The WhatsNext verdict
Soul Reaver 2 is a gothic narrative adventure carried by extraordinary dialogue, performances, music, and lore. Play it if you want a richly voiced, mournful vampire epic and can accept that the combat and puzzles are mostly supporting material.
What it does best
Dialogue with theatrical, literary force
Revelations that reframe Nosgoth’s history
A gothic world steeped in doomed grandeur
Music and voices that make the tragedy feel operatic
What might put you off
Repetitive, low-stakes combat
Linear pacing and convoluted exposition
The setup
What you are walking into
Soul Reaver 2 picks up where Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver left off, with Raziel having just plunged through the Chronoplast time portal in his relentless pursuit of Kain. Over the course of his quest for revenge, Raziel must unearth the mysteries of Nosgoth’s ancient races, expose the machinations behind the corruption of the Pillars, and the vampire genocide. Throughout the game, Raziel acquires numerous new abilities, weapon enhancements, and spells, all of which are critical to the completion of his epic adventure. Soul Reaver is a third-person combat adventure filled with devious puzzles and kick-ass combat. Fly, swim, jump, and even travel from the material world to the spectral realm to overcome obstacles and conquer your enemies. With over 40 abilities to choose from, no two fights will ever be the same.
Where it lives
Genre
Vibe
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