Having raised over $1 million on Kickstarter, the LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER – THE DEAD SHALL RISE campaign has been a huge success. The crowdfunding campaign marks the epic return of the franchise after 25 years, and since its announcement showing off several promised merch, including collectible masks and memorabilia, it is well on its way to rekindling the passionate love for the vampire of yesteryear from the PS1 era.
We spoke with LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER – THE DEAD SHALL RISE creator and writer Joshua Viola, narrative guide Brent Friedman, and art director Daniel Kavko about Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the impact the game has had on their lives, and what they’re looking forward to from the graphic novel.
We’ve also previewed some covers and the first few pages of art, which you can check out below:
Aaron Lovett cover
Christian Angeles: The Legacy of Kain series means a lot to fans for a variety of reasons, but what does the game’s legacy mean to you all?
Joshua Viola: Soul Reaver in particular has been a part of my life since the beginning. When I first played Soul Reaver in 1999 or 2000, I was instantly hooked. It wasn’t just a game, it was a monumental experience, a story that resonated on a deeper level. Raziel’s journey, themes of betrayal, revenge and redemption are so deep that I got a Raziel tattoo on my body as a permanent reminder of what this game meant to me. Soul Reaver was ahead of its time in so many ways: storytelling, atmosphere and art design. The world of Nosgoth is alive with its own history and lore, all woven together in a complex and mature narrative. It was one of the first games that made me realize how powerful video game storytelling can be and how it can rival the best movies and novels.
Brent Friedman: The first Soul Reaver was one of several games (Resident Evil 2 being one of them) that opened my eyes to the power of interactive narrative in the late ’90s. Up until that point, I’d primarily played games for the gameplay. But Soul Reaver, and the series as a whole, was so story-focused that I barely remember any gameplay at all; all my memories are focused on the deep lore, unpredictable character arcs, and amazing dialogue. As a writer, the series was inspirational.
Daniel Kavko: Soul Reaver was a bold expression of our team’s creativity, built on the belief that it would be well received. I poured my passion and interest into it, confident that it would resonate with those who identify with its themes, style, and storytelling. When we started working on Soul Reaver, we knew we had something special. Nothing else looked or played like it. The story was deep and rich, and we were able to include visuals that rewarded those who were observant and insightful. This legacy has created a bond with fans over the years, who still ask about its hints, possibilities, and hidden details. We are deeply grateful for the love and connection we’ve created with Legacy of Kain fans, as you truly understood that it was more than what it appears on the surface.
Cover by Matthew Terrien
ANGELES: If you had to choose…are you on Raziel’s side or on Kain’s side?
Friedman: If I had to choose, I’m Team Raziel. I played Soul Reaver and then Blood Omen, so my loyalty was to Raziel from the beginning. That said, having played all the games and immersed myself in the lore of the franchise, I’ve grown fond of Kain. He’s definitely flawed, and like both characters, I can’t help but admire his boldness – he “fought the system” in classic anti-hero fashion.
Viola: That’s a hard question. Honestly, it bothers me every time I think about it. I was team Raziel before, but now that I’ve had a chance to write these characters and explore their motivations, I think Kain might surpass him. But it’s a hard choice. They’re two sides of the same coin, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and epic stories. So, while I’ve always been team Raziel at heart, I’m more intrigued by Kain than I’ve ever been. They’re both just too cool to definitively choose one over the other.
CABUCO: It’s a real Sophie’s Choice. They’re like my kids. Both characters are amazing and unique, and the storylines are great. Raziel is earnest, indignant, and absolutely certain of his beliefs (even if they change drastically). Once he sets his direction, he’s unstoppable! Kain is calculating, and does what needs to be done even if it means emotional pain, because he sees the bigger canvas. His sacrifice and nobility show wisdom, insight, and ruthlessness. He figures out how to win a rigged game! So I don’t think you can choose one over the other.
Variant cover sketch by Dave Rapoza
ANGELES: Brent, can you share some previously unrevealed ideas for Soul Reaver that will be used in the graphic novel?
Friedman: I don’t want to spoil the surprises for readers (and there is a lot!), but let me just say that this graphic novel explores Raziel’s wings in a way that, in my opinion, is incredibly exciting and definitely never seen before. In the original game, this aspect of Raziel’s backstory was not fully explained, which allowed room for new ideas to emerge for a very important development in his character arc.
Nina Jo’s cover of Celldweller’s LOK:SR -TDSR soundtrack
ANGELES: For Joshua, The Legacy Of Kain series was a gothic story about power, revenge, and most importantly, free will. What themes will you be exploring in the prequel?
Viola: This series has always been packed with strong themes. That’s the foundation of what makes it so fascinating. In the prequel, we’re definitely taking those same themes, but we’re also exploring Raziel’s past in a way that we’ve never done before. One of the core elements we’re digging into is identity. Raziel’s journey has always been about transformation, but in this prequel, we’re digging into who he was before he became the ghost we know. We’re exploring what it means to lose everything you once were, and how that loss shapes your sense of self. The theme of power and free will is still at the heart of the story, but there’s also a focus on the consequences of those choices – how it ripples through time and affects not only Raziel, but the entire world of Nosgoth. We wanted to stay true to the elements that made Legacy of Kain so iconic, while adding a new layer to the story that fans hadn’t seen before. It’s about respecting the past while also pushing the story in a new direction that’s fresh, yet familiar.
Dave Rapoza’s bass cover
ANGELES: Daniel, you’ve done art for some of pop culture’s biggest games and shows over the last 30 years, especially those with a vampire theme. How has your approach to your art style changed since your days on the original Soul Reavers?
CABUCO: I think in my own artistic evolution, I’ve tried not to take what’s been done before too seriously. So I’m more free at the beginning and willing to make, throw away, and combine designs to break my frame. I believe in focusing on the early part of the visual design process and bringing it to a detailed finish at the end of the pipeline. Before, I was excited about the first design and pushed it very hard because at the time, some of those designs had never been seen in games by anyone. Now, the realm of ideas for games has exploded and with it the tastes of the audience, the gamers, have changed. So it’s really important to find new expressive approaches to visual design.
ANGELES: Finally, what can fans expect from the graphic novel adaptation?
Friedman: Fans can look forward to diving deeper into the series’ lore. I can’t give too much away, but the graphic novel will delve into Raziel’s past to further humanize him and fill in some gaps in Nosgoth’s history. As part of that exploration, the graphic novel will also introduce a new character, a mysterious woman named Eraleth, who will be central to Raziel’s backstory. Full disclosure: I might actually be Team Eraleth.
VIOLA: Fans can look forward to seeing the world of Nosgoth come to life in a way never before seen. The graphic novel stays true to the series’ signature dark, gothic atmosphere while offering fresh visuals of iconic characters. It also explores untold stories and deepens the lore with new insights into Raziel’s past, so even longtime fans will find something new and exciting to immerse themselves in.
CABUCO: The graphic novel version of Soul Reaver is a visually dynamic and captivating depiction of the beloved universe, delivering the story in an all-new format – packed with surprising insights and revelations!
The prequel campaign for The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise will run until September 12th.
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