The alpha exhibits many substantial differences compared to both the Blood Omen beta and the retail version of the game, including an early concept of the world map of Nosgoth and corresponding Overland; preliminary or cut iterations of hundreds of game maps; several additional dialogues and vista points; prototypical implementation of mechanics such as magic energy; and two cut spells.
Ben Lincoln of The Lost Worlds obtained the alpha in summer 2018 from an anonymous source, and publicized it on December 1, in conjunction with the administrators of the Legacy of Kain Wiki and Raina Audron of The Ancient's Den.[1][2][3][4] It was revealed alongside the Blood Omen beta, and several prerelease versions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.[2] Gh0stBlade, Eoghan, Andrew, Kevin, and Mama Robotnik also received credit for their involvement in retrieving the builds.[5]
The Cemetery features a sixth, central mausoleum, and three discrete crypts, which were modified and combined into the extended crypt connecting the center-west and center-east mausoleums in time for the beta. Each crypt houses switches which unlock gates in the outer graveyard, and is bookended by turnstiles designed to prevent Kain from backtracking after unlocking the next gate, which are only encountered at the Lightning Dungeon in subsequent builds.[6] The secret guide to Nosgoth's blood script is not present in the alpha, with the entrance to the respective room positioned elsewhere and freely accessible. The heavy boulders involved in the puzzle to unlock the final room are already in place, but no floor switches are hidden below them.
The lake identified as the Lake of Tears in the new map of Nosgoth occupies a smaller space on the world map, but connects to and from Nachtholm Cove on the east. The game sector representing the Lake is almost identical to its equivalents in later builds.
The Pillars of Nosgoth are situated north of Nachtholm, far from their eventual position north of Ziegsturhl. They are accessed on foot by roads leading north from Nachtholm Cove and west towards the Energy Bolt Dungeon, not by teleporters. The path leading west from the Pillars is also home to the Light Dungeon, and a version of the brigands' base which was later moved to Nachtholm Cove.
The Lake of the Dead
The Lake of the Dead is differently shaped, and situated further north than its final incarnation. The east side of the lake has been roughly blocked out in game, and spans two vertical sectors on the road from the Oracle's Cave to the Termogent Forest.
The status screen's "slayings" counter has an upper limit of 3000, while "time played" counter starts at "000 days and 00 hours", rather than "004 days 17 hours."
Switches are manually activated with the action button.
Kain's description of the Heart of Darkness features additional dialogue:
"Reputed to have been ripped from the chest of the greatest vampire to have ever existed, Janos Audron, the Heart of Darkness restores vampiric unlife. It can be used over and over again, but always consumes magical energy from the one who uses it. Life is precious, Janos discovered – as it was torn throbbing and bleeding from his own body."
Rune triangles are purple in the alpha, corresponding with the lowest-strength magic spheres and the lowest tier on the build's magic meter, rather than blue.
Cut items[]
"grp00007" (The Oracle's Cave)
A doll distinct from Elzevir's Doll, apparently performing the middle finger gesture, and an item resembling a tire appear among the artifacts in the Oracle's Cave museum.
Abilities[]
Spells[]
Inspire Hate is represented by two crossed swords against a teal background, rather than the red background of subsequent builds.
