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Renowned game director Amy Hennig is often celebrated for her pivotal work on theUnchartedseries. But when reflecting on her career in 2019, Hennig revealed that her biggest regret was in a different title, one that predates herUnchartedfame. That game isLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
Despite its acclaim and influence on gaming, she wishes that theSoul Reaverseries had been explored further. And her wishes may be soon fulfilled asLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver1and2are set to get remasters in December 2024. If these are successful, we could potentially have more entries soon after.
Amy Hennig is a Legend Outside ofUnchartedToo
Released in 1999,Soul Reaverwas the first pioneer of a feature we see in open-world games today. Crystal Dynamics developed a data-streaming system that loaded new parts of the map dynamically as players moved, allowing for a continuous world.
Blood Omen Legacy of Kain and Soul Reaver both had such incredible writing and voice acting, especially for their time.Soul Reaver was the title that really put the series on the map but damned if I’ll ever let people forget how fucking cool the first Blood Omen game was.pic.twitter.com/gnYPVEDpn6
Havingthe technology to do that in the 90swas remarkable. But not just that, the feature is now a staple in modern open-world games, and it goes to show how ahead of its timeSoul Reavertruly was.
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Hennig’s regret about not expanding theSoul Reaverseries stems partly from this unique technical foundation. Talking toVG247, she briefly talked about how making the game was fulfilling and that there should’ve been more
My favorite Dreamcast game is actually Soul Reaver on the Dreamcast… Not that many people got to see it, but it was like a more complete realization of what we were trying to do… I wish we had made more.
InSoul Reaver, players have access to two overlapping worlds: the spectral and physical worlds. This dual-realm feature encouraged to implement it into their thought process of solving puzzles and progressing quests.
TheSoul ReaverSeries Might Some Love Very Soon
DespiteSoul Reaver’s critical acclaim, the series struggled to maintain momentum. Other franchises likeTomb Raiderwere huge in the market at the time andSoul Reaverjust couldn’t get the recognition it deserved.
Though several sequels followed, includingSoul Reaver 2andLegacy of Kain: Defiance, they did not achieve the same level of success or polish as the original. For Hennig, the inability to fully realize the potential of theSoul Reaverseries remained a point of personal regret.
Nothing beats soul food.Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered launches on December 10. First details:https://t.co/KVxVZmixSJpic.twitter.com/cDMrJ8lVSw
In addition to the visuals and gameplay,Soul Reaverhad a good story that went into themes of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. As players moved through Nosgoth’s fractured realms, they uncovered layers of a dark, mythic world steeped in complexity. This depth was ahallmark of Hennig’s storytelling.
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The game’s legacy is one that Hennig believes could have evolved further, similar to the longevity of franchises likeUnchartedorTomb Raider. Despite its impact,Soul Reaverended with the release ofLegacy of Kain: Defiancein 2003, followed by various canceled projects.
But it now has another chance with the upcoming remasters. Had the industry circumstances been different, theLegacy of Kainseries might have grown alongside titles likeDark Souls, sharing the gritty, challenging landscapes that now define that genre.
Would you have wanted moreSoul Reavergames back then? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. you may also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
