PC Gamer published a scathing review of Legacy of Kain: Ascendance on Tuesday, highlighting significant narrative and mechanical flaws in the new title. The publication describes the game as a short sidescroller that fails to honor the legacy of the franchise. Developer Bit Bot Media and publisher Crystal Dynamics face criticism regarding the direction of the series following this release. The review covers testing on high-end hardware including an RTX 4090 and Intel i9-13900k processor. The team noted the title is a short experience expected to cost twenty dollars.
Key Details
The review focuses heavily on the introduction of Elaleth, a new character described as a Mary Sue who undermines the existing universe. PC Gamer notes that the game is based on a poorly-received comic book, The Dead Shall Rise, which retconned significant portions of the story. This decision removed agency from previous protagonists while elevating Elaleth to an overpowered demigod status. Critics argue that the character acts as a half-baked fanfic original character inserted into a complex timeline. The team observed that the narrative changes felt disconnected from the established lore.
Gameplay mechanics vary drastically between characters, creating a disjointed experience for players. Elaleth sections feature generous checkpoints and high power levels, while human Raziel sections present brutal difficulty spikes. This jump in challenge confuses players and prevents them from entering a flow state during combat sequences. Reviewers noted that enemies spawn off-screen frequently during the human segments, adding to the frustration. The disparity in power levels makes the progression feel unnatural and unbalanced.
Visual consistency remains a major point of contention within the review. The pixel art style is described as serviceable but often clashes with PS1-era 3D cutscenes and static images. Developers struggled to maintain a strong identity across the different art styles used throughout the project. Dialogue sequences utilize a completely different art style that reviewers found no better than the main game. The aesthetic choices appeared to lack a cohesive vision for the final product.
Voice acting receives praise, with Simon Templeman delivering strong lines as the character Kain. However, the character appears for only one level and approximately thirty minutes of gameplay. The review suggests that high-quality dialogue cannot compensate for the weak story structure surrounding the character. A single-mechanic boss fight concludes the character's brief appearance in the title. The limited presence of the main antagonist disappointed many long-term fans of the lore.
"We deserve better than Legacy of Kain: Ascendance," Fraser, the UK online editor, wrote in the review. This sentiment encapsulates the frustration fans feel regarding the four-hour runtime. The publication emphasizes that the franchise deserves a more substantial entry before moving forward. The verdict suggests that the current release does not meet the standards set by previous titles.
What This Means
Critics worry this poor reception could impact future development plans for the franchise. The disappointment expressed in the review indicates a risk to the viability of meatier titles in the series. Some observers suggest the franchise might return to dormancy until a better concept emerges. The failure to connect with the core audience creates uncertainty for upcoming projects. Investors may hesitate to fund similar action-adventure projects within the genre.
The industry watches closely to see if this title affects consumer confidence in established IP. Crystal Dynamics must navigate the balance between honoring past narratives and introducing new elements. The outcome of this release sets a precedent for how legacy franchises handle modern spin-offs. A failure here could deter investment in similar action-adventure projects within the genre. The team must address these concerns before launching any further expansions.
