Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Details

[@BelartWright]

Corrections: -Blood Omen was released November 1st 1996 -Soul Reaver 1 on PS1 has functional analogue controls (I'm not sure how I forgot about this) -Soul Reaver 1 is still gone from the Steam storefront for new buyers. If you purchased it already you'll still have access to it in your Steam Library. -Soul Reaver 1 is not currently available on the GoG storefront (Soul Reaver 2 and Remastered are)

[@KevinMCable]

The rest of the series is though and it’s dirt cheap ❤

[@MHA01]

I think you may be able to buy it on gog. I have seen a ton of games of the series there

[@RainaAudron]

Thank you for the shout-out! However, I'm sure the official remaster will blow my fan mod out of the water 😉 LOK is so back!

[@BelartWright]

Maybe, but we'll never forget the work you did to keep the series alive and relevant. It is appreciated 🙏🏾

[@chrs87]

Finally after 25 years

[@BelartWright]

I know! Sometimes, I didn't think we'd ever get this.

[@shinrok]

more like 21 years since the last entry but yeah was a fucking long time

[@fazzdee1089]

Silent hill 2 after 24 years

[@Marcustheseer]

i love this i want a blood omen remaster aswel and an ending to the story a game past defiance. and in these soul reaver remasters i hope we get the option to have a menu where we can rewatch all the cutscenes.

[@KevinMCable]

Ngl I almost teared up when I heard Amy Hennig is involved. This is turning into the best timeline.

[@BelartWright]

@KevinMCable I don't believe they said she was involved but they did credit her writing which is more than CD has done in recent years.

[@Diaszurana]

Pre-ordered for PC. I'll be enjoying this on my Deck and my Go. I've been hoping for this for so long.

[@shinrok]

i will also hope for this and the only concern i have now is how much the battery consumption for this game is

[@BelartWright]

Finally, we can play Soul Reaver on the go in 2024. We can rejoice!

[@bill5974]

Already own all of the LoK original games on PS, PS2, DC, GC and on Steam. Needless to say I've already pre-ordered this too. Amezzin stuff.

[@dipsetkory7964]

Thanks for covering this. I had no idea what specifics they were doing to upgrade the game. I'm even more hype now

[@BelartWright]

I'm liking the upgrades they've listed so far and excited for what they they've decided not to show us. There's so much they can do with the source code.

[@Savage590]

As someone that played the OG release of the franchise back in 2000s, I'm still cynical. The remaster is great and all, but that still leaves 3 more games that'd need to be remaster for the entire storyline so far. Plus the story was not complete. We were left with a vague open ending with Defiance. Michael Bell (Raziel) is 86, and Simon Templeman (Kain) is 70. With the passing of Tony Jay (Elder God), Paul Lukather (Vorador), René Auberjonois (Janos Audron), and Earl Boen (Hylden Lord), I'm skeptical how they'd find the right talent to replace these iconic voice actors.

[@XwhiXteyX]

Crystal Dynamics: we’re getting the band back together!

[@williamjacob2060]

not done watching but as someone who is directionally challenged i remembered struggling as a kid not knowing where to go so I'm excited about the map and compass lol

[@BelartWright]

And this is why this feature matters and why I'm glad its included. I do hope the compass is toggle-able because it does shave off some of the fun of exploring for someone like me but I would love for more people to be able to enjoy this masterpiece with less frustration.

[@williamjacob2060]

@@BelartWright i do love exploring dont get me wrong i just easily get lost and its anxiety inducing. And I enjoyed subnautica that game made me anxious as hell though lol

[@BelartWright]

​@@williamjacob2060 yeah and that's a terrible feeling. i can understand this frustration as someone who doesn't have much time to dedicate to games these days as I used to

[@prometheusadept]

It needs a remake, like they did with crash bandicoot and resident evil

[@BelartWright]

I think it'll eventually get one, but its likely they'll start with Blood Omen and setup a rough template for the rest of the series unless they go the FF7 Remake route and have the new series be a total time bender, having you control Kain and Raziel in the same game from the start. I don't know which I'd want more now that I think about it. I supposed I'd want the faithful remake with a new game in the vein of Dark Prophecy to end it all.

[@mauricioaguilera3194]

Too bad is not the whole Raziel saga, but I want to support this franchise. They said something about including some cut content, I guess is just going to be some enemies, weapon designs, and things like that ... I doubt we will see new environments or even new bosses/mini-bosses, but I want to believe ...

[@BelartWright]

@mauricioaguilera3194 The day and night cycle was originally cut and that is 100% coming back. Anything else is a bit of a guess at this point. I'm hoping for alt endings or at least dlc for it

[@gman3901]

What relevance do you think a day/night cycle will have in Soul Reaver? The Vampires already blocked out the Sun enough to wander the landscape. Also the Vampires are already immortal, which doesn't leave much room to power them up at night. All I can think is more patches of direct sunlight during the day and more vampires with higher aggression at night.

[@BelartWright]

@gman3901 to be honest, I was thinking it would only be an aesthhetic change to set a variety of moods. I'd be surprised if it affected gameplay but it'd be a pleasant surprise.

[@I_am_Raziel]

What madness is this?!

[@TubbyTBIRD589]

If they announce that Blood Omen 1 and 2 are being remade I will have gained some faith in the gaming world and humanity as a whole. lol

[@BelartWright]

I'm waiting for it. If not this, then I'm hoping BO1 Remake is announced

[@murkyspectre]

We'll just have to appreciate the upcoming remaster for now. Hopefully it gets enough support and interest from new players that the studios can confidently commit to giving this franchise the support it deserves.

[@ReverseSkeleton]

Blood Omen 2 isn't worth being remade at all.

[@luisburgos7365]

BO1 was just added to the PS Classics catalog tho! That’s something I think

[@InsaneMagee]

@@ReverseSkeletonNah man we need all the LoK games

[@XwhiXteyX]

I played these as a teenager. I wish they had done the original Legacy of Kain as well, but I’ll take it.

[@khal7702]

map is really cool addition

[@patrick-cw5px]

Currently playing a blind run of sr1 since iv never played it, i want to complete it before the remster but now im stuck/lost 😅, any hints on where to look for rahab ?

[@gman3901]

Get to the rooftops of the Drowned Abbey and look for a chain to pull.

[@charg1nmalaz0r51]

also another tip if you get lost, talk to ariel, she will point you in the right direction. you can work out the compas directions from the lake of the dead, raziel says his clan was to the west

[@patrick-cw5px]

@@charg1nmalaz0r51 yes ariel was helpful pointing in the right direction even elder god gives you hints on where to progress, i managed to complete sr1 recently, i can say that sr1 is superior to sr2 in gameplay but sr2 looks better visually.

[@Citizen_JV]

Blood Omen Legacy of Kain came out in 1996

[@BelartWright]

Thanks! I could've sworn it was 1995 but it was late '96.

[@candycommander]

Chad Kain revenger vs virgin no revenge Ellie.

[@n1lknarf]

It's listed on Steam too for the same date. Haven't seen any info about this anywhere, they're only advertising for PlayStation.

[@BelartWright]

@@n1lknarf it's also on Xbox and Switch. There's some videos on KZbin for those systems

[@Girldadmarksltp]

Can’t wait for that playtheough!!

[@rorynolan2322]

The original did have analogue controls. Not for camara but for moving absaloutly. Soul reaver 2 has full analogue for moving and camera

[@Donsposts]

yea how they gonna do the soul reaver 1 controls?

[@murkyspectre]

Soul Reaver 1's camera controls with L2 and R2 took a lot of getting used to, especially after replaying again years after, when it was still on PS Store's classics list.

[@BelartWright]

Ahh man, it's been too long since I played 😭

[@rorynolan2322]

@@Donsposts well give it a full free camera just like the 2nd game had like already mentioned in the video. The movement was already fully analogue so doesn't need touching though they may choose to tighten it up, it doesn't need it really though if you go back and play it moving and jumping around is just fine and if you're in an emulator you can map the camera to the sticks for familiarity. It won't be analogue or free though.

[@rorynolan2322]

@@murkyspectre at the time it's just what we where used to. It was pretty standard on PS1 to have cam controls mapped to the shoulder buttons

[@charlie_nax]

prediction: the achievement icon with the 3 bald ladies is probly gonna be watching all the timestream mirrors at the end of soul reaver 1 explanation: there isnt bald women trio in any legacy of kain game, one may be azimuth the planner as appearance but thats 1 character and only appears physically in blood omen 1 and is mentioned in defiance, so my deduction is they simply did a drawing of like representing the fates.

[@federicobarreri7639]

BY THE ELDER GOD I pray they'll restore the Cut Content too. It'd be awesome to fight against Turel and Kain for a 3rd time.

[@razielstalker]

I feel you when you say its a bit cartoonish. I was hoping that they retextured the soul reaver like it was defiance, like a real sword but no

[@BelartWright]

Oh man! I miss that.

[@Berthier90]

I Hope that they added all that Cut Content.

[@BelartWright]

I'm hearing that they're adding some of it. I'm hoping for the alt ending with Raz getting the Light and Kain reavers.

[@regularguy3879]

They won't add all of that. Probably some mechanics. There wouldn't be soul reaver 2 if that would be the case because soul reaver 1 ends on a cliffhanger exactly because of dev hell at the time, it changed from being self contained game into a series back then mid development

[@pawcanada]

@@regularguy3879 Whilst true, part of me would still like it as a "what if" type mode you unlock after completing the game, or something as a chance to experience "what could have been". It sounds like the cut content could be in some kind of museum mode though, so if I could maybe explore some of the cut maps and look at the models of the cut bosses and abilities, I'd be down for that.

[@ARareBreedStory]

​​@@regularguy3879 It would be cool if you skip Turel, you get the regular ending. But if you beat Turel, you get the cut ending.

[@regularguy3879]

@@ARareBreedStory for the intended cut ending you would have have to first have a cut priestess before Turel because if I remember correctly there are some enemies that implied the need to use possession ability in Turel clan territory and then kill Ariel, kill Kain and probably then you would get this ending

[@regularguy3879]

There is a chance that they are doing some programming inside the old engine because in alpha builds there was day and night cycle mechanics that was not present in retail build and they are bringing it back for this release. But who knows. You can probably do this with shaders nowadays so it might be nothing

[@Knux5577]

it might not have an effect on the game, just be a visual if that does get implemented

[@factsoverfeelings1776]

Never preorder!

[@philipchurch8772]

It's Simon Templeman.😊

[@Seamox11]

If you look at his Filmography on Wiki/IMDB, He uses both "Simon Templeman" and "Simon Templeton" in some credits

[@castjet9898]

5:52 in SO1 playin in the PS3 you can play with the analog stick and it feels perfectly fine to play.

[@BelartWright]

I'll be playing through it again soon. This was my preferred way to play because of this, but I was never a big fan of the PS3 controller. Feels too light to me.

[@CyraXFactor]

TR 1-3 Remasters play and look much better than the OG versions. This is how you properly remaster an old game, without remaking it. This set will undoubtedly be a great remaster.

[@BelartWright]

That's what I've been hearing. Here's hoping that your faith will be rewarded. Thanks for watching!

[@qliphothtohpilq]

Obsessed with these games and this story for 22 years, majority of my life. I guess I have to buy a ps5 now... Fuck...

[@BelartWright]

Well, it's on Steam too

[@qliphothtohpilq]

@@BelartWright Are we sure it's not gonna be an exclusive ? Please don't toy with my feelings.

[@BelartWright]

@@qliphothtohpilq Oh yeah, it's on Steam, Xbox, and Switch too.

[@nithorias9622]

@@qliphothtohpilq It's coming everywhere, PS5, Xbox, Switch and PC

[@HeavyInstinct]

Where's the link to the documentary mentioned in the video?

[@BelartWright]

Maybe this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqSlqoirl6-eoZo. I can't remember which doc I mentioned

[@HeavyInstinct]

​@@BelartWrightThank you!

[@BelartWright]

@@HeavyInstinct No prob!

[@Wiseman108]

That's cool but I'm more interested in that Lunar Remastered Collection in your tabs.

[@BelartWright]

Yeah, was tempted to react to that one.

[@Watheverable]

I'd preorder a physical version!

[@BelartWright]

@@Watheverable that one will likely come much later unfortunately

[@craigwright8216]

I wish they would've given it the same remake as resident evil 2 and keep it greedy. But that's good and I'm still getting it. They answered the fans so I'm happy. If it does we'll I want to see blood omen 1&2 remake and hopefully they will pickup where they left on defiance and a remake as well.

[@murkyspectre]

Yeah hopefully that's the route they follow. It's a great start though.

[@BelartWright]

I'm hoping that's the reason BO1 isn't included in the collection.

[@Coreisus]

What do they mean by "optional content"? SR1+2 never had side content.... did they? Pretty sure it was just story driven all the way through! Does this mean we'll get new side stuff? Or am I just missing something?

[@BelartWright]

There was a lot of cut content in SR1 in particular but SR2 also had some cut content. IIRC in both cases the cut content was added into subsequent games with Defiance finally cramming most of the missing content into its narrative while also chopping out some of its own. SR1 could potentially get more elemental reavers, alternate endings, additional enemies or altered enemy placements, additional glyphs, additional boss fights, and new abilities. Check out the Soul Reaver entry on the Legacy of Kain wiki. They have a section for all the cut content.

[@ItoTheOmen]

Wonder why not include defiance but im hype still

[@BelartWright]

I think they'd want to include both Blood Omen games before Defiance even though Defiance shares Soul Reaver's art style.

[@truogar]

Well, Aspyr getting a LOT of praise right now. There's still the KOTOR dlc debacle though.

[@BelartWright]

@@truogar ahh man. What happened with that? I just heard they did well with the Tomb Raider remasters.

[@truogar]

@@BelartWright when they released KOTOR 2 for the switch, they announced they were also going to drop the deleted/Restored content as dlc, so you'd best believe I bought that game lol. Anyway I forget what the timeframe was, but it was at the end of a quarter, MONTHS after KOTOR 2 was released. So the quarter came and went, but nothing was released, and nothing was said to even acknowledge it... I quit checking on it after a while. Just googled it and from what I can see, they finally announced a cancellation for the DLC and offered a free game instead of a refund, and it looks like there's some lawsuit involved. I'm gonna go read lol

[@BelartWright]

@@truogar thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm going to look into it as well. Whatever happened, it doesn't sound good 😬

[@khal7702]

Blood Omen was 1996 I think

[@BelartWright]

Correct. I was way off.

[@atomicskull6405]

In all likelihood they are basing on the PC or Dreamcast version source code and not the PS1.

[@davidlira9145]

Can’t wait! Is there going to be a physical copy or just digital does anyone know?

[@murkyspectre]

If they do make physical copies, I'd effectively have to buy the game twice, already pre-ordered and have no regrets.

[@BelartWright]

So far its just digital as far as I know. I can't see them ignoring physical copies though. The only question is when.

[@davidlira9145]

@@murkyspectre thank you i definitely will be getting it twice if there a physical copy.

[@SacilvioSantos]

Man, I DO HOPE Aspyr doesn't fuck this up. Gotta say I'm afraid after what I saw in Star Wars Battlefront I & II Collection. I'd be more cool about it if Nightdive was in charge of these remasters.

[@BelartWright]

@@SacilvioSantos I am now hearing about some Aspyr controversies. I hadn't kept up with them before they did Tomb Raider.

[@SacilvioSantos]

@@BelartWright They did a good job on the TR Trilogy, but we gotta keep an eye out because of their previous projects...

[@patrickboian8545]

So can we expect those walkthroughs when it comes out? 😂

[@BelartWright]

Oh hell yeah, brother! I might do a chill playthrough of the older games before then.

[@chrs87]

I pre-ordered on ps5

[@BelartWright]

Good choice. Blood Omen will also be available soon on the system.

[@angelgodric]

Can you no pre-ordered ty

[@BelartWright]

Are you looking for a physical release?

[@muhammadshabazz1110]

I hope they're not gonna forget Blood Omen. If they rush this without the first game that would be a missed opportunity. Capcom released all the Marvel vs Capcom games. Come on guys.🤨

[@ВиталийМушкатенко]

Возродить франшизу!!!❤🎉😊

[@BelartWright]

It's here. I'm hoping for a Blood Omen remake.

[@desmondwhoa8779]

Im super excited but the game is so linear that i dont know why anyone would need a map or a waypoint. Map looks great though but not necessary

[@murkyspectre]

True, while technically it is in fact open world. You just can't reach certain areas without gaining the right abilities first. Edit: Still, I think the map will be cool. It was just much more rewarding having memorized all the connecting areas back in the day.

[@BelartWright]

Well, I didn't have much trouble but I love exploring. Some gamers aren't naturally prone to exploration and have trouble memorizing maps. So I don't mind considerations for them

[@BelartWright]

​@murkspectre yeah, it's very rewarding for me to memorize these maps especially for subsequent playthroughs

[@Nitenookmk]

I don’t understand why people would pre-order a digital game. Buying it digitally is bad enough, but a pre-order?

[@BelartWright]

Pure hype. I'm basically just showing my support of the series. It's a bit of a double-edged sword.

[@murkyspectre]

@Nitenookmk Usually I'd agree with you, the concept of pre-order has changed through the years and ended up being a shameless corporate cash grab. But, in this particular case the pre-order numbers will reflect the anticipation and support of the game and series. If there ever was a right time and valid reason to pre-order, this is it.

[@me5969]

I get it because obviously we used to pre-order San Andreas and stuff back in the day because it would 100% be sold out otherwise (we I say we. I'm 34 so my mum got it for me at the time as I was in school). Digital though I suppose it's to be able to play it straight away? I normally check in the morning and if I want it then just either go to work or go to the gym while it downloads. Even if I've booked it off work then I'll just get a few weights in while it downloads but not everyone does that and I suppose a lot of people are just really excited and I get that, I'm not a robot

[@Nitenookmk]

@@murkyspectre Ok, I get what you are saying. Just if this had been a physical release to start out with, would you agree that having physical release being sold the majority would send a clear message about the importance of physical media?

[@murkyspectre]

​@@NitenookmkYou have a point, I definitely prefer having physical media myself. I still have my Blood Omen, SR1, SR2 and Defiance on disc. I also think that going all digital is a slippery slope overall where digital game support or access can just abruptly be stopped or shut down nowadays. Or be always online (wtf). The industry is changing fast and not really for the better. Looking at you Ubisoft, EA, Activision Blizzard, Bethesda.. Offline gaming with a disc protects you from most of that type of bs. But I believe this remastered release of SR1 & 2 is mainly done as it is, as a cautious, low risk guage of interest specifically because the market and gaming atmosphere is so volatile lately. Studios just need to cut out the woke shit and start focusing on enjoyment and quality again. That being said, I'm sure this remake is going to make quite an impact when it comes to sales and support. If it released on physical disc only they'd probably sell all copies within the first month. So I understand that they're playing it safe. Excited to see those sales numbers though, I'm feeling good about this. Been waiting 20 f-ing years just hoping 🫠

[@nodood]

Wtf is Lexi Cane?

[@BelartWright]

You might want to listen back at 0.5 or 0.25 speed if it goes by too fast for you 😏

[@Donsposts]

NO PREORDERS!

[@murkyspectre]

This game should be an exception, let them guage the market and prepare. The IP has been dormant for over 2 decades.

[@BelartWright]

I respect this stance but I'm here to support the series. Gauging their work on the Tomb Raider I-III remasters, I think its safe to give them the benefit of doubt.

[@BelartWright]

@@murkyspectre These days I can't blame others for their doubt and suspicion of certain game industry practices, but Aspyr did well for the Tomb Raider fandom and the LoK fandom is one of the most IP starved at this point.

[@murkyspectre]

@@BelartWright It's not that I don't trust Aspyr, or that I think others would doubt them. Most new gamers probably just don't know the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver game, is all.

[@BelartWright]

@@murkyspectre Definitely, though I've been seeing a surprising amount online interest from newbies and people claiming to be long time series fans. I don't know how this will translate to sales but the volume of interest these last few weeks has surprised me.