Legacy of Kain: Defiance

 Xbox
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
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  1. MichealW.
    Jan 2, 2004
    0
    Poor camera, lame puzzles and storylines are among some of the many flaws of this game. the puzzles are rather boring and repetitive, sometimes leaving the gamers wandering why the hell the main characters have to go thru all those boring puzzles. The level design only show the laziness of those who programmers, as you will spend most of your time backtracking or playing in the samePoor camera, lame puzzles and storylines are among some of the many flaws of this game. the puzzles are rather boring and repetitive, sometimes leaving the gamers wandering why the hell the main characters have to go thru all those boring puzzles. The level design only show the laziness of those who programmers, as you will spend most of your time backtracking or playing in the same enviroment. Bugs and glitches are common in Defiance too, and you will often face the frustration of your character getting stuck in glitches when you made a bad jump. another such common glitch is falling thru the ground!! The storyline is another lame attempt made amy hennig and it only shows how poorly she is trying to piece up the puzzles in the LOK series. overall, just do not by this game unless you want your money to be wasted.… Expand
  2. DeathHunter
    Oct 2, 2003
    10
    I couldn't stop playing it...
  3. GaryF.
    Oct 30, 2003
    10
    Become my soul Reaver, my angel of death.
  4. IdY
    Feb 10, 2004
    0
    Camera angles, make this game worthless. Being a game designer, just interesting how such a .... mistake could be made.
  5. J.E.
    Nov 27, 2003
    8
    Fun, brain racking, and addicting. This game is really enjoyable, I have few problems with it. However, due to its short life, I'd have to reccomend renting it. I beat it in 2 days.. but like I said, it's adicting hehe... Graphics: Pretty good, not great great and over the top, but still nice. I believe it suffered for the xbox because it was ported on PS2 and I doubt PS2 could Fun, brain racking, and addicting. This game is really enjoyable, I have few problems with it. However, due to its short life, I'd have to reccomend renting it. I beat it in 2 days.. but like I said, it's adicting hehe... Graphics: Pretty good, not great great and over the top, but still nice. I believe it suffered for the xbox because it was ported on PS2 and I doubt PS2 could handle much more. The backgrounds didn't bother me too much, just the "backdrops" too "picture-like" didn't feel right. Controls: Fine I guess, it's better that they decided to use the same controls for both characters, that would have REALLY been annoying having to switch so many times. The combos are simple and you can be as creative as you'd like and impress your buddies :). Enjoyment: Really fun and addicting as I said. The story draws you in and does a formidable job at the prologue of capping up what has happened in the previous installments. If you followed the series you'd really enjoy this game. The puzzles aren't too hard, but challenging enough and the bosses aren't incredibly tough once you find their weakness. Overall: I gave it an 8 mostly because it's too short, like the rest were, I mean 2 days? It's addicting enough to have a longer life than that, though I had nothing to do and couldn't keep my hands off the controller. If you're a fan and have purchased all the previous installments, then go ahead and buy this, but if you're the casual gamer, you'll just want to rent this, should beat it within the 5 days you have it :)… Expand
  6. SteveT.
    Jan 22, 2004
    9
    For starters, I think there's no denying how great Defiance looks. The detailed textures and architecture in this game are amazing. The characters and animation are also top notch, including the many cinematic sequences. As previously mentioned, this game plays somewhat like a movie, with the imperfect, yet functional camera view. That said, the storyline is another amazing aspect. For starters, I think there's no denying how great Defiance looks. The detailed textures and architecture in this game are amazing. The characters and animation are also top notch, including the many cinematic sequences. As previously mentioned, this game plays somewhat like a movie, with the imperfect, yet functional camera view. That said, the storyline is another amazing aspect. It is so in depth and complicated that it completely draws you in. The dark, ambient music and crisp sound effects really add to the movie-feel and contribute to the magnetic nature of the game. Also, the combat system in Defiance is awesome in that it offers enough variation and elements to let the player create sort of theatrical battle sequences. Once you've mastered the moves, there's enough to play around with to keep the combat interesting and it looks so cool! If you've played Soul Reaver 1 or 2, you'll notice that the gameplay and puzzles are similar, yet new and vastly improved. The fact that you play as both Kain and Raziel, is another feature I thought was awesome with this game. The two characters had been integral parts of the same story, yet remained totally separate. This lets you see the story from multiple angles and gives you a more clear picture of the true nature of the characters. The only small problems I had with the game were the camera view and (probably related) the ease of getting lost. As you double back to some of the same areas, it can get kind of confusing as to which path you should take, or exactly where you are. However, everything else in the game is so good that I think it totally makes up for this. I recommend checking this game out. … Expand
  7. Uter
    Feb 20, 2004
    8
    It plays a lot like Devil May Cry, except a bit better. Enemies don't respawn endlessly, and the fighting is more stylish. Plus there's better music and graphics. I didn't find the camera angles that bad. The story is really well done, but I find it confusing; that's prob a good thing though since it'll be entertaining a 2nd time through.
  8. AaronA.
    Apr 10, 2004
    10
    I havent played any of the other blood omens but i am very familiar with the soul reaver games and all i can say is that this game gives you a feeling of power and an amasing storyline that i havent experienced since onimusha 2. as kain u feel invincible and it is such a great feeling when u finally nail a boss or drink the blood of a rival. on the other hand as raziel the story grabs holdI havent played any of the other blood omens but i am very familiar with the soul reaver games and all i can say is that this game gives you a feeling of power and an amasing storyline that i havent experienced since onimusha 2. as kain u feel invincible and it is such a great feeling when u finally nail a boss or drink the blood of a rival. on the other hand as raziel the story grabs hold of you and the graphics of the underworld are truely breathtaking, combine this with brilliant crisp graphics a great storyline and fighting system and the best sound effects i have ever herd in a game. I LOVE THIS GAME! ps. take no notice of the guys on here giving it a score of 0 coz they are just being immature and i can tell u now that the camera isnt a problem when ur enjoying yourself this much!… Expand
  9. Frostbolt
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    I have been gaming for the longest of times, and never did I encounter the LoK series which truly now makes me quite bewildered, because Defiance really is an astonishing game. I sort of want to go out and buy a PSX now just so I can play the older games of the series, that is how great this game is. I read up on the previous installments of the series and the story is certainly one of I have been gaming for the longest of times, and never did I encounter the LoK series which truly now makes me quite bewildered, because Defiance really is an astonishing game. I sort of want to go out and buy a PSX now just so I can play the older games of the series, that is how great this game is. I read up on the previous installments of the series and the story is certainly one of the best i've heard, and Defiance finishes up real nice. Defiance is a basic button-masher, eye-candy, puzzle game, but the three elements are brought together so damn well that this game seems gold. The level designs were by far the most unique and beautiful to come along in a long time, and the combat has enough variation to never become dull, including plenty of cool upgrades to your arsenal for both Raziel and Kain.The puzzles don't require all that much thought, but certainly at times form into some tricky and clever obstacles to overcome. The boss fights, though few and a little too easy, are brilliantly executed. You'll find a good 15 hours in Defiance, but if you go for every tome, and upgrade, and talisman, and with some of the puzzles taking up time than at most you'll get a good 20 hours. Overall this game is very worthy of a 9, just at times the camera angles do go all flip-flop and it is hard to refocus it. If your looking for an experience that non have yet conjured and some very fun Ninja Gaiden sort of button-mashing, than i'm sure Legacy of Kain: Defiance is just what you'll want. PS: Vorador's Mansion is simply the best level ever created =).… Expand
  10. MichaelC.
    Nov 17, 2003
    7
    I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. The newest chapter in the LoK saga offers more action and gameplay than it's last XBox outing (Blood Omen 2), but suffers from poor camera angles and bad controls. The graphics are outstanding for the most part, but I do think they could've put a little more detail into the backgrounds, which get repetitive fast. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. The newest chapter in the LoK saga offers more action and gameplay than it's last XBox outing (Blood Omen 2), but suffers from poor camera angles and bad controls. The graphics are outstanding for the most part, but I do think they could've put a little more detail into the backgrounds, which get repetitive fast. Fans of the series will buy it just for the story elements (the cutscenes look incredible). Other than that, it's a hack-and-slash with lots of confusion and some telekinetic powers thrown in. I like this game, but I really wanted to love it. I recommend waiting until the price drops below $50.… Expand
  11. GusH.
    Nov 17, 2003
    9
    Okay... THIS IS THE BEST LOK GAME YET. HANDS DOWN. I didnt play the first Blood Omen...but I have played all the rest... Blood Omen 2 was crappy graphics and gameplay...(great story, of course, as with all the LOK games). Soul Reaver 1 was INCREDIBLE. Soul Reaver 2 was..."eh". Good story but only average graphics and gameplay. Until Defiance came along...SR1 was the best one. Defiance Okay... THIS IS THE BEST LOK GAME YET. HANDS DOWN. I didnt play the first Blood Omen...but I have played all the rest... Blood Omen 2 was crappy graphics and gameplay...(great story, of course, as with all the LOK games). Soul Reaver 1 was INCREDIBLE. Soul Reaver 2 was..."eh". Good story but only average graphics and gameplay. Until Defiance came along...SR1 was the best one. Defiance blows it away. EVERY detail and complaint that I had with the other games is fixed in this one. Controls are great. You can be KAIN AND RAZIEL....so it doesnt get old being one or the other for 20 hours. You can SAVE ANY TIME. The souls you ingest are not just green blobs... they are actually human figures that cry and scream in agony! The game feels more like a "game" than the previous installments. The other games felt like the game play was an excuse to get to more story. This game melds the two aspects perfectly. The gameplay reminds me of the first time I played Zelda (NES). It gives me butterflies to play it. My ONLY complaints with the game are small. The graphics COULD be a BIT better...being on the XBOX....that said: they still blow away every other LOK game and most other games on the XBOX now anyway. I am actually really happy with the graphics...I just think they could start raising the bar a little....after Splinter Cell. The CAMERA in the game is bad too. But. its not so bad that it ruins the game or anything. Its actually REALLY good most of the time....its very cinematic.... but sometimes...you go into a room and the camera just "decides" not to go with you. so. you have to go out and convince the camera to follow you by trying again. Its weird. But. The game is so good that I forgive it I really really like this game. I dont know if everyone will. But. if you liked ANY of the other KAIN/SOUL REAVER games.....I can promise that you will LOVE this game. If you HAVENT played any other games in this series....I really think you will like this one anyway....they give a great summary in the instruction book... and the dialogue explains a lot of back story in the first few levels.... I watched an online demo of this game... and I was hesitant to get it....it didnt really look that great to me. But. i tried it in the store and after 2 minutes I purchased it. The guy at the counter was like "2 minutes are you are going to buy it? damn...I'll have to try it." Its dark, moody, scary, bloody, and it incorporates many more "action" elements (power ups, etc) that make the game even more fun. I am often disappointed with my xbox purchases...because I feel like they just dont use the xbox's potential. This game does that a little. But. I really feel like I finally got a game that was worth my $50. Hope you enjoy it!… Expand
  12. cfree
    Nov 19, 2014
    4
    I thought this game would be great, after all Blood Omen 2 and Soul Reaver 1 and 2 were fantastic games that I keep coming back to. Boy was I wrong! In Defiance you spend most of your time in the same boring circular room solving inane, boring puzzles and fighting lame enemies. It was also frustrating that Kane had apparently lost all of the really interesting power he had in BO2. TheI thought this game would be great, after all Blood Omen 2 and Soul Reaver 1 and 2 were fantastic games that I keep coming back to. Boy was I wrong! In Defiance you spend most of your time in the same boring circular room solving inane, boring puzzles and fighting lame enemies. It was also frustrating that Kane had apparently lost all of the really interesting power he had in BO2. The *only* reason to play this game is for the story.

    Lets just hope that some day they'll make a final LoK game that finishes the story and more closely resembles BO2. Don't hold your breath though, it seems as though this franchise is dead now.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Xbox Game of 2003
56
#56 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
46
#46 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. GamerFeed
    50
    Both in gameplay styles and level design the game feels like you're playing the quest of a singular entity suffering from multiple personality disorder. Only a true fan could love such a challenged title.
    Read full review
  2. Play Magazine
    75
    Nosgoth is a captivating place to exist in, decadent and elegant, shadowy and mysterious. [Jan 2004, p.56]
  3. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    The twisty story is compelling enough to pull you through the game like a rabbit tied to a rush-hour train. [Mar 2004, p.92]
See all critic reviews »