Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Cover art featuring the main protagonist Raziel.
DeveloperCrystal Dynamics
PublisherEidos Interactive
DirectorAmy Hennig
ProducersAndrew Bennett
Amy Hennig
Rosaura Sandoval
DesignersAmy Hennig
Seth Carus
Richard Lemarchand
ProgrammersCarl Stika
Marc David
ArtistArnold Ayala
WritersAmy Hennig
Richard Lemarchand
Jim Curry
ComposerKurt Harland
SeriesLegacy of Kain
PlatformsPlayStation
Windows
Dreamcast
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: August 16, 1999
  • UK: September 3, 1999
Windows
  • NA: September 10, 1999
  • UK: September 18, 1999
Dreamcast
  • NA: January 25, 2000
  • UK: February 25, 2000
GenreAction-adventure
ModeSingle-player

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a 1999 action-adventure video game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Eidos Interactive for the PlayStation and Windows. A port to the Dreamcast developed by Nixxes Software was released in 2000, serving as Nixxes' first project. The second game in the Legacy of Kain series, Soul Reaver is the sequel to Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. Soul Reaver was followed by three games, one of which, Soul Reaver 2, is a direct sequel.

Taking place 1500 years after the events of Blood Omen, Soul Reaver chronicles the journey of the vampire-turned-wraith Raziel, lieutenant to the vampire lord Kain. Raziel is killed by Kain, but is revived by The Elder God to become his "soul reaver" and to exact revenge. Raziel shares this title with Kain's sword, the Soul Reaver, which he acquires during the game.

Crystal Dynamics began development of the game in 1997, but a deteriorating relationship with Silicon Knights, who had developed Blood Omen, created legal problems. This and other delays forced material originally planned for Soul Reaver to be instead released with later games of the series. Soul Reaver gained critical acclaim. Critics praised it for its intriguing gothic story and high-quality graphics. However, the game was criticized for its simple and repetitive gameplay and an unsatisfying climax. By 2001, the game sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.

A remastered versions of Soul Reaver and its sequel were released on December 10, 2024, as Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.