack of funding, resources and a stagnation in development time, Blood Omen 2 was less well received. However, the game does have it's redeeming qualities. In this video, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of Blood Omen 2 as well as go into why it deserves respect as a Legacy of Kain game regardless of its shortcomings.
This video contains spoilers for Legacy of Kain Blood Omen 2 developed by Crystal Dynamics.
All artwork featured in this video are official promotional and concept art created for the series by Crystal Dynamics.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:11 Rocky Development
02:39 Re-Vamped Patch
03:21 Combat
05:36 Blood Loss Mechanic
07:45 Dark Gifts
10:05 Stealth
12:50 Puzzle Solving
14:27 Steampunk Setting
16:22 Level Design
16:54 Character Models
18:00 Voice Acting
19:49 Music
21:36 Narrative
24:20 Plot Holes
25:18 Dialogue
25:41 References to Blood Omen 1
26:03 Characterization
26:30 Closing Comments
Blood Omen 2 Patch/Fix: classicrebirth.com/index.php/...
Music:
Darkest Child by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Awkward Meeting - Supernatural Haunting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Blood Omen 2 Soundtrack by Jim Hedges.
Nightmares Inn by RKVC
When Gods Pontificate by Dan Bodan
The Battle of 1066 by Patrick Patrikios
Dark Times by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@georgehouliaras7239]

Blood Omen 2 was always my guilty pleasure. But I do acknowledge it's many problems.

[@Ieatpaste23]

I think it's problems all could have been fixed if they pushed the date back. It wasn't ready, but they sent it out any ways.

[@Gogandontas07]

Truth

[@wareforcoin5780]

I hate Blood Omen 2. _I love Blood Omen 2._

[@RecluseBootsy]

A franchise ripe with potential, just needed better structure and budget. One guilty pleasure i'd love to see a... re-vamp of.

[@adrielstout6844]

I loved playing as kain in 3d cause I never owned the original game and I'd played both soul reaver games at that point.

[@Khalith]

I know this went to a B team but I appreciate that Simon Templeman didn’t hold back, he voices Kain with so much passion and talent. I can’t imagine the series without him, he IS Kain as far as I’m concerned.

[@zeroattentiongaming820]

I can't imagine the series without any of the recurring voice cast. Still not sure I'd even want a Defiance sequel without Tony Jay as the Elder God

[@KingNexusMOCs]

B Team? This game was great wtf are you talking about?

[@wareforcoin5780]

​@@KingNexusMOCs The B team can make great games too

[@Krocxigor]

@@zeroattentiongaming820 Just don't have the elder god talk if it is even in the game at all. That said this is one of the rare occasions I would like A.I. voice acting WITH the family getting paid as both Tony and Rene are a MUST for a proper ending.

[@Krocxigor]

@@KingNexusMOCs By today's standards it is a great game but by the standards of the time it released it was mediocre. It is the only game in the series I returned after beating because it was so meh and butchered the lore. I seriously almost returned it once vorador showed up as I was pissed (blood omen was my favorite game at the time and is still one of my favorites). If you are wondering how I returned a ps2 game software ect (not gamestop) use to have a 7 day no questions asked return policy so you could buy, beat and return games in 7 days, I hardly ever used it to my advantage but for this game I did. I am glad that you think it is a great game though, I do wish I could have seen it that way so that in my mind the series would be without any flaws.

[@julzbananz]

Kain is definitely the best part of Blood Omen 2's story. I really love his no-fucks-given attitude, particularly when he first encounters Marcus; "Marcus, my old friend!" "A poor choice of words, Kain, we were not friends." "And would you sour this reunion with old grudges? Granted, we ended on poor terms." "You tried to murder me!" >:( "I seem to have failed." :D

[@trapsaltnburn]

My roomie and I are both fans of the Blood Omen series, and we frequently quote those last two lines at one another. LOL

[@Johnny3Batony]

Yep. He was a walking roasting machine in Blood Omen 2

[@daniell1483]

BO2 is the black sheep of the LoK series. Even so, I'll always have a soft spot for it. It was one of the first PS2 games I played. Being able to roleplay a brutal vampire in a steampunk metropolis is a RP experience I've seen only attempted by Vampire: The Masquerade (Bloodlines) and B02. It seems to be a very difficult scenario to pull off in gaming.

[@strictlyfantasy]

Yeah, I think there's big space in the market for a stealth action vampire game. With today's graphics and game play, a Blood Omen 2 remake could be great.

[@shadowgamerx2518]

Stealth action vampire games would be great if they are done properly

[@destynar]

Check out Vampyr, it has similar vibe.

[@haydenkashima]

Blood omen 2 was actually the first LoK game I played as a kid, so it always holds a large nostalgic feeling for me

[@Vantud391]

Same.

[@Jose-se9pu]

I remember playing this game in late 2002 on my Gamecube, and then playing Soul Reaver 1 and 2 while waiting for Defiance to come out...good times.

[@RecluseBootsy]

I remember playing the soul reaver 2 demo in jampack but blood.omen 2 was the first game i actually bought.

[@grutsthefoodman3645]

I found it interesting how kain copes with Uma's betrayal and how he feels about killing her. It's one of the few times he makes excuses

[@Ieatpaste23]

Don't forget Magnus. "Go, my friend. Be free. As the rest of us, living or dead, can never be."

[@usern4metak3ns]

it's not cope at all you loon... she betrayed him and he finished her. simple.

[@Jose-se9pu]

Its a shame they removed Uma from defience, I think they would have explored how killing her might be the only thing Kain regrets.

[@usern4metak3ns]

@@Jose-se9pu nah. betrayal equals death.

[@bumpndump9643]

i like tha Kain makes her say that he is the strongest and the rightful king of Nosgoth before killing her, he's an asshole and it's great

[@randalthor6872]

This channel is so underrated! Your lore/philosophy studies on this game series is incredible. So much content you've provided it makes me so grateful. Thanks, Strictly Fantasy and Merry Christmas :)

[@strictlyfantasy]

Thanks for the kind words, and happy Christmas to you as well :)

[@ChaosMechanica]

I seriously hope that whenever the new Nosgoth game is supposed to come out they have you involved or they invite you to cover it

[@shadowgamerx2518]

I enjoyed blood omen 2 despite it's flaws. I consider this game a guilty pleasure of mine

[@mrfixitishere]

The sanatorium level was so scary to me it replaced my idea of hell. I loved how different blood omen was and i loved how villainous kain was.

[@Csumbi]

i absolutely love the visual design of enemies and armors, and a Kain changing costumes between levels is amazing. I also love that this game shows a living world and the life of its inhabitants to an extent, all the work sites, docks, factories, all the Hylden tech stuff, etc. Its something that i feel like its missing from the other games.

[@trassage]

This is my second game in the series. Defiance was the first. I was a teenager with a poor knowledge of English and playing the series in reverse I didn't understand much and viewed Defiance and BO2 and two standalone games. While BO2 does seem repetitive at times and the puzzles aren't that exciting, and it somewhat overstays its welcome by the end, it did many things right. It gave us a perfect atmosphere. It's very immersive and wholesome in its bleakness. Bloodsucking never gets old. Even if you spend around 10 seconds drinking out a single victim) I liked that it showed the Hylden and their more technological side, which gave us an understanding why the two races were fighting. Magic and religion vs science and technology. AND the game showed a Hylden that didn't go through the degradation process (I'm talking about the Seer). This is the most we ever saw of them and I'm thankful to BO2 for this representation. The whole series was cursed with lack of time and funding. Each game had a lot of content and mechanics that were never implemented. Skills, areas, lore etc. The most complete game of the series is Defiance. And perhaps BO1. The first game and the last. Everything in between suffered greatly and the story was never finished. Thank god Dead Sun was cancelled though, that looked and felt horrible. But I enjoyed Nosgoth. Which also suffered and was eventually cancelled because all money went into the Rocket League.

[@selensewar]

Yes to all of the above. For me my entries were BO2 and SR2, in that order, i think. And i, too, had no idea these games are somehow connected, i was too young to draw the line between two Kains :D And my english was, too, extremely flawed. But the setting BO2 has built, the sceneries were just too good to not pay any attention to. The Sanatorium near the end was eerie enough to make a lasting impression, too.

[@yuricunha88]

I personally have so many memories of playing this game. I had it on the Xbox and on the GameCube, I believe. And now on PC. It was the game that made my love for the Legacy of Kain series begin. That “then you may die knowing the truth” line will always… kill me.

[@LinkToTheScience]

Absolutely awesome line that one!.

[@damienstandafer1990]

This is for sure one of the best games in my day, the story was captivating even if half finished, blows my mind thinking of what could have been. The soul reaver games got me started in the franchise, but I adored the cinema and gameplay of all of them. I really hope this franchise gets a second chance.

[@donovanfaust3227]

Definitely isn't one of the worst, but one of the best? Meh, if you think so

[@DarkLOREDash]

My favourite Kiwi creator back at it with an early Christmas special 😍

[@RyuuKageDesu]

After unlocking an ability, I always wanted to go back to old areas, to see what I could find, so I while heatedly agree.

[@BelmontCruz]

Mixed feelings about this one. Breaks with lore a fair amount but it's the most fun for casual play. The others are fantastic masterpieces but sometimes I just wanna have some fun and this one is my go-to from this franchise, so I technically play it the most. I do kinda wish a "Vae Victus!" would have escaped Kain at some point. But also my PS2 copy has never been glitchy (shoutout to some of the funniest dialogue in the franchise, like the confused guard that talks to Marcus or Kain's denial of Umah's betrayal being because he's an asshole)

[@woodlorax1599]

I like BO2, It's not the best but it's fun and I like a lot of the atmosphere. I think in some ways BO2 has more appeal to a casual audience, I've introduced someone to the series who wound up loving BO2 but couldn't get into any of the other games & even my dad who never really played games post snes really enjoyed BO2 but didn't like the Raziel games.

[@wareforcoin5780]

"I told you to be on the look out for a vampire." "Yes, you're right here." Edit: shout-out to the Sarafan guard that said "what could it hurt?" before detonating a bomb. (Kain watches all this and then casually strolls through the hole it created.)

[@LinkToTheScience]

I swear I heard him saying it 2 times during my play, during rare assassinations.

[@Zarturael]

Blood Omen was my first LoK game and I loved it Was it perfect? - no Was it good? Hell yeah We need this series to come back, preferably with definitive editions ASAP

[@lisacastro3899]

BO2 definitely had its issues, and I don't mean just in regards to lore. My copy, at least, glitched, had bugs, sound issues, etc. But I will say, it is still one of my faves in the franchise. I've beaten it the most out of all 5 games. Plus, it was nice to see a "different timeline" when the reaver was pulled from Raziel in SR2. Younger Kain was... interesting lol But it was also really cool to see Nosgoth before Raziel and the others were resurrected as vampires. I have a sealed copy of BO and BO2, so I'm happy to have grown up with this franchise. Merry Xmas, Strictly! 🎄🎁❤

[@BunBurrow]

Blood Omen 2 was my introduction to the Legacy of Kain series, and one of the driving forces behind my intense love of brutal vampire characters. Kain set the stage for everything I adored about the undead creature, and I've yet to find another vampire game that captures the intense emotions I felt when playing that for the first time, way back when I was a kid. I know lots of people dislike the game, but I'll always hold a special place in my heart for it because of how it lead me deeper down the rabbit hole of LoK. Fantastic video, really appreciate you giving it it's due, issues and all.

[@hiimjames69]

Absolute amazing video! Blood Omen 2 was, and still is sadly, the only LoK game I've played so it will forever have a special place in my heart.

[@poiumty]

You owe it to yourself to play the other games. One of the most fascinating stories in existence.

[@hiimjames69]

@@poiumty I'm planning on it! I picked up Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance recently. Still on the lookout for Blood Omen and Soul Reaver.

[@Varhox]

I missed one thing in the video (I don`t know if I remember it correctly). In my playthroughs I found it interesting when the Vampire Bosses were fought. In my opinion were these Vampires the Souls that Kain used to make Raziel and his brothers. Everyone of them had a ability or death that was reflected by Raziel brothers. Dunno if it was planned or not.

[@selensewar]

Since at the end of BO1 Kain was the last vampire, it's natural to presume he did indeed raised more of his kin the same way he did later with Raziel and his brethren. Maybe this entire Sarafan Lord ordeal inspired him to use "noble, altruistic" relentless knights this time, instead of random thugs who know no loyalty?

[@Filip.777]

3:42 the best line in the whole game, it even rhymes

[@dalenlewin]

I understand why people give this game so much flack, but I can relish in the fact that this feels like kain from the first game starting to change into the one we know and love in the soul reaver games. This game is able to show us why he is so pissed off at Raziel in sol reaver two about him not being honest with himself. He's been backstabbed and betrayed and this game shows what cemented that for him in one of my favorite cut scenes in all of the franchise.

[@Hyphyned]

I played this as a kid and adored it. The world completely absorbed me. This is also the only game I've played in the series and I have a lot of nostalgia for it. Great job on the video!

[@electraclaryman4590]

I appreciate your voice for this beloved underdog of a game. Knowing what you have taught us about the production problems of this title I'd love to see a remake take it's place. One with more love attention, and a little more straight forward connection to the rest of the series.

[@UmbraDiSol]

It had jank and honey writing at times, but at other times the writing was... Shockingly engaging. And the world/set building was incredibly unique.

[@JayShootHer]

When I think of Blood Omen 2 of how and when it takes place in the LoK Time-line... my head really hurts. Like a lot.

[@selensewar]

It's really easy, just 200 years after the fall of pillars. Plus or minus half a century. No time-travel shenanigans even.

[@selensewar]

>how did Janos got his heart LoK: Defiance. The resurrection of Janos takes place right before the destruction of pillars. >and Vorador got his head B-Team messed up with the lore and forgot Vorador was already dead-dead. There's no explanation, really.

[@ItsOfficiaI]

This was the game that introduced me not only to Legacy of Kain, but dark gothic fantasy in general. I was in middle school at the time. I cannot even count the number of times I've beaten this game since.

[@amanitamuscaria5863]

24:50 I honestly thought that was Turel the first time I played it. It's never really explained what happened to him and how he got sent back in time in the first place.

[@allenr3164]

"Water is NOT my friend!" Ah, poor Magnus... imprisoned and driven coocoo. I loved his character. 😅

[@user-hp4fr9vx1v]

blood omen 2 one of my favorite games. the music is very good and the way characters talk to each other is good.

[@icefire1729]

I'm still watching but I have had a thought about the big plot hole in it. The hylden lord needs an elder Kain to have his heart torn out to bring an ancient vampire back because he needs the blood of an ancient vampire to break the binding but we know that history will change if it needs to but it can't change a conversation of the Reaver's. So if he killed a younger Kain then is there a chance history would change to allow Kain to be killed earlier. But then again history abhors a paradox

[@larrymcmacarroon9529]

Maybe Hylden Lord had his own scientific theory about how to take control of the soul reaver time loop and change the events from vampire to hylden ownership of history. just by being the one holding on to the reaver this time around the loop. He may even have been right. But the forces of history surprised him by keeping Kain alive, like history was trying harder than expected to hold on to Kain as their guy.

[@strictlyfantasy]

Yeah, I addressed this in my earlier Hylden Lore video. You're absolutely right. It's a pretty huge plot hole, considering the Hylden carefully planned and manipulated everything for Raziel to rip out Kain's heart to revive Janos in LOK Defiance. The only theory which may work as said above is that the Hylden Lord was somehow relying on another Soul Reaver paradox so that he could kill a younger Kain and still be able to escape the demon realm but I think it muddies the timelines too much. There's also the possibility that the Hylden General was being manipulated by a higher power within Hylden society and he wasn't given the full picture, which Soul Reaver and Defiance art director Daniel Cabuco has hinted at.

[@arx3516]

This game had one of the most realistic defence system i ever saw, instead of dropping into a generic guard stance (like the Dark Souls games) that magically absorbs each blow, no matter the angle it's coming from, Kain blocks each hit with an appropriate animation that intercepts the coming strike. And the enemies do the same. The only problem i had with this game's mechanics was the camera locked behind Kain's back at all times even outside of combat. I would have preferred If the camera was freely movable with the right stick, and only lock behind Kain when pressing the autoface button.

[@shanepye7078]

It got really weird. A new entry is in the works. A year or two ago, there was a questionnaire about what fans would want in another entry.

[@williammoore1980]

I’m just blown away you could come up with 5 minutes of material for your objective, let alone 25+.

[@ragedragonlion]

Liked the coverage of game mechanics in your style made for lore explanation. That could be a big feature of your channel going forward

[@irishdc9523]

I like how feeding on blood also does something for Kain rather than just refill health. It was something that the SR games failed to capitalise on. Most of the fights are entirely avoidable except for the few where you're forced to kill everyone to bring down a barrier. In BO2, feeding on enough blood increases Kain's power over the game

[@YourWaywardDestiny]

When I look back on Blood Omen 2, saying I hate it isn't right. I legitimately had fun playing this game. It was accidentally hilarious when compared to the rest of the series, and on its own, there are two different levels of wtf with the story, the writing for that story, and the glitches that makes it legitimately a good time to interact with. We can be alright with having fun while also lambasting it at the same time, and people forget that. This should not have been a Legacy of Kain entry, but the game being made at all is fine. It's not good, but it's _good_ to muck about with. Taking Blood Omen 2 as seriously as you're asked to with Soul Reaver 1, Soul Reaver 2, and Defiance will make you want to drive yourself off a cliff. Taking it for what it is, a campy romp, and your life improves.

[@julzbananz]

25:03 so according to a LoK wiki page on the development of Defiance, part of Raziel's (or maybe it was Kain, I don't remember exactly) campaign was to retrieve Vorador's severed head and revive him, setting up his role in Blood Omen 2. However, this plot thread was dropped since a major part of Raziel's story was finding the Heart of Darkness to revive Janos, and the devs decided to avoid making the player go on 2 fetch quests that were practically the same.

[@julzbananz]

There were also apparently plans for Future Kain to revive Vorador in Dark Prophecy while he was still in the Blood Omen 1 era, but we all know where that story ends. Or rather, doesn't...

[@uros.u.novakovic]

Blood Omen 2 was my introduction to this franchise so it'll always have a special place in my heart. Then I checked out the rest of the games and fell in love with everything. Blood Omen 2 is a problematic game, but I can't help but adore it.

[@MVegetto1]

Just want to say thanks I love the Kain/Reaver series I hope if a remake happens it gets the same amount of love the original Resident Evil remake was given

[@TheWilkReport]

I only ever played the games on the Playstation and Playstation 2, so I never got the sort of bugs that appeared on the PC versions. The story did suffer from multiple inconsistencies, the result of, I'm sure, the developers having not played either of the first two entries in the series. A resurrection scene for Vorador or some line of brief dialog revealing how Kain had found a way to restore him (Heart of Darkness token?) would have fixed a lot of that particular problem, and explaining how Janos Audron had survived his death at the end of Soul Reaver 2 and ended up a captive of the Hylden would have gone a long way to saving time spent on Defiance on resolving the contradictions and inconsistencies in Blood Omen 2.

[@LuccianoBartolini]

To be fair, in Soul Reaver 2 Kain tells Raziel to "not resurrect Janos" so it was already planned for him to come back.

[@TheWilkReport]

@@LuccianoBartolini That is true but I suspect that the way the Blood Omen 2 team handled t ended up backwards,, forcing Defiance to spend an inordinate amount of time reconciling the issues created.

[@patrykjedi4583]

Defiance ignored this game completely. The events in BO2 can very much be viewed as alternate events in an alternate timeline. Almost like a legacy of kain "what if" story. You can literally skip this game as far as the LOK story goes.

[@TheWilkReport]

@@patrykjedi4583 I wouldn't say the Defiance devs ignored B.O. 2, considering the latter game had to resolve the stuff from the former.

[@patrykjedi4583]

@TheWilkReport I ment to say ignore . As in viewer or Op could skip this. It didn't resolve anything they barely aknowldge bo2 and it's events don't get resolved its basically its own alternate side story.

[@ouroboros_on_the_orange]

I remember game feeling kinda "stiff" in gameplay sense, after jumping to it from Soul Reaver 2. But i did love the more dark gothic atmosphere it brought.

[@shashankrajagopalan7294]

This is the only game I’ve played in legacy of kain series and I just love it. The steampunk style environment, the whole vampire lore and all. Like I know the other games are just something else but this one is just a gem for me and I revisit it every year.

[@dak4303]

Very insightful analysis of stealth aspects. I have a nostalgic soft spot for this one 👍🏼

[@kaliduncanel3356]

This is really good because I dont think anyone has done what they tried to do. The subtlety, whether it was on purpose or due to the lack of funding, was interesting considering theyre illustrating who the timeline changes along with the people. We didn't what turned Kain from a bloodsthirty, powehungry vampire, to a time hoping leader and balance guardian.

[@bim41337]

As you say, Blood Omen 2 was my first experience in the world of LoK, and I LOVED the game. I've played that one so many times, I can't even tell. I haven't played Soul Reaver 1 or Blood Omen 1, but completed Defiance multiple times and (to my shame) wasn't able to beat Soul Reaver 2. I like both BO2 and Defiance equally, but BO2 carries a special kind of nostalgia for me. I've also never experienced bugs in the game ... strange, as they seem to be commonplace as you say. Also, as you say, the Eternal Prison had such a massive impact on the mood of the game. The whole level was terrifying and eerie, and it gave me goosebumps every time I played the game. I found myself really dreading that stage of the game each time.

[@soulreaver1983]

Outstanding video thanks i enjoyed this game Happy Christmas annd thanks for all these excellent video's throughout the year 😎👍

[@strictlyfantasy]

Happy holidays!

[@soulreaver1983]

@@strictlyfantasy 🙂👍

[@emselurniak]

BO2 was my first PS2 game. It really was a gateway drug to the series and I still love it to this day. Despite its problems I fell in love with it and subsequently the rest of the series.

[@Watcher40K9]

I liked how BO2 helped to explain the development of vampiric powers, providing more context to Soul Reaver 1. Vampires have Dark Gifts and they seem to be able to develop them over time, but can also acquire a new Dark Gift by 'bleeding the vein' of another vampire. But it is just a fragment. Kain couldn't read the minds of others vampires, run at hyper speed along walls, or turn himself ablaze without harm. He got just a piece of what the others had cultivated, and the rest was lost. I imagine the conflicts between the six vampire clans in Kain's empire may have been a way for ambitious vampires to 'bleed the vein' of other clans, providing new powers for them to develop. While it provides some adaptability amongst the population, it is inherently a net loss of overall power for the vampires as a whole. A cycle of parasitism, even among themselves, gradually driving the survivors to greater heights upon mountains of the dead.

[@larrymcmacarroon9529]

Merry KainMass ❤ the stockings were hung with decapitations and not a creature was stirring, not even a game in development. And lo and behold what do I hear at the window but santa scion on his slay and 8 tiny newly called pillar guardians finding their way. O reaver with your eyes so bright, won't you guide my slay tonight.

[@lordshura9717]

I had no idea Blood Omen 2 was the Black sheep of the until like the mid 2010’s and I was shocked to say the least simply because it was the first of the series that I completed and the one that truly made me love Kain as a character.

[@jasonbanta5698]

If Blood Omen 2 received the love and resources of the other titles in the franchise it would’ve been phenomenal. While the puzzle 🧩 piece doesn’t quite fit right. It still felt like the others

[@gundamheavyarms4879]

Blood Omen 2 was my introduction tobthe series. It will always have a special place in my heart. ❤️

[@den1sv]

That's actually my favorite game from the series. Great material! Subscribed!

[@wykellbrown6360]

Blood omen 2 one of the very few games I can beat in a single sitting

[@kamikaze9699]

What I liked about the story is that this was a younger, less wise Kain. It's a far cry from the near puppet master in the Soul Reaver titles, and much closer to the impetuous arrogant noble in the first game, just as it should be. The main drawback in writing is it doesn't explore deeper themes: BO1 was slowly accepting the monster you've become, SR1 was more how hollow legacy is on its own, SR2 and Defiance did more with fate vs free will- all four underwritten with manipulation from all sides. BO2 is vengeance with some world building, and manipulation is scarcely present. Helpful characters with no real ulterior motives are fine, but the series up to this point had them used sparsely, and here there was a clear delineation between "good guys" and "bad guys."

[@yacket]

Thank you for the patch link!

[@ShadowRoadX]

Its sad to consider that so much potential was left on the cutting room floor for the game. Fleshing out Kain's connections to other vampires, either to realize his need for their support or to showcase his efforts to manipulate or inspire them to his cause would have been great to see play out as a rising of an empire. And its utter detachment from the rest of the series speaks volumes to how badly the series was mishandled.

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

I don't dislike the game. In fact, it's a game I enjoy. But it is very hard to play on a mouse/keyboard set-up. BTW, I love the "Jojo Kain" character design here.

[@cocacola4blood365]

Uma could've lost those tattoos. There's also something she and the warrior women of the Sarafan might want to look into. It's called "clothing."

[@Toto-95]

You pretty much said it all, man ! As always very thoughful and smart opinions. I especially liked your 2 videos about Eldenring which were wayyyy above the average ASMR basic lore mumbling of the other channels. Don't hesitate to put out content about other stuff man, you're doing great work !

[@donniedarko4487]

Thank you so much for doing this video, I bought the Steam version a while back and was really excited to finally play then booted the game up and couldn’t get out of the pause menu so thx a bunch love the LOK vids btw big fan

[@ceascrg]

Blood Omen 2 has a special place in my hart. It was my introduction to the series. Love playing it still with the soul reaver from the start.

[@BelartWright]

BO2 had amazing atmosphere and some of the most fun gameplay in the series.

[@claudimerro]

there is one cool trick you can do...before hiting the checkpoint, make sure you have drained all npc's , boxes, then save and quit. When resuming you will still have your lore higher from consuming those npc's and boxes, and you can do it all over again. Then you hit the checkpoint since it only works 1 time. I was able to reach very high HP from this trick :)

[@kylepeters8690]

One thing I couldn't help but think about with what little I was able to play of this game (it kept crashing so I never got past level 1) was just how much kain needs to feed. Given the way LOK tends to work game mechanics into the lore, it made me wonder if Kain was burning through so much blood due to combat, if he needed so much blood because he was so powerful. Or perhaps more terrifyingly, if his appetite was average for a normal vampire, which if it is, gives the humans a damn good reason to despise and fear vampires if one vampire is eating a dozen people in under an hour.

[@FallenxMalo]

It's not a bad game, it simply can't keep up with the previous titles. For me a few reasons stand out: 1. Drinking blood (the stronger an enemy is the longer it takes to fully drain them. You have to suck A LOT of enemies dry so feel free to let a counter run to see how much time it takes in total.) 2. The absence of high quality language (gone are the good times from Blood Omen 1 and Soul Reaver 1+2, where it felt like you get an orgasm from just listening when characters spoke with each other or had a monologue. Now it sounds like modern common folk dialogues. Yes, Defiance is just as bad.) 3. Boss battles (while neither Blood Omen 1 or Soul Reaver 1 had outstanding boss battles there was at least a bit more to them than straight 1 vs 1 combat that felt like + 1000% more health for enemies. Here you make them engage with you and then it's just slapping them to death. The only exception would be the Magnus fight but one decent fight alone won't do it.)

[@selensewar]

Defiance is not as bad, not nearly. It is worse than SR2, which is the pinnacle of writing in this series in my opinion, slightly worse than SR1, and roughly on the same level as BO1. But indeed, BO2 is floors below all of the above.

[@janembabel]

In a hypothetical remake of this game, I have always thought it would be a good idea to replace the nexus stone with the Moebius staff and give an explanation to the aforementioned

[@WarriorVirtue]

I'll admit that the gameplay in Blood Omen 2 feels a little clunky at times but it's contributions to the lore are very compelling in my opinion.

[@Lucifronz]

By the way, I don't know if you've realized, but this game takes place in the paradox created at, if I recall, the end of the last Soul Reaver game, Defiance. Vorador is still alive because in this timeline he was never killed. It's... a lot to sort through, because the Soul Reaver series deals with so much time-messing that it gets confusing, but the explanation and plot threads I had seen all make sense more or less when you really delve into it.

[@bazlmoon]

They actively planned for his *resurrection* in Defiance. He was killed in that timeline too.

[@papapapa16]

Ah, this is technically the last game in the series, the outcome of the coin edge where we rewrite the history we've been playing. This game had its problems but it was so effective in setting the tone, giving the illusion that it was open world despite being linear as F. Even the blood mechanics wouldn't give you much choice, you had to draw blood from every enemy you could to level up. I don't agree that the dialogue isn't as engaging here, remember that the series is about time travel and destiny, the characters in SR1/SR2 are usually tackling the intangible and abstract problems, rarely going in direct confrontation with each other. BO2's steampunk setting is more about fighting a system and a clear enemy, the hylden, which in BO1 were myth, the "unspoken".

[@_Pikahiiri_]

This was my first Kaine game, and it's still possibly my favourite. Honestly, Soul Reaver never did it for me, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this game, and it may seem small, but the ability to pick up enemy weapons is still really novel. I also prefer Kaine's design here. I like the look of this type of Vampire over his crusty face in the other games. That, and Simon Templeman sounds better than ever here. I can see why people may dislike it, but I honestly had a great time.

[@xXxArcher13xXx]

I grew up with blood omen 2 and lok defiance. While defiance has a better dialog and is very epic, has a great vampire mythology and a great atmosphere....I can't help but love the dark atmosphere of bo2. To me this was the best literal vampire game. Where you wander through the city and nobody knows what you are until you reveal yourself. The levels, the outfits, the dark gifts, the music....this game was soooo good despite its flaws. Played it as a kid and to this day I tell people that Blood Omen 2 and LoK Defiance were my top games❤.

[@xXxArcher13xXx]

Thanks for keeping this forgotten gems alive in your lore videos!!!!❤

[@xCobraCommanderx]

This is one of my favorite Xbox Original games. I went from PC Blood Omen, to Dreamcast Soul Reaver, to OG Xbox Blood Omen 2. In the end though we can all agree we need this franchise to return.

[@burrahobbit]

This is a game that would definitely benefit from a remake. Maybe a double remake of Blood Omen 1 and 2

[@Haithem4]

BO2 is underrated game, what stand out of me is the atmosphere that similar to Bloodborne.I hope to see more of these games

[@illupoesperto5268]

Soul Reaver 1 and Blood omen 2 were the best of the series in my opinion. I played all of them as a teen back in that time, those good old days...

[@ashes2ashesdust2dust]

Loved this game! My biggest gripe (and it's a big one) ALWAYS has been that -- if you are in combat with more than 1 enemy, the other enemy(s) will politely wait for the other enemy to stop attacking before they hit you. they do nothing, they just wait. which makes fighting 2, 5, even 10 (theoretically) enemies no different than 1. enemies don't overwhelm you in any way because the game doesn't let more than 1 enemy attack you at once.

[@ireallyamayuube]

As a teenager playing this game, I loved all the abilities! Having only played SR1 before this, I wasn't too invested in the lore already, and the gameplay was so much fun (also at that time, I used to be ok with glitches and bugs, something that frustrated me to no end today). I played it as "just a game" and I remember being skeptical of its poor reception. Today I get why it's the worst title on so many levels, but at the same time, the ability to just disconnect your brain and enjoy something despite its limitations it's something we should all try once in a while. Honestly, a Dishonored-style game as a spinoff of LoK would be so cool.

[@NJBoden]

The Eternal Prison Honestly to me the most horrific location in the series. Would love to visit it again in a modern reimagining.

[@d.sack2727]

This was the title my family and I played growing up, and what got me into the franchise. It pains me to see how bad it was in comparison to its better half, Soul Reaver 2.

[@Volaric_]

honestly loved this game played it mostly for the lore. combat was clunky but game is enjoyable once you get used to it

[@baneofdan]

Being "the worst" doesn't make something bad. This game is fine. doesn't need defending. There was a time when games given 6/10 review scores weren't viewed as terrible because people knew 6/10 meant above average, not bad. You should do a video on why that changed.

[@obaidkhamis4521]

Well it’s time for some more good legacy of Kain content. Been waiting for this. Plus it’s almost half an hour!!! Thanks again for the amazing content and your calming voice. Kindly keep posting more legacy of Kain content more frequently if possible. Much love ❤

[@lostonegrey1555]

I never played it but a game where your a vampire wanting to rule the world under your heel. is super interesting and wish we had new games follow a similar premise of playing the villain/ monster.

[@Numeral0]

Blood Omen 2 is my favourite in the entire series, its the only one that feels more... bloody and gore and thats what a vampire game should feel

[@rudolphantler6309]

I don't disagree but I had no problems with BO2. I found it weird after SR2 but I shrugged it off instantly due to two things, the cool factor, and being connected to the great quality franchise as a single player experience. Story and/or character-wise, it was awesome to see Kain still being rather young, more focused on being an honest selfish might makes right almost fully villain who is complex and guaranteed to not always act or think in predictable ways. Now that Kain was purified in Defiance I hope he slightly returns to his more young bodily appearance, losing the corrupted cracked skin. The issue with Vorador does need to be addressed, but it is not like an impossible task. You know what? We could pretty much look into what Kain was doing and what he looked like before the intro of BO2 in some future installment!

[@rickyale1618]

This is truly a masterpiece, its genius often overlooked by 99% of people, especially when considering the historical context in which it was created

[@someguy9471]

I remember when this came out, my 2 older brothers and I were so excited because the first game blew us away with it’s dialogue and the abilities you acquire along the way, all the amazing spells you could use to kill your enemy along with the card items like the heart of darkness, flay, and implode. The many different forms you could take such as wolf, bat and mist. We were so sorely disappointed with BO2. It was nothing like the original. The dialogue was subpar, the gameplay was dicey and the linear style was an enormous let down. It just doesn’t hold a candle to BO1 or any of the other games in the series. I like to pretend that this game doesn’t exist it’s so bad. It really is the stain of the entire series. I will say there was one improvement, the combat was a lot better. The variety of weapons you could use but other than that this game was a slap in the face to true fans of the series. I haven’t played it in 20 years and don’t really see myself playing it ever again

[@Auralice]

Perfect assessment as always. I was unaware that BO2 had such big problems during development, now I feel bad about having given it a negative review. Definitely would've loved to see BO2 as a full-fledged stealth action game like Tenchu.

[@evil_cupcake2386]

I remember when I played this game first time. It was actually my first LoK game, and while it wasn't flawless, I actually quite liked it. Not knowing anything about the universe is helped too. It didn't helped with understanding later games, but that's another issue.

[@SuperLitterboy]

I’m in my mid 50’s and love this game. I really wish they would continue the series. LOK was how I use to unwind after work.

[@cocacola4blood365]

I've often wondered why LOK took BO2 down this steampunk path, and why the game over all had the sense of "eh, let's just pump this one out and get it over with. The rest of LOK was a cultural icon that people still study to this day. BO2 just seemed like generic fantasy. Though the combat mechanic always kept me coming back, and Kain himself, a foray into his "Nosgoth is mine! Mine mine Mine!" days.

[@jeggsonvohees2201]

I once had a bug where the Reaver was invisible, so it looked like a lightsaber when i swung it.

[@CrowT]

The game was not without its issues...but I still liked this game. The voice acting in this series was always spot on. This one was great as well. Overall fun game imo

[@usov656]

I love what blood omen 2 tried to do, I mean, 3d open world 3rd person adventure rpg game in which you play as the kain we never got to know, that is, Kain as the conqueror of nosgoth? Thats awesome. It just suffered from being way too ambitious, and was clearly rushed. I do hope legacy of kain makes a comeback eventualy, not only to give the plot its conclusion, but to just give us more of nosgoth. A survival/rpg game set in nosgoth, in which we get to play as a nobody, rather than kain or raziel, would be a great way to explore its themes more. Nosgoth got so much to offer as a setting.

[@TheAbominableDrFaustus]

It was a weird game and had a ton of glitches but I genuinely loved Blood Omen 2. The vampire generals and story around Umah are interesting stories.

[@GaigeG203]

Thank you so much for the patch.

[@cultist1762]

I know acknowledge all the problems with Blood Omen 2 but it is one I love going back to play. Much like Blood Omen 1 it felt like a living world and not a dead dead empty one with no interactions from humans.