Kingdom Hearts

PS2

Squaresoft/Disney Interactive - 2002

Kingdom Hearts. "Isn't that the kiddy game that Square made for Disney as a trade for some money to get them out of bankruptsy after Final Fantasy: The Movie?" Well, no. First, Square and Disney teamed up to make the weirdest idea for an rpg ever. Period. Take a lot of cool Disney movies, throw in some Squaresoft graphics, some Squaresoft music, some Squaresoft programming, and some Final Fantasy characters. Well, basically just have Disney grant Squaresoft to have the rights to portray Disney characters on a video game, and have Disney get the old cast from all the movies to voice act again. Let Square do all the rest. For, both you and I know Disney interactive can't make a decent videogame. Which is what they did, to the tee. And it is stellar.

"But is it still a kiddy game? I mean, did Square make a game for all those preschoolers who buy all those Disney products?" Er, NO. This game is totally made for Square's Final Fantasy audience. You see, Japan has this thing for fads, and for cute, adorable animal-things. And that is what Disney is all about. So, in Japan, this game made perfect sense to adults, and they hardly questioned it. But since America is full of adults and teens who feel too old for Disney magic, it becomes a bit harder to sell the game. But believe me, it is truly worth it. Not only is it hard as hades, but Hades is in it. Haha, get it? Shoot me now, please.

It's got a lot (over 100 Square boasts) of Disney characters. So, you are wondering how the characters turned out? Well, don't. It's great. While in most rpgs, when a king asks you to go retrieve a something or other, you never really care about them, and only do it for the loot they will give you after you do so. But every character in this game has been in a movie, and we've had time to grow attached to them. And since the voice actors are still there, this attachment comes back, and we actually care. For example, if some sea king told me to go help his daughter, I'd be like, "Yeah, if you give me her hand in marriage, foo'." Now, with King Triton, I'm like, "Yes, I remember your caring for your inquisitive daughter, and the troubles you experience trying to care for her, but also ruling the kingdom, and trying to give her some lea-way, without getting hurt, but can I marry Ariel anyways?"

The great thing about Kingdom Hearts is that, while in most rpgs there are annoying characters, that are too hyper (Selphie) or too, well, goofy (Quina) and you come to hate them, for they are just too annoying. Well, Kingdom Hearts is full of these characters. So, why is this a good thing? Because you grew up with these characters, so you've become used to them. Everyone knows Goofy asks dumb questions, laughs funny, and is just plain Goofy. Everyone knows Donald will get stubborn, but has a kind heart and forgives. So when you see these characters act this way, you can't get angry 'cause of boring character molds and lame plot devices, that's how Disney is. And you've grown up with it, so after a good hour, you'll even forget about them, and just absorbe the characters. Wowzers.

What about the voice acting? Yes they got all the Disney characters correct voices, (with exception of Robin Williams for the Genie, they got Homer Simpson, who did the Genie's voice in Aladdin 2, the Return of Jafar.) But most everyone else is still there. And if not, a really well-done duplicate. Notable voices include, but are not limited to: Jodi Benson, Gilbert Gottfried, and the lovable James Woods. Cool. But what about the Square characters? I heard they put voices to the Final Fantasy characters? That ain't cool. Well, I guess I'll name a few people who did voices. Steve Burton does Cloud's voice, and does it exceptionally well I might add. David "Angel" Boreanaz does Squall's voice. Now, before you flip out, (Ari) I must remind you that Squall's character is very monotonous, too the point, and serious. Angel has that role down great. Listening to him speak was great, for, to me, it truly felt like how I envisioned Squall's voice. Oh yeah, Mandy Moore does someone's voice (not telling who). And, someone else does Sephiroth's. Now, I'd tell you, except you would freak out, throw a hissy fit, and burn down Square. But listen real quick. He may be a singer, with a group of other boys, and may have wanted to go to the moon, but his normal voice, when listened to, and not thinking of his face, actually fits ol' Sephi pretty darn good. Trust me. Just this once. Thanks.

I need to mention this. This game does one thing amazingly. If anyone has read my Vagrant Story review (doubtful) and then reads this one (highly unlikely), they will notice that I hate when there are extra zeros at the end of things. Like when the cheapest item in a store costs 100 gold, and no enemies ever give less than 100 gold, why not make it 1 gold, and drop 2 zeros? Or hitting the first enemy in the game for 10? Why not 1? That's what Vagrant Story does well. And some of the Vagrant Story staff worked on Kingdom Hearts, and they brought this idea with them. At level 45, Sora has around 50 hit points, and 5 magic points, give or take a few. Wow. Bosses must hit for about 7 to 10 hit points per attack. Isn't that grand? They really know how to conserve those extra zeros for other games that need them. (Ahem, FFX's 99,999 attack.) And since it doesn't display the amount you hit for in number form on the screen, it doesn't matter.

What liked: Square, Disney, an actual videogame with deep gameplay, FUN, and a deep, complex, Final Fantasy-esque plot? Can it be? Yes it is.

What disliked: Too short. I got to the final dungeon in 3 days. (25 hours) and that was taking my time too.

What to expect: The annoying characters of all rpgs made lovable because you grew up with them and are used to their quirks.

What not to expect: Umm, a kids game? This game is hard, and you will die, a lot. So be warned.

What's so different from this and other games of it's genre: It's a well made action-rpg by Square. With Disney characters. What isn't different?

Ratings on:

Control: 6 - It's above standard. The annoying thing is using the control stick to choose items or magic, then choosing the right one, while enemies attack. For you can't pause the game and do that. So you have to run away with the left analog stick, then choose the thing, and press x to cast. Now, you can set 3 magic spells so that holding L1 and pushing X, square or triangle will let you cast it (heal). This can be mastered real fast, and I'll pull out those cure spells like it's my job. The other annoying thing is the camera is crazy mad. I think it's too close to you, you can't spin it with the right analog stick, and Goofy and other AI characters will block your view a lot. Luckily this is only annoying in boss fights. As in most fights, all you do is run in swinging at a lot of enemies, and hope to hit a few. As long as you keep swinging, and watch your health, you are set.

Graphics: 10 - I don't think I'll ever be able to express how amazing these graphics are. The fact that Square can replicate EVERY Disney character so they look like they actually do in the movies is mind blowing. My favorite character by far is Hades. Take a look at that swirl on his chin. It's a computer graphic, but looks hand-drawn, like in the movie. This is me drooling....

Sound: 10 - Crap. Another 10. What is he thinking? It's got to have one. Not only is the opening song incredible, but the entire soundtrack is riddled with Disney and Square masterpieces. Plus, Disney brought back most ALL the actors from the movies! This is me drooling again....

Style: 10 - Ok, you may think you are too old for a "Disney" game. You may have not seen a Disney movie since Lion King. But do me a favor, sit down, rent the movies, watch them, then play the game. It's amazing how they incorporated the feel of every movie completely, while tying them all together so well. Drool....

1st hour: 10 - Wowzers. I drove 2 hours in the rain without ac to get this game. And it was SO worth it. I've already seen Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie. (Although I don't know if that is worth bragging about.)

5th hour: 10 - Squall is the MAN! I was worried, but it was all in vain.

1st day: 10 - Cloud is the MAN TOO! I like that cape thingy.

3rd day: 8 - Only 8ish worlds? That's not enough. This game is too short. I'm at the end. Now to go collect EVERYTHING!

#1 reason why I hate this game: No new game +? Man. That'd be swell.

by Hawke