DEFIANCE Until the Bitter End. The Lore of SOUL REAVER! (pt. 2)

[@mrbigglezworth42]

Raziel's moral assurance is kind of a key part of his character for much of his existence, vampire, human, or wraith. You can see it pretty clearly that he tended to make a judgement early then refuse to change it. His travels throughout time and space force him to acknowledge his own shortsightedness and how it's caused all manner of chaos. Amazingly, it takes 3 games and hundreds of years for Raziel to finally be humble and not just assume he's in the right.

[@Broomer52]

@@mrbigglezworth42 Raziel: You’re a Righteous Fiend, aren’t you? Also Raziel: Apparently I am

[@ornu01]

Tiptoe is gone, but it seems the Lady is here with more Blood Omen. What joyful sorrow.

[@jesusdadiel9668]

What

[@rooksillmane4791]

@@jesusdadiel9668 this channel was originally called tiptoethetank

[@mike_in_cornwall]

I'm so glad that I found this channel, and straight away afterwards, you dive into my favourite ever game series! Thanks for all you do, especially calling out Mobius' B.S.

[@mattbryant8320]

This franchise is so goated. We need a new legacy of kain/soul reaver game.

[@joecociuba4722]

Or a new gen reboot of the whole series with new graphics without changes to voice acting.

[@hunn20004]

Getting the PS1 game working natively on pc so we could use Nvidia Reflex seems to be the better path. I couldn't possibly replace the OG voice actors. The Shakespearian delivery is the reason why it's so ageless. I also wouldn't trust an unnamed or a named studio to not insert modern culture into the game.

[@joncarter3761]

@@hunn20004 why use the inferior PS versions when GOG have got the much better PC ports running fine on modern systems?

[@anibalgonzalez7990]

Nah, just a follow after Defiance. No need for a reboot.

[@Mephistofeles]

​​@@joecociuba4722 no, fck off with the reboot bs.

[@brunovega6479]

I know the lore of the LOK games front to back, but it is so exciting whenever I see it get some recognition. Ty so much for these videos

[@Jebbtube]

33:30 Minor correction; that's not the Reaver Vorador has. It looks a lot like it, since he did forge the thing, but his sword is not the same as the Soul Reaver. Important distinction.

[@razorflossrazor2937]

Man this series deserves a remaster.

[@moonymanj5]

@@razorflossrazor2937 this comment aged well lol, remasters are out now if you didn't know

[@razorflossrazor2937]

@moonymanj5 for real? Appreciate the heads up.

[@moonymanj5]

@@razorflossrazor2937 no problem lol, not sure what platform you play on, but the blood omen games were ported to PlayStation, along with soul reaver 1 and 2 receiving full fledged remasters. That's what brought me here lol, I just finished SR 1 and 2 then came to see what happens in defiance, as it was unfortunately left out. Still though, the attention the games are getting right now makes me hopeful that we might still see more from this franchise in the future

[@n543576]

Hellz YES! I've been waiting on part 2

[@Duragoneuh]

It's thanks to your videos that i've begun playing Legacy of Kain, continue the good stuff

[@PatrickBick]

Thank you for doing this. I know it didn't get the viewership you initially wanted, but thank you.

[@Ryoku1]

Janos isn't still around at the end of Defiance. His fate was detailed in Blood Omen 2. He was used as a tool to open a portal for the Hilden to return only to fall into the demonic realm. The new memories Kain gains at the end of Soulr Reaver 2 are the events of Blood Omen 2. Kain says Janos must stay dead to keep the Hilden trapped and prevent that game.

[@RazthorFodring]

Hey, I loved your work with these videos, is just amazing to see that this series is getting a bit more attention these days, however due to how the story is convoluted sometimes I understand some things where not clear, so let me point out some things that where actually different to what you said, with all due respect of course. 33:30 - That is not the reaver, that is a personal sword that Vorador is wielding, the soul reaver of that era is still in Avernus, or already in the hands of the young kain form the first game. 41:03 - Mortanius is not speaking with the hylden Lord he is speaking to the younger kain that just managed to kill moebius, although there is some discrepancy when Raziel returns we see moebius so its more like an oversight of what happened from part of the developers, because the words Mortainus Said "Come to me my undead Son, make haste to the pillars. The stage is set up for the grand finale, you will have your vengeance!" 47:37 - This one I would get not understanding, the game is not specifically clear about it, but what happens is due to his special resurrection, and the meddling of the Squid boy, Raziel is BOTH The vampire and hylden Champion, his free will is to choose witch champion will win, but the central figure in the muruals there in the spirit forge fortell that the scion of Balance, A.K.A. Kain will be cleansed from the corruption of Nuprator that started the events of the first game.

[@AmariieMaerthos]

For your last point, the way I saw it by the end is that Janos, possessed by the Hylden Lord is the Hylden Champion and Kain is the Vampire Champion. Raziel's free will, in accepting The Reaver will be what allows that mural's outcome to change and Kain will win in the end over Janos.

[@AmariieMaerthos]

Or, thinking more on it, with how different Kain looks from the ancient vampires, the mural could have been showing Kain and Janos. Kain in the painting was just assumed to be the Hylden Champion because the other one LOOKED like an ancient vampire, and it was properly showcasing Kain's inevitable victory.

[@RazthorFodring]

@@AmariieMaerthos well in the end it was explicitly confirmed by Amy Hennig that Raziel was both and the clues are there but is not explicitly said in the game because Raziel is the only being with free will

[@AmariieMaerthos]

@@RazthorFodringAhh, had never heard that. Was just thinking things

[@kylehogan2247]

I got so excited seeing this come out. Also, great name change!

[@Xehanort10]

18:39 Raziel ended up a better person as a vampire and later a wraith than he was as a human.

[@mustardbiscuits9750]

This very well may be the best, most comprehensive series out rn regarding the LoK storyline. Thank you so much for this! Wonderful job!

[@christopheraustin5915]

I know people say “reboot soul reaver” but I think they don’t realize it’s the middle chapter in a longer series. I hope to see a finale for kain’s story someday.

[@LontEnCaras]

Same. But that could be difficult. This series has been on such a long break, that some of the voice actors already died. The dev teams behind the games don't exist anymore. It would fall into the hands of entirely new people. People that probably don't have any idea how the story was intended to move forward. And that is always kind of a hit or miss thing.

[@Setsuraful]

Sadly any hopes of that most likely died along with Dead Sun.

[@arx3516]

​​@@LontEnCaras it's not like there aren't good voice actors anymore. Just hire some actors with solid experience in classical theatre.

[@CatBxtchNami]

@@Setsuraful It is good Dead Sun died because the little story we saw of it did not look good.

[@HXC060592]

This series has by far the best storyline and overarching story for a video game, rivaling or even surpassing Metal Gear. Thank you so much for this excellent break down of a very deeply written and complex story.

[@CharonTheSabercat]

I spent most of this video transcribing my favorite quotes of yours and sharing them with my friends on Discord. I love your writing so much.

[@tomo2807]

This is so perfect I just can't 🥲🔥

[@mykaelnyx8821]

Although when you blame the vampires for being religious zealots and starting a war with the Hylden, I think we all need to realize that the vampires were still being provoked by the creature they worshiped as a God. And yes while the elder God might have some god-like power, so it would be easily able to manipulate the vampire race. And even if the vampires did start the war, their "God" was actually talking to them and telling them to do it. So even though the vampires were the initial aggressors, I'm still considering them victims in the entire thing. The first True Victims in fact.

[@fetteredfey]

Thank the gods there is a new one, now I have something to listen to for breakfast 😁🖤🦇

[@apple8464]

What a fantastic story! Kain and Raziel has such a fantastic dynamic, and I hope we see the completion of this saga.

[@nateofthesevenhills]

Embracer Group... Note that twenty years after the release of the last game, there still isnt any other franchise that dares boast to be an intellectual heavyweight on the level of LoK... Bring this franchise back, do it justice and give the fans a satisfying ending.

[@CatBxtchNami]

Do you trust modern writers and modern corporations to do this franchise justice?

[@DrMDHyde]

This is convoluted, but, somehow I like it? Like it must be a mind fuck to try and figure out. Hell I normally hate time travel plots but this is just kinda cool.

[@Shizn0id]

and then the story was never finished....the end

[@TerryB01]

Yes another update! LD Is there a reason why you changed your channel's name?

[@Viryl_TV]

There was some confusion in the past about the branding. The channel name was TiptoeTheTank but all the branding said Lady of Lore. So which was it? Since we started the second Let's Play channel (which was also just named TiptoeTheTank) we decided to simplify it and keep consistent branding 👌

[@gentlemanviking2644]

Some of the best voice acting in gaming

[@keanedasilva4315]

Not gonna lie your videos are such a treat. Will definitely give to your patreon. I looked forward to every upload!

[@lawrenceladd30]

@41:10 he is speaking to Kain when he says "come to me, my undead son, make haste for the pillars..." Mortanius was not speaking to the Hylden, they would began to speak threw him to Raziel in a few lines!

[@uros.u.novakovic]

I was looking forward to this!

[@SPARTAN22294]

Vorador is not holding the Soul Reaver blade at 33:30 that his own sword.

[@kristopherkelly4771]

So tiptoethetank became the game chanel now

[@cc31reaper]

I just watch your majora makes video I have to go out today but when I get home I’m watching the rest of that series and many more of your videos you are truly very very talented in story telling keep up the great content you are underrated af and I hope your videos get the attention they deserve amazing

[@cc31reaper]

Alsoo if there is anyway I can support you like a Patreon or anything like that lmk I have never done anything like that for any content creator but your nat for story telling is far to good for you not to do this full time

[@Viryl_TV]

@@cc31reaper That's heckin' sweet of you and we're happy you enjoy it. If you'd like to show your support, there's two main ways to do it. KZbin Membership and Patreon. They both (basically) have the same benefits, except Tip gets a bigger cut from Patreon than she does with KZbin. Although you do get unique emotes and a badge on KZbin Patreon: www.patreon.com/tiptoethetank KZbin Membership: bit.ly/2YxxYo4 She posts these lore vids a few days early, has monthly-ish patreon/member streams and puts out special videos occasionally.

[@serene1172]

‘The elder gods tinder profile is a little bit dishonest’ LMFAO I DIED! I’m dead!!

[@viciousarchon]

The lady of lore strikes again!. Gosh i do enjoy these lore videos.

[@orinanime]

I just discovered this channel today. And watched all nearly three hours of the LoK lore videos. I love this series. I love your summarization of it. I write this on November 8th 2023. November 11th marks the 20th anniversary of LoK: Defiance. I wish we could get one more, one final game in this series to wrap up the story. I know that a few of the actors have passed away, and I'd hate to see/hear them replaced. But i really wish we could finish this story.

[@Eleolius]

Well done for all the crazy work this must have taken!

[@incuboo4044]

YOU! You’re a glob damned SAINT. Stumbled up your LoZ videos. Come here to see you made videos on the first game I ever played.

[@LucasFontanillaManjarres]

Total masterpiece

[@curtisclarke-jones4027]

I thought I lost the channel but then saw it had been renamed so all is good again

[@STEXUS2223]

Finally another video from the angelic voice

[@harleyspawn]

All of these outcomes could have been avoided if someone just went back to protect Ariel. The pillars wouldn't have been corrupted, balance would still have a protector, yada yada.

[@tekcrimsonblitz]

I wonder if one day we'll have a part 3 on your channel for this series. Goddammit, we need Dark Profecy. Did Raziel's sacrifice actually accomplish something? Will Kain's coin land on its edge? Can the EG be permanently destroyed? What was its real goal? So many questions that apparently will never get an answer 😢. Excellent video as always!

[@roboticgentlemen1970]

Raziel and Kane are the best vampires. Change my mind

[@Starcat5]

Why would I want to? 😜

[@Lightspeeds]

Castlevania's Alucard is my favorite. Don't set the bar so low next time.

[@BloodDragon-rp4xc]

raziel isnt a vampire anymore, and KAIN is the vampire because KANE doesnt exist. now then, its alucard from the classic castlevania games

[@Starcat5]

@@Lightspeeds Isn't he classified most of the time as a half-vampire, a la the title character from Vampire Hunter D? At that point you might as well round out the Top Five with Alucard from Hellsing, and let each person decide for themselves who slots where.

[@tekcrimsonblitz]

Oh, please... Everyone knows the best vampire is Edward Cullen

[@toolman4745]

Amazing retrospective on the legacy of kain series.

[@toaolisi761]

I've been lost in this franchise's narrative for years. Compelling lore, but I couldn't understand what the hell was going on anytime they time traveled. Literally 3 youtube videos later and I finally understand just how many things were in motion.

[@AlphizzleMusic]

Given the passing of Tony Jay, I feel the only fitting way for us to get the final chapter to this story, would be in a live-action format, written by Amy Hennig. HBO, I have an idea for a series you might be interested in.

[@BaneHuntress]

And how many YEARS hdo we have to wait for another game!!! /sobs. Best games ever!

[@Donaldpeck12345]

Ugh they(who ever owns the rights) need to remaster these games and then finish the story I’ve waited long enough. I’m not immortal like some😂

[@FourNamesFourEyes]

I've heard about the franchise before but never got the chance to play it. Still though, the way your tell the story is so enthralling! I'm loving these!

[@WanderingLeopard]

You're a great narrator. Expertly done

[@TheIrishWanderer2166]

I understand the entirety of Kaine's role in nazgoth and what happened to him the moment the previous guardians died, if he hadn't rejected his role in killing himself the Hilden would've just come back anyway. It's all a double edged sword that had no good outcome. Kaine in rejecting his role bought the world and himself time by staying alive.

[@Teixas666]

at 33:30, just noting that is not the reaver Vorador is holding, its just...a sword, probably of his own making but otherwise unremarkable. in the timelline at this point there are only 2 reavers running around: 1 is Raziel's Wraith blade the other is Kain's(if you want ot be pedantic technically there is a 3rd one, Raziel himself, but that's not relevant on this part.) 41:10 Mortanius is speaking to the young Kain(his "undead son") from Blood Omen pushing him toward their encounter at the Pillars as by this point Kain murdered every other gurdian barring himself and Anacroth.

[@stardust-rebel]

This has been such a treat. Bravo.

[@D2daICE]

The Lady of Lore? I was pretty confused for a short moment here.

[@ugn154]

I started delving into this story because of the remaster. Great, awesome, and incredible narrative. I'm very invested in it, sadly, I found out that The Dark Prophecy had gotten cancelled and I'm currently trying to find out if there's books to this awesome story.

[@PoPo-ee2xb]

Just found this channel and I LOVE the way you deliver lore! More please!

[@inktrebuchet]

This was so good! Thank you

[@diego5262]

Best lore channel, love your work

[@munchiemac2895]

Legacy of Kain franchise always been underrated.

[@greyson3131]

Loved this series. Can't believe they haven't made another. If they ever did make another LoK when would it take place? During Kain's rise to power in Nosgoth? To further pretzel the timeline? Or AFTER Kain and Raziel start their jumping backwards in time? Then we pick up the pieces of Kain's crumbling empire? I don't pre-order games, but I would pre-order a new LoK title.

[@Mephistofeles]

Ffs, people NEED to learn to let sleeping dogs lie, a reboot,a remake or a sequel made in modern day gamming would RUIN this whole franchise legacy, this series dont need anything other than a console and pc PORT, and thats it.

[@DeusExAngelo]

So, a few clarifications: Moebius definitely was not fooling the Elder God. Moebius believed and followed the Elder God as his deity, but knew nothing his true identity. Moebius also, even putting up his feeble and dottering old man act had additional layers of chicanery. So even if we as the players don’t buy his initial act, there was still other conspiracies beneath the surface. Also, Moebius didn’t allow Malak to save the others to make sure Vorador kills the rest of the circle. Thus setting up major events in the game. Also, a nitpick, you missed out on the best line Raziel says as he kills his past self: “I renounce you.” *Addendum:* I’m not sure if Raziel actually knew if the Heart Of Darkness was in Kain this whole time. Not sure where this was indicated in the story prior?

[@Rassilon42Omega]

One another bit of clarification, the sword that Vorador uses is not the Reaver, but another sword he that forged in a similar style.

[@Tuaron]

It was great to hear this entire saga, especially the way it was delivered here. I'd always wanted to get into the Legacy of Kain games , but never did (I think I had either a demo of Soul Reaver or I was just really bad at it so I never got far) so it was nice to finally experience it to an extent, especially with the storytelling style of this channel. Almost wish they'd remake the games, follow God of War-style gameplay or such. Also makes me want to call for a Darksiders video or series, would love someone to properly explain what was going on when I zoned out during cutscenes or conversations, but I'm just happy to check out whatever videos there are (the God of War 2018 one excites me, especially as I just beat Ragnarok, though I also eagerly await Alan Wake 2) - I'm currently debating Silent Hill, Resident Evil, or Dead Space next.

[@Viryl_TV]

Glad you enjoyed watching them! They were definitely a pain to play through (I was the one that captured the footage) but the story, atmosphere, characters and gameplay was pretty unique, especially for the time. It definitely didn't age very well though and I would love to see a remaster/remake. The devs did put out a poll a couple years ago seeing if there was an interest in continuing or remaking the LoK series. They expected maybe a few hundred responses but got several tens of thousands from what I remember. So here's hoping. Darksiders is a great series and has always been on the to-do list, but we haven't gotten around to recording it yet. I'd love to play through it again though.

[@TrueDiox]

God, this series is goooooood.

[@DaellusKnights]

Ohmywow... 😳 I've only played SR1 and SR2... Well, I tried playing Blood Omen, but the game mechanics were so bad I gave up on it. Most importantly, I didn't know the story continued! 😱 Now I have to go track down BO2 and Defiance! I had to stop watching once I realized I was seeing gameplay spoilers (for me at least). I'll be back someday to finish watching! 🤣😻

[@Kaiju-Driver]

Amazing content as usual. ;p

[@lordomacron3719]

Yeah! New video! Time for a cup of hot chocolate, curl up in bed and enjoy a good story!

[@AmariieMaerthos]

Would love to see another video talking about Blood Omen 2

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGeek99]

Love these lore videos so much!

[@DevilWillCry222]

Thank you so much

[@umaid08]

Watching the whole story again to sate myself till the remake lands this December

[@GhostManCrisis]

Would love to see a follow-up. Weren't there more games?

[@BobHarlie]

We need this made into a movie.

[@jonathanduchesne8437]

Epic narrations. Try Castlevania Lords of Shadows 1 and 2

[@Carnax6969]

Whilst there are modern games with amazing writing with attention and appreciation for story telling, world building, character development and resolution, and everything in between. For me, there's nothing quite like the level of LoK and SR. Sure, the series has a lot of jankiness here and there, but tell me you weren't invested into Raziel just by the opening cutscene alone.

[@AnimeNut101]

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully, this re-release is successful enough to allow some love to be shown to the 2 Blood Omen games as well. 🤞

[@khatack]

It's funny how the reason that Kain's vampires deserved to be wiped out and the vampires of the Sarafan era did not deserve that fate was that Kain's vampires were ugly and the Sarafan era vampires were not. I'm not really sure I agree with Raziel's assessment here ^^

[@takerweapon1]

I would so love see all these old games receive remakes before a new game is brought to the series. They better start the remake series with Blood Omen.

[@MarkERoth]

For all the trouble the 3rd paradox event created its weird to think that Mobius only peered into the possible futures long enough to verify Kain's death at the hands of Raziel and from his dialogue failed to keep looking which would have clued him in to his very brief resurrection and ultimate demise at the hands of Kain and the maw of Raziel. Before the 3rd Paradox Event what would have been Kain's fate? Raziel still hadn't killed Kain but was on the verge of the end of his preplanned destiny which would have happened sooner had Janos not hurled him into the Fire Forge. Taking out the fire forge from SR2 would have set up Janos to be alive and Kain could have appeared to save Raziel from the Reaver but then would have been met with the new future in the presence of Janos. What would have happened then?

[@Ox9707]

So in the end: Kain has no vampire heart, Raziel is the Reaver, The Hilden Lord is still in the loose, Mobius is 100% staying dead this time, The Elder God is imprisoned but not dead, The pillars are still corrupted, And Nosgoth is still in shambles .... And there is no sequel to finish the story. Tragic

[@MarcoPolo3]

Never clicked on a video so fast!

[@deepblue1846]

Hey tiptoe do you play on emulators? If not what are you using to capture footage that high quality on a console?

[@Viryl_TV]

Captured and played on PC. I bought the whole series off GoG and installed a few fan patches to fix the bugs and clean up the graphics a bit 👌

[@mykaelnyx8821]

Are you going to make a video for Blood Omen 2? I really hope so, I do enjoy your lore videos

[@derekhogan9685]

The best take away I have (aside the stellar writing) is that Razeal had to die twice to be a decent person. lol

[@Starcat5]

Hmm... I thought you would have slotted Blood Omen 2 after Soul Reaver 2, but I guess release order doesn't necessarily equate to play order. One more video to go.

[@Duragoneuh]

Are you gonna talk about Blood Omen 2 next ?

[@iamjustsham1066]

Well done great lady what's next uncharted, tomb raider, parasite Eve, any Castlevania!

[@jabrielmilner]

thank you, for this. i'm eight again.

[@RespawnGod]

I'd love for the guys who made darksiders to spruce up soul reaver

[@izzyalistair]

We'll get Remakes up until 2025, and then I really hope Crystal Dynamics announces a continuation

[@Noleme]

Could Raziel have killed Mobius after sparing Kain? I suspect not. Raziel, by his remaking, has free will, but he is enmeshed in a web where all other actors do not. Raziel, without the Reaver Paradox, is not free to choose because both choices have been orchestrated to lead to the same outcome. Only when 2 spirits with free wills clash, which only happens when two versions of the Reaver clash, can a third choice be made and free will truly exist. Mobius said that Raziels one chance to kill him was when the blade was mended and a temporal Paradox was active.

[@gagaplex]

Mr Hilden is Odo, isn't he?!

[@rudolphantler6309]

If Raziel supposedly has free will, why is Blood Omen 2 Beast Janos' mere existence in that time depend on Defiance Raziel resurrecting Janos which Kain knew he must stay dead at the end of Soul Reaver 2? I mean, if he is supposed to have free will, how does history "know" right after when Kain pulls the Reaver out of him in the end of Soul Reaver 2 giving him is Blood Omen 2 memories that Raziel will resurrect Janos in Defiance? Isn't the point of free will supposed to be being able to do something which is not written in stone by destiny? Or does that only count when Raziel has 2 or 3 copies of his soul in his near vicinity because he died twice by now? Once as a human becoming a vampire then as a vampire becoming a wraith? (Supposedy 2 should be enough because Raziel physically wasn't present in the William Vs Kain fight, only his one and only soul two times in two different time copies of the same reaver.) Also, if a "purified" Raziel will show up as an un-deformed spectral mentor in the next game, will he still have free will to *speak* as he likes? Because if nobody has free will now, how does Kain expect to save the world "against the machinations of fate" or against predestination/predetermination?

[@rudolphantler6309]

Also, you should have included Blood Omen 2 either after Soul Reaver 2 to explain the new addition to the new timeline or after Defiance to continue the explanation of Janos' story so it won't be missed from future installments. Because somebody somehow resurrects Vorador before Blood Omen 2 and it is definitely not Raziel nor Janos. It might be post-Defiance Kain. Vorador even comes back as more humble than ever before.

[@karasguro6919]

Where is the Blood Omen 2 lore video?

[@tysonbentford3525]

soulsbourne creator should remake this game.

[@kyb7795]

Amoung these old games i thought dark siders story was complex then cones LOC

[@scolkereybel]

Oof. The writing for this series does start to fray at the end. Like, I do appreciate how intricate the writing is, and believable it is, that it was all planned. It should frankly be a point in the writers favor that in how convoluted their story has become.

[@EhrisaiaOShannon]

I'm still just trying to figure out how the Hell Raziel manages to talk with his entire friggin bottom jaw missing. Lmiao. 💜

[@darkwind30]

Sass is a powerful thing

[@willliam15]

wow 04:52

[@neoacidcreep]

how ludicrously convoluted. I've never rewound so much

[@johnsantos507]

Wait a minute! Where's Blood Omen 2? You can't skip Blood Omen 2!