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The Legacy of Kain thread

PostPosted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:43 pm
by SeekerInAFakeMoustache
Because I know there are a few other LOKers, here's a thread dedicated to the Silicon Knights/Crystal Dynamics series. It's got bloodsucking tyrants! Fratricidal wraiths! Decadent land barons! Necromancers! And those're just the good guys!

So. In the Legacy of Kain series, what is your favorite:

Installment?
Character?
Weapon/Spell?
Level?
Line?

As for me, my answers would be:

Favorite installment: Blood Omen. Even bogged down by the early PSX Load Times of Doom, it's insanely playable; Kain can transform into various animals, unleash spells with playing cards (wa-a-ay before that was the "in" thing), and fight with a variety of weapons, none of which operate quite the same (you'll need them all by the end of the game, when you're being swarmed by literal armies). Kain's snarky dialogue, provided by Simon Templeman, is laugh-out-loud sadistic at its finest, the plot is intricate, and the levels are beautiful. Soul Reaver is a really, really close second, though.

Favorite character: This is difficult, because there really aren't any LOK characters I don't like; even the worst of the villains command respect. I'd go with Kain as my topmost fave in the end (though the list of runners-up is long). For one thing, he's funny (ie, goes to a library and complains about how bored he is, slouches in his throne, "I could say the same for you, but I'd be lying," etc). For another, he's tough, and not in the "I am untouchable in battle!" sort of way you usually get with the heroes of these kinds of games (in fact, he gets frequent beatings); it's a strength of will, a refusal to accept defeat.

Favorite Weapon/Spell: You know, I really like Font of Putresce, because you can set traps in narrow alleys with it and watch your enemies walk right into it and dissolve, but I'd go with Pentaliche of Tarot in the end, because it hits everything on screen and randomly gives you the same effect. Havok and Malice get honorable mention.

Favorite Level: The Sunken Cathedral from Soul Reaver. Frustrating, sure, but fun.

Favorite line: "But I am dead... as are you!"

PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:13 am
by Gutsman Heavy
Blood Omen and Soul Reaver 1 are fantastic and on equal grounds with me.
Soul Reaver 2 was a bit average.
Blood Omen 2 made no sense and was a blight on the series (Vorador alive?)
Defiance was great and offered some closure, too bad the series seems over.

I couldn't pick a favourite character

Best quote, Raziels "You vile bastard"

PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:05 am
by spiritofcat
I didn't really play Blood Omen 2 all the way through. Seemed too irrelevant anyway.
I don't think I have a favourite, Blood Omen, Soul Reaver 1&2 and Defiance all rock.
I love that its all one long twisting convoluted story.

PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:25 am
by SeekerInAFakeMoustache
Gutsman Heavy wrote:Soul Reaver 2 was a bit average.


The thing about Soul Reaver 2 is, it's the best game-to-movie adaption ever made. ;) It's got beautiful graphics, excellent directing, wonderful voice acting, great sound, and a character-centered plot more about Soul Reaver Raziel becoming Defiance Raziel than explaining any of the series intrigue. The problem is, interactivity is limited to finding your way from one cutscene to the next, which is why I have to rate it lower than Blood Omen, Soul Reaver, or Defiance.

Defiance was a definite improvement, but still not quite on the same gameplay level as Blood Omen or Soul Reaver. It had the best melee combat system, but I missed the spells and interchangable weapons terribly, and I did wish for a bit more variety in the tombs of the Pillars. The plot, though, was the best since Blood Omen, and during... that one scene right before Raziel leaves Avernus... I actually screamed. You hear about games making people cry all the time, but that's the first time I ever screamed while playing one.

Soul Reaver is a masterpiece. Its execution and production values are flawless, and it's so seamless and near-uninterrupted, it's easily the most immersive game in the series. The graphics are as good as you're going to get on a PSX, and even better in the PC and Dreamcast versions. I rank Blood Omen just a little higher because I like its arsenal, and because I'm on Kain's bus. :)

spiritofcat wrote:I didn't really play Blood Omen 2 all the way through. Seemed too irrelevant anyway.


Not that I want this to turn into a "BO2 Bashfest"- with scenes involving flying people falling to their deaths, lines like, "As long as I can never lose, I will win," and a weapon-of-the-week plot that sounds like the series' Lovecraftian menace hired DIC Cobra Commander as his military adviser, BO2 makes fun of itself far more scathingly than the cattiest of us ever could- but you're not missing anything but hilarity and pain (hilarity from the sort of stuff I just described, pain from it coming at Kain and Vorador's expense. You are not laughing with them).

PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:01 pm
by Phategod1
I love the LOK series but I must admit I never played the original Blood Omen. Blood Omen 2 suffered from story inconsistance and bad controls But the part when the vampire chick turns on Kain, and when he lets her die it was priceless, plus it introduces the Hilden. One of My favorite scene is when Raziel finds kain in the end of Soul Reaver I know that scene by heart. And when they meet up again at the Pillers in SR2. ( flipping the coin and it landing on its side speach).

My favorite Power is tie between shifting between the living and the dead, and sucking the blood out of a person from 15 ft away. If I had to pick a character I'd have to go with Raziel although My favorite exchanges are the ones with Kain and Morbeus. I hope someone gets the Idea to remake or rerelease this game.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:15 am
by SeekerInAFakeMoustache
Phategod1 wrote:One of My favorite scene is when Raziel finds kain in the end of Soul Reaver I know that scene by heart. And when they meet up again at the Pillers in SR2. ( flipping the coin and it landing on its side speach).


Both awesome choices. The Chronoplast scene is a great setup for that boss battle, and I love the line, "Revenge is motive enough. At least it's honest. Hate me, but do it honestly!" The showdown in Avernus is excellent, too.

If you like Kain and Moebius, you'd definitely like Blood Omen. They've got some great exchanges, especially in their initial meeting. ("A nobleman? Seeking wisdom?")

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:04 pm
by Phategod1
SeekerInAFakeMoustache wrote:
Phategod1 wrote:One of My favorite scene is when Raziel finds kain in the end of Soul Reaver I know that scene by heart. And when they meet up again at the Pillers in SR2. ( flipping the coin and it landing on its side speach).


Both awesome choices. The Chronoplast scene is a great setup for that boss battle, and I love the line, "Revenge is motive enough. At least it's honest. Hate me, but do it honestly!" The showdown in Avernus is excellent, too.

If you like Kain and Moebius, you'd definitely like Blood Omen. They've got some great exchanges, especially in their initial meeting. ("A nobleman? Seeking wisdom?")


Your gonna make me play SR2 (I had SR1) on Dreamcast. also the intro on SR1 was one of the CGI intro's of all time I speant the whole series hoping Raziel would get back to his sexy vamperic self.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:18 pm
by Phategod1
How about greatest Plot twist: Finding out that Raziel and his brothers where Seraphin knights, and Finding out he was meant to be the soul Trapped in the blade.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:50 pm
by Venomous Prime
Favorite Game: Blood Omen 2

Character: Kain

Weapon: Soul Reaver or that huge frikkin sword that the Sarafan use that is sort of rounded.

Line: Kain: I dealt with her as I deal with all traitors. I killed her accordingly.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:19 pm
by Sun Runner
Phategod1 wrote:How about greatest Plot twist: Finding out that Raziel and his brothers where Seraphin knights, and Finding out he was meant to be the soul Trapped in the blade.


I wished Kain made Malek a vampire. Yes i know he was demonically possesed and that could have hindered him becoming a vampire, and that he was more of the leader of the regimes of seraphim warrior squads than a Knight but still he was buried with the rest of the seraphim Knights in that tomb, Kain could have gone out of his way and done it.

Personally i would have liked 12 sons since it could have paralleled the 12 tribes of Israel

PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:14 pm
by SeekerInAFakeMoustache
Sun Runner wrote:Personally i would have liked 12 sons since it could have paralleled the 12 tribes of Israel


Not to mention the SR arc would've been another five levels long, unless they pulled a "Dark Eden" and put Raziel into battle with three of 'em at once. ;) And I'd have been happy to see more Malek anything. "Vengeance! Vengeance for my eternity of suffering!" So underused. But he sure packs a punch when he's there!

My favorite plot twist? Finding Kain was the Pillar of Balance, definitely. Though that thing I mentioned that happened at Avernus was a close second. The series had been building up to it, but I didn't see it happening that way, and because of what I mentioned before- the designers allowing Kain to be vulnerable- I was actually worried that might be the end of him. I think I mighta actually yelled "vae victus!" when it wasn't.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:57 pm
by homelessjunkeon
Telekinetic exsanguination is by far the best ability in any game, followed closely by the room-clearing Cadaverous Lacerations and Eviscerate Corpse moves from Defiance.

Since I played SR1, then BO, then SR2, BO2, and then Defiance, my perceptions of Kain were rather coloured during BO. The best part for me was going along with Raziel's hatred of kain, really buying into the idea that he was the bad guy, and then having to rethink the whole situation along with Raziel as he learned the truth.

Kain is the star of the show, so naturally I have to choose him as the best character. Nobody, not even Ash from Evil dead, nor any character ever played by Johnny Depp, has ever had such magnificent-bastard quality dialogue.

Defiance wrote:Kain peers down into the silent Spirit Forge, smiles as he spots Moebius, and floats down. Moebius is speaking to the Elder God, although he cannot see it, and he unaware of Kain landing behind him.

Moebius:
...the Hylden are merely an inconvenient consequence. They will be dealt with in time.

Kain quietly draws the Blood Reaver.

Moebius:
It's a small price to pay for Kain's death.

Kain:
You're a bit premature.

Moebius whirls, aghast.

Moebius:
Kain!?

Kain:
Is there a crack in your omniscience after all, Moebius?

Moebius repeatedly activates his staff, with no effect.

Kain: (amused)
First your omniscience, and now your powers. You're slipping badly.

Moebius:
This is not possible...

Kain strikes the staff from Moebius's hand and seizes him by the arm. He holds Moebius's palm against the hole in his chest.

Kain:
The part of me that staff affected is no longer in its place. But you already knew that, didn't you.

Kain pushes Moebius away roughly.

Kain:
I always was considered heartless. And now, Moebius, it is time.

Moebius:
To kill me? Again? Your only solution, for every problem: kill.

Kain:
This is not a debate. You see, this time, you have nothing that I want.

Kain seizes Moebius again, this time impaling him on the Reaver.

Moebius: (struggling to speak)
You think this will matter? I serve One who has power over life and death.

Kain:
Then go to him.

Kain pushes Moebius off the blade. The Time Streamer falls, and lies dying on the floor.


I love how he toys with Mobius when he knows he poses no risk, and then ends it so bluntly and unceremoniously, as though he were scraping something from his boot.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:33 pm
by SeekerInAFakeMoustache
Oh, yeah! That's a great scene. I especially love how Mr. freezes-people-in-his-walls-for-decoration accuses Kain of excessive violence, but hey, that's the Timestreamer for you. :lol:

Here's another: LOK has some great music, so what's your favorite tune? Ozar Mizdrashim (Raziel's theme) is one of the best, and I like the song that plays in Dumah's keep. Kain's theme from Blood Omen (sometimes I hear it called "Solemn Dirge") is unique as a main character's music - it's very slow and melancholy. And, oddly, most of Blood Omen 2's music is excellent, too.

(And here's how you taunt your foes LOK Style:

Vorador: Call your dogs! They can feast on your corpses!

Malek: I'll cut you from crotch to gizzard and feed what's left to your brides!)

PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:42 am
by Xion
I liked the last game of the saga, and I think if I buy the other games on pc, too. :-?