"Two Words: Great. Game."

This is a good game worth buying. Its better than the first in a few ways.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics are much better than the first game! I was amazed with them. They’re smooth, and just great. I just don’t really know how to explain the differences between the two games graphics. All I can really say about this games graphics is ‘Great’.

Sound: 6/10

The tunes just don’t catch me, you know? Most of the time I find myself humming a tune from a game with really catchy music. I’m sure you do, too. I never find myself humming a tune from this game. They’re not those kinds of songs that get caught in your head. They’re hard to remember, and just not all that good. The music from the first game is better, in my opinion. They’re easier to remember, and they’re the songs that do get stuck in your head for the day. Too bad the good music from Lost Kingdoms 1 didn’t carry over to this game, huh? Well, maybe I shouldn’t say that…I have noticed that some of the songs seem to be remixes of LK1 music. Just for some reason I don’t notice it that much and it seems to be new music.

Gameplay: 8/10

The controls are pretty smooth, but do have a few flaws. But the flaws are small and hardly noticeable. The camera, I have to say, is one of the very small flaws. I guess I shouldn’t call it a ‘flaw’. I just think that they should’ve kept the camera angle with the C Stick (only), for all of the people who beat Lost Kingdoms 1. Now the camera angle is on the L Button and C-Stick. Isn’t one button enough? Couldn’t they have just kept the same controls from Lost Kingdoms 1 for everyone who played it? Ok, ok, its just one change. But, still…
Another one of the small gameplay flaw is the card monsters A.I. Sorry to say this, but the monster cards are dumb. I’m not saying that its dumb to use the cards. I’m saying that the card monsters A.I. is dumb. It was the same in Lost Kingdoms 1. They could’ve made them smarter than they were in Lost Kingdoms 1, but they didn’t.
Also I’ve noticed in 2P Mode, the screen slows down when your using a lot of independent cards. It can get annoying, so try not to use to many independent cards in 2P Mode, and the screen shouldn’t slow down.
Now for the good parts of the gameplay: NCP interaction is good, sometimes you have a partner for some levels (which can be good and bad), you can shuffle through your deck and get the cards you want. You still use the A, B, X, and Y Buttons to use cards, the 2P VS. Mode is, in my opinion, better than the first, and there are plenty of cards to collect to keep you busy. At the end of each level you still get a rating on how good you did in the level and you still get to pick some cards. I haven’t gotten any rare cards yet from this small bonus at the end of each level yet, but you might get lucky and get one!
Also, I love to play the 2P Mode. That is one of my favorite parts in any game. In this game, you can unlock players to play. You can find them in levels throughout the game. Other than choosing a character to play, the 2P Mode in this game is no different than in the first one.

Storyline: 9/10

Good storyline. It can be confusing at first. If it is confusing, keep playing and soon you’ll figure it out. I’m not going to tell about the storyline because I have a big mouth and I might spill some spoilers out, ok? Sorry.

Gamelength: 8/10

In my opinion, it was kinda short. But! There are plenty of side-quests to make the game seem longer. Also, don’t forget about the card collecting! If your trying to get every single card, it’s going to make this game a lot longer. It has just a little bit of replay value. Nothing really motivated me to start up a new file and play it again after I beat it.

Overall Score: 8/10

I recommend that you get this game, if you can find it that is. If you see it in a store somewhere, and you have enough money, get it. You’ll like it a lot. Or, if you don’t have enough money, you can go and rent it. I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to beat it in one rent. Either way, I think you’ll like it. Have fun playing it!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/21/03, Updated 05/22/03