After more than 20 years, Legacy of Kain is finally back with a brand-new adventure. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, bringing Nosgoth back into the spotlight with a new 2D action platformer, a fresh story, and some very familiar voices.
As per the press release, Crystal Dynamics and Bit Bot Media, in association with FreakZone Games, have launched Legacy of Kain: Ascendance at $19.99, while Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered also arrives today on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. So yes, if you were hoping for a good day to be extremely normal about Legacy of Kain, this is probably not it.
Ascendance mixes 2D action with old-school Nosgoth weirdness
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is described as a fast-paced action platformer that blends 2D sidescrolling combat with PS1-era inspired 3D sequences. The story is set before the events of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, with the narrative woven through gameplay, cutscenes and the world itself.
Visually, it leans into retro pixel art and anime-inspired cinematics, which is certainly one way to make Nosgoth look even more dramatic than usual. Given the series’ track record, that feels entirely appropriate.
Combat sounds suitably sharp too, with melee chains, evasive dashes and supernatural attacks all part of the package. The game also lets players control multiple protagonists, including Kain with his vampiric powers, Raziel before his fall as a human Sarafan knight and later in vampiric form, plus Elaleth, who brings a more aggressive, fast-paced fighting style.
Familiar voices return alongside Defiance Remastered
One of the bigger draws here is the returning voice cast. According to the press release, Simon Templeman returns as Kain, Michael Bell as Raziel, Anna Gunn as Ariel, and Richard Doyle as Moebius. That should give the new game a decent hit of old-school Legacy of Kain flavour straight away.
There is also a new original soundtrack from Klayton, known for Celldweller and Scandroid, which gives Ascendance one more big swing as it tries to make this return feel like a proper event rather than a quiet nostalgia drop.
Alongside that launch, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered has now released on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, after already being available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Players who want the lot can pick up the Heart of Darkness Collection for $44.99, bundling Ascendance and Defiance Remastered together. As per the press release, that also includes a digital comic reader with three classic comics, a demo of the unreleased Legacy of Kain: The Dark Prophecy, and an Ascendance-themed skin pack for Defiance Remastered.
There is merch too, because of course there is. Bit Bot Media has launched a line of Legacy of Kain: Ascendance items including the soundtrack on vinyl and CD, plushies, an 8-bit Raziel figure, jewellery, apparel, and more.
All told, it is a pretty hefty day for Legacy of Kain fans. New game, remaster rollout, bundle, merch, and Nosgoth back on the map. Not bad for a series that has been lurking in the shadows for this long.