Kya: Dark Lineage

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
Buy On
  1. GameCritics
    95
    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. PSM Magazine
    90
    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]
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  3. Next Level Gaming
    83
    Not only are the levels in the game massive, they are also graphically beautiful.
  5. Play Magazine
    83
    If you're the type of person who likes to get lost in fantasy worlds, Kya is your oyster. [Dec 2003, p.78]
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  6. GameSpot
    82
    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.
  7. Times Online
    80
    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.
  8. G4 TV
    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. Worth Playing
    80
    Its gameplay is tight and varied at times to keep you involved and challenged but not frustrated.
  10. Armchair Empire
    80
    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.
  11. GameZone
    78
    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.
  12. Game Informer
    75
    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]
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  13. IGN
    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.
  14. GameSpy
    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.
  15. GameBiz
    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.
  16. TotalGames.net
    71
    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.
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  17. eToychest
    70
    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. Yahoo!
    70
    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.
  19. PSX Nation
    69
    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.
  20. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    58
    The camera can be absolutely maddening at times. [Jan 2004, p.138]
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  21. GameNow
    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]
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  22. Eurogamer
    50
    Ah... sub-"Jak & Daxter."
  23. Edge Magazine
    50
    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]
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  24. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    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]
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  25. GMR Magazine
    50
    Controlling the camera is a minigame all its own. [Jan 2004, p.72]
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  26. GamePro
    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.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
  1. JeremyG.
    Aug 10, 2007
    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. 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. Broyax
    Apr 6, 2017
    1
    Jeu d'une grande niaiserie qui met en scène plein de plate-formes en 16 couleurs. Heureusement c'est toujours très fluide mais l'espèce deJeu d'une grande niaiserie qui met en scène plein de plate-formes en 16 couleurs. Heureusement c'est toujours très fluide mais l'espèce de jouabilité limitée et répétitive tout en carton nous les casse très sérieusement, à tel point qu'on se croirait dans un Mariol. Au broyeur !… Full Review »
  3. Stealthgear
    May 25, 2013
    6
    When I saw videos for it I thought it would mostly be an action platformer w/ hoverboarding levels. What you end up doing is navigatingWhen I saw videos for it I thought it would mostly be an action platformer w/ hoverboarding levels. What you end up doing is navigating complex floating islands, jumping, hitting switches, collecting and button mashing. It even has stealth elements. While fun, I think its just too much for someone that wanted a pure action game. It could have been Mario Galaxy basically, but it doesn't have addictive pacing. Instead it sort of has quests, items, and blocked areas. With no warp menus I have to do too much walking. There are in-game tunnels, just not enough in my opinion. The production values are high, and has a lot of gameplay styles and good music. There is LOTS to see. Every corner of the game has something new, like triggers, new pathways... or many times its sometimes its just something that keeps electrocuting you. Eventually you get pretty far and die from an enemy. Sometimes you go back pretty far, sometimes not. Ineveitably there will be some backtracking for coins or items and just some places where you get lost. The money system and questing does hurt this game that could have been a good action platformer. Its surprising how great the graphics are on this one, and how much to explore, but its not something that I want to keep playing finish is all. For the market they were making this game for there is just too much going on. I really think this could have been a Mario Galaxy like game that would be a system seller, had they made it more addictive and easier to navigate. There is a lot fun going on in this game, but the slow parts hurt it too much.… Full Review »
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