Legacy of Kain: Defiance Reviews

stupid camera

a classic game

Loved the game! Shame the final part was cancelled.

This game needs to be remastered asap!

I really liked the models upgrade and characterization, comparing to the last 2 games (excluding the remaster, as it`s models are clearly very well made). The reaver swithcing system is also a great add-on and the combat is way more fluid compared to the last game (SR2). One improvement that could have been made is a more "puzzle-like" environment in it's design, as seen in SR1. I think that could've added a little more complexity and mistry to the game. The reaver puzzles are very repetitive and have less identity, compared to the previous titles, and could really be improved. Although all theses aspects, it's being great experience to go through all the 3 games.

this game kicks ass but the controller support is sooooo baddddd

I played the Soul Reaver/Defiance trilogy in my teen years and absolutely loved the story. Loved the concept and was really stoked for it. Now, having recently re-played the remasters of Soul Reaver 1 and 2, Defiance really falls behind in every aspect. My memories of it was that it was a great game, but having about 15+ years of gaming on my back, I really can't recommend the game besides for story purposes and "finishing" the trilogy (and I putting quotes since the story actually was never finished and Defiance ends on a kinda open ending). I think this game is the one that really needs the most a Remaster, but I think that isn't going to be enough; but a Remake it is needed. A whole gameplay revamp (pun intended) needs to be done imediately. For starters, the camera is atrocious; and having the other 2 games played 3rd person view, never understood why they choose to go back to the old ways with the fixed camera. Not only is really annoying to play around with it, but at times it actually plays against you since it doesn't let you see what the hell are you doing; sometimes even being stuck until some other animation unlocks it. Truly bad. Then its the switching between characters, which even tho at the time was something innovative and maybe even wanted, now feels like crap and really breaks the momentum. Fighting is mostly hell, that sometimes is balanced out with the power of the reavers; but not always. Puzzles/exploration isn't hard, but there were a lot of repetition back to back; like for example you get to a corner room where you fight some guys so the doors open, then you go through the door and a bit more forward you reach another corner room and the same thing again. Or fighting the stupid statues near a portal, going through the portal, and having to fight them again. All of that, plus the outdated graphics and controls really puts the third and last installment down the bottom. I really hope that the remaster in the first two gets enough motion for a remake of this one, and why not a new 4th and final installment to finish the story properly. I know is wishful thinking at this point, with more than 20 years passed, but I guy can dream. For now this game falls down with a modest 4.

What you've read here about the story is true. It wraps the story up wonderfully. The gameplay is more hit/miss. You can see some amazing ideas in here. SR1 was a great game but lacked engaging combat. SR2 tried to fix that by just giving you a bunch of stuff to fight. Defiance tries to fix it by giving you actual moves and combos to use. They succeed in this regard, but the game will just throw enemies at you at all times. You'll fight over and over and over. You'll earn every combo quickly because there are so many enemies. It really drags the game out. Couple that with the camera that is so clearly trying its best, but you know it would be the first thing to go in the event of a remake. It's the weakest game of the series, but that is not saying much in a series that sets such a high story bar. If you played the other games, you're going to need to check this out anyway. Overall, you won't regret it.