“Legacy of Kain: Ascendance” Review by Nick Navarro
Fifteen years ago, I never would’ve imagined returning to Nosgoth in this form, yet here I am, navigating a side-scrolling reinterpretation of a series that once defined dark, narrative-driven action-adventure for me. “Legacy of Kain: Ascendance” isn’t the grand resurrection longtime fans may have envisioned, but it is, at the very least, a curious and occasionally compelling attempt to breathe life back into a dormant franchise.
From the moment I started playing, the shift in perspective was immediately noticeable. Gone is the sprawling, atmospheric exploration that defined earlier entries, replaced here with a fast-paced 2D action-platformer structure that leans heavily on movement and combat flow. There’s a certain immediacy to how everything plays; double jumps, air dashes, and chained attacks all come together in a system that feels responsive, even if it rarely evolves beyond its initial hook. Combat is clearly one of the central pillars, and for a while, I found myself enjoying the rhythm of chaining melee strikes with supernatural abilities. There’s a satisfying cadence to juggling enemies in the air or dashing between targets, especially when the screen fills with chaos. However, that excitement starts to wear thin sooner than I would’ve liked. Enemy encounters don’t change much over time, and the lack of meaningful variation in enemy behavior makes the combat feel repetitive long before the credits roll.
Traversal fares a bit better, largely thanks to the game’s emphasis on verticality. Levels are designed with upward momentum in mind, encouraging constant movement rather than cautious progression. I appreciated how platforming and combat often blend together, creating sequences that demand quick thinking and precise inputs. That said, not every level hits the mark. Some areas feel overly simplistic, while others rely on frustrating layouts that interrupt the otherwise smooth pacing. One of the more intriguing aspects of “Ascendance” is its use of multiple protagonists. Playing as Kain, Raziel, and the new character Elaleth offers some variety in both mechanics and perspective. Raziel’s inclusion, particularly in his vampiric form, is easily one of the highlights, and it’s something I know fans have been waiting to experience for a long time. Elaleth, on the other hand, brings a more aggressive playstyle that leans into relentless offense, though her role in the story feels more like a narrative device than a fully realized character.
Speaking of the story, this is where my feelings become more conflicted. The “Legacy of Kain” series has always been known for its rich storytelling, layered dialogue, and philosophical undertones. “Ascendance” attempts to recapture some of that magic by exploring previously unseen events and expanding the lore of Nosgoth. There are moments where it succeeds, particularly in how it ties together different timelines and characters. Unfortunately, those moments are often overshadowed by writing that feels surprisingly straightforward and, at times, underdeveloped. It’s not bad, but it lacks the depth and nuance that made the original games so memorable. Visually, the game presents an interesting mix of styles that doesn’t always come together cohesively. The pixel art during gameplay is detailed and expressive, capturing the gothic tone of Nosgoth quite well. However, the transition to animated cutscenes can be jarring, with a noticeable disconnect between the two presentation styles. It’s not enough to completely pull me out of the experience, but it does create an uneven aesthetic that’s hard to ignore.
Where the game truly shines, though, is in its audio design. The soundtrack, composed by Celldweller, delivers a powerful and fitting backdrop to the action, blending modern intensity with the series’ signature dark ambiance. It’s one of the few areas where “Ascendance” feels like a natural evolution rather than a compromise. Despite its shortcomings, I wouldn’t call “Legacy of Kain: Ascendance” a failure. It feels more like a cautious first step, a project that tests the waters rather than diving in headfirst. There’s a sense that the developers are trying to reestablish the world and its characters before committing to something bigger, and in that context, the game’s limitations make a bit more sense.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that this could have been more. For a franchise that has been absent for over two decades, expectations were always going to be high, and “Ascendance” doesn’t quite meet them. The gameplay, while competent, lacks the depth needed to stay engaging throughout. The story, while interesting in concept, doesn’t reach the narrative heights fans might hope for. And the overall presentation, though occasionally striking, feels inconsistent. Walking away from it, I found myself both appreciative and disappointed. I enjoyed my time with it in short bursts, and I’m genuinely interested in where the story could go next. At the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more of a proof of concept than a true revival. If nothing else, “Legacy of Kain: Ascendance” reminds me why I fell in love with this world in the first place. I just hope that if Nosgoth has a future, it builds on this foundation with something far more ambitious.
6/10
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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