Resurrecting Nosgoth: Legacy of Kain Pivots to 2D After a Two-Decade Slumber

It’s been over twenty years since players last walked the dark paths of Nosgoth. We do appreciate the remasters, but still, the old vampiric fans do crave some fresh blood. We’ve been thirsting for far too long. Today, the Legacy of Kain series quietly broke that long silence. Instead of a massive, big-budget 3D sequel, Crystal Dynamics and Bit Bot Media have opted for a surprisingly different approach. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, out now for $19.99 across all major consoles and PC, reimagines the classic vampire saga as a retro-styled 2D action-platformer. It’s a noticeable pivot, trading the sprawling adventure framework of the past for tight, side-scrolling combat.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance focuses on fast-paced encounters built around evasive dashes and chaining melee attacks. The story is set chronologically before the events of Soul Reaver. It unfolds through a mix of pixel art and anime-inspired cutscenes. There are also chunky, PS1-era 3D segments that serve as a nod to the franchise’s roots. The campaign shifts perspectives between Kain and a newly introduced vampire named Elaleth. Players can control Raziel as both a human Sarafan knight and in his earliest vampiric form. On paper, this looks like an amazing game.

Perhaps the biggest draw for longtime fans is the audio. The developers managed to reunite the core original voice cast, which is no small feat. Simon Templeman and Michael Bell return to their iconic roles as Kain and Raziel. Anna Gunn joins them as Ariel. Richard Doyle also returns as Moebius. Having those specific voices back anchors the project firmly in the established lore. Backing up the dialogue is a heavy, driving soundtrack from Klayton of Celldweller, giving the whole package a modernized edge.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is not the massive, modern blockbuster revival some fans have been holding out for. It doesn’t have to be. We are long-time fans, and we are deeply grateful to the team for this nod. We especially appreciate securing the original voice actors. You have to appreciate that. They also revived lost media like The Dark Prophecy demo. For our exclusive review, make sure you follow us in the coming days!