• Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. You're one of the most satisfying, worthwhile, and excellent platformers I've ever met. Time spent with you was challenging but never frustrating, beautiful but never, ever shallow, and utterly captivating for every moment we were together.
  2. A brilliant title. The visuals are on par with "Rayman 3," the control almost as tight as "Mario," and the quests and puzzles both epic and innovative. [Holiday 2003, p.30]
  3. Not only are the levels in the game massive, they are also graphically beautiful.
  4. If you're the type of person who likes to get lost in fantasy worlds, Kya is your oyster. [Dec 2003, p.78]
  5. A top-notch production from top to bottom, and the experience of playing it is surely worth the time of any 3D action adventure fan.
  6. An overall solid entry into a crowded platformer market. I would have scored KDL a lot higher if it wasn’t hindered by annoyances such as the camera and having to trek across the land to get to shops.
  7. Its gameplay is tight and varied at times to keep you involved and challenged but not frustrated.
  8. 80
    An original game with a well-developed theme and a lot to do. If the fighting and voice acting had received a little more attention, this would surely be a five-star game. As it is, some gamers might have trouble taking the game seriously.
  9. While the format is fairly standard (flipping switches, collecting objects and solving puzzles), the detailed worlds and neat touches — Kya can tame and ride wild animals, and dribble or kick certain creatures like a football — more than make up for it.
  10. This game feels rushed. The interfaces is simple and easy to get hold of, but the tempo of the game is such that you have little time to savor what you are seeing or doing.
  11. 75
    A good solid game, one that's deep with a huge variety of things to do, be it fighting, solving physical puzzles, collecting stuff, wandering around in a vegetative daze or leaf-surfing.
  12. The biggest reason that I'm not ga-ga about this game is that I don't feel like I know Kya as a character. Because of that limitation, your desire to spend some serious time in her company isn't as high as, say Voodoo Vince. [Nov 2003, p.145]
  13. 75
    Despite a lack of polish and the ineptly presented storyline, Kya: Dark Lineage had enough fresh ideas and fun scenarios to keep me pluggin' through to the end. It's not the prettiest game out there, nor the longest, or the coolest. It is, however, fun and original.
  14. 73
    Kya’s fantastic and diverse gameplay makes the standing block for a successful start in the gaming industry, Visuals and sound could have been a lot better but by and large Kya is fun.
  15. The main character is nothing special and a character-based platformer needs to have a very strong lead to even stand a chance. In this day and age it takes a lot more than just being 'a nice game' to get anywhere, and Kya is just that: a nice game.
  16. Dropping the boomerang in favor of the stronger hand-to-hand combat or some other model might have been a good idea, but it's nice to see the extreme sports influence integrated into the fabric of a totally non-sports title.
  17. Everything about Kya: Dark Lineage is pretty standard and expected, and while most of it is executed quite well it still feels a little recycled.
  18. If you are able to look past frustrating controls and a poor camera, the game is quite enjoyable. It’s also not one of those games that added a bunch of annoying sidequests to extend its length, and as a result, it can be beaten with a healthy weekend of gaming.
  19. The camera can be absolutely maddening at times. [Jan 2004, p.138]
  20. 58
    It's too bad that poorly designed levels, headache-inducing obstacles, and an embarrassingly cliched story spoil so much of the fun. [Jan 2004, p.59]
  21. Structurally, the game is a waking nightmare. The hub world is vast and unnecessarily confusing, and it is possible to become trapped in levels if you can't figure out where to go next. [Mar 2004, p.108]
  22. Controlling the camera is a minigame all its own. [Jan 2004, p.72]
  23. Despite some gorgeous visuals and intriguing gameplay elements, Kya simply isn't any fun. And just like the wind, that really blows. [Jan 2004, p.123]
  24. 40
    Unfortunately, Kya is a very difficult game to play as the controls are not particularly intuitive and the camera seems to delight in going haywire during delicate jumping situations.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. JeremyG.
    10
    One of my very favorite PS2 games. There are several elements in this game that are better executed than I've seen in any other game: 1. Fighting controls are very good and feel like a 2D fighting game while still allowing you to effectively combat multiple enemies. 2. The flying mechanic is (to my knowledge) unique and really fun. 3. The very best intro/tutorial level I have ever seen. When I taught game design, this intro level was the one that I showed to my students. It never breaks the action, always feels tense and like something is happening, and explains several modes of transportation in a way that the player is able to remember. Full Review »
  2. matrix1004
    8
    Even 4 year after it's release I can say that I loved this game. As soon as I started it sucked me into it's world with the simple story. I liked the Wolfen villains, the (slowly learned) fighting style, the well designed levels, the air/wind gliding play control, and I even didn't mind the stealth (something I usually don't care for). It was a fun & enjoyable trip into the world of Kya. Full Review »
  3. Bryan
    9
    Sure, the camera stinks at times, and the music is a little weak, but the true value of this game lies in its charm, it's unique style, and the fun you'll have playing it. This game puts you in a whole new world, and you're constantly reminded of it, and want to explore it more. The graphics are amazing, and if you think they're poor compared to modern games, just take a moment to consider the AMAZING draw distances. Not to mention this game is huge in terms of all the places you go, Pick this game up, it's worth it. Full Review »