Review – Lost Kingdoms

Developer: From Software
Platform: GameCube
Genre: Action RPG
Release Date: May 27th, 2002

Premise

The kingdom of Argwyll is in peril. A black for had shrouded the land, and monsters have appeared that seem impossible to defeat. The only hope are the Runestones. These gems possess the power to capture and control monsters in cards. A young princess named Katia releases a Runestone and sets out to find her father, only to realize she has begun a journey to save her country.

My full review is below!

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Finale

Final Play Time: 9 Hours, 53 Minutes

Conclusion

After a long journey, Katia has come face to face with Thalnos, the Enchanter. Thus began a duel between card summoners. Katias victory over Thalnos released the God of Destruction. Against all odds, our princess managed to defeat the source of the black fog, and peace and stability returned to Argwyll.

My final thoughts are after the break!

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Part 5

 

Play time:  8 Hours, 27 Minutes
Level Cleared:  Ruh-Arok Temple

The Story So Far

After defeating the black witch Helena in the coliseum, you learn that she was a princess in her own country, and it was destroyed by the Enchanter. Katia knows that he is responsible for the Black Fog and the suffering in Argwyll. After a long journey, she has met with the God of Creation. It alone can send her to the other side, to face and defeat her foe.

Check out what I thought about it!

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Part 4

Play Time: 5 Hours, 13 Minutes

Point Cleared: Grenfoel Church

The Story So Far (If you can call it that)

After a long search, Katia has found her father, only to watch him die in her arms. His final words were to tell her to gather the five rune stones and take them to the great shrine.

Upon reaching the castle of Whyt, You learn that the mysterious Black Witch has come looking for the rune stone, and that the Prince has gone missing on his trip to Grenfoel Church, which is where the stone is also hidden. Katia manages to retrieve the stone, but the Black Witch has kidnapped the prince. Katia must head to the Coliseum to rescue the prince, and hopefully defeat her nemesis once and for all.

Find out what I thought after the break!

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Part 3

Play Time: 4 Hours, 24 Minutes

Point Cleared: The Yprek Mines

The Story So Far

After Katia receives the Rune Stone from Grayl Castle, she heads for Kendarie castle to seek more information about her father, while asking for their stone. While not learning much about the King, she does find out that Kendarie’s Rune Stone was stolen. Katia sets forth and dispatches the theif at the Yprek Mines, and obtains another stone. Next Stop, the Castle of Whyt.

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Part 2

TIme Played: 2 Hours, 45 MInutes

Mission Cleared:  Castle Grayl

Impressions:

So here I am at what seems to be the first major point in the game. I have encountered another card summoner, and it seems that there are rune stones in each main castle in the kingdom. After being attacked by the mystery woman, Katia got another stone, which increased her HP. Handy that, since I have had a little bit of trouble with side missions and the most recent story mission.

I’ve gotta say, From Software really knows how to challenge their audience. Even an early game side area proved very challenging. It took four attempts just to clear it even after already getting new cards. I had to play through the Grayl Castle mission twice before I beat that boss.

Story is still really lacking. Normally, I would be intrigued by the arrival of another card user, but her entrance was really nothing special, and I now have a rival, and don’t really understand why. Since the main story is Katia trying to find her father, I’ve been getting a “Sorry Katia, but the king is in another castle” vibe.

I don’t think I’ve gotten very far in the game, and it’s becoming a bit of a slog to get through. I will get there though, even if it kills me.

Playthrough Journal – Lost Kingdoms Part 1

 

 

 

Total Playtime: 1 Hour, 33 Minutes

The Story so Far:

A darkness has befallen the land. The world is being plagued by hordes of monsters that seem unstoppable. Katia, Princess of her Kingdom, found they key to defeating the blight in her castle. A stone attaches to her back, and allows her to summon monsters in the form of cards. She sets out on a journey to find her father, and to save her world.

New Playthrough Journal Announcement

Hey Everyone,

I have finally decided on my next playthrough journal. Realistically, I could do this for any game I decide to replay, but I have decided to save these for games for specific occasion. First, it needs to be something I haven’t played before, and second, It needs to be something I have not done a lot of research on. All I need to know is that it’s an RPG and on an old platform. And with that, I give you the cover of my next game.