With Sony’s September 2024 State of Play broadcast just hours away, the inevitable leaks have begun. First up we have the heavily rumored Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered, assets for which were spotted on the PlayStation Store before being swiftly removed.
According to the store description (via resetera), Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered is developed by Embracer-owned video game revival specialist Aspyr, and launches December 10, 2024 to coincide with Soul Reaver’s 25th anniversary. There’s even a trailer and a number of screenshots, all lifted from PSN before Sony reversed its mistake.
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered screenshots pic.twitter.com/1GqTzgPlxX
— Wario64 (@Wario64) September 24, 2024
“Experience the epic conflict of Kain and Raziel in original form or with remastered graphics,” reads the description. The games included are remasters of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, both cult classics developed by Crystal Dynamics and helmed by designer Amy Hennig for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 respectively. Crystal Dynamics, the Legacy of Kain franchise, and Aspyr are all currently owned by Embracer Group.
Here’s the (leaked) official blurb:
Experience the Legendary Narrative
Centuries after your former master, Kain, betrays and executes you, you rise again and embark on a relentless quest for revenge.
Wield the Powers of a Wraith. Slay your former vampire brethren with your claws, bolts of telekinetic energy, and the elemental Wraith Blade. Grow stronger by devouring the souls of your enemies.
Shift Between Realms. The Elder God has granted you the ability to shift between the Spectral and Material Realms. Traverse the realms to solve puzzles, reveal new paths, and defeat your foes.
In July, eagle-eyed San Diego Comic-Con 2024 attendees spotted branding for an unannounced remaster of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2, so this latest development doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver originally launched in 1999 for the PS1 and PC, while its direct sequel, Soul Reaver 2, was released in 2001 for PS2 and PC. Both games are part of the dark fantasy action RPG series, though the franchise has remained dormant for decades. The last entry, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, was released in 2003 for PS2, PC, and the original Xbox.
Though the series was neglected for years, hopes for the franchise’s return surfaced in October 2022 when Crystal Dynamics published a survey asking fans if they would like to see a new game from the Legacy of Kain series. A few months after the survey was released, Crystal Dynamics owner Embracer Group revealed it received 100,000 responses, hinting that a new game could be in development.
Sony’s State of Play broadcast is set for today, September 24, at 3pm PT / 6pm ET, with news on more than 20 upcoming PS5 and PS VR2 games “from studios around the world.” Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered, it seems, is among them.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].