Genre: RPG
Companies: Squaresoft, Disney, Touchstone, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
Console: PS2
Summary:
In order to find a world beyond their own island, Sora and his friends, Riku and Kairi, build a raft to make their escape. Before their voyage can begin, Sora is swept away by darkness into Traverse Town, where he eventually meets his Disney companions-for-life, Donald Duck and Goofy. Teaming up together, the trio sets off on a journey to explore many different worlds (such as Wonderland and Halloweentown), searching for the disappeared King Mickey and Sora's friends, while fighting the ever persistent Heartless that continue to stand between the threesome and their goals.
Review:
This game is definitely a winner. With Kingdom Hearts, it's one leap after another into the unknown, yet slightly familiar (to any of those who have seen Disney movies), and there's never a dull moment. Unlike some games from the past, Kingdom Hearts is on a one-track course. It doesn't go off on several tangents, then try to make everything connect in some confusing way, which is good, because before Kingdom Hearts, that's the road Squaresoft was starting to go down.
The graphics for this game are outstanding. Just take a gander at the opening sequence if you're really worried, but at this point, you should be more worried about your shadow popping up out of the ground, supersizing itself, and trying to kick your ass.
On the battleground, these are no traditional RPG "Okay, I hit you. Now it's your turn to hit me" fights. The enemy will appear while you're walking around and attack you from any and all sides, which is okay, because Sora always has his Keyblade on him. Donald Duck starts out as the only magic user in the party, casting familiar spells like Fire, Fira, Firaga, etc. Throughout the game, Sora is able to acquire magic spells and even summons. Wait a sec! These summons don't go by the names Shiva, Ifrit, or Doomtrain. No, these summons go by names like: Tinker Bell, Genie, Mushu, and Dumbo. The player should note, however, that gaining the summons is somewhat of a sidequest.
Speaking of sidequests, there are a few of them, which include fighting hidden bosses like Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII (good luck with him) and a pain-in-the-ass Phantom at the clocktower after beating Neverland. A few of the more entertaining sidequests include searching for postcards for items in Traverse Town, or better yet, gathering items to synthesize Sora's Ultimate Weapon. (Believe me, it's worth the trouble with those $*#(@%!^#* Rare Truffles.)
The characters are well portrayed in this game. Kingdom Hearts keeps characters such as Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII) and Cid Highwind (Final Fantasy VII) in their usual states, which is a relief, because seeing Squall or Cid act the opposite of the personas they've established would probably freak the player out.
Overall this game is extremely time consuming, but that's because the player grows to be obssessed with it and will likely play the game for hours after it's been beaten.
Play this game. You won't regret it.
~Airazor
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