~sr3 - defiance.. ^^, 11.18.03 Options

[DivA]

~at last, it comes : Soul Reaver 3 - Defiance
11.18.03

~omgoodness.. Oo if the date of release for this one holds true, then all my other choices must be put on the backburner.. i cannot rush this upcoming experience ~ time will stand still, the clouds shall part - & my return to Nozgoth will be of priority.. >=)

~the visuals look very impressive; i'm a fan for the series, the 2nd being my favorite thus far - the ambience is both alluring & mysterious, held together by the rich story of formidable beings - vampires, mortals & magicians alike.. =D if you like gothic/horror type games, then this is truly a must..

...

~can you tell i like this series yet? ;)

[rikku]

I too am a huge fan of this series, and will be getting Defiance on or around release date.

Though, which one to get is the question? The XBox version, or the PS2 version?
I just haven't decided that part yet.
What version is everyone else getting?

[Riel]

XBox for me...i'm also looking forward to this game hoping it has the action of Kain and the ambience and puzzles of Raziel combined...should be awesome.

[DivA]

~crystal dynamics has done an excellent job thus far - i suspect that both versions will take advantage of the hardware & will look very close graphically.. *ponders* being a stickler for the best possible experience - i may decide to go with the x-box version, for crisper graphic detail.. =.

~indeed, Defiance is supposed to include all the extras that were originally left out of sr2 (fighting, weaponry & magic..); still uncertain as to the puzzle-solving aspect though.. =/ from the clips seen, sr3 looks to be heavily involved in action - no doubt that puzzles shall be present, though not as much as say - sr1 (sr1's puzzles = ouch.. Oo) i'm curious to play with the new fighting system; word through the gaming grapevine has it that it's more intricate than sr2 ~ good stuff to look forward to, Kain is going to be a delight to play.. =)

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~hopefully - the story will finally tie everything about all the former games of the series together.. =.

[HC82]

I guess i'll give a differing opinion.

I really liked Soul Reaver 1. Some of the dungeon designs were pretty cool(The windy pipe tower, with the spiders was especially cool), the block puzzles were never a problem for me, so it was never a complaint. It just required more spatial problem solving(Supposedly this type of puzzle solving is easier for one sex, as apposed to the next sex, atleast thats what my pyschology text book says). It had a very free feeling to it, being able to climb and glide where you please. The game didn't feel like there were any typical "you can't go this way" gaming obstacles that in real life would not restrict people(ex.OMFG the door is locked...I need a key dude, but i'll ignore that i'm carrying a grenade launcher with me). The dimension warping was probably the coolest part of the game. A great game for the fantasy freak within. The combat was kinda bleh, but it wasn't a primary focus.

Soul Reaver 2 felt far more restrictive. The general "can't go beyond this dirt mound enclosement" really killed the freeness the 1st one had. Combat was improved, but a bit tedious after a while. They attempted to make combat a focus, but it lacked the strategy of a fighter. They probably should of went for a more frentic pace with masses of enemies coming at you, thus allowing for a less slugish control scheme. Alot less secrets to find and alot shorter. In general, I felt this game was a rush job, it was only worth it for the follow up story. A main focus on SR2, alteast from the publicity, was the elimination of block puzzles and more orginal puzzles. I guess I over expected.

I prefer puzzles that are less systematic and more free thinking. Zelda's/SR's puzzles are more systematic, even though they give the illusion of being free thinking. Free thinking puzzles requires a greater degree of manipulation with the enviornment, multiple approachs to solving the puzzle, and differing end results. Is there even a game with this type of puzzle solving? I seriously doubt it.

So with that said, I have mixed feelings about Soul Reaver 3. I don't know what to expect, only draw point is the story.

In case you haven't noticed, I expect much more from games and will continually do so as time progresses.

[DivA]

~you are right, the combat was the primary focus of sr2 ~ it looked to be a decision to give what the fans wanted; a corporate decision, whether or not i'll agree with it remains up for debate.. ;p

*ponders* well, keep in mind that the only reason that sr2 ended up that way is because of a time deadline; the team that designed this game has to redo the graphics engine from scratch.. Oo the game originally had plans to be on DC, but since the DC ended ~ the team had to make do with the switch.. all these technicalities held them back from incorporating all their ideas that they wanted to include in sr2.. =.

~i agree that there are elements to sr1 that be unparalleled - like you say, the portals.. Oo when i first saw that, i stared in awe *no joke* that was perhaps the neatest thing i had ever seen..

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that, & the phasing between spectral & mortal realms.. =) all in all, the new engine is set - & the team can finally build all the extras they promised before-hand.. ^^ i liked the combat system of sr2, but i also favored the puzzle solving skills of sr1 ~ something i feel, perhaps they'll get it right this time around - a balance of the 2; but most importantly, is the story.. i must have played through sr2 & finished it more than 4+ times to finally understand the ending.. Blood Omen 2 also helped in the process; a story like this demands a decent finish.. =. word has it that this is the end of the series, i surge with excitement as to what the final fate awaits for both Kain & Razael..

[unitself]

I picked up Soul Reaver for the DC for like $8. It was the best $8 I ever spent. Honestly. I loved that game. Everything that HC82 says is dead on. The puzzles, the interdimentional shifting, everything = cool. I was very excited for SR2 to come out. Then, phhht... not for the DC. Saddness.
So, when I found out the Legacy of Kain was on the Xbox, I snagged up a copy. Bleh, I said. This game was nothing like the SR I knew and loved. Maybe it was my dislike of Kain? Razael has a purpose, he had a mission. He was cool. Kain? Meh. He was an ass and I didn't want to help him on his quest. I played the game for a few levels then got tired and frustrated and returned it.
If I am going to play another Soul Reaver game, I want it to be with Razael.

[DivA]

~omgoodness, scu.. Oo if you entered the game expecting it to be like sr, then yes - you would be disappointed.. =/ Blood Omen 2 took off in a whole other tangent, in play mechanics & story; if you hadn't played the original Blood Omen (ps1), then i could see why you would not like its successor.. ;)

~i actually liked Blood Omen 2, perhaps because of my ties with the 1st & it's true, Kain can be sinister - but he has his reasons, all of which i would agree with if i were in his stead.. but for my understanding of this vast plotline of Nozgoth's history, i would gladly play it ~ i remember the final battle with the hilden, that was quite the challenge.. Oo

[AC9breaker]

Well I for one am getting SR3 for ps2. Reason being is that i have all the other games for ps1/ps2. I even managed to track down again the first blood omen wich is pure joy to play. So I want to complete my collection and have it for PS2. I even have the toys that where recently released. I have 3 of 4. Im missing Raziels brother Dumah i think his name is.

As for SR2 and blood omen 2. I think blood omen was better then sr 2 and just as good as the first soul reaver. It was full of action and blood and had something that SR1 had which was absent in SR2. BOSS BATTLES. Those where the greatest. It really bothered me that in SR2, I didnt have kill people to progress. Just solve a few puzzles, it reminded me of tomb raider... Although that plot for soul reaver 2 was real good and I really did enjoy ripping on those monsters. When i first saw them appear out of no where i was like,"OMG WTF AHHHHH" but then i calmed myself down and showed those giant praying mantasis who was boss. Although those big bull ones that spit fire where kinda hard. Although SR2 didnt live up to SR1 it was still a good game in my eye and i felt didnt get proper recognition. I like how the theme for the game where contradictions to each other. Redeamer,destroyer Massiah,pawn. History appoars a paradox.

[DivA]

Nozgoth returns..

i officially started Defiance last night.. Oo all i can say for the moment is this - holy mother of all things sacred!! =D words fail me, this game is a testament to art at its finest.. action is the primary drive of sr3 ~ the level of detail is very sophisticated & i am loving the gameplay lots; the combat system is redefined for some ultra-brutal combos.. Oo between the x-box & ps2, i picked up the x-box version & i'll state for the record that i'm not disappointed in the least ~ all sr~zealots must get this one, it keeps getting better..

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& yes, the world currently stands still; Crystal Dynamics owns & Kain is GOD ~ to be continued.. =)

[Riel]

Damn,so many great games coming out,i forgot a bit about this one...i'll have to grab it at some point but i might have to rent it this weekend just to quench my thirst.

[unitself]

DivA, the creators of this game would surely dig your review.

Do you get to play as Razael?

[rikku]

QUOTE (unitself @ Nov 15 2003, 05:26 PM)

Do you get to play as Razael?

Yes you do, you go back and forth between Razael and Kain.

[DivA]

*possible spoiler(s)*

~indeed, the characters alternate between chapters ~ with Kain & Razael taking care of their own paths & the same time, each are tied in some ways without their knowing about it initially; time is an unusual concept.. =. thus far, me thinks i'm about half way into the game & now lots of questions are finally getting answers ~ this is an encouraging thought, though i'm still clueless at to the role of the great god-eye thing.. =?

[Riel]

How's everyone doing in this game...i think it's great,i'm currently in Chapter 8,with Raziel,just after grabbing the Water Reaver and i'm stuck in there,i can't seem to figure out what to do next...