Skip To...
I have been in a bit of a lull with gaming lately, where I have no idea what to play. It happens from time to time, sometimes lasting weeks on end. So I picked up PlayStation Plus Premium for the classic catalog. As a weary traveler, I was desperately in need of a drink, and Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain asked me to drink my fill, only with blood and revenge, until I too was shouting ‘Vae Victis’ around the house.
You Will Have the Blood You Hunger For
Blood Omen reminds me of why I love vampires—the constant hunger, the powers, the lore, and the questionable morality of characters who accept the curse so quickly, as Kain did. Is undeath worth the cost of revenge enough when you have to stoop to drinking the blood of others?
What drew me in so much wasn’t the art style (which I like) or the story (which is simple and effective), but the narrator—Kain himself. Simon Templeman gives Kain’s voice such a lithe and menacing demeanor, like the breath of an icy wind. However, Kain is also extremely charismatic and intelligent. He speaks like a goddamn poet, beautifully monologuing with contempt and arrogance as you drain lifeblood from vagabonds and innocent villagers alike.
I particularly love this back-and-forth between Kain’s curse and his actions. On the surface, being a vampire and his detest for humanity, it’s easy to paint Kain as a villain, but I strongly disagree. He’s no more a villain than Kratos. They’re both tragic anti-heroes who, through no fault of their own, are tools to higher powers.
Kain is as gray as his skin — nuanced, complicated, and layered. Throw in Kain’s charisma, and you’ll accept that some innocent blood spilt is worth the price of keeping Nosgoth from crumbling.
Forced to the Road, and the Long, Bitter Night
I might be in the minority here, but I’m rarely bothered by aged mechanics and gameplay. There’s something magical about falling in love with a great game that was heavily limited, either by budget or hardware. Perhaps I’m more concerned with a cohesive experience. Otherwise, games like Diablo and Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor wouldn’t be some of my favorite games.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain is no different, but that’s not to say it isn’t crusty as dried blood around some areas. Two aspects—only two—that rubbed me the wrong were map layouts and movement. Opening the overhead map and seeing a zig-zag towards my goal usually left me groaning in frustration.
I knew I’d be backtracking through a gauntlet of traps, with Kain moving like a slug, only for the map to lead me to a switch that opened the door in the same room. Finding secrets was more fun as it often meant using my vampire powers in clever ways, like Mist Form or the Control Mind spell.
Vae Victis
I’m more than willing to forgive the lackluster maps and Kain’s shambling walk because Blood Omen wastes no time turning you into a force of chaotic nature. Even if an area overstayed its welcome, it just meant more time for me to flex my powers, sate my hunger, and cleave enemies with Soul Reaver.
Numerous spells were thrown at me, some that had limited uses while others completely trivialized the game. I could summon lightning storms, drain the blood from an entire room full of victims, even turn allies against one another.
Repel became my bread and butter throughout the game. Although Kain says it’s meant to repel projectiles, it actually repels everything — traps, melee attacks, magic, and even boss mechanics. Spike pits and water were still a problem, but those were easily overcome by turning into a werewolf or using Mist Form.
In a funny way, I was totally okay with this. Seeing Kain go from a lowly whelp to a devourer of worlds worked to the story’s benefit. It shows just how powerful he is when you can go toe-to-toe with what are essentially demigods.
The layouts may have grated on my nerves at times, but Kain’s narration, the gothic setting, and awesome spells made Blood Omen: Legacy of the Kain a treat to finally visit. Just this game alone was worth the price of PlayStation Plus Premium, and I’m excited to give the sequel a go and finish Soul Reaver. Vae Victis!
