Crystal Dynamics has confirmed two Legacy of Kain projects: a new 2D action prequel titled Legacy of Kain: Ascendance and Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered. Both releases are scheduled for 31 March 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Ascendance is being developed by Bit Bot Media in association with FreakZone Games. The title adopts a nostalgic 2D action approach, combining primarily pixel-art gameplay with additional art styles, including anime-style cutscenes and visual callbacks to the PlayStation-era aesthetics of the original series. The game features three playable protagonists with distinct play styles, fast-paced combat and a design ethos comparable to recent revivals of classic action franchises.

Sponsored

The project reunites the original series' voice cast, with Anne Gunn (known for her role in Breaking Bad) returning as Ariel. Crystal Dynamics has positioned Ascendance as a prequel, expanding the Legacy of Kain narrative while targeting players who favour retro-styled action games.

Defiance Remastered is a modernised update of the 2003 entry. Improvements extend beyond graphical fidelity and include updated character models for the main playable characters, enhanced lighting, overhauled opening and closing cinematics, revised camera controls and an updated map system. The remaster also introduces a photo mode and restores previously cut content and lost levels that were absent from the original release.

These announcements follow last year’s remasters of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2, signalling a broader effort to revitalise the franchise first established in 1996. The Legacy of Kain series holds a long history, including a brief 2014 multiplayer incarnation, Nosgoth, which never progressed beyond open beta.

Further details, including preorder information and platform-specific features, were provided in the unveiling and can be found in the original coverage from Game Informer: Game Informer.