It’s a busy year for Crystal Dynamics. The developer is hard at work on one of the most anticipated games of 2012, Tomb Raider. Additionally, Crystal D is “preparing to reveal exciting new intellectual property to the world,” according to community manager Meagan Marie.
If new rumors are to be believed, the studio potentially has yet another project in the works, one that should be of particular interest to longtime Crystal Dynamics fans: a reboot of the PSOne classic, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
The Legacy of Kain series began with Silicon Knights‘ top-down Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. That slow-paced game certainly had its fans, but huge changes were in store for the next entry in the series. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver featured a new protagonist, Raziel, in addition to a full 3D world — two full 3D worlds, in fact (the Material and Spectral Planes), that players moved between. As was also true of Blood Omen, Soul Reaver featured remarkably strong writing and voice acting, unusual for the era, but a hallmark of SR writer/director Amy Hennig, who went on to huge success with Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series.
An unnamed source tells VG 24/7 that Crystal Dynamics’ Soul Reaver project is a “full reworking” that “includes new art direction.” Whether that mean an HD remake of the original PSOne game, or a new series based on its characters — both, maybe? — is unclear.
While it appears unlikely that Soul Reaver is the game Megan Marie teased — after all, it’s hardly a “new intellectual property” — it is impossible to rule anything out at this point. According to VG 24/7, the Soul Reaver project was slated to be revealed at E3 2012, though this may no longer be the case. Time will tell.
What we do know is that Crystal Dynamics has been aggressively staffing up for its new projects. Chief among new additions to the CD team is Cory Barlog, director of God of War II – a guy who clearly knows his way around a third-person action game. A quick peek at the @CrystalDynamics twitter page shows that the developer is also looking to fill a number of other positions: Lead Level Designer, Lead Combat Designer, Lead Environment Artist, Lead Character Artist, Lead Programmer (Tech Director), Lead AI Engineer, Lead Gameplay Engineer and Lead Rendering Engineer.
The best-case scenario, at least for this writer, would be an HD re-release of the original Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver on XBLA/PSN in advance of an all new retail game, hopefully under Barlog’s direction. Could that be what Crystal Dynamics has in store? What do you think?
Ranters, what are your memories of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver? How interested would you be in new Soul Reaver games? Let us know in the comments below.
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Source: VG 24/7, @CrystalDynamics
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HA! Another PS staple along with Crash Bandicoot and Twisted Metal, I remember playing these games. If these are the same guys responsible for the new Tomb Rider then I smell a hit…
I would kill for a reboot of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. I loved that game and couldn’t get enough. Only SW: Battlefront 1 & 2 & KOTOR 1& 2 as well as the Mass Effect series have ever been as awesome in my opinion.
God I loved these games back in the day, more specifically the second one. Loads of fun and just all around great. I would love to see them bring it back.
I grew up seeing the ads for this series. I always wanted to play them when I was a kid but never did. Do they still hold up?
Awesome news!!!! I loved the franchise. It was also on Dreamcast (better graphix) and later sequels were multiplat.
Don’t you dare play with my fickle heart, Jeff! I loved this game and its successor. This would be so amazing … if it only would turn out to be true!
Now I got my hopes up on something I didn’t even have on my radar… damn you emotions!
Briefgold
Oh nice, I definitely remember this game. Though back then I had a N64 so never really touch Soul Reaper before :-s.
As you can probably tell by the Avatar I have had since joining ScreenRant (even pre GameRant Days) LoK is my favourite series of all time. Bar none! …including TV and Movie
It is without a doubt the most complex, engaging, thought provoking story ever told. I have been waiting on a new game for nearly 10yrs, and while I would be happy with a HD remake of SR, I really want a sequel to Defiance
All Hail Kain!
I’ve had this Tattoo since the first SOUL REAVER!!!! I’ve been WAITING for this to happen BUT I want a Blood Omen reboot first!!!! You can’t start the story in the middle……GIVE US KAIN FIRST!!!!!!!! And PLEASE, try to use some of the original voice cast, I know Tony Jay passed(Zephon) but it would be great to have the original voices of Kain & Raziel!!!!!
Soul Reaver was THE first game I owned on PS One, classic, the sequel was also very good
I am the same way. I choose between final fantasy vii and this game at circuit city wayyyy back in the day. I chose this one cause the cover was awesome and though gameplay and puzzles was awesome as well.
Please take your time with this game!!! This game really needs to be a seller for sure. I don’t care how long it takes. If it can turn the franchise around, I would be happy and the late great Tony Jay (elder god) was very unique too in this game. My first playstation game.