With a successful Kickstarter that’s raised over 1,000,000 dollars in funding, the LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER – THE DEAD SHALL RISE campaign has been a hit success. The crowdfund marks the epic return of the franchise after 25 years, which since its reveal showcasing several promised goods such as collectible masks and memorabilia, is off on its way in revitalizing diehard love to the vampires of the PS1 era of yesteryear.
We spoke with the LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER – THE DEAD SHALL RISE creators writer Joshua Viola, narrative guide Brent Friedman, and art director Daniel Cabuco about Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and asked them about what the game’s legacy was to their lives and what to expect in the graphic novel.
We also previewed some covers and the first few pages of the art. Check it out below.
CHRISTIAN ANGELES: The Legacy of Kain franchise has meant so much to fans for different reasons but what does the game’s legacy mean to each of you?
JOSHUA VIOLA: Soul Reaver in particular has been a part of my life since the very beginning. When I first played Soul Reaver back in 1999 or 2000, I was instantly hooked. It wasn’t just a game—it was an experience that felt monumental, a story that resonated on a deeper level. Raziel’s journey, the themes of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, were so profound that I ended up getting Raziel tattooed on me as a permanent reminder of what that game meant to me. Soul Reaver was ahead of its time in so many ways—the storytelling, the atmosphere, the art design. The world of Nosgoth felt alive, with its own history and lore, and it was all woven together with a narrative that was complex and mature. It was one of the first games that made me realize how powerful video game storytelling could be, how it could stand toe-to-toe with the best films or novels.
BRENT FRIEDMAN: The first Soul Reaver was one of several games (Resident Evil 2 being another) in the late 90’s that opened my eyes to the power of interactive narrative. Until then, I was largely playing games for, well, the gameplay. But Soul Reaver, and really that entire franchise, put such a heavy focus on the story that I can barely remember the gameplay. All my memories are centered on the deep lore, the unpredictable character arcs, the masterful dialogue. As a writer, this franchise was inspirational.
DANIEL CABUCO: Soul Reaver was a bold outpouring of our team’s creativity, built on the belief that it would find an audience. I poured my passions and interests into it, confident it would resonate with those who shared a connection to its themes, style, and storytelling. When I worked on Soul Reaver, I knew it was something special; nothing else looked or played like it. The story was deep, rich, and allowed me to wrap visuals into it that paid back the observant and insightful. Over the years, this legacy has forged a bond with fans who still inquire about its clues, possibilities, and hidden details. I am deeply thankful for all the love and connection I’ve made with fans of Legacy of Kain, because they really understood it was more than what appeared on the surface.
ANGELES: If you had to pick… are you team Raziel or team Kain?
FRIEDMAN: If I have to pick, I’m Team Raziel. I played Soul Reaver before I went back and played Blood Omen, so my allegiance was naturally with Raziel from the beginning. That said, after playing all the games and really steeping myself in the franchise lore, I have developed a certain fondness for Kain. He’s definitely flawed – both characters are – but it’s hard not to admire his chutzpah. I mean, the guy “fought the establishment” in classic anti-hero fashion.
VIOLA: That’s a tough one, and honestly, it’s something I wrestle with every time I think about it. I used to be Team Raziel, but Kain might have surpassed him now that I’ve had a chance to write these characters and look into their motivations. It’s a hard call though. They’re two sides of the same coin, each with their own strengths, flaws, and epic stories. So, while I’ve always been Team Raziel at heart, I can’t help but be intrigued by Kain in ways I never was before. They’re both just too cool to pick one over the other definitively.
CABUCO: That’s such a ‘Sophie’s Choice’, since they’re like my children. Both characters are incredible and are unique, with amazing arcs to their story. Raziel is earnest and indignant, with absolute conviction in his beliefs (even when they change radically). Once set in a direction, he’s unstoppable! Kain is calculating and does what needs to be done, despite the emotional pain it will cause him, because he sees the greater canvas. His sacrifices and nobility show wisdom, insight, and ruthlessness. He figures out how to win a rigged game! So I don’t think I could really choose one over the other.
ANGELES: To Brent, Can you share some of the never-before-seen ideas from Soul Reaver that will be used in the graphic novel?
FRIEDMAN: I don’t want to spoil any surprises for the readers (and yes, there will be many!) but I will say that the graphic novel will examine Raziel’s wings in a way that is, in my opinion, incredibly exciting and definitely never-before-seen. In the original games this aspect of Raziel’s backstory was not fully explained, which left the door open for some fresh new ideas about that very significant development in his character arc.
ANGELES: For Joshua, The Legacy Of Kain franchise was a gothic story about power, about revenge, and most importantly, about free will. What themes will your prequel explore?
VIOLA: The franchise has always been steeped in powerful themes. They’re the cornerstones of what made the series so captivating. With our prequel, we’re definitely embracing those same themes, but we’re also exploring Raziel’s past in ways we haven’t seen before. One of the core elements we’re diving into is identity. Raziel’s journey has always been about transformation, but this prequel delves into who he was before he became the wraith we know. We’re looking at what it means to lose everything you once were and how that loss shapes your sense of self. While the themes of power and free will are still very much at the heart of the story, there’s also a focus on the consequences of those choices—how they ripple through time and affect not just Raziel but the entire world of Nosgoth. We wanted to stay true to what made Legacy of Kain so iconic while adding new layers to the story that fans haven’t seen before. It’s about honoring the past while also pushing the narrative in a new direction that feels fresh yet familiar.
ANGELES: To Daniel, You’ve done art for some of the biggest games and shows in pop culture, especially vampires, for the past 30 years. How has your art style approach changed compared to the original Soul Reaver days?
CABUCO: I think in my own artistic evolution, there’s been an earnest attempt at not doing what’s been done before. So I am much more free at the beginning, willing to create, discard, and combine designs in order to break out of my own box. I place more emphasis at the beginning of the visual design process, trusting that taking it to a detailed finish will simply be the end of the pipeline. In the past I would get excited about an initial design and push it really hard, since back then no one had seen some of those designs in games before. Now the landscape of ideas in games has exploded, and with it the palate of the gamers who are the audience. So it’s really about finding a new and expressive take on visual designs.
ANGELES: Finally, name something fans can look forward to about the graphic novel adaptation.
FRIEDMAN: Fans can look forward to a deep dive in the franchise lore. Without giving too much away, the graphic novel will explore Raziel’s past in ways that further humanize him and fills in some gaps in the history of Nosgoth. As part of that exploration, the graphic novel will also introduce a new character into the canon, a mysterious woman named Elaleth who is central to Raziel’s backstory. Full disclosure: I might actually be Team Elaleth.
VIOLA: Fans can look forward to seeing the world of Nosgoth come to life in a way that’s never been done before. The graphic novel has a fresh visual take on iconic characters while staying true to the dark, gothic atmosphere that defined the series. Plus, we’re exploring untold stories and deepening the lore with new insights into Raziel’s past, so even long-time fans will find something new and exciting to sink their teeth into.
CABUCO: The graphic novel adaptation of Soul Reaver will offer a visually dynamic and captivating take on the beloved world, presenting the story in an entirely new format. There will be insights and revelations that will be surprising!
The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise prequel campaign runs until September 12th.
