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
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  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.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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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 »
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