# Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered
**Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered** is a 2024 video game collection that bundles remastered versions of *Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver* (1999) and *Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2* (2001), two action-adventure games set in the dark fantasy world of Nosgoth. It was developed by Aspyr together with [Crystal Dynamics](https://www.edgepedia.org/crystal-dynamics), published by Aspyr, and released on December 10, 2024 for [PlayStation 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-4), [PlayStation 5](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-5), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_12_Remastered/) • [2](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release date | December 10, 2024, timed to the 25th anniversary of the original Soul Reaver[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) |
| Developer / publisher | Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics (development); Aspyr (publisher)[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_12_Remastered/) |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X\|S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam, GOG, Epic)[2](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review) |
| Graphics toggle | Original and remastered art can be swapped at any time by pressing in the right stick (F1 on PC), with no performance hit[2](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review) • [3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) |
| Gameplay changes | Camera moved to the right stick with newly added skyboxes, analog control, a new map and compass, photo mode, and trophies[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) |
| Visual changes | New hero models for Raziel and Kain, new enemy and boss models, real-time shadows, upgraded textures, UI, and VFX, and higher-fidelity cutscenes[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) |
| Voice cast | Michael Bell as Raziel, Simon Templeman as Kain, and Tony Jay as the Elder God[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) |
| Steam reception | Very Positive, 90% of 1,565 English user reviews[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_12_Remastered/) |
## Background and announcement
The original *Soul Reaver* introduced the vampire Raziel, who is betrayed and executed by his master, the vampire emperor Kain, in the game's opening scene, and rises later as a vengeful wraith. Aspyr's announcement, made on September 24, 2024 through a PlayStation State of Play presentation, framed the remaster as a commemoration of the game's 25th anniversary.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) Crystal Dynamics supplied Aspyr with the original source code and a complete set of assets, so the collection runs on the original engine and preserves the original combat, puzzles, and boss fights with the same balance and feel.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/)
The two games sit in the middle of the [Legacy of Kain](https://www.edgepedia.org/legacy-of-kain) series, which began with *Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain* in 1996. *Soul Reaver 2* was originally planned for the original [PlayStation](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation) but was moved to the [PlayStation 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-2) to raise its graphics and animation, a port the team completed in a matter of weeks, according to Amy Hennig, who served as design manager on *Blood Omen* and as director and lead writer on *Soul Reaver*, *Soul Reaver 2*, and *Legacy of Kain: Defiance*.[4](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/11/19/the-legacy-of-kain-series-retrospective-with-original-developers/)
## Remaster features
**Graphics toggle.** As in Aspyr's Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, a single button press switches between the original graphics and the remastered art at any moment during gameplay, including in photo mode.[2](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review) • [3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) Reviewers used the toggle for direct comparisons and generally judged the new visuals most impressive in areas with light and shadow, where the remaster looks far better than the original.[5](https://www.worthplaying.com/article/2024/12/9/reviews/144477-ps5-review-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered/)
**Camera and controls.** The original *Soul Reaver* launched when the D-pad was the dominant control method, and its camera was operated with the shoulder buttons. The remaster maps the camera to the right stick, adds movement on the Y-axis, and introduces new skyboxes, which the original lacked because players could not look up.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) • [6](https://www.playstationcountry.com/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-ps5-review/) Analog control is supported on modern controllers, and controls can be remapped.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) • [7](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-and-2-remastered)
**New content and extras.** The collection adds trophies, a photo mode carried over from the [Tomb Raider](https://www.edgepedia.org/tomb-raider) remasters, and a map and compass of Nosgoth co-created by Aspyr, Crystal Dynamics, and members of the Legacy of Kain community.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) A day and night cycle cut from the original *Soul Reaver* was restored for atmosphere. The package also includes an art museum and the original voice recording sessions and outtakes.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/) • [8](https://www.sidequesting.com/2024/12/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review/)
**Visual upgrades.** The remaster replaces the hero models for Raziel and Kain with models inspired by the original pre-rendered cutscenes, adds glowing eyes and an upgraded Wraith Blade, applies real-time shadows to characters and objects, and renders cutscenes with higher-fidelity models found in the archives.[3](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/)
## Reception
Critics received the collection as a faithful remaster rather than a remake. GameSpot described it as a new coat of paint on the original games, and the Spanish outlet AS noted that the level design and content are unchanged, with the improvements limited to higher-quality textures, stable performance, and a modernized camera.[9](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-12-remastered-review-my-wayward-son-returns/1900-6418324/) • [10](https://as.com/meristation/analisis/analisis-de-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-el-regreso-de-dos-aventuras-que-todo-el-mundo-deberia-jugar-n/) Destructoid praised Aspyr, the studio behind the Tomb Raider I-III remasters, and noted that the fully modernized right-stick camera leaves the shoulder buttons free for other functions.[11](https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered/) TechRadar called it a more than worthy remaster while observing that the twenty-five-year-old control scheme still drew attention alongside the visual work.[12](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-and-2-remastered-review)
On Steam the game holds a Very Positive rating, with 90% of 1,565 English user reviews positive.[1](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_12_Remastered/) Aspyr has continued to support the release with patches, including a Patch 2.[13](https://support.aspyr.com/hc/en-us/articles/35487543568397-Legacy-of-Kain-Soul-Reaver-1-2-Remastered-Patch-2)
## Place in the series
The remaster ended a long gap in the franchise: GameSpot counted 25 years since the first game and 21 years since the last entry in the series at the time of release.[9](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-12-remastered-review-my-wayward-son-returns/1900-6418324/) It was followed by further Legacy of Kain releases, including *Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered*, announced for March 3, 2026, and the prequel *Legacy of Kain: Ascendance*, announced for March 31, 2026.[14](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/every-xbox-and-pc-game-shown-during-sonys-playstation-state-of-play-february-2026)
## References
1. [Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521380/Legacy_of_Kain_Soul_Reaver_12_Remastered/)
2. [Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered review, Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review)
3. [Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered launches on PS5, PS4 Dec 10, PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/09/24/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-launches-on-ps5-ps4-dec-10/)
4. [The Legacy of Kain series: retrospective with original developers, PlayStation.Blog](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/11/19/the-legacy-of-kain-series-retrospective-with-original-developers/)
5. [PS5 Review: Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, Worthplaying](https://www.worthplaying.com/article/2024/12/9/reviews/144477-ps5-review-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered/)
6. [Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, PS5 Review, PlayStation Country](https://www.playstationcountry.com/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-ps5-review/)
7. [Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Review (Switch eShop), Nintendo Life](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-and-2-remastered)
8. [Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered review, SideQuesting](https://www.sidequesting.com/2024/12/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-review/)
9. [Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Review, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-12-remastered-review-my-wayward-son-returns/1900-6418324/)
10. [Análisis de Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, AS MeriStation](https://as.com/meristation/analisis/analisis-de-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered-el-regreso-de-dos-aventuras-que-todo-el-mundo-deberia-jugar-n/)
11. [Review: Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, Destructoid](https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-2-remastered/)
12. [Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered review, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-1-and-2-remastered-review)
13. [Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered | Patch 2, Aspyr Support](https://support.aspyr.com/hc/en-us/articles/35487543568397-Legacy-of-Kain-Soul-Reaver-1-2-Remastered-Patch-2)
14. [Every Xbox and PC game shown during Sony's PlayStation State of Play February 2026, Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/every-xbox-and-pc-game-shown-during-sonys-playstation-state-of-play-february-2026)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Games and gameplay › Individual game titles › Remasters, re-releases, ports, and compilations as distinct editions*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license