New Review Posted: Kya: Dark Lineage

Dale Weir · 03-19-2004, 04:42 PM

Brad Gallaway reviews Kya: Dark Lineage

"Dear Kya,

I'm writing this letter to tell you I was wrong, and I'm sorry. I know that I pride myself on being open-minded and I always try to give small games a chance, but I'm only human. Please forgive me for thinking that you were just another generic 3D platformer trying to keep up with some stiff competition. How could I have known? I know, I know… "Don't judge a book" and all, but I'm sure you can understand how your vague screenshots and generic-sounding formula could fool even the most dedicated gem hunter into leaving you on the shelf.

But I'm glad I didn't.."

http://www.gamecritics.com/review/ky...neage/main.php

Kudos? Criticisms? Comments? Let us know what you think.

Boy · 03-19-2004, 06:04 PM

Awesome Review Brad. *Puts Kya at top of 'to-get' list (right below FFXI of course

)*

One thing however. I clicked the little "buy/rent" link in the corner, and it turns out Kya has 2 covers. Why in the world didn't they use that other one? It's kinda like Ico that way. They used the crappiest box art imagineable when there was a perfectly good and totally awesome cover already in existence.

Jet Black · 03-19-2004, 06:54 PM

This also has me rethinking my perception of Kya. Thanks for an honest review, Brad. Nice to see how it can be flipped about on the other foot. So often I do judge that book by the cover.

It's on my list.

Epic Juicebox · 03-19-2004, 08:42 PM

Great review, Brad! Way to think outside the box! I had offered the game a number of passing glances - even picked up the box a time or two - but not until now had I even so much as thought that I'd be adding the game to my collection!

Anyway, since the game is now a budget title and has a much more appealing cover design, I think I might actually run out this week and pick it up! Oh, and did I mention I liked the review?

Jet Black · 03-19-2004, 08:46 PM

Yes, a damn good review - since I failed to mention that. The man is legend. Period.

angelus223 · 03-19-2004, 11:07 PM

Great review.

As a platform fan, I ordered a copy shortly after reading it.

EnduroGamer · 03-20-2004, 12:15 AM

Wonderful review, Brad. Good job! I loved the letter, thought it was very well done.

Oh, and since we're talking about Brad's reviews, let me just say that I bought Kill.Switch tonight (for Xbox $29.99) primarily on his recommendation. An action game with a great control system that doesn't try to be anything that it's not is just what I want. I also bought Battlefield Vietnam and cannot wait to get that bugger installed--but alas the wife picked out Wheel of Fortune and together with Jeopardy (which we already own and can vouch for--it's great for $20), I am going to be using my PS2 as a game show device tonight.

The killing will have to wait until she's asleep.

Utawoutau · 03-20-2004, 12:19 AM

Contents aside - I hated this review because of the gimmikey one-on-one conversational tone that it was written in. "I", "I", "I"... "I misjudged you" "I had my breath taken away" "I was impressed that.." Arghh! I couldn't finish reading it.

Guy, next time don't try to be so clever - just write the review.

Epic Juicebox · 03-20-2004, 12:26 AM

Having read a number of other such first-person editorials, I feel like I should chime in and say that it could have been much worse. Brad did a well enough job avoiding the trappings that generally come along with the first-person perspective in writing, and for that I commend him! Once you get past the first paragraph, the I's start to thin out dramatically!

Brad Gallaway · 03-20-2004, 09:48 PM

Hey all.

Thanks to everybody for the feedback. I must say though, you caught me off guard. i just got back from a business trip over the last two days, and when i saw the number of replies, i was like "uh oh, i'm in for it now..."

Anyway, i definitely hope you all give the game a shot, even those of you who thought i went too cheeseball on the writeup. i tell you, if there's anybody in the game industry who's got my TOTAL sympathy right now, it's Eden games. to put out a game of this quality and see it not only get totally ignored, but also shuffled off into the $20 price range right off the bat... man, that's just not right.

Boy · 03-21-2004, 06:15 PM

Ok I found the cover, as well as one additional one, which is also better. Here's the first one I saw:

Boy · 03-21-2004, 06:22 PM

And here's another:

Brad Gallaway · 03-21-2004, 08:52 PM

jeez, both of those covers are better than the one i have. what's the story on those? i wasn't aware there was more than one cover.

Boy · 03-21-2004, 08:53 PM

From my digging, I think the first one is the austrailian cover, and the second is the European version. I might be wrong about the first, but I'm certain about the second.

Epic Juicebox · 03-21-2004, 08:59 PM

I like that first cover alot! And speaking of alternate covers, wasn't there a website (perhaps pointed out by Kant) that had a myriad of alternate covers for various games?