How good is LoK: Soul Reaver (PS1), AND do you have to play the first game??

It has received good reviews however I've heard it has a mad cliffhanger ending. But a good story nonetheless. But do you need to play Blood Omen Legacy of Kain to understand Soul Reaver?

Nope, not at all. The events that occurred during Blood Omen don't really take any importance till Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance. Even then, the events are explained to you what happened during Blood Omen.

Soul Reaver was my first title in the legacy and I didn't feel lost at all while playing. So, don't worry.

You don't need to play Blood Omen first, but it did make the intro to Soul Reaver cooler ;)

Soul Reaver is a brilliant game and should be played by anyone who loves action RPGs.

Also has one of the coolest story twists ever ! ! !

Its a awesome game and the whole time traveling business and linear story does make it a must play for pure epicness. shame they never finished of the story.

Soul Reaver boasts a completely different main character and story,but it still involves kain.