PS2 Game Review: Soul Reaver 2

The sequel to one of the best adventure games for the Playstation and Dreamcast is finally here after over a year of delays. In Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 you continue the journey of Raziel as he seeks his arch nemesis, the vampire Kain, by travelling through time and seeing the history of Nosgoth unfold before your eyes. Soul Reaver 2 continues where the original left off, right after Kain escapes through a time portal. Raziel, bent on revenge, chases Kain through the portal and is pulled out by the devious Mobius, who also desires Kain’s demise. After encountering the sly wizard Raziel must escape Mobius’ castle and travel across the old land of Nosgoth to find and kill Kain. Although the story seems relatively simple at this point, it becomes increasingly complex as Raziel meets people and enemies alike, learning the answers to old questions but raising many new ones.

Because the game is set in the old Nosgoth before it was corrupted by Kain, the locales and enemies are very different than the first SR game. Vampires are a hunted species during this time period, and nearly every soldier along the way will try to kill you. Raziel is more than capable in battle, however, and the game’s combat system is significantly improved from the SR1. Raziel has new combat skills enabling him to quickly to dodge and target his enemies with graceful agility. The hit range and damage ratios are more balanced this time around, making combat enjoyable and exciting. Stylish finishing moves can be used on subdued enemies and their souls can be devoured to recover energy. Raziel can use his powerful Soul Reaver weapon, but it will drain his energy if used too much, so it is a better idea to kill enemies and take their weapons, reserving the Soul Reaver only for emergencies.

The puzzles in SR2 are also improved from the first game’s constant use of block-pushing and gap jumping. They now include using the Soul Reaver itself as a tool to open doors. The Reaver can be “enhanced” with different types of energies for puzzles and combat. SR2 benefits greatly from the new map and compass features which ensure that your objectives are always clear, unlike the original which could sometimes be confusing. The enhanced combat system and mapping features make SR2 far less intimidating than the first game and easier to get into.

Soul Reaver 2 sports some of the best textures yet on the PS2. The graphics have been greatly enhanced over Soul Reaver 1 on Dreamcast, from the moody lighting effects to the high polygon count on the character models and architecture. The game’s engine uses a graphical filter to smooth out the edges and lines and to control the level of detail in the distance. The game runs at a fluid 60 frames per second and does not have the stuttering problem that plagued SR1 on Dreamcast. Particle effects are well used for subtle touches such as fireflies swirling around open fields and showering sparks emitted from Raziel’s sword.

Soul Reaver 2 has a good library of sound effects, from the clanging of weapons to magical attacks, but its most outstanding feature is the professional quality voice acting. Each character’s dialogue flows naturally and is spoken well with a medireview tone to it. The conversations and monologues can be long-winded at times, but they give the game characters an aura of haughtiness that fits their dark personas.

Soul Reaver 2 is a must-buy for fans of the first game. Players new to the series may want to try playing the first game before SR2, but the original’s storyline is recapped well enough to not be confusing. The DVD is also loaded with extra features including voice outtakes, a “Making Of” featurette and a preview video of Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2. Hopefully, other game companies will follow Crystal Dynamics’ lead and take advantage of DVD’s storage capability by including special features for their games.

Although it has been a long wait, Soul Reaver 2 is a great game worthy of the hype and anticipation that has surrounded it from the beginning.

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