After Two Decades, This Iconic PS1 Game Was Supposed to Get a New Release, But It Didn’t Go as Planned

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

  • The Legacy of Kain reboot, codenamed P16, has been canceled due to Embracer Groups cost-cutting measures following their acquisition of Eidos Montreal in May 2022.
  • In spite of the reboots cancellation, a remastered version of Soul Reaver 1 and 2 from the Legacy of Kain series is set for release in late 2024.
  • The remaster aims to capture the spirit of the original game by blending close combat and parkour within a dark fantasy universe.
  • Eidos Montreal has been operating with a short-term financial focus, prioritizing cost-cutting over ambitious long-term projects, as a result of Embracers cost-cutting measures.

Our favorite Goodies

Legacy of Kain Reboot Canceled Amid Embracer Group’s Cost-Cutting Measures

A once-promising revival of the cult Legacy of Kain series from the PlayStation 1 era has been canceled, leaving fans without a new installment in the franchise. Eidos Montreal had been developing a Legacy of Kain reboot, codenamed P16, since 2020, according to anonymous sources speaking to Insider Gaming. The reboot was penned by Amy Hennig, known for her work on Uncharted 2. However, Embracer Group’s acquisition of Eidos Montreal in May 2022 led to the project’s cancellation, as the parent company began focusing on cost-cutting after a period of rapid expansion. This shift in priorities resulted in layoffs and project cancellations across Embracer, including the closure of studios like Volition (Saints Row). Eidos Montreal was also affected by these changes. Insider Gaming reports that the studio has been operating with a short-term financial focus, prioritizing cost-cutting over ambitious long-term projects. The reboot was then passed to Crystal Dynamics, but development stalled.

Legacy of Kain Returns with Remastered Soul Reaver 1 & 2 in Late 2024

Despite the cancellation of the reboot, the Legacy of Kain series is returning to the spotlight with the upcoming remastered versions of Soul Reaver 1 and 2, scheduled for release in late 2024. Eidos Montreal aimed to recapture the spirit of the original game, blending close combat and parkour within a dark fantasy universe.

In Case You Missed It

“Dive into our latest gaming news with Marcus Thompson’s September 2025 PS Plus Extra and Premium roundup, where he explores seven highly-rated games like Persona 5 Tactica and WWE 2K25 PS Plus Extra: Highly Rated September 2025 Games Now Available. Meanwhile, our console connoisseur Bruno Pferd has been busy exploring the Xbox Game Pass catalog in his latest post. Discover action-packed adventures like Hades and Deep Rock Galactic or family-friendly fun with Peppa Pig: World Adventures in his rundown of major title additions for September Xbox Game Pass Boosts Catalog in September with Major Title Additions. Lastly, you won’t want to miss Ahmed Hassan’s thrilling post about Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics unveiling two new Tomb Raider adventures at The Game Awards. Get ready for Lara Croft’s new adventures in ‘Tomb Raider: Catalyst’ and revisit the classic roots with ‘Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis’, both powered by Unreal Engine 5 and slated for release in 2027 Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics Unveil Two New Tomb Raider Adventures at The Game Awards.”


Specification
Official NameLegacy of Kain: Defiance
Brief SummaryDefiance continues from where Soul Reaver 2 ended. In Soul Reaver 2, Kain saved Raziel's life by drawing the Soul Reaver from him – Raziel was meant to enter the blade and become its soul-devouring spectral half. This causes a paradox that changes time for the worse and separates Kain and Raziel.

Kain's part of the game follows him seeking Moebius the Time Streamer, a time-travelling mystic, for answers to where Raziel is, how he has changed time, and later following a lead Moebius gives him to explore a Vampire citadel. During his quest, Kain finds and completes a broken talisman of a Vampire construct known as the Balance Emblem. Kain discovers murals during his quest, dictating an ancient war between the first races to inhabit Nosgoth, the Ancient vampires and the Hylden. After sealing the Hylden in an alternate dimension using the Pillars of Nosgoth, the Hylden cursed the Ancients with bloodthirst, sterility and immortality, turning them into the first Vampires. Kain discovers from the murals that it was prophesied that both races would have a champion arise – a Vampire champion wielding the Soul Reaver, and a Hylden champion wielding a flaming sword. Because he possesses the material Soul Reaver depicted, Kain comes to believe he is the prophesied Vampire champion. The outcome of the battle between the two champions remains ambiguous.

A port of Legacy of Kain: Defiance, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.

PlatformsPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2025
GenreHack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Play ModesSingle player
Content Rating18
LanguagesChinese (Simplified)
GenreCrystal Dynamics

They also talk about it

Links to external sources for further reading

    (https://www.saudigamer.com/rumour-has-it-a-new-alien-game-is-on-the-way-and-its-being-described-as-shadow-of-the-tomb-raider-with-xenomorphs/)::https://www.saudigamer.com/cancel-legacy-of-kain-and-deus-ex-and-whats-left-for-eidos/|SEP|Une licence culte toujours en suspens::https://achievementindustry.com/fr/articles/category/actualite/nouvelles-de-l-industrie/eidos-montreal-un-reboot-de-legacy-of-kain-annule-avant-le-rachat-par-embracer|SEP|Vagues de licenciements récurrentes::https://achievementindustry.com/fr/articles/category/actualite/nouvelles-de-l-industrie/eidos-montreal-un-reboot-de-legacy-of-kain-annule-avant-le-rachat-par-embracer|SEP|Rumor: Reboot Legacy of Kain Dibatalkan, Eidos-Montréal PHK Beberapa Karyawan::https://gamedaim.com/berita/reboot-legacy-of-kain-dibatalkan/|SEP|Eidos Montréal: un reboot de Legacy of Kain annulé avant le rachat par Embracer::https://achievementindustry.com/fr/articles/category/actualite/nouvelles-de-l-industrie/eidos-montreal-un-reboot-de-legacy-of-kain-annule-avant-le-rachat-par-embracer”]

    Related posts

    New Changes in Leadership of Xbox and Bethesda

    Sony Bet on K-pop to Promote PS5

    Clair Obscur Cost Less Than 9 Million Euros