Crystal Dynamics has announced the return of the Legacy of Kain franchise with not one, but two new releases slated for March 2026. The revival includes a remaster of the 2003 action-adventure game Legacy of Kain: Defiance, launching on and a brand new 2D platformer, Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, arriving on .
The Legacy of Kain series, which began with Blood Omen in 1996, cultivated a dedicated following with its dark fantasy setting and complex narrative. After a period of dormancy following Defiance, and a 2024 remaster of Soul Reaver 1 & 2, Crystal Dynamics is now expanding the universe with both a modernized classic and a fresh take on the established lore.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance – A Retro-Inspired New Direction
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance represents a significant departure in gameplay for the series. Developed by Bit Bot Media in association with FreakZone Games, it’s a fast-paced 2D action platformer. The game will feature four playable characters central to the Legacy of Kain mythology: Kain himself, two iterations of Raziel (vampire and human leader of the Sarafan), and Elaleth, previously featured in the graphic novels. Players will spend roughly equal time controlling each character.
The game’s art style is a deliberate blend of influences. Sections will feature retro pixel art reminiscent of early platformers, alongside hand-drawn, anime-inspired cinematics, and even 3D visuals evoking the PlayStation 1 era. This stylistic choice aims to capture the essence of the series’ history while forging a new visual identity.
Notably, the original voice actors for key characters are returning, including Simon Templeman as Kain, Michael Bell as Raziel, Anne Gunn as Ariel, and Richard Doyle as Moebius. This continuity is expected to resonate strongly with long-time fans. The game’s soundtrack will be composed by electronic rock musician Celldweller, who previously created the companion soundtrack for the Soul Reaver: The Dead Shall Rise graphic novel.
While described as a prequel, Ascendance will explore various points within the established timeline of Nosgoth, with the time-manipulating character Moebius playing a significant role.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered – Modernizing a Classic
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered aims to bring the 2003 title to modern platforms with updated graphics, controls, and bonus content. Developed by Crystal Dynamics and PlayEveryWare, the remaster will feature full HD graphics, upgraded character models, textures, and environments. Players will have the option to switch between the original fixed camera perspective and a new third-person camera designed for contemporary gameplay.
The remaster includes a photo mode, alternative character skins, and a comprehensive lore reader. A particularly intriguing addition is the inclusion of previously unreleased “lost levels” from the original game. Pre-ordering the remaster will grant players access to bonus skins for Kain and Raziel inspired by the original ‘Shifter’ game concept.
Platform Availability and Editions
Both Legacy of Kain: Ascendance and Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). Defiance Remastered will also be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered will be available in three editions: a standard edition priced at $24.99, a deluxe edition for $29.99, and a “Heart of Darkness Edition” for $44.99, which includes an additional game. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is priced at $19.99.
The return of Legacy of Kain after a two-decade hiatus signals a renewed interest in the franchise and a commitment from Crystal Dynamics to expand its lore and appeal to both veteran fans and a new generation of players. The contrasting approaches of a retro-inspired platformer and a modernized remaster suggest a strategy to cater to diverse preferences within the Legacy of Kain community.
