Summary
Aspyr, the developer behindLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered,has released a new update for the action-adventure game, along with a modest list of patch notes. The revamped versions of two of history’s most iconic video games were released on December 10, and after waiting for nearly 25 years, fans of the franchise were generally not disappointed. The predominantly positive reviews praised the quality-of-life improvements offered byLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remasteredwhile remaining faithful to the original games.
As with its work onTomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, Aspyr approached this new project with an eye for preservation. ThoughLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remasteredintroduced some welcome improvementsto the classic titles, the developer started from the original source code and engine, overhauled the graphics, and added a bunch of goodies for the fandom to enjoy. This includes the “Lost Levels” section, found in the Bonus Materials menu, that lets players check out areas that were cut from the original releases.
ConsideringSoul Reaver 1 & 2 Remasteredhas been out for less than two months, the developer is actively keeping up with player feedback, and the first patch was released on January 30. ForSoul Reaver 1, one of the improvements is the ability to toggle the day/night cycle on and off. Both1 & 2have had a few graphical glitches fixed, like the lighthouse’s missing beam, as well as an issue with squished aspect ratios on Steam and Steam Deck. The games also now automatically open the pause menu when a controller is disconnected, and Aspyr has assured players that the names ofRemastered’s Kickstarter backers will be added to the game with the Day 60 patch, which is slated for release sometime in March.
Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remasteredis a must-have for fans of the original games, thanks to its variety of bonus materials, much of which was curated with the assistance of theLegacy of Kaincommunity. These include concept art and galleries, maps supplemented with valuable lore, demo videos, and of course,achievements/trophies forSoul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered. Those really interested can dive into the text-based versions of the scripts and, topping it all off, the remaster comes with a music player and extended soundtracks for both games.
Beginning as a company focused on porting video games from PC to Mac and later Linux, Aspyr is becoming known for its remasters that show respect for the original games and the fandoms that have grown around them. The aforementionedTomb Raider 1-3 Remasteredwas generally well receivedby the community, as was the company’sStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection,released in March 2024.
