Crystal Dynamics was given the task of developing the sequel to Blood Omen : Legacy of Kain. They've since taken the series far from its Zelda-esque roots and into a 3D platformer. The game takes place a millenium after Kain refuses to sacrifice himself, thus damning Nosgoth to decay over time. He has created a vampire empire with his throne at the toppled pillars. Over time the vampires would evolve, Kain always being the first and his lieutenants would follow. However, one of his lieutenants, Raziel, grows wings first. In his anger, Kain rips off his wings and throws him into the Lake of the Dead. He somehow survives a century of torture, to awake in the lair of the Elder God, deformed, and hell bent on revenge. The story isn't too deep here and you need little background on the past so someone who hasn't played Blood Omen can jump in. But be warned that the game ends with a cliffhanger, and it you have any interest in playing the other games, you'd best finish Blood Omen first. The game plays a lot like most 3D platformers. The combat is fairly similiar to Ocarina of Time but with an ingenious twist - because most of the enemies are vampires, their flesh heals quickly so beating them to death won't do the trick. You can either throw them in sunlight (for the weaker vampires anyways), water, fire or impale them. Then you can feast on their soul for health. (Be warned that if you impale them with a spear, you must eat their soul before pulling the spear out of their body, making combat with multiple enemies tricky.) You can use whatever's left of your wings to glide as well. The biggest innovation in Soul Reaver is the use of the spectral realm. Its an alternate existence for spirits. When in the realm, time stops, material cannot be manipulated, water has no bouyancy, and the environment will change, often opening up a new path. While Raziel can abandon his physical form at any time, to return to the material realm from the spectral realm, you need full health and to find a conduit. This makes for some interesting puzzle solving. Now for the game's big problem - those freaking block puzzles. At many points throughout the game, you will have to rearrange giant blocks somehow. Except they're so big that it takes awhile to move, and there's so many thrown at you that it gets old fast. But that aside, Soul Reaver is great whether you played Blood Omen or not. By now, most places will sell the game cheap to boot so don't pass on it.
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