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One-Winged Angel
05-04-2006, 09:25 AM
I just wanted to bring this series back into the spotlight. I've played 2 or 3 of them, including the newest, Legacy of Kain: Defiance. The voices in this game were absolutely astounding. We're talking top-notch acting here. There is emotion, and the characters are all so memorable. That was the first game I actually played from the series, after which I went back to play Soul Reaver 2, which was basically a bunch of puzzles moving back and forth in the Material and Spectral realms. Defiance was more fun altogether, because the combat was more refined, and of course you play as both Kain and Raziel.

The story is the highlight of this series. Basically what we have is a supreme Vampire lord (Kain) who decides to take over a realm (Nosgoth). There is a complicated backstory here, but Raziel comes into the picture as a Sarafan, which are vampire hunters. Mind you, vampires in Nosgoth lore were actually divine beings until a curse was put on them by an opposing race, forcing them to be immortal and live off of the blood of others. Many actually found a way to kill themselves because they were thrown out of the system of Life, Death, and Rebirth by being immortals.

Now...back to Raziel. Kain finds him buried in a tomb and defiles his and some other priests' and warriors' bodies by making them into vampires. Raziel serves Kain for a millennium, then finds himself evolving, growing batlike wings. Kain, when shown these, becomes jealous and rips them to shreds, then orders Raziel tossed into the Abyss. Raziel falls for a very long time, his body being destroyed, until he finally hits bottom in the Spectral realm. A deal is made in which he may be allowed to travel back and seek revenge on Kain, but he must gather souls for the Elder God, which, unbeknownst to those who worship it, is actually a parasite living off of spiritual essence. Raziel, now a wraith, begins his quest to find Kain..and thus our story begins.

Blood Omen, the first game in the series, I have never played. I would explain some more, as the story really is amazing, but that would spoil the whole thing. I am sure I skipped a lot here, but there is just so much to know. Anyway, just wanted to see who has played these and what your opinion on them is.

Zarithar
07-05-2006, 04:09 PM
I played the original for the PS1 back when it was the closest thing to an RPG that there was for that system. Must say I loved the game, but never did try any of the sequals. Even then I remember being impressed with the voice acting, the cut scenes, and the overall tone of the game (dark and gloomy).

Zhul
07-05-2006, 05:59 PM
I've played them all and they're all fantastic. At least when it comes to the storyline and voice acting. Blood Omen II (the one where you just play as Kain) was a tad buggy and a little outside the main story arc, but they were able to tie it back in nicely with the Kain/Raziel story. I could list a few inconsistencies with the story itself, but that's really nit-picking - especially compared to other games.

These games really are all about the amazingly complex storyline. if you have the time and inclination I highly recommend this series.

KaiTenSatsuma
07-22-2006, 04:41 PM
i also highly recommend this series, though only to those with patience and perciverence lol.

dont say it isnt true! some of those puzzles are so hard to solve it isnt funny.

Iiliani Seadream
08-22-2006, 08:12 AM
I also have played them all, PS1 and PS2. The games are a joy to play in and of themselves, but it's the storyline that lifts the games over any others that I have played. It's complex and fascinating, betrayals and plots and twists that make your head spin.
The voice acting is marvellous, Raziel's voice actor (Michael Bell I think) just sends shivers down my spine with that golden voice of his!
It took me a while but I finally pegged Janos Audren's voice actor, it's Rene Auberjenois (not sure on the spelling there), Odo from DS9.