It has been a long, cold two decades for fans of the dark fantasy world of Nosgoth, but the wait is finally over. In a move that absolutely nobody saw coming during the latest State of Play, Crystal Dynamics pulled back the curtain on Legacy of Kain: Ascendance. This isn’t just another remaster or a quick port; it is a brand-new entry developed by Bit Bot Media and FreakZone Games that aims to breathe fresh, bloody life into one of gaming’s most complex narratives. If you were hoping for the series to return to its gothic roots while trying something completely bold, you might want to sharpen your fangs because this one is shaping up to be a wild ride.
A New Perspective on an Ancient World
The most striking thing about Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is its stylistic pivot. Instead of the traditional third-person action-adventure style we saw in the later games, this title is a fast-paced 2D action platformer built around fluid combat and intense vertical movement. Don’t let the “2D” label fool you into thinking it’s a simple side-scroller, though. The developers are blending beautifully crafted pixel art with anime-inspired cinematics and even “throwback” 3D sequences that look like they were ripped straight out of the PS1 era. It is a gorgeous, moody aesthetic that feels like a love letter to the franchise’s entire history, from its top-down beginnings to its cinematic peaks.
Three Heroes and a Fractured Timeline
Story-wise, we are diving back into the deep end of the pool. The game serves as a prequel to the iconic Soul Reaver, exploring the era of collapsing kingdoms and shattered timelines that the series is famous for. You won’t just be playing as one protagonist either. The game lets you take control of three distinct characters: the mighty Kain with his overwhelming vampiric powers, Raziel during his days as a human Sarafan knight and his early vampire form, and a newcomer named Elaleth, a vampire who brings a hyper-aggressive, offensive playstyle to the table. Seeing Raziel before his tragic fall—and before his wings were torn—is the kind of lore-heavy fanservice that has the community buzzing.
The Voices of the Abyss
If you were worried about the atmosphere being lost in the transition to 2D, you can rest easy. Crystal Dynamics confirmed that the legendary voice cast is back in the recording booth. Having Simon Templeman and Michael Bell return to voice Kain and Raziel is a massive win, and hearing Anna Gunn as Ariel and Richard Doyle as Moebius again really solidifies that this is the real deal. To top it all off, the game features an original score by the electronic rock artist Celldweller, promising a soundscape that is just as dark and industrial as the world of Nosgoth itself.
Mark Your Calendars for the Hunt
The release schedule for the franchise is looking surprisingly packed. While Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is set to launch on March 31, 2026, fans will actually get a appetizer a few weeks earlier when the Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered drops on March 3rd. You’ll be able to play Ascendance on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It’s been a twenty-three-year drought, but with a new game and a remaster arriving within the same month, it’s officially a great time to be a vampire.
