• 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. Negative: 1 out of 25
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  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. 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]
  3. Not only are the levels in the game massive, they are also graphically beautiful.
  4. 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]
  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. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Its gameplay is tight and varied at times to keep you involved and challenged but not frustrated.
  9. 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.
  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. 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]
  12. 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.
  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. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  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. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    58
    The camera can be absolutely maddening at times. [Jan 2004, p.138]
  20. 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]
  21. 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]
  22. 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]
  23. GMR Magazine
    50
    Controlling the camera is a minigame all its own. [Jan 2004, p.72]
  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.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
60
#60 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 41
  2. Negative: 3 out of 41
  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. Nov 14, 2022
    10
    Ламповый и интересный платформер детства,даль что он досихпор не был никуда переиздан и портированЛамповый и интересный платформер детства,даль что он досихпор не был никуда переиздан и портирован
  3. Dec 24, 2021
    8
    Uno de los plataformas que más ha quedado en el olvido del catalogo de PS2. Pese a que su sistema de combate es chapucero no, lo siguiente, unUno de los plataformas que más ha quedado en el olvido del catalogo de PS2. Pese a que su sistema de combate es chapucero no, lo siguiente, un diseño errático, uno de los juegos mas rotos que he visto en mi vida, el final más anticlimático que pueda existir... pese a todo ello... merece la pena darle un tiento porque es bastante disfrutable. Y es uno de los mejores clones genéricos que tuvo Jak & Daxter en su época más primigenia.

    Ya solo por la valentía del estudio extinto desarrollador responsable que quiso hacerse un hueco en el mercado y a pesar de ello se hundió, solo ya por eso se merece una calificación notable.
    Full Review »