Official Website

Platform: Playstation 2

Genre: RPG

Number of Players: 1

When I first heard the word the Square and Disney were teaming up do develop a new role-playing game, I had mixed emotions. To begin with, I’m a huge Square fan, especially when it comes down to anything relating to Final Fantasy. Although a new Square RPG wasn’t bad, especially since I’d already beaten FF X quite a few times, the idea of pairing up with Disney wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I’ll have to admit that I’m not a big supporter of any of Disney’s work outside of their theme parks. My main issue with them of course concerns their inability to admit the blatant theft of many anime properties, changing them slightly, and then cashing in while denying the whole time they’d ever heard of the original source.

 However, there was also that sense of intrigue, and I would check now and again on just what Square was up to with this title. Little by little, Kingdom Hearts began to take shape, and I found myself more and more curious as to what this new game would hold in store. Once I finally got a good look at the opening on G4 however, I was sold. Disney involvement or not, I was onboard.

 Kingdom Hearts places you in control of a young boy named Sora who lives on a small island with his friends Riku and Kairi. Lately, Sora has been having dreams about strange shadowy creatures, and soon finds this dream moves into his reality and a storm hits the island, separating him from his two friends. Meanwhile in the world of Disney, King Mickey has vanished as well, and Donald and Goofy set out on a quest to bring the missing King back home. Sora, Donald, and Goofy soon cross paths and join forces to not only save their friends, but put a stop to the evil cataclysmic peril that threatens the entire universe.

 That may sound like a typical role-playing story line, but Kingdom Hearts is quite a bit different. Anyone who has played any previous titles in the Final Fantasy series (or any other RPG for that matter) knows that the action primarily takes place on a single planet, regardless of how imposing the villain may be. Kingdom Hearts on the other hand, takes places on many different worlds, each with a very distinct Disney feel. The inhabitants of these worlds are none other than the cast of the respective films. In each world, there’s a keyhole that must be found and locked to keep The Heartless from taking control for their masters. And who else would take charge of such vile shadowy creatures? Why, none other than the Disney villains of course, and together they’ve cooked up quite an evil plan.

 Throughout the course of the game, players will be given the chance to visit such locations as Wonderland (from Alice in Wonderland), Halloween Town (from Nightmare Before Christmas), and Atlantica (from The Little Mermaid) just to name a few. Aside from having run-ins with various characters (and villains) native to each world, players will also get the chance to team up with characters such as Tarzan, Ariel, and even Jack Skellington. However, each of these characters must stay in their respective worlds, so you can’t take them with you once you complete your task in the worlds. However, there are a few that aid you and your friends in your quest.

 Summoning has become an integral part of the Final Fantasy series, and Kingdom Hearts is no exception. The only difference is that these creatures are from popular Disney films. Bambi, Genie, and even Dumbo can be called upon to help aid you in battle. Speaking of Final Fantasy, expect a few guest appearances and help from Squall (FF VIII), Cloud (FF VII), Tidus (FF X), as well as Cid (the FF VII one) and even the Moogles. And, apparently in a mild attempt to appease gamers who are still reeling over her demise in FF VII, Aeris also makes an appearance here and there through the game.

 Kingdom Hearts combines many different gaming elements. Obviously, being an RPG, the game is quite story driven, but don’t go in expecting the mammoth amount of cut scenes and voice-overs as what Final Fantasy X had. Kingdom Hearts offers a bit more non-linear game play than FFX and the various worlds don’t necessarily have to be visited in any certain order once they are available. The airship is back, sort of.  This time you have a Gummi Ship, and even the option to build new ships or upgrade existing ones. As you travel to the different worlds, you’ll be put into a play mode that in some ways resembles Zaxxon. You’ll also have the chance to pick up more upgrade parts in these stages of the game, and there are a few others than can be found and others that can be bought from Cid.

 Space combat is only a minor part of the game however. Don’t go into this expecting the usual turn based combat system that you may be used to from the FF series. Kingdom Hearts plays quite a bit like Dark Cloud or even the N64 version of Zelda. Combat is free flowing, allowing you to lock on to enemies, cast spells, and use items. You can also leave the range of battle (with the exception of boss battles) at any point if things get a little too hot. Unlike FF, you’re not rewarded when you defeat every creature, and in fact each monster you beat explodes into any array of colored orbs that give you money (munny), heal you, or replenish your magic. This works for anyone in your party, so it’s a good idea to not get greedy if you’re already fully stocked. There are also a few unique and specialized abilities that can be allocated to each character, assuming you do have enough ability points available to spend that is. There are also some group abilities that can be used outside battles and the Trinity ability, which will allow you to locate many of the games hidden items, and save a puppy or two.

 Square definitely outdid their previous work with the voice acting this time around. FF X featured a fairly good vocal cast, proving that the American division of the company is taking things quite seriously and not resorting to hiring inept “talent” which is running rampant in the world on anime dubbing. Square brought in an all-star cast this time around, featuring some of impressive Hollywood talent. The lead role of Sora goes to Haley Joel Osmendt, whom most people will remember for ‘The Sixth Sense’ and he does quite a fine job at providing Sora with life. Other notable voice appearances include Sean Astin (‘Lord of the Rings’) as Hercules, David Boreanaz (‘Angel’) as Squall/Leon, and even pop singer Mandy Moore who provides the voice of Aeris. Square definitely could have done much worse, and it’s nice to see them focusing on individuals who, for the most part, have definite acting talent and credentials behind their names.

 The only thing that really hampers the playability of Kingdom Hearts is the occasionally horrid camera angels. Although there isn’t much problem during most of the game play, battles are where it really suffers. Despite the fact that it can be adjusted and turned, during the heat of battle things tend to get a little overwhelming, and adjusting the camera can be nearly frustrating. Another minor set back is the battle system. Kingdom Hearts’ battle menus are designed much like any FF title, however accessing them requires a bit more patient and dexterity as the right analog controller is used for this function. It takes a bit of getting used to, and can at times be a bit too touchy, but once you’ve mastered it (probably after learning just how long a string of profanities can be) the game becomes quite a bit easier.

 Even with its Disney motif, Kingdom Hearts is not a game for younger players, most of whom will lose interest within the first five minutes after no actual Disney characters have been introduced. The game is perfect however, for probably event he most dedicated and die-hard Final Fantasy fan, even with its departure from the standard RPG style, and it’s also a great introduction for those that have often wondered just what all the fuss is about concerning Square and the role playing genre at large. Even if you’ve been turned off by the RPG genre in the past, perhaps because of there being “too much story”, Kingdom Hearts offers a nice balance between a casual (and uncomplicated) storyline and great action. And just what about the non-Disney fan (like myself), where do they fit into the grand scheme of things? Just keep in mind that I’ve had serious thoughts about calling in sick to work on several occasions just to have more time to play. Kingdom Hearts is as surprising as it is whimsical and charming, and while it’s no Final Fantasy killer, it will surely become one of those games that’s fondly remembered for years to come.

 -mike-