Legacy of Kain is a franchise defined by its complex narrative web of vampires, ancient gods, and time paradoxes – a series that requires deep immersion to fully grasp. It is a world where a massive magic sword and intricate historical loops form a wonderful, tangled chaos across five primarily fantastic titles. However, the arrival of the sixth installment, Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, unfortunately marks a disappointing turn for this storied universe.
Developer Bit Bot attempted to bridge the gap between generations by introducing a pixelated side-scroller format. While some veterans might find the shift in genre jarring, the series has a history of experimentation, having successfully changed protagonists and perspectives between 1996 and 2003. In theory, a 2D approach is not a total deviation from the original spirit of the series, especially considering how much the mechanics evolved in the past.
At the very least, it avoids the pitfalls of being another competitive multiplayer spin-off.
However, such optimism feels misplaced when examining the actual content of the game. Ascendance is heavily based on “The Dead Shall Rise,” a poorly received comic book that fundamentally rewrote large portions of the established series lore. This narrative foundation introduces Elaleth – the sister of the iconic Raziel – as a central figure who seemingly rewrites the history of the entire franchise.
While the “Mary Sue” label is often overused in gaming discussions, critics argue that Elaleth fits the archetype by undermining the entire universe in just four hours of gameplay. Unlike Raziel, who earned his reputation through a well-crafted arc, Elaleth is presented as an all-powerful force from the start. Within this short window, she manages to overshadow the characters fans have loved for decades.
The plot reveals that Elaleth is essentially a more powerful, time-traveling counterpart to Raziel who has been secretly orchestrating the events leading to Soul Reaver. By positioning her as the most vital figure in the universe, the developers have effectively stripped Kain and Raziel of their agency and autonomy. This narrative shift serves to rewrite decades of history in a way that feels like a total disregard for the source material.
A “everything you know is wrong” twist can occasionally breathe new life into a franchise, but only if handled with care. In this case, Bit Bot seems to have distorted the story simply to force an underdeveloped character into the canon. Elaleth’s motivations are limited to a tired trope involving the death of a boyfriend, yet she is granted limitless power – including mind control – without any established justification or nuance.
The gameplay of Ascendance is centered entirely on Elaleth, and it is clear that Bit Bot put significant effort into making her mechanically appealing. As a character, however, she remains a walking collection of clichés – a “scorned woman” archetype without any of the depth that previously defined the series. Unfortunately, the game fails to offer any fresh ideas to compensate for this lack of personality.
Players will occasionally take control of Raziel in both his human and vampire forms, but the majority of the experience is spent as Elaleth. The transition away from her feels jarring because her segments are far too easy. Her levels involve flying and slaughtering enemies with zero resistance, all while benefiting from incredibly generous checkpoints that remove any sense of tension or danger.
She possesses virtually no weaknesses or mechanical flaws beyond the standard health-depleting thirst for blood common to all vampires in the series. Even this mechanic is barely noticeable during her segments because healing opportunities are so frequent. The same cannot be said for the other characters, who are forced to struggle through much harsher conditions without the same advantages.
The second level features a massive spike in difficulty as players transition to a human Raziel. In this form, checkpoints are placed much further apart, healing is scarce, and enemies attack from off-screen with devastating force. This lack of balance makes the experience feel unfair and unpleasant, creating a frustrating contrast to the effortless sections featuring his sister.
Even when playing as Raziel in his vampire form, the combat never achieves a satisfying flow. He feels significantly weaker than Elaleth despite his status, and the game is too short and disjointed for any real rhythm to develop. By the time the four-hour campaign reaches its conclusion, many players may find themselves feeling exhausted rather than satisfied with the journey.
The legendary Kain himself makes a brief appearance, but he is relegated to just 30 minutes of gameplay and a lackluster, single-mechanic boss fight. Despite his status as a god-like figure, he feels significantly less capable than Elaleth. While Simon Templeman’s voice acting remains a highlight, the limited screen time for the titular character feels like a letdown after 23 years of waiting.
Visually, Ascendance suffers from a lack of clear identity, with pixel art that ranges from acceptable to outright ugly. The game frequently switches to PlayStation 1-era 3D graphics for no apparent reason, while flashback sequences utilize static images that resemble a children’s cartoon. This hodgepodge of styles suggests a messy development process and results in a final product that looks unpolished and unrefined.
Further technical issues include buggy enemy AI and unremarkable level design that fails to capture the atmosphere of Nosgoth. While the dialogue manages to maintain a certain standard of quality, it is trapped within a weak and repetitive plot. These flaws make it difficult to appreciate the few positive elements, such as the high-quality animated cutscenes that appear at the very end of the game.
Ultimately, Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a profound disappointment that may jeopardize the future of the entire franchise. While the game attempts to set the stage for further adventures with Elaleth, the poor execution suggests that the series might have been better off left in the past. If this is the new standard, it might be time for Kain and his companions to return to their graves for good.
