Lost Kingdoms, Nintendo GameCube

The first of what we can expect to be many real-time action RPGs on the Gamecube, Lost Kingdoms, casts the player as the beautiful heroine Princess Katia. The plot involves a deadly menace, intent on engulfing the five kingdoms of the fictional land of Argwyll. To beat the impending evil, players must find and gather over 100 unique Guardian Cards that hold the power to unleash incredible creatures into battle, whilst fighting the mass of monsters that stand in their way. The Guardian Cards make up the main core of the action, placing a novel 3D RPG adventure spin on the more common trading card game. Beginning the adventure with just three of these cards, players build up their collection, a la Pokemon, as they progress, requiring increasing levels of power, skills and abilities. Powerful creature allies, such as fighting skeletons, ravaging wolves and fire-breathing dragons can be released, each having its own special attack moves, which increase in range and power as Katia gains experience. All said and done, Lost Kingdoms is a fairly original concept, taking the simple-yet-popular trading card genre and incorporating it in to a fully realised, expansive 3D environment. Play itself can be quite addictive at times and, once the 20+ hours single player experience has been completed, a two-player mode allows friends to pit their creature card collection against one another, adding to the title's longevity.

Buy Lost Kingdoms for 6.99 GBP

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