The Kingdom Hearts thread

[ADC]

Part of the problem here is that I haven't had much of a sense of urgency as it pertains to the Kingdom Hearts series of games, so I have all five (yes, five) of the US releases on hand yet have played none of them until this evening, when I decided to throw the first game into the PS2.

Boy, Wakka's voice actor is about a zillion times worse in this game than in FF10. And he was no great shakes in that game, ya?

My initial impression of the battles is that there's a lot of X-hammering involved, rather like the Star Ocean games — which is not a good thing. But it's still early and things could improve dramatically beyond the level of those games. I chose to take the shield and give up the sword, by the way, though I have little idea what it all means. What I do know is, bashing enemies with a Mickey-emblazoned shield is strangely relaxing. Anyway, this seems like an interesting diversion for the time being.

[Betenoire]

My initial impression of the battles is that there's a lot of X-hammering involved, rather like the Star Ocean games — which is not a good thing. But it's still early and things could improve dramatically beyond the level of those games. I chose to take the shield and give up the sword, by the way, though I have little idea what it all means.

It will be a lot of bashing. :sdsmiley:

And the whole choose X, give up Y is just your typical RPG focus on these stats more than those thing. It doesn't alter anything major beyond that.

And 5 games? The 2 for the PS2, the GBA and the new DS one...which game am I forgetting?

[broodwars]

And 5 games? The 2 for the PS2, the GBA and the new DS one...which game am I forgetting?

Chain of Memories had both a GBA release and a PS2 remake, though he could have been talking about Birth By Sleep on the PSP as well (though I don't think that's out yet in North America).

As for Kingdom Hearts 1, the best I can suggest is just to grit your teeth and charge through it because it is horrible from both a level design and gameplay perspective (the camera is especially bad). Have fun watching Donald die over and over and over again because he runs out of MP after 2-3 spells and then resorts to trying to hit the Heartless to death. Honestly, if it weren't for the Riku/Kairi stuff I'd just suggest skipping straight to Chain of Memories (the PS2 version, preferably) and then Kingdom Hearts 2. Thankfully, Kingdom Hearts 2 is to Kingdom Hearts 1 what Assassin's Creed 2 is to its predecessor: it's the game that takes what the first game did and actually makes it fun.

As for what the Shield/Sword/Staff selection at the beginning of the game means, it dictates at what experience level you'll receive certain attacks and spells throughout the game. Get used to the X button mashing, though, because all the Kingdom Hearts games are full of it.

[Fencedude]

The games all suffer from a severe lack of Kairi.

But when she's around she's pretty awesome.

(though she also has no chance, Sora/Riku is pretty much canon)

[Shirou Emiya]

I love this gaming series, I have played Kingdom Hearts 1 (beaten), Kingdom Hearts 1 1/2 Re: Chains of Memories (Still at the beginning), and Kingdom Hearts II (beaten).

I haven't played any of the other games yet since I still only own a PS1 and a PS2.

[zerok]

Call me crazy, but I'm still holding out hope for the Final-Mix versions being released here... Maybe in a GoW Collection type release? C'mon Squenix, you know you wanna.

Edit: Forgot to add, definitely in agreement with the needs more Kairi sentiment.

[Shirou Emiya]

Call me crazy, but I'm still holding out hope for the Final-Mix versions being released here... Maybe in a GoW Collection type release? C'mon Squenix, you know you wanna.

I wish for this as well :), but I highly doubt it since the Final Mixes have been out for years now :(.

[OptimusPrimeTime]

Birth By Sleep just hit in Japan. Apparently it's better then any of the KH games before. But still makes no logical sense what so ever. Darn you Nomura!!!

[Senku]

Birth By Sleep just hit in Japan. Apparently it's better then any of the KH games before. But still makes no logical sense what so ever. Darn you Nomura!!!

I know it's supposed to be some sort of prequel, but I didn't think it would tie in with the current characters in the first place.

[broodwars]

Birth By Sleep just hit in Japan. Apparently it's better then any of the KH games before. But still makes no logical sense what so ever. Darn you Nomura!!!

I know it's supposed to be some sort of prequel, but I didn't think it would tie in with the current characters in the first place.

From what I've heard of the plot, the 3 main characters are supposed to be stand-ins for Sora, Riku, and Kairi. Maybe their fate in the game foreshadows that of the main KH trio?

Personally, if they do another Kingdom Hearts I'm hoping they leave the main trio well enough alone. That story has nowhere interesting to go from here on out, as KH2 did a good job of tying everything up. Let's see some new characters in the inevitable KH3, with maybe cameos of the original trio (if necessary).

[Fencedude]

From what I've heard of the plot, the 3 main characters are supposed to be stand-ins for Sora, Riku, and Kairi. Maybe their fate in the game foreshadows that of the main KH trio?

Personally, if they do another Kingdom Hearts I'm hoping they leave the main trio well enough alone. That story has nowhere interesting to go from here on out, as KH2 did a good job of tying everything up. Let's see some new characters in the inevitable KH3, with maybe cameos of the original trio (if necessary).

Let me guess, the two guys are gay for each other and the girl gets screwed out of doing anything interesting.

[broodwars]

From what I've heard of the plot, the 3 main characters are supposed to be stand-ins for Sora, Riku, and Kairi. Maybe their fate in the game foreshadows that of the main KH trio?

Personally, if they do another Kingdom Hearts I'm hoping they leave the main trio well enough alone. That story has nowhere interesting to go from here on out, as KH2 did a good job of tying everything up. Let's see some new characters in the inevitable KH3, with maybe cameos of the original trio (if necessary).

Let me guess, the two guys are gay for each other and the girl gets screwed out of doing anything interesting.

With notable exceptions, does the girl usually get to do anything interesting in a Japanese RPG?

[Fencedude]

With notable exceptions, does the girl usually get to do anything interesting in a Japanese RPG?

Sure.

[Collectonian]

Just finished replaying KH over the holidays, and am going through a replay of KH II now. I'd like to get Chain of Memories at some point now that it is available for PS2, and would at least like to see the differences between the original KH and Final Mix. In both the first replay and the one I'm doing now, I've found the game as a whole was much easier than the first time I played. On the ifrst run throughs, yeah, Donald died like crazy as did Sora, while in my replies, I've had very few issues with dying (though I skipped the Sephiroth battle and likely will do so again in II). I got through I very quickly, and am doing the wrap up of II now, though I am likely not going to aim to get the secret movie.

Will be getting the new game when it finally comes out, once its available on a platform I have :-P