I’ve been waiting for a legitimate follow-up to the Legacy of Kain saga for, what, well over two decades? And at one point I really thought we’d never get one. But then Crystal Dynamics, prolly in an effort to win back good will after Tomb Raider’s hiccups, starting bringing the games around again. We got bang-up ports of the Soul Reaver games and Legacy of Kain: Defiance. And now we’re given an all new prequel of sorts, the 2D adventure game Legacy of Kain: Ascendance. Exciting, right?
But then you get to the game itself. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as there’s plenty of blood to spill across three characters – including a newbie. And some of the production values are cool, between the game’s retro style and some sweet cinematic approaches. But then there are the problems, which are hard to ignore.
The game teeters between borderline simple and asinine, depending which sections you go through. And there’s barely any leveling up to speak of, which means you do mostly the same thing – across each character – through the small offering of 12 levels. Considering the deep, dark nature of Legacy of Kain games before it, Ascendance feels like it’s missing that certain something. Plus, the voice samples get beyond repetitive. How many times do I have to hear soldiers say the exact same thing?
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance does have key moments that stand out, particularly when it gets to the bloodletting. But after 20-something years away, I can’t help but more should’ve been done with this follow-up. It’s not necessarily a bad game, but one that comes up short compared to the rest of the saga.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance Goes For the Throat Again…and Again
In the game, you play three different characters across 12 stages. Raziel – in earlier form – and Kain return, along with a newbie, the deadly female vampire Elaleth. Across these stages, you’ll take on beasts and humans alike, ripping out throats and dropping some mean, gore-spilling attacks.
There is some interesting lore here, and fans of the series are likely to welcome it. Alas, it can only go so far as the gameplay is concerned. Not that Ascendance doesn’t have moments of joy. It does. But compared to the rest of the series, it comes up short.
That’s mainly because the gameplay is very one-note. Attacks are generally the same throughout, and there’s no real sort of RPG leveling system here. It’s like you’ve been given an arsenal of the gods, but only have access to so much when it comes to throat-ripping. I do like the dropping jump kicks, but the general attacks could offer so much more.
Plus the difficulty is all over the place. Some stages are beyond simplistic, while others can be downright brutal. This will throw off the most dedicated player, even after you adjust the difficulty settings. I wish the game had found a much better flow overall. At least the boss battles are interesting.
Alas, there’s very little to go back to once you beat it, outside of finding certain lore markers and maybe trying a higher difficulty.
I dunno. On the one hand, I’m thrilled that Legacy of Kain found a new chapter to present, and there are some ideal twists here. But the game that’s crafted around it could’ve offered much more content. It’s like a light appetizer compared to the main course the other games served up over the years. Some fans will enjoy it, while others will shrug and go, “Wait, that’s it?”
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance’s Mixed Package of a Presentation
Some parts of Ascendance shine when it comes to presentation. I like the 2D visuals that were presented here, with moody level layouts and some cool pixelated effects. I also like the art style with some of the exposition, even if the characters don’t do much. But sometimes it’s hard to see what you’re doing, and you can get hit way too easily, thanks to a flawed hit box system.
Then there’s the sound. I love the voice acting that’s included here, with some favorites from the series making a return. Plus the rock-style music fits the vampire tone just about right. However, some voice samples are repeated way too often. Do all soldiers who end up meeting their death bed say the exact same thing about stabbing a vampire with their free hand? Because it’s just too much at this rate.
It’s not bad, and definitely has an “indie” touch. But some key improvements should’ve been made to avoid repetition. Not to mention better lighting in places.
It’s Not Descendance, But Legacy of Kain Doesn’t Quite Rise To the Occasion
I was frustrated with Legacy of Kain: Ascendance. I saw what the developers were going for here, and they nailed certain vibes that work to its credit. And the story expanding was a nice touch, even if Elaleth isn’t as interesting as the main protagonists. But the repetition of the gameplay – with no deeper reward – and annoying lines of dialogue keep it from rising above.
Fans may enjoy certain parts of it, but this is one game that could’ve used more time in the oven. I would’ve happily waited another year to get the true evolution of Kain. As it stands, it’s still a tasty snack, but you’ll be left wanting something more satisfying.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Crystal Dynamics for providing us with a review code! Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is available now for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Don’t forget to check out our review of Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered!
