I, like most people who've played KH1, have been anticipating this game for a while. And overall, I'm satisfied with this game.
The game starts, like the original, with a cool music video that summarizes Sora's adventures in KH1 and Chain of memories. Then, you're placed in the shoes of Roxas, a spunky teen with a beef against characters from Final Fantasy VIII.
After about four hours of gameplay, you finally find Sora and the true adventure begins.
The game mechanics have been beefed up this time around allowing for damaging combos God of War style. And there are new things called Reactions. Press triangle at the right time to utilize your enemies special attacks against them.
The gummi ships have been improved upon also. They exist more or less for cinematic appeal now.
The story is where things get sticky. As you travel from world to world, you get an extreme sense of deja-vu, even in worlds you've never been to. It's always: Introduce yourself to the hero, help them out, defeat the stories baddy, then fight a member of Organization XIII (The true badguys of the story)
Even with the looming threat of Organization 13 and the Nobodies, you'll still be slaughtering (defeating, sorry its a kids game) thousands of Heartless. In one instance you are alone, pitted against a canyon-full of Heartless. You have to kill one THOUSAND heartless before you can move on. The game is full of OS moments like that.
Another important theme in the story seems to be Sora's love for Kairi. As you help various Disney characters fall in love, Sora becomes visibly depressed, even sheds a few tears. This really comes to a head when Sora kneels before an Orginization member and begs to be taken to Kairi.
The graphics are great, just what you'd expect from Square Enix. Although the cartoony Sora, Donald, and Goofy do look extremely out of place in the 'live action' Port Royal alongside Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.
Which brings to mind the voice acting. Overall passable, the Disney characters are mostly faithfully portrayed, if not voiced by the original actors. But the Final Fantasy characters get the short end of the stick. Cid sounds like a redneck and Aeris sounds like a zombie. While Cloud sounds like he's high and Sephiroth doesn't sound evil at all.
Even with it's flaws, Kingdom Hearts II is a faithful, and improving, sequel to the acclaimed Kingdom Hearts. 9/10
Create an Account
Member Login
