From the Pit: Crystal Dynamics sly Legacy of Kain references

Crystal Dynamics used to develop the Legacy of Kain series… then 2003 came and the poor showing of both Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness and Legacy of Kain: Defiance meant a reshuffle and Tomb Raider was passed to Crystal - the result is that the Tomb Raider franchise has gone from strength to strength while the Legacy of Kain series went into hibernation. But Crystal haven’t forgotten their roots and every so often they like to drop us a reminder of what we’re missing.

This portrait of the human Kain appears in the Croft Manor…

…Several times actually…

…Until it gets rather burnt in ‘Underworld’

Lara has several outfits that have subtle Legacy of Kain symbols - like the Raziel and Kain symbols here…

…The Reaver skull/Balance Emblem Hub/Blessed Barrier symbol here…

…The double Raziel symbol here…

…And several hidden sound glyph symbols here (and yes that is the SR1 Fire Forge window in the background, but it doesn’t appear in the game).

Lara can wield the Soul Reaver in ‘Legend’…

…And fight undead ‘Thralls’ in Underworld.

This man was one of those put in charge of LoK after Amy Hennig left but tragically died during the development of ‘Underworld’ (RIP Kyle)…

…The game is dedicated to him.

On a brighter note, this happened….

…and it was hilarious

Most Recently, this sword popped up again in the new game ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’

 Bonus points if you spotted them all.

LoK Figures Reunion

From the Pit: LoK Merchandise: Action figures#8 - BBI Vampire Dumah

This is the BBI Dumah action figure, made by Blue Box interactive. IT. IS. HUGE.

Standing tall at almost 14" (35.5cm) from helmet to toes, BBI Dumah is big enough to dwarf the other figures, small children and pets and needs to be carried in two hands… and needs a significantly bigger box than the ones used by BBI Raziel and BBI Kain,

Dumah has two special features. One is that his helmet is removable (yes he was wearing a helmet in SR1) allowing us to properly peek at his painted face and admire his thick dreadlocked hair. The other is that Dumah’s eyes glow red and can be made to be on constantly or can turn on at a press of Dumah’s head  (a trick which is achieved by the head housing LED’s which can be accessed by removing his head from his face and pulling it out completely to reach the controls). Both of these features are accurate to the Dumah in SR1, albeit somewhat obscured in the graphics of the retail version.

Several elements from this figure would go on to influence the design of the Dumahim ‘Reavers’ in Nosgoth, with the facepaint, hair and armour all making appearances in skins for the class.

Several prototype Dumah figures were advertised but not mass produced, with at least two figures of the vampire Dumah seen featuring different claws, different coloured hair and clan tattoos. Two other prototypes of the lieutenant Dumah - one with human skin tone and one with the more usual vampire skin tone - never saw mass production either

For more information on the Legacy of Kain action figures see here. Raina Audron’s reviews of the figures can be found on her ‘Ancient’s Den’ site here.

From the Pit: LoK Merchandise: Action figures#7 - BBI Limited Edition Spectral Raziel

This is the BBI Limited Edition Comic-Con Spectral Raziel action figure, made by Blue Box interactive - and as the name suggests it is the rarest of the LoK action figure bunch. Only 3000 were made and they were distributed in the 2003 Comic-Con event.

Standing 8" (20cm) tall, BBI Spectral Raziel comes with a Necropolis staff, two exchangeable hands which represent the casting of the Fire Glyph spell, a ‘Spectral Reaver’ Wraith Blade variant and a stand representing the sculptures in the underworld.

The figure and its stand are virtually identical to the ordinary Material Raziel, but the differing accessories and limited run make it more exclusive

The cowl is much wider than any other and slips over the head attaching to a hole in Raziel’s neck to create the default ‘feeding’ pose. With a freer cowl this means the neck of the figure is much more manoeuvrable than its Material counterpart

The wings are made of a similar ‘floppy’ plastic material to the ordinary BBI Raziel, except it is slightly stiffer allowing the wings to fit easier and stay in place

Unlike any other figure, the box is completely enclosed, although it can be opened with a side flap. Variants of this figure were seen in a prototype - with one supposed to be made from translucent material (like the NECA Spectral Raziel released later) and bearing the Fire Reaver instead of the Spectral Reaver.

For more information on the Legacy of Kain action figures see here. Raina Audron’s reviews of the figures can be found on her ‘Ancient’s Den’ site here.

From the Pit: LoK Merchandise: Action figures#6 - NECA Spectral Raziel

This is the NECA Spectral Raziel action figure, made by made by National Entertainment Collectables Association. It’s one of the rarer figures (and I’d have to say it’s probably my personal favourite)

Standing 7" (18cm) tall, NECA Spectral Raziel comes with exchangeable hands, a torch and the ‘Spectral Reaver’ Wraith Blade.

The cowl is open in the ‘feeding’ position and simply slips over Raziel’s head. Alternate hands allow Raziel to hold the torch or to place his claws into ridges to hold the Spectral Reaver Wraith Blade variant - with a small plastic trail, coiling around and up Raziel’s arm. The wings are made of another different plastic material slightly bendier than it’s NECA predecessor, but nowhere near as fragile as its BBI counterparts, leaving perhaps the best wings of the bunch

Undoubtedly the  pièce de résistance of this figure comes with the translucent plastic material that Raziel it and the torch are made from which gives stunning appearance when lit from behind. My pick of the bunch.

For more information on the Legacy of Kain action figures see here. Raina Audron’s reviews of the figures can be found on her ‘Ancient’s Den’ site here.