Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is an action-adventure game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Eidos Interactive. The PlayStation version came out in North America on 16 August 1999, followed by Windows and Dreamcast versions. It is the sequel to Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, directed by Amy Hennig with music by Kurt Harland. Michael Bell voiced Raziel, Simon Templeman voiced Kain and Tony Jay voiced the Elder God.
The team built the game on an upgraded Gex 3 engine with its own streaming technology to cut load times. The release slipped from October 1998 to August 1999, and planned content, including extra powers for Raziel and a third battle with Kain, was cut. A Japanese PlayStation release was planned but cancelled.
The Dreamcast port was the first project of Nixxes Software. On 10 December 2024 Aspyr released Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered.1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverDelayed from October 1998. | PlayStation | Aug 16, 1999 | Eidos Interactive | 1 |
| NA | Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverUK: 18 September 1999. | Windows | Sep 10, 1999 | Eidos Interactive | 1 |
| NA | Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverDreamcast, ported by Nixxes Software; UK: 25 February 2000. | Other | Jan 25, 2000 | Eidos Interactive | 1 |
| NA | Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverGreatest Hits reissue; ESRB rating raised from Teen to Mature. | PlayStation | 2000 | Eidos Interactive | 1 |
| EU | Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverUK date. | PlayStation | Sep 3, 1999 | Eidos Interactive | 1 |
| WW | Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 RemasteredRemaster by Aspyr with Crystal Dynamics, bundled with Soul Reaver 2; also on consoles. | Windows | Dec 10, 2024 | Aspyr | 2 |
Also known as: Soul Reaver WW1Наследие Каина: Похититель душ RU3Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered WW2
Box art by region
NA Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 
EU Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GraphicsDreamcast
The Dreamcast version runs at a much higher frame rate than the PlayStation and PC versions and looks better, but adds no new features.1
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GraphicsWindows
Reviewers of the PC version complained about chunky graphics and poor camera control, noting that the PlayStation original's limitations carried over.1
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ContentPlayStation (Greatest Hits)Dreamcast
The PlayStation release was first rated Teen by the ESRB and raised to Mature with the Greatest Hits reissue; the Dreamcast version was always rated Mature.1
Translations
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Spanish Official
Aspyr2024Windows · 2024 remasterReleased · complete
The 2024 remaster includes Spanish (Spain) text and full Spanish voice acting.2
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Japanese Official
Aspyr2024Windows · 2024 remasterReleased · complete
The 2024 remaster includes Japanese text and full Japanese voice acting; the original Japanese PlayStation release had been cancelled.2
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Russian Official
Aspyr2024Windows · 2024 remasterReleased · complete
The 2024 remaster includes official Russian text and full Russian voice acting.2
Where to play legally today
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GOG Purchase
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Steam Purchase
Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered
2024 remaster with the original graphics option, bundled with Soul Reaver 2
Checked: 2026-10-132store.steampowered.com
Reception
The PlayStation version holds 91/100 on Metacritic, and IGN gave it 9.3/10. Critics praised the gothic atmosphere, story, voice acting and realm-shifting, but criticized unclear objectives, repetitive combat and a weak climax. By late 2001 the PlayStation, Dreamcast and PC versions had sold over 1.4 million copies combined.1
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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