Legacy of Kain Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Constrict2

Example of a constrictable object

Constrict Objects, also known as Constrictable Objects, were a set of objects that could be interacted with through the use of the Constricting ability, which would generally rotate them on the spot. Appearing in a number of different forms according to the environment, the objects were often a component of puzzles and appeared only in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

Profile[]

Profile[]

Constrict objects were a number of contextual objects that can be turned or rotated on the spot using the Constricting ability. Many diverse objects were able to be constricted, with appearances appropriate to the location and situation, although most were marked with a circular pattern on the floor beneath to identify the objects. Most of them were located inside the Oracle's Cave but there are others in Raziel's Clan Territory, the Ruined City of the Dumahim and the Drowned Abbey. When rotated to the correct position - which could vary with each object - a mechanism would activate, such as opening a door to allow Raziel passage.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver strategy guide (Prima)]

Constrict objects could be found throughout Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver with the first able to be discovered in the chapter Raziel's Clan Territory as Raziel explored his clan territory and found such a dial in the 'drawbridge tower' accompanied by a switch. At this time however, the dial was unusable and Raziel continued on.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/3] Eventually Raziel traveled to the Ruined City of the Dumahim in the chapter Ruined City of the Dumahim where he was able to defeat his brother Dumah and consume his soul, gaining the Constricting ability. Shortly after he would discover that the ability could be used to rotate certain marked objects as he was able to rotate a statue in the Dumahim territory.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/13]

Thereafter Raziel was able to use the constrict ability to rotate these objects, often uncovering secret or bonus items as a result. Utilizing them, he was able to return to lower the other drawbridges in the drawbridge tower, and was able to rotate the sundial outside the Oracle's Cave and the cauldron within to open access to the caves and Moebius's time complex, as well as on several puzzles in the final section of the game.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/13][Soul Reaver/14][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver strategy guide (Prima)]

Behind the scenes[]

Many of the Constrict objects seen in the game were altered or changed during development. In the Soul Reaver alphas there are a number of notable differences:

  • The drawbridge tower in Raziel's clan territory initially lacks a dial and has two bridges which are already down. Later alphas feature a plainer and thinner dial.
  • the Ruined City of the Dumahim statue is not present and its dial is initially a similar design to the one in Raziel's Clan territory. This particular object is the obstacle blocking the way to the Oracle's Cave - which is found directly behind the Ruined City of the Dumahim in the alphas.
  • The Sundial outside the Oracle's Cave in retail is moved. In the alpha it is found inside the Oracle's Cave and takes the position of the diamond dial in the first puzzle.
  • The coloured lenses are different colors.
  • The clock winding dials are much more basic cylinders with few unique textures.
  • A large previously unknown constrict object is present in the Cathedral at 'Cathy19' at branch in the corridor: its purpose is unknown but it appears to be related to the external pipes on the outer edges of the room and may be part of a puzzle to unblock the pipes at the climax of the game.

Note[]

  • Constrict objects are not clearly titled or classified in sources. Going by the classifications in the manual they would presumably be classified along with "contextual objects" or "block objects" - or more generally under "manipulating objects". Instead they are only mentioned in the sections dealing with the Constricting ability and it is related that Raziel can constrict enemies and "certain objects".[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)] The Prima guide also uses vague terminology, referring to "knobs and other devices" or "objects" in the introduction section and using descriptions of the individual objects in the walkthrough.[Soul Reaver strategy guide (Prima)]
  • Constrict objects were not included in the later games, and with the constrict mechanic itself removed constrict objects were largely replaced and superseded Rotatable and movable objects, which could be rotated without any special powers.[Soul Reaver 2][Defiance] The same mechanics had arguably appeared in Soul Reaver, with a number of Switches able to be rotated in a similar manner to achieve the same ends.[Soul Reaver]

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

Advertisement