I repeat, this is not a Disney cartoon... (Kingdom Hearts (PS2))

Member Name: L4H4002

Product:	Kingdom Hearts (PS2)
Date:	11/02/06 (238 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Disney characters, great story, very challenging

Disadvantages: Simple battle system, music gets tiresome, main story is split up

I must say, I never thought Disney and Squaresoft would have teamed up in a million years. But, of course, neither did anyone else, with the exception of Squaresoft... and Disney, of course. But it happened. And what was created has turned out to be one of the most beloved games in history. With over 100 Disney characters, yet still boasting one of Square's extravagant storylines, this game was destined for fame. But be warned, there is a small catch. Just because Disney helped make the game does not mean it will be easy. The fact is that it is far from easy. Expect to be spending around 40 - 50 hours on this game, and that's only if you don't get stuck. Of course, if you're familiar with other Squaresoft games, this shouldn't be that much of a threat. You will find yourself lost in the massive worlds, wondering what's going to happen next. Boasting a great story, incredible music, and an interesting mix of characters, Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere, and is still standing strong.

Storyline: 4/5
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You can tell Squaresoft spent many hours coming up with a great story. And, I must admit, if you can understand it, the story is amazing. But it is just not put out there enough. After tramping through various worlds to lock keyholes, without any story in-between, it starts to lose its awe. There are scenes, toward the end of the game, that will remind you of what happened in the beginning, but the middle just seems like Squaresoft was left out from it, and there is no story. Thus, this deems forgetting the plot a very normal gesture, of which I was included. However, the storyline is still excellent, no matter how split up it is. The game starts off with the three main characters - Sora, Riku, and Kairi, relaxing on an island. Though, Sora isn't content; he dreams of exploring other worlds and lands. He has no idea that this dream is a speck of dust, compared to what is ahead. Sora awakes one night to find a group of black, mutant creatures, called Heartless, outside his window. He has no idea what they want, but he decides to take action. Without further mentioning the story, I'll just say that these creatures are only the start of a journey - a journey that will take Sora places beyond his wildest dreams.

Gameplay: 4.5/5
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Abandoning the turn-based battles from their famed Playstation games, Square changed it up a little, and Kingdom Hearts turned out to be an action rpg. If you choose to be a warrior, you will find yourself pressing the 'x' button many times during the course of the game. If you choose to be a magician, you can access your magic through a quick menu, and you can also set up shortcuts to make the battles even more like real time. In actuality, you can use both magic and your weapon, no matter what status you are; however, your status determines how prevalent in that stat you are. The "real-time" system gives the battles a different feel, and it makes you concentrate more while you are battling, which is definitely a plus. However, I do think they could have been a little more creative. Pressing 'x' all the time can get old, and I wish Square could have a least incorporated more buttons into battle. Adding a few more moves to compensate for more buttons would have made this game a lot more enjoyable, and I'm sure most people agree. Aside from the battle system, just playing the game by itself is fun. The many worlds of Kingdom Hearts are actually scenes from Disney Movies, and they are an absolute blast to play. Experiencing Wonderland in a videogame couldn't make me happier. And to top it all off, they incorporate the characters in there as well, such as the Cheshire Cat, and even the Queen of Hearts. And if playing through Disney Movies isn't enough, you can also summon Disney characters to help you during battle such as Dumbo, Tinkerbell, and Simba from "The Lion King." Even with the battles being not as much as expected, the other elements of the gameplay definitely make up for it, thus making this game quite worthwhile.

Graphics: 5/5
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Adhering to the PS2's standards, Kingdom Hearts boasts incredible graphics. You can read the words on town doors, see the whiskers on peoples' faces, and even, corny as it sounds, notice their eye color. It just makes the game that more interesting, and you may find yourself frequently looking around with the in-game camera. Take a tour, and just feast your eyes on the stores, sky, rooftops, etc. Squaresoft definitely spent a lot of time and detail on this game, and it shows. Everywhere you go, there is something to be seen, including the comical gestures of Goofy and Donald after battles in the Coliseum. The worlds are designed so that it will actually seem as if you are playing the movie. From the Queen's Castle in Wonderland, to the Cave of Wonders in Agrabah, Square and Disney capture the classics wonderfully. Also, the cut-scenes make the game more appealing as well. As if having Disney characters in this game wasn't enough, there are cut-scenes in every world, which are laid out to go with the game's story, instead of just copying scenes from the movie. This is a nice touch, and it really shows how good a team Disney and Square can make. Graphically, this game is amazing.

Music: 4/5
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The music, though great as it is, doesn't keep its lasting appeal throughout the whole game. However, that doesn't mean it is bad, because it is far from that. There are definitely some up-beat and catchy songs on Kingdom Heart's soundtrack, as well as some beautiful ones. But, there are not really many tracks total, in the game, besides the ones played in the different worlds. There are no character themes, or really any memorable tracks for that matter. Also, because of the fact that there are bonuses and treasures you can't get in the first try, you will find yourself going back to the worlds many times. Thus, the music does tend to get boring the more you hear it. The tracks definitely didn't have the "Squaresoft" touch, and you will probably find yourself muting the sound, if you stay in a world for a while. But despite the flaws, I must commend that the music fit the different worlds, and this made the game into a much fuller experience. Agrabah had that sort-of "Arabian" music to it, and Tarzan's world definitely sounded "Jungal-ish." Though, I think they could have added, perhaps, a tune from the movie. I would have loved to hear "A Whole New World" or any other Aladdin track, instead of the same tune over and over. I think the game as a whole could have used a more variety of songs, to capture the "experience" more. Though, on the other hand, aside from not being up to par, the music is still fun to listen to.

Concept: 5/5
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I have to make a section for this, because like I mentioned before, I would have never thought Disney and Square would team up. This is a great concept, and definitely a milestone in videogame history. The fact that these two different companies meshed so well together is incredible, and you can see it in the game, with Goofy and Donald abandoning the cartoons, and going on this far-fetched, daunting adventure. Square definitely had their work cut out for them, and they took full advantage of that, bringing us this delightful, humorous, and awe-inspiring story, dotted with Disney Characters along the way. However, keep in mind that the game is not a walk in the park, difficulty wise. There is even an "expert" mode, if you really want to test yourself. If you love Disney, but are looking for an adventure game that will be worth your while, and is quite challenging, here's your chance.

Overall: 4/5
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While this game isn't at the top of my list, it comes pretty close. The storyline, split up as it is, proves to be very interesting, as per usual with Square. The visuals are impressive, with there being surprises around every corner, and the worlds detailing the movies quite precisely. The gameplay is entertaining, even though it can get tiresome pressing the 'x' button most of the time during battles. The Cinemas, helping to move the story along, aren't too rare, and not too plentiful, either, giving the game a nice touch. The music, being really my only complaint, could have been better, but is still very enjoyable to listen to, and you'll want to keep your television turned up, at least till you complete the game the first time. Overall, Kingdom Hearts, despite being a challenge, is the perfect game far all ages, and would be a shame to miss.

Summary: Challenging and fun, this game will last you a while. It's a great experience for all ages.