Soul Reaver quietly cut before release (spoilers)

[08.31.99] » Extensive resource files left on disc reveal developers' true intentions.

   WARNING: Major spoilers of Soul Reaver's storyline afoot. Sensitive gamers beware.

   Crystal Dynamics' Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is one of the more atmospheric and moody titles to come along in a while. The tale of the fallen vampire Raziel's search for redemption and quest for vengance was clearly meticulously planned from start to finish. Even so, the ending seemed, in the words of some reviewers, "abrupt." Why does Raziel have five brothers, when you only fight four of them in the game? Why was obtaining the hard-to-find Glyphs so relatively unimportant? Why did the game's ending "flashback" to sequences that had yet to occur -- and end with an unsatisfying "To Be Continued"? Most gamers accepted the game at face value: a quality title with some niggling oversights and an abrupt conclusion. But intrepid GIA reader darklore did a little research. What he uncovered may surprise you.

   darklore dug out his old EGM with Raziel on the cover and a Soul Reaver interview/preview. In this interview, the lead designer mentioned some features of Soul Reaver that were notably missing from the final version. To wit:

• There was supposed to be a forge for each Glyph. The preview/interview specifically mentioned the Water Reaver and the Sound Reaver. In the final game there was only the Fire Reaver. This explains why the Glyphs seemed so relatively "pointless" in the final game.
• Later in the game, Raziel was supposed to gain the ability to shift back to the material realm at will, without the aid of a portal. This ability is not in the final game.
• Raziel was supposed to fight each of his brothers. In the final game, he only fights four of his brothers and a "boss" gatekeeper called Morlock that behaves exactly like a regular enemy. The final brother, Turel, is nowhere to be found, even though he has a spot in the tomb.

   It's common knowledge in the gaming industry that designers' reach often exceeds their grasp. Games are often cut from their original vision for a variety of reasons, but Soul Reaver's vision was so complete that the jarring nature of the ending seemed greatly out of place. Early walkthroughs and strategies for the game included some of the "missing" areas (Turel, a "final" showdown with Kain, etc.), so why were they no longer in the final version? Moreover, the missing sequences and abilities would go a long way towards filling in some of the later plot holes. Digging further, darklore took a sound ripping utility to the PSX disc ... and uncovered large "cut" portions of the game still present on the disc.

   These sound samples reveal that a large portion of the game -- perhaps as much as a third -- was cut from the final version of the title. These samples go a long way towards explaining the "unfinished business" of the plot and bringing the game to a more satisfying conclusion.

   Morlock was not intended to be a boss, and the ability he gives was instead obtained from a relic. His soul is just a regular vampire soul, and he lacks a unique 3D model, further suggesting he was added at the last moment as a backup. Raziel's speech for him was the speech intended for his brother, Turel. Morlock's speech was modified from what the Priestess said to Raziel. Turel, on the other hand, was always intended to be a boss character. Even though Crystal Dynamics re-edited the voice clips to remove any mention of Turel, they did not wish to re-render the intro FMV or the textures. Therefore Turel is still in both the introduction (hence there are six generals) and his name remains in the Sarapham tomb. Another character, The Priestess, was removed from the game. She served Kain and his lieutenants like gods and gave Raziel the ability to possess fallen vampires/humans.

   Gameplay-wise, each Glyph was supposed to have a Forge. In the final game, there are no Forges for the Soul Reaver besides the Fire Reaver. This contradicts previous interviews and previews of Soul Reaver on various magazines and web sites; an early PSM walkthrough lists the Sunlight Reaver, Water Reaver, Stone Reaver, Fire Reaver, Sound Reaver, Spirit Reaver, and Amplified Reaver ("The Amplified Reaver is so powerful that it supercedes all other elemental Soul Reaver types -- it encompasses all of their abilities.") In addition to the Priestess' ability, Raziel actually defeats Kain and absorb a small portion of his soul, letting Raziel shift back to the Material Plane anywhere (instead of just through portals). An early PSM walkthrough again lists the missing Shift At Will, Possess, and Amplified Force Projectile. The ending of the shipped version of Soul Reaver is actually nothing more than a mid-point in the intended full game.

   Here, as reconstructed by darklore and the GIA, is the "true" story of Raziel. After the Moebius/Kain scene in the ending of the released game, Raziel questions what is happening. The Elder God tells him it is a glimpse into the streams of time. A Priestess that served Kain and his brethren appears. She treats Kain like a God and thinks Raziel a heretic for what he is doing against Kain. Raziel defeats her and obtains the power to possess corpses. Meanwhile, Kain's brother Turel and Dumah both retreated with their clans to the frozen wastes. The only way to reach Kain's mountain retreat was through Turel's stronghold. Raziel did not wish to fight Turel; it is unclear whether or not he killed his final brother. After fighting Turel, Raziel earns the Shift At Will ability.

   Ariel tells Raziel the only true way to kill Kain is to infuse her soul into the Soul Reaver, empowering it. Kain himself taunts you, telling you that without Ariel's soul, he is invincible. It is thought that Raziel eventually kills Ariel, takes her spirit into the Soul Reaver, and obtains the Amplified Soul Reaver. He then (assumedly) kills Kain, although there is no evidence of this. There is only evidence of Kain taunting Raziel for his "weakness."

   Raziel uses the Silent Cathedral as the ultimate weapon to vanquish all of the vampires left on Nosgoth. This is believed to be the final event in the game after the defeat of Kain. After the destruction of all the vampiric broods, the Elder God tells Raziel the rebirth of Nosgoth has began and that he has served him well. This is believed to be the true ending of the game.

   Rather more satisfying than "To be continued," eh? The sound samples below further document these "missing" portions of the game. The GIA and darklore mean no disrespect to Crystal Dynamics or Eidos by bringing these facts to light; instead, we simply have two questions. First, why was this otherwise excellent title released in such a fragmented form? Second, how will Crystal Dynamics and Eidos let fans who have purchased Soul Reaver complete the "true" adventures of Raziel? A director's cut, an expansion disc, a rebate program, or perhaps even expanding the second half of the game into a more expansive, true sequel? Perhaps the forthcoming PC and (rumored) Dreamcast versions will be more "complete." Whatever the answer, gamers are sure to be intrigued by these revelations.