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 Now
Buy on
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    58
    The camera can be absolutely maddening at times. [Jan 2004, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Eurogamer
    50
    Ah... sub-"Jak & Daxter."
  10. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. GMR Magazine
    50
    Controlling the camera is a minigame all its own. [Jan 2004, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
60
#60 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 41
  3. 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. AntiqueGull
    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. dorohedorofan90
    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 »
See all user reviews »