Legacy of Kain: Defiance Image
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The next chapter in the epic Legacy of Kain series is a cutting-edge action/adventure game featuring more action then ever before. Take control of two powerful and highly evolved vampires: Kain, an all-powerful demigod, and Raziel, a demonic angel of death. Each equipped with a legendary sword, Kain & Raziel must battle through a world loaded with conflict and intrigue as they attempt to unravel their destinies and defeat the dark forces that seek to condemn their world to eternal damnation. [Eidos Interactive] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. A fantastic game that is let down slightly by an ill-designed camera system and lack of a map feature.
  2. 80
    The long-standing Legacy of Kain series finally hits paydirt with one of the best stories in the series and without a doubt, one of the best combat systems in an action-adventure series.
  3. It's a well-made game, but its high points start to fall as you experience them over…and over...
  4. You get the impression the only person who cares about Kain's legacy any more is the writer. The turgid battling lets an average game down. [Jan 2004, p.107]

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. StefanP.
    10
    Great game . If you are ceeping with Legacy of kain series . At first I was a little frustrated by the camera ,but with time I get use to it . The story line is Superb . There are many unpredictable twists and thurns ,for you get the chanse to fight both Kain and Raziel . And again Kain and Raziel fight for dominion over destiny . DEsperetly surching for a new path , for a choise , to breake the promised future . It's a interesting concept to fight agenst destiny for free will . LOK relegate with the medieval princip of the two swords of power . The one in the hand of the king , the other in the hand of the pope .... Great idea .... The grapihc is realy greate better than the previous series . The new battle system is also vrey fun for you can lift enemies , and kick their asses in the air . Expand
  2. JerenyR.
    10
    This game had me on the edge of my seat the graphics are incredible the puzzles are challenging but not to hard so I give this game a ten.. Any game that can hold my attention this long deserves a 10 thankyou. Expand
  3. CoffinSandman
    5
    Not much more that a poor man's Devil May Cry. The gameplay is mediocre and shallow, the fights are repetative, the enemy AI sux, and the levels and environments are dull. The controls are made even worse by the keyboard. Do yourself a favor and pick up DMC instead. Expand
  4. So, to sum it up Defiance is basically DMC with everything other than the storyline/lore being horrific. The camera is infuriating at times and is more of a challenge than the actual game. The game-play itself is tragic, it quickly becomes an irritating platformer with dull, repetitive fights you have to deal with which you care not for. There are simple tricks to make most enemies incredibly easy and faster to kill specifically jumping and down-slashing. The different weapons you get don't really matter combat-wise as the game is mostly easy; they play a larger role in the lackluster repetitive puzzle platforming; to clarify, there are four temples, you have to go into them at least four times during the game, the first run takes long enough to bore you as all four temples are near IDENTICAL structure-wise. You have two SETS of IDENTICAL battles as well in these temples. The music and sounds are incredibly raw and basic for a game made in 2003 although there is a little charm. My main peeve is going through portals, the sound is REALLY loud and annoying so be prepared to turn your sound down. You're mostly running around the game trying to find "answers" as Raziel, a main character. Raziel is an idiot whereas his counterpart Kain, is the opposite. Raziel runs past murals which clearly tell you what he later states at a new mural. He also condemns the world twice. Then for some weird reason, he can return to the material world without a portal. He is also able to enter water unlike the previous games which again is not explained and doesn't make sense. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews