The classic dark fantasy Legacy of Kain: Defiance is getting a remastered edition and will launch for PlayStation 5 on March 3, 2026. In recent years, developer Crystal Dynamics has been following a trend of remastering titles from its popular saga. Now it’s the turn for Legacy of Kain: Defiance to receive a modern console edition with new features, skins, and more.
Comprised of five mainline titles, the action RPG Legacy of Kain series introduced some of the best vampire games in gaming history. The first game, Blood Omen, launched in 1996 and introduced players to Kain, a human nobleman turned vampire on a quest through the land of Nosgoth. Years later, in 1999 and 2001, Crystal Dynamics released Soul Reaver 1 and 2, which presented protagonist Raziel, a wraith who seeks revenge against Kain. In 2002, Blood Omen 2 put Kain back in the spotlight. However, the epic conclusion of the series came in 2003 with Legacy of Kain: Defiance. Released for the PS2, Defiance allows players to embody both Kain and Raziel until their rivalry comes to a climax. Now, over twenty years since its launch, the iconic dark fantasy title is receiving a PS5 remaster.
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Legacy of Kain: Defiance Gets PS5 Remaster with New Features
During the latest State of Play livestream, developer Crystal Dynamics revealed that Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered would launch on March 3, 2026. The game is a PS5 and PS4 version of what many fans consider to be the best Legacy of Kain game. In a new trailer, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered shows off enhanced HD graphics and visuals. Players will be able to switch between the refined graphics and the 2003 ones at any point in the game. New features have been added, including a third-person camera, photo mode, lost levels, and wayfinding maps for smoother exploration. The protagonists are also getting skins that are nods to previous titles, such as Kain’s human appearance and Raziel’s vampire look. Finally, lore content will be available through new in-game articles and concept art. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is already available for pre-order at the PlayStation Store.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
A Deluxe Edition named “Deeper into Nosgoth” will also be available, and it gives players a playable demo of Dark Prophecy, the unreleased sequel to Defiance. Although Legacy of Kain: Defiance presented a final confrontation between Kain and Raziel, the game leaves a fairly open ending. By accessing the new demo, fans can find out what would have been in store for Nosgoth if the sequel hadn’t been canceled. The Deluxe Edition also includes official Legacy of Kain comics with a new Defiance cover by original artist Tyler Kirkham. Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered comes a little over a year since Crystal Dynamics released Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered, which received an overall warm welcome from fans.
An earlier leak from 2025 predicted that Legacy of Kain: Defiance would receive a remastered edition for PS5, and now the rumors turned out to be true. Its predecessor, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered, was considered one of the best remasters of 2024. For this reason, some fans were hoping that the Blood Omen series would receive new editions as well. It seems Crystal Dynamics decided to go in a different direction by skipping to Defiance. It is worth noting that while the first Blood Omen set the ground for the iconic saga, many players consider Blood Omen 2 to be the most faulty entry in the series. Whether Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered and its Deluxe Edition will meet players’ expectations remains to be seen.
- Released
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November 11, 2003
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Engine
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fearless engine
