Lost Kingdoms

 GameCube
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
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  1. GamePro
    90
    Lost Kingdoms may not have much of a plot, but the battle system makes it a fine game worth the attention of all action/RPG fans.
  2. GameCube Europe
    84
    The simplistic controls greatly add to gameplay, as it is easy to pick up and start playing right away.
  3. Gaming Age
    83
    The urge to complete the card collection, to beat up on lowly demons with monstrously powerful cards, or to indulge in the two-player affair is enough to keep most people coming back for more.
  5. Game Informer
    80
    I have a feeling that hardcore role-players will completely devour and praise Lost Kingdoms for its ingenious strategies and addictive design. [July 2002, p.84]
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  6. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    One of the most interesting and odd games that I have played in recent years.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    A nifty, if linear, action-RPG. [August 2002, p.136]
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  8. GameSpy
    80
    A great game, with a great fantasy storyline to boot.
  9. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    The deck-of-cards mechanic is incredibly fun and easy to master; it should even appeal to fans of action combat, who'd normally shy from anything with "RPG" in the description.
  10. Nintendo Power
    78
    Punching up the action with frantic, arcade pacing, the real-time, 3-D game play takes card dueling to the next level. [June 2002, p.146]
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  11. TotalGames.net
    72
    For all this complexity the cards can actually prevent you from really getting into the game.
  12. Media and Games Online Network
    72
    The short single player game and the weak graphics and sound are too overwhelming to ignore, despite the solid gameplay.
  13. GameSpot
    71
    As an RPG, Lost Kingdoms lacks a lot of the depth, scope, and production values that makes the genre so compelling.
  14. Electric Playground
    70
    It's definitely challenging and (once you have some clue what you're doing) fun, but the obvious depth and complexity of the combat system only throws the tepid shallowness of every other aspect of the game into sharp relief very soon.
  15. GameReviewer
    70
    A good game with a rough exterior.
  16. GameZone
    68
    The idea behind the game is sound, and the game is a delight to look at, but Lost Kingdoms falters when it comes to the way the game plays out.
  17. Yahoo!
    60
    There’s some incentive to replay the missions (to attain better scores and complete your card collection) but when similarly priced RPGs offer 50+ hours easily, Lost Kingdom’s value for money has to be questioned.
  18. G4 TV
    60
    While Lost Kingdoms certainly has plenty of flaws, this is still an impressive first-generation role-playing game for a system that desperately needs one.
  19. All Game Guide
    60
    A well-conceived concept suffering from a somewhat lackluster execution.
  20. IGN
    59
    The problem is that in its execution there are some balance issues. The lack of a deep storyline and inventive gameplay only hurts more.
  21. GamerWeb Nintendo
    50
    It is sloppy, mundane and unforgivably short.
  22. Game Revolution
    50
    A game that has a nifty combat system, but sadly not much else.
  23. Armchair Empire
    40
    Barely saved only by its sense of strategy, Lost Kingdoms is a lost cause if you’re not into card games.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best GameCube Game of 2002
44
#44 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
23
#23 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. JackMcloed
    Jul 21, 2022
    9
    This game is really cool and very unique. But not unique in the "this isn't fun" way, it's a very straightforward and fun game. You have cardsThis game is really cool and very unique. But not unique in the "this isn't fun" way, it's a very straightforward and fun game. You have cards and you push one of the face buttons to use each card. Every card has a type and an element. one of the types is a straight forward attack and the other ones are summons or single use magic. It's really refreshing to play a fun game like this that I missed when the console was current. I wish I'd played it back when I was 13, I would have loved it even more because it was new.… Full Review »
  2. shootingstars99
    Sep 23, 2019
    7
    Fun and addictive game on the Gamecube. The main draw is that you use a variety of different cards, be it summons, transformation orFun and addictive game on the Gamecube. The main draw is that you use a variety of different cards, be it summons, transformation or weapon-based cards to progress through levels. The combat is fairly fun, and stocking up on weapon cards early can be a life saver. The challenge comes from managing your cards, as if you use one in a mission, it is gone until the next mission starts. Making sure you still have adequate damage output and a decent card count by the end of a level is key. The enemies themselves aren't too difficult, but you can be left with no cards due to improper card management and be SOL and have to restart a mission. It's a unique take on combat and can be fun to play around with and create decks.… Full Review »
  3. helena23
    Nov 2, 2011
    7
    very simple game in every way, but the graphics are smooth and the battles are fun, the card collection is also good, the overall experiencevery simple game in every way, but the graphics are smooth and the battles are fun, the card collection is also good, the overall experience is nice but short… Full Review »
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