Difference between revisions of "Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2"

Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2
Developers

	Crystal Dynamics
Windows	Nixxes Software^[1]
Publishers
2002-2009	Eidos Interactive
2009-2023	Square Enix
2023-present	Crystal Dynamics
Retail re-release	Sold Out Software
Release dates
Windows	March 29, 2002
Reception
Metacritic	66
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase
Series	Legacy of Kain

Legacy of Kain
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain	1997
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver	1999
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2	2001
Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2	2002
Legacy of Kain: Defiance	2003
Nosgoth	Cancelled

Contents 1 Availability 2 Essential improvements 2.1 Patches 2.2 Re-vamped 2.3 Blood Omen 2: Conceptual Edition 2.4 Skip intro videos 2.5 Extra setup dialog options 3 Game data 3.1 Configuration file(s) location 3.2 Save game data location 3.3 Save game cloud syncing 4 Video 4.1 Windowed 5 Input 6 Audio 6.1 Localizations 7 VR support 8 Issues fixed 8.1 Random crashes and freezes 8.2 Uncapped frame rate issue 8.3 VSync does not work on Windows 10 8.4 Mouse cursor does not remain inside the window 8.5 FMVs play slow or choppy 8.6 Crashes during the playback of Soul Reaver 2 trailer 8.7 Black screen 9 Other information 9.1 API 10 System requirements 11 Notes 12 References

Key points

Lacks projected shadows from the Xbox version.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		Simple disc check
		Includes Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 and Legacy of Kain: Defiance.
GOG.com
Green Man Gaming
Humble Store
Steam
Publisher website (unavailable)

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch 1.02 is the latest version. Digital distribution versions are already patched.

Re-vamped

Fixes crashes related to audio (no longer requires single core affinity) and the Bink video player.

Fully restores motion blur by improving the effect, replaces FSAA with MSAA, and adds support for aspect ratio at any resolution.

Adds compatibility with all DirectInput and XInput controllers.

Requires version 1.02 from GOG.com or Steam.

Blood Omen 2: Conceptual Edition

This project aims to restore cut content, solve various in-game issues, retexture most of the characters, tweak in-game elements and bring FMVs from the PlayStation 2 version in high quality with fixed widescreen aspect ratio.

Skip intro videos

Instructions
Go to `<path-to-game>\data`. Delete or rename `bo2intro.dat`, `crystal.dat` and `eidos.dat`.

Extra setup dialog options

Add DWORD value
Press `⊞ Win`+`R`. Type `regedit` and press `↵ Enter`. Go to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Crystal Dynamics\Blood Omen 2`. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value and rename it to `ExtendedDialog`. Change its value data from `0` to `1`. Run the game and tick `Show devtech options` in the setup dialog.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Crystal Dynamics\Blood Omen 2\
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/242960/pfx/^{[Note 1]}

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Blood Omen 2\\1.00.000
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/242960/pfx/^{[Note 1]}

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
GOG Galaxy
OneDrive		Requires enabling backup of the Documents* folder in OneDrive on all computers.*
Steam Cloud

Video

Graphic Options

Resolution Options

Graphics feature	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution		See the WSGF entry
Multi-monitor		Use Helix Mod: Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2
Ultra-widescreen		See the WSGF entry
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed	See Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed	See Windowed or WSGF topic
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)	Run `bo2.exe` with `-setup` command line argument and tick `Sync to refresh`
60 FPS
120+ FPS	Exceeding the range of 900-1000 FPS slows down the main menu a lot and causes glitches (brief teleportation and a bit of blocking) that occur when touching walls or other geometrical elements. See Uncapped frame rate issue.

Windowed

Use DxWrapper
Download DxWrapper. Copy the contents to the game directory. Open `dxwrapper.ini` with notepad. Change the following values as noted: `EnableWindowMode=1` `WindowModeBorder=1` For borderless fullscreen windowed: `FullscreenWindowMode=1` Click File, then Save and Exit.

Input

Control Options

Rebindable keys

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		Acceleration is always on
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support		Game can be played with controller, but must use keyboard and mouse for main and pause menus.
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers

PlayStation controllers

Generic/other controllers		Generic DirectInput controllers are supported.
Button prompts

Additional information
Button prompts
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio Options

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		Sound & Music
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
French				Retail only. download for digital releases.
German				Retail and GOG.com only. download for Steam release.
Italian				Retail only. download for digital releases.
Russian				Retail only. download for digital releases.
Spanish				Retail only. download for digital releases.

VR support

3D modes	State	Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision		See Helix Mod: Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2
vorpX		Crashes after intro on Windows 7. Unknown if DxWrapper will work with vorpx.

Issues fixed

Random crashes and freezes

Use Re-vamped

Force CPU affinity to one core ^[2]

Uncapped frame rate issue

Use Re-vamped

Limit the frame rate to 60 FPS ^[3]

Enable VSync and set the refresh rate to 60Hz

VSync does not work on Windows 10

Use Re-vamped

Mouse cursor does not remain inside the window

Use Re-vamped

FMVs play slow or choppy

Use Re-vamped

Run `bo2.exe` with `-setup` command line argument and tick `Switch resolution for movies`
Notes If the intent is to enjoy the FMVs provided with "Blood Omen 2: Conceptual Edition", it's necessary to disable this option to prevent crashes at startup.

Run bo2.exe with -setup command line argument and tick Switch resolution for movies

Notes

If the intent is to enjoy the FMVs provided with "Blood Omen 2: Conceptual Edition", it's necessary to disable this option to prevent crashes at startup.

Crashes during the playback of Soul Reaver 2 trailer

Appears to be an issue with some digital distribution versions.

Replace video file
Download this video file. Copy the video file to `<path-to-game>\data` by overwriting the existing one.

Black screen

Use Re-vamped

Modify DWORD value
Press `⊞ Win`+`R`. Type `regedit` and press `↵ Enter`. Go to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Crystal Dynamics\Blood Omen 2\1.00.000`. Open `DisableVShader` and change its value data from `0` to `1`. Click OK.

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	8.1	Use Re-vamped for Direct3D9

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	98, XP
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium III 450 MHz	Intel Pentium III 800 MHz
System memory (RAM)	128 MB	256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	1,8 GB	2 GB
Video card (GPU)	16 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible	64 MB of VRAM

Notes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1
Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (242960) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.

References

↑ blood omen2 Wayback Machine [missing title] - last accessed on 2021-9-5
↑ Set affinity to CPU 0
↑ It's a FPS problem

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/638/7/39205/download Patch 1.02] is the latest version. Digital distribution versions are already patched.
-===[https://www.patreon.com/user?u=44312848 Peixoto's patch]===
+===[https://classicrebirth.com/index.php/blood-omen-2-re-vamped/ Re-vamped]===
-Solves frequent crashes by restoring VSync and forcing single core affinity, allows supersampling anti-aliasing and keyboard/mouse emulation with XInput gamepads.
+{{++}} Fixes crashes related to audio (no longer requires single core affinity) and the Bink video player.
+{{++}} Fully restores motion blur by improving the effect, replaces FSAA with MSAA, and adds support for aspect ratio at any resolution.
+{{++}} Adds compatibility with all DirectInput and XInput controllers.
+{{ii}} Requires version 1.02 from GOG.com or Steam.
 ===[https://www.moddb.com/mods/blood-omen-2-conceptual-edition Blood Omen 2: Conceptual Edition]===
@@ Line 351: / Line 354: @@
 ==Issues fixed==
 ===Random crashes and freezes===
-{{Fixbox|description=Use DxWrapper|fix=
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
-# Download [https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Legacy-of-Kain-Blood-Omen-2 DxWrapper].
-# Copy the contents to the game directory.
-# Open {{file|dxwrapper.ini}} with notepad.
-# Change the following value as noted:
-#* <code>SingleProcAffinity=1</code>
-# Click File, then Save and Exit.
-}}
 {{Fixbox|description=[[Microsoft Windows#Force CPU affinity|Force CPU affinity]] to one core <ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/app/242960/discussions/0/666824800553890684/?l=polish Set affinity to CPU 0]</ref>}}
 ===Uncapped frame rate issue===
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
 {{Fixbox|description=[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Limit the frame rate]] to 60 FPS <ref>[https://www.gog.com/forum/legacy_of_kain_series/blood_omen_2_stuck_menu/page1 It's a FPS problem]</ref>}}
@@ Line 368: / Line 366: @@
 ===VSync does not work on Windows 10===
-{{Fixbox|description=Use DxWrapper|fix=
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
-# Download [https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Legacy-of-Kain-Blood-Omen-2 DxWrapper].
-# Copy the contents to the game directory.
-# Open {{file|dxwrapper.ini}} with notepad.
-# Change the following value as noted:
-#* <code>EnableVSync=1</code>
-# Click File, then Save and Exit.
-}}
-{{Fixbox|description=Use d3d8to9|fix=
-# Download [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases d3d8to9].
-# Copy {{file|d3d8.dll}} to the game directory.
-}}
 ===Mouse cursor does not remain inside the window===
-{{ii}} Occurs when forcing windowed mode by using DxWrapper.
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
-{{Fixbox|description=Use Cursor Lock|fix=
-# Download [https://www.snakebytestudios.com/projects/apps/cursor-lock/ Cursor Lock].
-# Install and run.
-# Under the '''Shortcut''' tab, select {{key|Program Mode}}.
-# Tick '''Open Program''' and set path to {{code|{{p|game}}\bo2.exe}}.
-# Tick '''Lock Region''' and select {{key|Window Interior}} from the drop-down menu.
-# Tick '''Force Lock'''.
-# Click '''Create Shortcut''' and save the LNK file to desktop.
-# Run the game directly from the newly created shortcut.
-}}
 ===FMVs play slow or choppy===
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
 {{Fixbox|description=Run {{file|bo2.exe}} with {{code|-setup}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]] and tick {{key|Switch resolution for movies}}|fix=
 '''Notes'''
@@ Line 409: / Line 387: @@
 ===Black screen===
+{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]]}}
 {{Fixbox|description=Modify DWORD value|fix=
 # Press {{key|Win|R}}.
@@ Line 421: / Line 401: @@
 {{API
 |direct3d versions      = 8.1
-|direct3d notes         =
+|direct3d notes         = Use [[#Re-vamped|Re-vamped]] for Direct3D9
 |directdraw versions    =
 |directdraw notes       =

Revision as of 01:32, 18 April 2023