In light of the success of the first two Legacy of Kain games, Eidos decided to release the third installment of the Legacy. Soul Reaver 2 takes place right as Soul Reaver is ending. As you watch the first movie sequence, you get a sense that Raziel is in a pretty bad mood. As you may have guessed, you retake the role of Raziel as you perilously go through the past of Nosgoth in your pursuit of the tyrannical Kain.

Soul Reaver 2 has brought back all of what made Soul Reaver a classic. The controls are there, the gameplay style, the action, etc., it’s all there. The story is just as entertaining if not more so. Soul Reaver 2 takes the Legacy of Kain series up a notch.

When I saw this game in stores, I looked at the title and almost froze. Soul Reaver 2, the sequel to critically acclaimed Soul Reaver. A must have game for all. I would have bought it on the spot...except The Funds of Darkness were a little low right then. Eventually, I got it.

When playing the game for the first time, I noticed an assortment of new abilities and a host of new buttons to do them. I had to get used to all the new abilities, but beyond that the first few minutes were loads of fun. I saw the best graphics ever to grace a Legacy of Kain game, that is, until the more recent Blood Omen 2.

Surprisingly, the graphics were sharp and very clean. In the movie sequences, there was nothing that took away from the game. In some games (we won’t mention names), the graphics in the movie sequences suck so badly that it takes away from the stories effect. In this game, that doesn’t happen. Instead, the game’s graphics are incredible in the movies and in the actual game. The first Soul Reaver had instances where people would talk but the faces wouldn’t change. Not here though. Crisp, clean graphics that bring a tear to Barbie Boy’s eye (thanks to Kain that is).

The game sounds are, at the very least, well done. They mix perfectly with the mood and are especially nice to listen to. The music isn’t repetitive. The screams of the victims that you slay, be they human or other, are perfect in timing. The Soul Reaver also has cool sounds associated with it. When you swing it, it sounds awesome. When it absorbs a soul, it sounds even cooler.

Much like its ancestral games, Soul Reaver 2 is an especially fun game. I must admit, this could rival the gameplay value of Blood Omen...maybe. The game is fun and doesn’t focus on one-on-one battles anymore. Now, you have to use strategies to attack and defend multiple enemies. The gameplay can get a little lonely without the ability to react with Ais.

The controls are similar to the original’s. That’s good because of the familiarity. Of course, with new abilities, comes new controls. The controls make sense in their situating. The PS2 controller really doesn’t handle it badly at all. It works pretty well.

The graphics are great. The music is greater. The gameplay rocks, and the controls aren’t rocky. Need I say more? No.

+ The story is awesome.

+ The game definitely hits a new mark.

- There are a lot of bugs.

- Not a lot of Kain here.

? Why not a multiplatform release?

? Are ravens supposed to disappear in a green light?

Overall (not an average): 8.5/10
A great addition to anyone’s game collection