Lost Kingdoms

FromSoftware's Lost Kingdoms introduced a form of isometric, level-based action-RPG that preferred summoning over physical combat, utilizing cards to determine spells and abilities. A brief, simple albeit somewhat clunky work whose systems borrow and tweak quite a bit from the flexible options of Pokemon (monster capture, evolution, elemental fixation, etc.) to enhance their deckbuilding side. Their battles mark a strange turn of events for the genre, where players are free to run away and conserve resources while letting their minions do the dirty work. Even stranger is the cast of characters, although a select few make for some frustrating boss fights. Other equally weird decisions - namely blue fairies, finite decks and Mario 64-like camera controls, tend to interfere with the proceedings. Overall - this is definitely one imaginative trip, but with little in the way of enjoyment to make that trip worth it.