Legacy of Kain Returns After 20 Years With ‘Ascendance’
▼ Summary
– Crystal Dynamics has announced *Legacy of Kain: Ascendance*, the first new game in the series in over 20 years, with a release date of March 31, 2026.
– The game is a retro pixel sidescroller platformer where players spend roughly equal time as four characters: Kain, two forms of Raziel, and Elaleth.
– It features retro pixel art, anime-style cinematics, PS1-era 3D style art, a score by Celldweller, and the return of the original voice actors for key characters.
– *Ascendance* will launch on PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, and PC via multiple storefronts upon its release.
– A remaster of *Legacy of Kain: Defiance* was also announced, with its Deluxe Edition including a demo of the cancelled *Legacy of Kain 6* game.
After a twenty-year absence, the iconic gothic fantasy series is making a dramatic return. Crystal Dynamics has officially announced Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, a brand-new entry set for release on March 31, 2026. This surprise reveal brings the beloved franchise back to life with a fresh artistic direction and a compelling multi-character narrative.
The upcoming title represents a significant shift in gameplay style compared to its predecessors. Ascendance is a retro pixel-art sidescrolling platformer that allows players to experience the story through four distinct protagonists. Players will control the vampire lord Kain, both the spectral wraith and human Sarafan leader versions of Raziel, and Elaleth, a character previously exclusive to the series’ graphic novels. Gameplay time is divided evenly among these four figures.
Visually, the game blends several artistic styles to create a unique homage to the series’ history. Alongside the core pixel-art platforming, the experience features hand-drawn anime-style cinematic sequences. Certain segments are even designed to echo the distinct PS1-era 3D aesthetic of the original games. The audio landscape is in capable hands, with the electronic rock artist Celldweller composing the score. This musician previously created the companion soundtrack for the Soul Reaver: The Dead Shall Rise graphic novel. In a major win for longtime fans, the original voice actors for Kain, Raziel, Ariel, and Moebius are all confirmed to be reprising their iconic roles.
The game will launch simultaneously on a wide array of platforms come March 31, 2026. This includes PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2, Xbox consoles, and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.
For enthusiasts eager to revisit the world of Nosgoth before Ascendance arrives, Crystal Dynamics had a second announcement. The company revealed plans to release a remastered version of Legacy of Kain: Defiance. Adding considerable collector’s value, the Deluxe Edition of this remaster will bundle a highly anticipated bonus: a playable demo of the legendary, canceled Legacy of Kain 6, a project long rumored to have carried the working title The Dark Prophecy. This inclusion offers a rare glimpse into a lost chapter of the series’ development.
(Source: IGN)
