Kya: Dark Lineage
Encyclopedia
Kya: Dark Lineage is a third-person
action-adventure game
for the PlayStation 2
, developed by Eden Games
and published by Atari
. The game is notable for being a markedly different style of game than Eden Games (producers of the V-Rally series of games) usually produces, as well as featuring a combat system which is much deeper than traditional platformers.
Though initially set in the present, Kya: Dark Lineage throws the titular character Kya and her half-brother Frank into a strange new world. Kya finds herself separated from her brother, with the burden of protecting a friendly tribe of creatures called the Nativs from the predations of the evil overlord Brazul and his minions, the Wolfen (Wolfun in Europe).
Kya: Dark Lineage begins with the protagonist Kya and her half-brother Frank home alone. In her upstairs bedroom, Kya hears a suspicious noise and follows it downstairs to finds Frank in a previously unknown room in the basement. While speaking about Kya's father, Frank unwittingly finishes a mysterious puzzle on a table, opening a portal which sucks in both Kya and Frank. Kya awakens with three Nativs (animal-like creatures) looking down on her. They are then ambushed and chased through a jungle by feral werewolves called the Wolfen/Wolfun. All but one of the Nativs were captured during the chase. Kya and Aton eventually reach a strange village, called Nativ City, and meets the village leader Atea.
Atea explains that the Wolfen/Wolfun are merely Nativs mutated by Brazul, Kya's father. Kya resolves to save Frank and is introduced to Akasa, who teaches her how to fight using mystical bracelets which greatly enhance her strength. Kya is blessed with a power which allows her to exorcize unconscious Wolfen/Wolfun and transform them back into Nativs.
In return for freeing the excorcized Nativs, Atea agrees to help Kya find her half-brother. Kya learns she must find a magical medallion which will allow her to return to her own universe. The medallion was split into seven runes, emblems made of pure energy, which must be housed in a special amulet. During the course of tracking down the runes, Aton leads Kya to an industrialized area dedicated to mining magical amber
. Aton betrays Kya, allowing Brazul to ambush her. During the course of the fight Kya collapses part of the mine to escape.
Eventually she discovers that Frank is being held in Brazul's laboratory, and she assaults the complex to rescue him. Upon arriving in the lab proper, she is horrified to learn that Brazul has turned Frank into a Wolfen/Wolfun. Kya defeats the Wolfen/Wolfun Frank and performs the exorcism ritual which returns him to his human form. Kya goes on to gather the last runes required to return home though she is ambushed again by Brazul, who takes the seven runes from her. Kya learns that she is a half alien and she escapes her imprisonment.
Kya journeys to Brazul's fortress,she fights and knocks out Aton who is now a Wolfen/Wolfun but when she gets the chance to exorcise him she doesn't because of falling, heavy crystals.Kya then heads for Brazul and the runes.After a difficult battle, Kya defeats Brazul and returns victorious to a cheering Nativ City, where she activates the portal and finds herself in a desolate place which is not her home. Kya and Frank are in a desert island and are attacked by a creature.
The story ends here, but if all the wolfens are all exorcised it cuts to the credits.
Kya: The playable heroine of the story who was sucked into the world of the Nativs, along with her half-brother Frank. Kya is a strong and independent young woman who embarks on a quest to find Frank. By attempting to do this, she is also helping the Nativs to stop the evil Brazul's plans. In turn, she is adored by them, and they support her when necessary. Kya has a deep hatred for her father because she believes he simply abandoned her when she was younger.
Frank: He is Kya's half-brother. When they were transported into the world where the story takes place, Frank landed in a completely different location and was almost immediately captured by Wolfen who brought him to Brazul's lair. He spends most of the game in captivity.
Brazul: This fearsome presence is the monarch of this parallel world and the very creator of the dreaded Wolfen. He possesses vast knowledge about dark magic and has conquered most of this world by capturing Nativs and turning them into Wolfen. At a very early point in the game, he is revealed to be Kya's real father.
Nativs: They are the friendly tribe that is being hunted and transformed by Brazul. They live in the secluded Nativ City, which is their secret haven from Brazul's forces. Nativs resemble furry animals with a slightly canine appearance. Most of them sell helpful items to Kya, and as she frees more of them, they open up more stores.
Some of the Nativs play an important role in the story:
Wolfen: The Wolfen are the creatures under Brazul's command. Originally Nativs, they were transformed by Brazul and sent out to capture the remaining people from their tribe. Wolfen, as their name implies, are creatures who have the physical appearance of anthropomorphic wolves. Kya is the only person who can fight the Wolfen and return them back to their Nativ forms.
There are three types of Wolfen:
Stuff: Stuff is a furry flying animal that provides Kya with hints and tips throughout the course of the game. According to Atea, he is the last of his kind (the Galbos). Atea can use telepathy to communicate with Kya through Stuff. Stuff came from a big blue egg that Kya accidentally broke when Atea sent her to search for it.
Kya: Dark Lineage focuses on action-adventure
platforming gameplay, with the player guiding Kya through a variety of stages. During the game the player can earn nooties, allowing them to return to the Nativ city to purchase items required to progress through the game. The player can purchase several items which allow Kya to increase her mobility, including the ability to climb slippery surfaces, perform wall jump
s or ride fast-moving lizards called Jamguts. Whenever the player suffers damage, Kya can recover energy by draining it from big amber shards.
The game focuses strongly on the element of air, featuring various sequences in which Kya must use strong wind currents to her advantage (although these can also prove to be a disturbance in certain points). It also features several freefall sequences during which the player must control Kya's speed and the direction of her descent, which usually ends when Kya lands on a big flower called Amortos, serving as an air bag. The player will suffer damage by touching objects while freefalling, or instantly lose a life by landing on the ground (at which point the freefall sequence will be restarted).
Complementing the player's mobility is Kya's "Boomy", a magical boomerang
-like weapon which allows Kya to cut ropes and attack enemies. The Boomy can be upgraded twice in the Nativ city, first allowing the player to aim it in a first-person perspective (Silver Boomy) and later (Golden Boomy), which allows the player to activate switches or attack normally unreachable foes. The player can also purchase explosive or electrifying bombs to damage foes. Additionally, there are purchasable traps that can be used to capture rare monsters for the Nativ zoo.
Puzzles
, which often rely on items or creatures within the immediate environment to solve, are another part of the game. Other puzzles might require creative use of Kya's mobility or even use of her fully upgraded Boomy's ability to be directed as the player wishes. Some may only be solved when the player has acquired the correct equipment for Kya from Nativ City.
Beyond the beginning portion of the game the player's advancement is based on three factors: The equipment they have purchased, the number of Wolfen/Wolfun Kya has turned back into Nativs and ultimately, the collection of all seven Runes. A total of 260 Nativs can be rescued throughout the course of the game, though the player is not required to rescue them all in order to confront Brazul and complete the game.
A highly praised hand-to-hand combat system which is very similar to modern brawlers is included, during which Kya is unable to use her ranged weapons and must instead engage her foes in melee with punches, kicks and throws. The player will engage in this form of combat whenever a Wolfen/Wolfun is near. Players start with only a few simple moves Kya learns from Akasa, though players can acquire more powerful bracelets in Nativ shops which increase the strength of Kya's attacks and allow her to use a greater variety of combat moves, such as grabbing Wolfen/Wolfun by their tails and spinning them around, or even riding on top of them to ram against others. Whenever a Wolfen/Wolfun is knocked unconscious, the player can exorcize it back into its original Nativ form, assuming Kya has enough Mana spheres.
Further adding to the diversity of the game are Magic Boards which allow Kya to rapidly descend across rocky or otherwise treacherous terrain. These sequences greatly resemble snowboarding
games, though Kya initially is forced to simply slide down slippery areas on her feet. Later sequences require players to initially purchase and then upgrade Kya's magic board so that she can gain the ability to jump or rapidly increase her speed.
Nativ City: The Nativ's secret city where Kya can buy stuff, practice moves, and play minigames.
The Flying Forest: Is a forest that contains the medalion that Kya needs to equip runes. It also has an energy bar and a way to The Hunters Domain.
The Hunters Domain: An island where a Wolfen/Wolfun called the hunter is the boss of the hunter's domain. Kya goes there to save Atea.
The Quarry: Is a mountainous place where Kya goes to find the cannon to the forgotten island. It also has a way to Wolfen/Wolfun City.
The Air Post: Is a rocky world that contains the old cannon to the forgotten island.
The Forgotten Island: An island full of lava where Kya finds and rescues Frank/Franck.
Wolfen/Wolfun City: Wolfen/Wolfun city is where the Wolfen/Wolfun live and is a way to the Fortress.
The Fortress: The Fortress is Brazul's rocky lair. Here is where Kya fulfills her quest to defeat Brazul.
Spiders: Spiders are small blue spiders that climb on walls.
Shooters: Shooters are purple creatures that resemble a mix between a bull dog and a spider and shoot a strange ice blast.
Micken: Mickens are round red animals that love fruit and would do anything for it. Kya is able to use them to jump to high places and can kick them to where they are needed.
Shocker: Shockers are blue oval flowers that shoot electricity at Kya when she gets too close.
Swamp Monster: Swamp Monsters are monsters that are disguised as tree trunks, they are found in the Flying Forest near the first Shell Elevator. If Kya steps on a swamp monster, it will eat her.
and PSM) it was critically panned by several major publications, including Electronic Gaming Monthly
and the Official Playstation Magazine.
Common complaints include the game's spotty camera and imprecise controls, while other reviews cited the game's poor script and entry into an oversaturated market as reasons for disliking the game.
Third-person shooter
Third-person shooter is a genre of 3D action games in which the player character is visible on-screen, and the gameplay consists primarily of shooting.-Definition:...
action-adventure game
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, developed by Eden Games
Eden Games
Eden Games is a game development studio. In May 2002, the company was sold to the Infogrames Group. It is most well known for the V-Rally series of games, as well as the 2006 release Test Drive Unlimited. They have most recently developed Test Drive Unlimited 2, which was released in February 2011...
and published by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
. The game is notable for being a markedly different style of game than Eden Games (producers of the V-Rally series of games) usually produces, as well as featuring a combat system which is much deeper than traditional platformers.
Though initially set in the present, Kya: Dark Lineage throws the titular character Kya and her half-brother Frank into a strange new world. Kya finds herself separated from her brother, with the burden of protecting a friendly tribe of creatures called the Nativs from the predations of the evil overlord Brazul and his minions, the Wolfen (Wolfun in Europe).
Plot
Atea explains that the Wolfen/Wolfun are merely Nativs mutated by Brazul, Kya's father. Kya resolves to save Frank and is introduced to Akasa, who teaches her how to fight using mystical bracelets which greatly enhance her strength. Kya is blessed with a power which allows her to exorcize unconscious Wolfen/Wolfun and transform them back into Nativs.
In return for freeing the excorcized Nativs, Atea agrees to help Kya find her half-brother. Kya learns she must find a magical medallion which will allow her to return to her own universe. The medallion was split into seven runes, emblems made of pure energy, which must be housed in a special amulet. During the course of tracking down the runes, Aton leads Kya to an industrialized area dedicated to mining magical amber
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin , which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents...
. Aton betrays Kya, allowing Brazul to ambush her. During the course of the fight Kya collapses part of the mine to escape.
Eventually she discovers that Frank is being held in Brazul's laboratory, and she assaults the complex to rescue him. Upon arriving in the lab proper, she is horrified to learn that Brazul has turned Frank into a Wolfen/Wolfun. Kya defeats the Wolfen/Wolfun Frank and performs the exorcism ritual which returns him to his human form. Kya goes on to gather the last runes required to return home though she is ambushed again by Brazul, who takes the seven runes from her. Kya learns that she is a half alien and she escapes her imprisonment.
Kya journeys to Brazul's fortress,she fights and knocks out Aton who is now a Wolfen/Wolfun but when she gets the chance to exorcise him she doesn't because of falling, heavy crystals.Kya then heads for Brazul and the runes.After a difficult battle, Kya defeats Brazul and returns victorious to a cheering Nativ City, where she activates the portal and finds herself in a desolate place which is not her home. Kya and Frank are in a desert island and are attacked by a creature.
The story ends here, but if all the wolfens are all exorcised it cuts to the credits.
Characters
This section has been take from the site http://kyadarklineage.wikia.com/Kya: The playable heroine of the story who was sucked into the world of the Nativs, along with her half-brother Frank. Kya is a strong and independent young woman who embarks on a quest to find Frank. By attempting to do this, she is also helping the Nativs to stop the evil Brazul's plans. In turn, she is adored by them, and they support her when necessary. Kya has a deep hatred for her father because she believes he simply abandoned her when she was younger.
Frank: He is Kya's half-brother. When they were transported into the world where the story takes place, Frank landed in a completely different location and was almost immediately captured by Wolfen who brought him to Brazul's lair. He spends most of the game in captivity.
Brazul: This fearsome presence is the monarch of this parallel world and the very creator of the dreaded Wolfen. He possesses vast knowledge about dark magic and has conquered most of this world by capturing Nativs and turning them into Wolfen. At a very early point in the game, he is revealed to be Kya's real father.
Nativs: They are the friendly tribe that is being hunted and transformed by Brazul. They live in the secluded Nativ City, which is their secret haven from Brazul's forces. Nativs resemble furry animals with a slightly canine appearance. Most of them sell helpful items to Kya, and as she frees more of them, they open up more stores.
Some of the Nativs play an important role in the story:
- Atea: He is the wisest, and probably oldest, of the Nativs; therefore, he assumes the position of their great elder. Atea sympathizes with Kya from the start and tells her that she is not the first of her kind to step into their world (referring to Brazul). He advises Kya throughout her quest and tells her about his world and how she can get back to her own. Additionally, he gives Kya the power to exorcise the Wolfen. He has a nameless pet bird that sits on his cane all the time which he bangs against the ground when it starts getting annoying.
- Aton: Aton is the strongest of the Nativs. He is the one who saves Kya at the beginning of the game and guide her into the Nativ City. He doesn't trust her too much, though, and once the other Nativs start idolizing Kya, he slowly starts developing a certain jealousy. He is also Area's best friend.
- Akasa: The combat teacher who runs a dojo in Nativ City. He teaches Kya various techniques on how to fight the Wolfen.
- Area: Area is a normal Nativ that likes to board. He is somewhat of a coward, and Atea is captured because of his cowardice.He is always talking about Kya's missions and he figures out how to drive wolfen ships.He is also Aton's best friend.
- Amada: The owner of a shop where Kya can buy fruit that can heal or strengthen her.
- The Snore: The Snore is a Nativ that Kya hears about, according to other Nativs Kya should stay away from him/her because he is extremely boring (hence the name "The Snore").
Wolfen: The Wolfen are the creatures under Brazul's command. Originally Nativs, they were transformed by Brazul and sent out to capture the remaining people from their tribe. Wolfen, as their name implies, are creatures who have the physical appearance of anthropomorphic wolves. Kya is the only person who can fight the Wolfen and return them back to their Nativ forms.
There are three types of Wolfen:
- Scrawnies: These Wolfen are short and scrawny, just as their name suggests. They are notably dumb and are the weakest of all the Wolfen. However, they are the most common type and usually attack in numbers.
- Grunts: These buff Wolfen are much stronger than Scrawnies but are not necessarily smarter. They have a better defense than Scrawnies and inflict heavy damage on Kya.
- Kronos: The strongest and most intelligent of the Wolfen and therefore the hardest to defeat. Kronos are smart and can teleport from place to place. Their lack of tails prevent Kya from using certain moves against them. If Kya's health is low enough, the Kronos can rip her in half.
- The Hunter: A strong Wolfen in charge of an island full of Wolfen. He wears a green t-shirt.
Stuff: Stuff is a furry flying animal that provides Kya with hints and tips throughout the course of the game. According to Atea, he is the last of his kind (the Galbos). Atea can use telepathy to communicate with Kya through Stuff. Stuff came from a big blue egg that Kya accidentally broke when Atea sent her to search for it.
Gameplay
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
platforming gameplay, with the player guiding Kya through a variety of stages. During the game the player can earn nooties, allowing them to return to the Nativ city to purchase items required to progress through the game. The player can purchase several items which allow Kya to increase her mobility, including the ability to climb slippery surfaces, perform wall jump
Wall jump
This article is about the video game move. For its real-world counterpart, see wall flip.A wall jump is a technique players can execute in several video games.-Technique:...
s or ride fast-moving lizards called Jamguts. Whenever the player suffers damage, Kya can recover energy by draining it from big amber shards.
The game focuses strongly on the element of air, featuring various sequences in which Kya must use strong wind currents to her advantage (although these can also prove to be a disturbance in certain points). It also features several freefall sequences during which the player must control Kya's speed and the direction of her descent, which usually ends when Kya lands on a big flower called Amortos, serving as an air bag. The player will suffer damage by touching objects while freefalling, or instantly lose a life by landing on the ground (at which point the freefall sequence will be restarted).
Complementing the player's mobility is Kya's "Boomy", a magical boomerang
Boomerang
A boomerang is a flying tool with a curved shape used as a weapon or for sport.-Description:A boomerang is usually thought of as a wooden device, although historically boomerang-like devices have also been made from bones. Modern boomerangs used for sport are often made from carbon fibre-reinforced...
-like weapon which allows Kya to cut ropes and attack enemies. The Boomy can be upgraded twice in the Nativ city, first allowing the player to aim it in a first-person perspective (Silver Boomy) and later (Golden Boomy), which allows the player to activate switches or attack normally unreachable foes. The player can also purchase explosive or electrifying bombs to damage foes. Additionally, there are purchasable traps that can be used to capture rare monsters for the Nativ zoo.
Puzzles
Computer puzzle game
Puzzle video games are a genre of video games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles to be solved can test many problem solving skills including logic, strategy, pattern recognition, sequence solving, and word completion....
, which often rely on items or creatures within the immediate environment to solve, are another part of the game. Other puzzles might require creative use of Kya's mobility or even use of her fully upgraded Boomy's ability to be directed as the player wishes. Some may only be solved when the player has acquired the correct equipment for Kya from Nativ City.
Beyond the beginning portion of the game the player's advancement is based on three factors: The equipment they have purchased, the number of Wolfen/Wolfun Kya has turned back into Nativs and ultimately, the collection of all seven Runes. A total of 260 Nativs can be rescued throughout the course of the game, though the player is not required to rescue them all in order to confront Brazul and complete the game.
A highly praised hand-to-hand combat system which is very similar to modern brawlers is included, during which Kya is unable to use her ranged weapons and must instead engage her foes in melee with punches, kicks and throws. The player will engage in this form of combat whenever a Wolfen/Wolfun is near. Players start with only a few simple moves Kya learns from Akasa, though players can acquire more powerful bracelets in Nativ shops which increase the strength of Kya's attacks and allow her to use a greater variety of combat moves, such as grabbing Wolfen/Wolfun by their tails and spinning them around, or even riding on top of them to ram against others. Whenever a Wolfen/Wolfun is knocked unconscious, the player can exorcize it back into its original Nativ form, assuming Kya has enough Mana spheres.
Further adding to the diversity of the game are Magic Boards which allow Kya to rapidly descend across rocky or otherwise treacherous terrain. These sequences greatly resemble snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
games, though Kya initially is forced to simply slide down slippery areas on her feet. Later sequences require players to initially purchase and then upgrade Kya's magic board so that she can gain the ability to jump or rapidly increase her speed.
Universe
The Roots: Is a jungle where Kya crashes down and is found by Aton.Nativ City: The Nativ's secret city where Kya can buy stuff, practice moves, and play minigames.
The Flying Forest: Is a forest that contains the medalion that Kya needs to equip runes. It also has an energy bar and a way to The Hunters Domain.
The Hunters Domain: An island where a Wolfen/Wolfun called the hunter is the boss of the hunter's domain. Kya goes there to save Atea.
The Quarry: Is a mountainous place where Kya goes to find the cannon to the forgotten island. It also has a way to Wolfen/Wolfun City.
The Air Post: Is a rocky world that contains the old cannon to the forgotten island.
The Forgotten Island: An island full of lava where Kya finds and rescues Frank/Franck.
Wolfen/Wolfun City: Wolfen/Wolfun city is where the Wolfen/Wolfun live and is a way to the Fortress.
The Fortress: The Fortress is Brazul's rocky lair. Here is where Kya fulfills her quest to defeat Brazul.
Creatures
Dogs: Purple dogs that can jump out at Kya and eat her.Spiders: Spiders are small blue spiders that climb on walls.
Shooters: Shooters are purple creatures that resemble a mix between a bull dog and a spider and shoot a strange ice blast.
Micken: Mickens are round red animals that love fruit and would do anything for it. Kya is able to use them to jump to high places and can kick them to where they are needed.
Shocker: Shockers are blue oval flowers that shoot electricity at Kya when she gets too close.
Swamp Monster: Swamp Monsters are monsters that are disguised as tree trunks, they are found in the Flying Forest near the first Shell Elevator. If Kya steps on a swamp monster, it will eat her.
Voice actors
- Millané Kang Does the voice of Kya.
- Andy ChaseAndy ChaseAndy Chase is a New York based musician/songwriter/producer. He is a member of the bands Ivy, Brookville, and Paco. He is also a co-owner of New York City recording studio Stratosphere sound with partners James Iha , and Adam Schlesinger .In 1995, Chase co-produced and engineered the title track...
- Jerry Di Giacomo
- David GasmanDavid GasmanDavid Gasman is an actor, director and translator who also directs dubbing of films, cartoons, video games and documentaries. He has appeared in many popular cartoons and video games, such as Rayman and Code Lyoko...
- Matthew GeczyMatthew GéczyMatthew Géczy is an American movie and television actor, voice actor, and animation voice director based in Paris, France. He has acted in several films for television and cinema and even worked with acclaimed directors such as Brian De Palma and Thomas Vinterberg...
as a villager Nativ.
Reception
Kya: Dark Lineage received mixed reviews from professional game critics, scoring an average of 73%. While well received by some (including GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
and PSM) it was critically panned by several major publications, including Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
and the Official Playstation Magazine.
Common complaints include the game's spotty camera and imprecise controls, while other reviews cited the game's poor script and entry into an oversaturated market as reasons for disliking the game.
External links
- Official website (As of early 2010, the official site has been removed. Redirecting to Atari's website)
- Kya: Dark Lineage at Atari.comAtariAtari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
- Kya Dark Lineage at MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- Kya Dark Lineage on wikia