Back when I was twelve, I had already played the other four games. This game hit stores in 2003, and I payed around $55 to get it. I started it up, and almost cried. They made the gameplay just like Devil May Cry. Which I actually didn't mind too much, as I had aslo played one of Capcoms greatest game series... Untill DMC: Devil May Cry came out. (I don't care for it as a lot of people think it is canon... It is not. Dante and Vergil were never Nephalim. Their mother was not an angel, or a red head. She was human, and blonde.)

Pulling my experience from that series, I was able to master this game's combat system. Like most 2nd person action games, it comes with the basic combo system.

Atk, Atk, and Atk.

It also threw in the Lift, Air Attack, and slam features.

Along with my most favorite move of all time... Dodge.

When you begin, you only start with these four abilities, plus TK.

In order to gain the advanced combos, one had to increase their combat EXP. (Much like an RPG game.)

Kain, and Raziel have their own strengths... And weaknesses.

Kain: A Sturdy and Powerfull style that relies more on strength. His greatest weakness would be against Agile Opponents. Though his dodge ability is the better of the two, as he mists around them which nullifies all but magic damage. (Assuming you've played 'Blood Omen: The Legacy of Kain.')

Raziel: A Fast and Agile style that focuses on dodging and hitting fast to stagger enemies. His greatest weakness would be heavy hitters. His dodge ability is not as good as Kain's, as he can not mist through blows, but if he fights just one enemy, or lifts them in the air, he can practically rule the battle. (Raziel actually set the standard combat system for the LoK series in 'Soul Reaver.' 'Soul Rever 2' and 'Blood Omen 2' followed this style. Though 'Defiance' used a new system.)

The best tips I can give for this game.

1: In combat, dodge a lot. Get around the opponents and strike them in the back. Use a full combo only when facing one opponent. Dodge, strike once or twice, and dodge again. If fighting a Gargoyle, then dodge, strike, and dodge.

2: Telekinesis is one of your best friends, as is the charged Balance Emblem for Kain. Raziel is weaker in TK in most of the game, though his Reaver Charges are slightly stronger. TK does not seem to work on Gargoyles.

3: Kain's best Reaver Charges are Balance, Dimension, and Time; although Fire, and Lightning do more physical damage. While Raziel's are Regular (Which means Spectral and Material), Dark, Light, Fire, and Water. A charged Wind is good, though the spell is a little shoddy.

4: Sometime in the third chapter, you will encounter mages with Kain. Along with Brutes. Raziel starts seeing them in Chapter six. Should you get into a fight that has a mage in the groups, then kill them first. Mages make normal combat a lot more difficult, due to the fact that they enhance other opponents with defense and attack. Brutes turn into Walking Tanks, and normal opponents become brutes. Though Kain starts fighting more agile opponents instead of big bulky guys like Raziel does.

5: Kain is a Heavy Hitter, since his style focuses more on damage he is considered a Damage Dealer. Kain is more suited for ground based combat, though his slams are uber powerful. Raziel is an Acrobatic Fencer, his style is more geared for staggering an opponent making them easier to hit, and easier to chain combos. Once Raziel gets an enemy in the air he becomes the stronger combatant, since his air special 'Phantasmal Tempest' can cover a wider range.

6: Raziel fights more bosses than Kain. As such, one must master dodging projectiles with him. The 'Spectral Gaurdians' use a lot of energy bolt spells. Some will teleport, others will summon minions or dopplegangers, and all will use a blast spell similar to 'The Reaver's' Charge Spell.

This is it. Hopefully everyone can now master combat in 'Defiance.' From a basic explanation of the system, to the character's styles, and the six tips I have written here, you all should be able to pick up how to dominate the battlefield. So Step forth... Feast on Blood, and Reap the Souls of your enemies. Shout out your Battle Cry.

Always remember: Strike fast and hard. "Vae Victis, Woe to the Conquered."

Regards: BrotherMethos777.