Gannett News Service

Whoever said there were no good female roles in video games is wrong.

In Kya: Dark Lineage (Atari; for PlayStation 2; rated T for teen; $49.99; www.kya-game.com) , gamers play as teenage girl, Kya, who is mysteriously transported to another dimension along with her younger brother, Frank.

The two become separated almost immediately, so Kya begins her quest to find her sibling when she uncovers a peaceful civilization threatened by an evil ruler named Brazul.

Kya soon discovers why she has been "chosen" to liberate these oppressed people.

This French-made game melds many different genres, including combat, puzzle-solving, adventure, role-playing and racing.

Gamers can also snowboard down enormous mountains and freefall safely from towering heights by using wind to control her movement.

Because of its attractive graphics and fluid animation, Kya resembles a colorful Saturday morning television cartoon. The orchestrated music is equally as impressive.