Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 67 | 124 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 360 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 79 | 19 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 93 | 168 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 22, 2026) · 168 reviews sampled · 152 total reviews in window · weighted 119.7 up / 3.3 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (68)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“The team didn't just slap an HD filter over the game; they recognized the structural flaws of the original release and meticulously fixed them. The new free camera and Foresight navigation rescue the game from its 2003 limitations, allowing the unparalleled voice acting, gothic atmosphere, and brilliant narrative to take center stage. While the Deluxe Edition pricing strategies sting and the combat remains a bit floaty, the sheer amount of love poured into this release makes it an absolute triumph. Crystal Dynamics has finally given us our Nosgoth back, now, it's time for a real continuation.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I'm not trying to judge an old game by modern standards, but it's still worth remembering that the original is 22 years old, and it probably would've benefited more from a full remake than a remaster. So before jumping into a classic like this, it's important to keep its age and quirks in mind. That said, on a purely personal level, I still enjoy the gameplay of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver much more than what Legacy of Kain: Defiance offers.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered will especially delight longtime fans of the series who want to revisit the dark story of Nosgoth with a more modern visual style and a significantly improved camera system. Thanks to its captivating atmosphere, dialogue, and pair of antiheroes, it can also draw in newcomers, though they should be aware that the game design and combat system simply belong to a different era. So if you’re looking for a gothic, dark action-adventure game with an emphasis on story and don’t mind older-style mechanics, you can’t go wrong with Defiance. But if you’re expecting a modern pace, seamless player guidance, and varied combat, you probably won’t be entirely thrilled by this trip down memory lane.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If it hasn’t become abundantly clear by now, I adore the Soul Reaver games. With it’s stunning story, amazing writing and some of the most phenomenal and iconic voice acting and musical score in videogaming, these games - especially as a whole - are masterpieces of the medium that are as much art as they are entertainment. And having them all available om modern hardware in a more beautiful package is exactly what I’ve waited years for. Legacy of Kain Defiance Remastered rounds out the Soul Reaver saga with a gorgeous, layered package that is a must have for every collection.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is more than the return of a beloved classic; it marks the long-awaited revival of one of gaming’s most ambitious, mature, and narratively accomplished franchises. More than two decades after its original release, Defiance remains a striking reminder of what set Legacy of Kain apart from many of its contemporaries. Its intricate narrative, richly realised cast, and uniquely oppressive vision of Nosgoth continue to resonate, while the improvements introduced in this remaster make the experience significantly more accessible to modern audiences. The revised camera system, refined controls, enhanced presentation, and wealth of archival material collectively strengthen the package, without compromising the identity of the original work. Not every aspect has aged gracefully. The absence of modern navigational aids can, at times, make progression feel unnecessarily opaque, while parts of the archival bonus content remain locked behind premium editions. These shortcomings, however, are ultimately minor when weighed against the significance of what has been preserved here. More than twenty years later, the story of Kain and Raziel remains one of the most compelling and thematically ambitious narratives the medium has produced. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered does more than revisit a classic; it reaffirms its place among gaming’s most important storytelling achievements. Above all, it serves as a timely reminder that few fantasy worlds have ever felt as rich, as distinctive, or as enduring as Nosgoth.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Legacy of Kain series has sadly been one whose gameplay shortcomings have always kept it down, never truly escaping the confines of the world of cult classics. The same happened with the culmination of the franchise, which once again offered a story worth paying attention to…while everything else occasionally felt like an afterthought. Bad? Not even close. It was a thoroughly enjoyable action-adventure - just one that never quite reached its towering potential. That said, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered does a fine job at giving it a striking visual upgrade, as well as some much-needed tweaks and refinements, making it the best way to experience the finale(?) of Kain and Raziel’s dark saga.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered feels like a heartfelt tribute to the series and its devoted fanbase. The developers have not only enhanced the visuals and refined the camera and controls, but also included a wealth of bonus features and previously cut content. Taken together, these additions feel like a long-overdue gesture of goodwill toward the community that has kept the franchise alive for years. I really hope Crystal Dynamics is testing the waters before making a long-awaited return to Nosgoth once more.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Legacy of Kain: Defiance offers a fresh coat of paint on the final chapter in the Soul Reaver story. Despite this, however, Defiance is overshadowed by the flaws of the original game. Poor sound design, buggy original code, and repetitive combat hold it back from being a truly remarkable remaster. Thankfully, the story has aged well enough that even if you are familiar with the game already, it is worth another go for old times’ sake.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A solid update to a classic conclusion. While some camera issues remain, the improved textures and lighting make this the best way to play the end of the saga.”
read full review ↗ - 75
- 80
“Legacy of Kain: Defiance still isn't a particularly great game, but its remaster is nothing short of superb. This is how remasters are meant to be done!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Continuing with the series' revival, Legacy of Kain: Defiance is again another spruce up of the old vampiric duo from 2003. Fans will appreciate the new look, quality of life improvements and better camera control. It may be a hard sell to newcomers, but it's still an accessible game in its own right. Paired with the Soul Reaver remasters, it's a good time to take a bite into it.”
read full review ↗
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FingerGuns…and 56 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 1.0.7Apr 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.6Mar 6, 2026
- Steam Patch 1.0.5Mar 5, 2026
- Steam Patch 1.0.3Mar 4, 2026
- Achievements fixMar 3, 2026