The card is also pretty playable if it were out in the meta right now, with good stats, being inkable, and an ability that could almost always get good use
While this card doesnt depict Shadow Lugia, the resemblance is not only obvious, but likely intentionaland this factor also likely plays a role behind this cards status
I just think Rydia's Return is overcosted and not good enough, though it does seem good out of the sideboard for slower matchups
If you wish to cast the exiled card, you do so as part of the resolution of Transcendent Dragon's last ability
The loss of life and card advantage allow Vampiric to reasonably just cost one which in turn allows you to keep even one land hands if they are good enough and you have Vamp to get you out of it
However, this doesn't make a Type good, and some Types have spent much more time in the metagame compared to the others