Kingdom Hearts II Appreciation Thread: It couldn't come at a better time.

Today, I went to EBGames and placed a $5 deposit on a game that will undoubtedly ease my urge for Twilight Princess for the time being--Kingdom Hearts II. It will be released March 28, the day after I return from Spring Break, and I am almost positive that it will keep my longing for TP in check. It received a 39/40 from Famitsu, and if anyone is familiar with Famitsu, they will know that a 39/40 is pretty damn awesome. The original game was fantastic (it was the reason I broke down and bought a PS2, actually). Aside from a few little problems, such as the Gummi Ship sequences and the camera, the game was extremely entertaining. The gameplay was an awesome mix of RPGs and Action/Adventures and the assimilation of Square and Disney was amazingly well executed. At this point, it's basically certain that KHII is only improving upon the success of the original.

With the release of this game a mere month and a half away, I highly suggest it to anyone looking for a great video game fix until TP comes out--whenever that may be. If you haven't played the original, definitely try it. For people like me who enjoy good RPGs and classic Disney characters, KHII will be heaven sent while waiting for Twilight Princess.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of games, like KH2, and stuff will entertain us in our eternity of a wait for TP

Originally Posted by Lance

I'm pretty sure that a lot of games, like KH2, and stuff will entertain us in our eternity of a wait for TP

Dragon Quest VIII
Tales of Legendia 2-7-06
Grandia III 2-15-06
Tales of Phantasia March 6
Metal Gear Ac!d 2 3-28-06
Suikoden V 3--06
Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistance 3-14-06
Kingdom Hearts 2 March 28
Me and My Katamari 3-21-06
Metroid Prime Hunters March 20

To be exact. I have NOOO need for anymore RPGs right now. KH2 will simply shove all the other RPGs on that list aside and force me to play it instead.

Gosh, I really love Kingdom Hearts. In no way, shape, or form was the original perfect. It had an awful camera and the Gummi Ship was dreadful. However, it was one of the most entertaining and worthwhile games I've ever played. It was, simply put, a complete blast to play. I love playing games like that.

If someone has a PS2 and hasn't played Kingdom Hearts--definitely make an effort to give it a shot.

I must say, Kingdom hearts II looks like an absolutely stunning game, but I only played the original for about 5 minutes at a friend's house, so I don't have much of an idea of the gameplay. It *almost* makes me want to go out and buy a PS2, but I've judged a game by its cover before... and rpgs don't really grab me. If it was coming out on cube I'd be more interested, but getting a PS2... that barrier is just too big for me at this point in time, despite how cheap they are now. Gee, Nintendo fanboy or what??

Square makes some awesomely designed games. They really need to team up with Nintendo and make an action adventure title.

Kingdom Hearts was the reason I bought a PS2. The conept of it was so strange that it intrigued me to no end. So I took a leap of faith and bought both a PS2 and KH. And I'm so happy I did. Like I stated before, it's a game that's far from perfect, but it's such an incredibly enjoyable game that the flaws seem minor in retrospect. After KH, I played FFX, which was also fantastic. And other than that, I don't have much. I plan on buying God of War and Shadow of the Colossus sometime in the near future, but for now, it's safe to say that Square is the only reason I have a PS2.

It could be really interesting what happens with Kingdom Hearts II. The original Kingdom Hearts has outsold Final Fantasy X in North America. And I'm not holding much hope for FFXII. The demo was less than impressive, in my opinion, and the character designs are absolutely horrid.

It seems like one of Square Enix's stars is falling while another is rising. I fully expect KH2 to outsell FFXII. I'll be extremely surprised if it doesn't.

Aye, as some have said "Kingdom Hearts was cleverly constructed so it wouldn't be too dificult for a child, yet not too simple for an Adult".

And that's a pretty damn swell balance with me. Also, I ask have all of you seen the Opening for Kingdom Hearts II already?

Originally Posted by buckeyes1186

And I'm not holding much hope for FFXII. The demo was less than impressive, in my opinion, and the character designs are absolutely horrid.

It was a demo that was over a couple months old when we recieved it. It was a EALRY DEMO. You didn't even get to see how to fully use the gambits and how the skill system works. And if you didn't know, the two "Missions" in the demo are part of the sidequests that are availible in the game for extra money. Those two quests weren't part of the main adventure.

I was the same way at first, but since the new details about the story has been revealed about the Senate and the different Judges, I'm psyched again.

Though I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kingdom Hearts II out sold Final Fantasy XII.

Gotta say, Im like Thorn, I judge games on their covers and clips I see on TV, and honestly it looked like a little kids game. The game was alright, though some things did bug me. Summons, they weren't very orignal and I hardly ever used them, and characters. I have to say that using FF characters wasn't that original, though it did give me a laugh when I continually beat wakka over and over. But once you get past the first few annoying levels, the game was pretty good. One question if anyone knows, will Sora and the gang ever see Kairi again? And will they revisit worlds they saw in the first KH?

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful

It was a demo that was over a couple months old when we recieved it. It was a EALRY DEMO. You didn't even get to see how to fully use the gambits and how the skill system works. And if you didn't know, the two "Missions" in the demo are part of the sidequests that are availible in the game for extra money. Those two quests weren't part of the main adventure.

Don't get me wrong, I want FFXII to be great. I really do. Thank you for letting me know how early of a demo it was, because that makes me less pessimistic about it. However, FFXII still has me nervous. Like I stated earlier, the character designs are probably the worst the series has ever seen, Nobuo Uematsu is no longer at Square Enix and is only contributing to one song, and the battle system is a drastic departure from previous games. This game still has the potential to be amazing, I know that. However, it's natural to be a bit nervous about it. I do applaud Square Enix for having the balls to overhaul the battle system, even though I've become somewhat fond of turn-based systems (I have a love/hate relationship with them, to be honest).

Originally Posted by Icy Angel

Summons, they weren't very orignal and I hardly ever used them, and characters.

I barely used summons at all either. But that's mainly because I picked the sword at the beginning of the game. I'm guessing you probably did too. That's another cool element the game has; your decisions at the outset determine how your skills level up as the game progresses. Had I picked the staff, I probably would have been reliant upon summons and spells much more than I was.

Originally Posted by Icy Angel

I have to say that using FF characters wasn't that original, though it did give me a laugh when I continually beat wakka over and over.

In all honesty, I was not too familiar with Final Fantasy before playing Kingdom Hearts, so the fact that they were included didn't really bother me at all. Now that I've become a lot more familiar with FF, I sort of see it as mere fan service, but at the same time, it's rather cool seeing characters from old games given new appearances and, in some cases, slightly different personalities. And although I'm not a huge FF7 fan (most overrated game of all time, quite frankly), it is cool to battle Sephiroth in real time.

Originally Posted by Icy Angel

One question if anyone knows, will Sora and the gang ever see Kairi again?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Icy Angel

And will they revisit worlds they saw in the first KH?

Absolutely. And the new worlds look fantastic from what I've seen. When I saw a shot of the Steamboat Willie world, I was amazed at how awesome it looked.

Originally Posted by buckeyes1186

Don't get me wrong, I want FFXII to be great. I really do. Thank you for letting me know how early of a demo it was, because that makes me less pessimistic about it. However, FFXII still has me nervous. , Nobuo Uematsu is no longer at Square Enix and is only contributing to one song, and the battle system is a drastic departure from previous games. This game still has the potential to be amazing, I know that. However, it's natural to be a bit nervous about it. I do applaud Square Enix for having the balls to overhaul the battle system, even though I've become somewhat fond of turn-based systems (I have a love/hate relationship with them, to be honest).

Oh, same here to an extent, I assure you.

Like I stated earlier, the character designs are probably the worst the series has ever seen

Actually, I would say the NES and SNES games had the ugliest character models. The only thing that made up for it was the awesome art style that was used to draw them. Let's face it: Terra wasn't that hot and Cecil looked like he had slits for eyes.

Nobuo Uematsu is no longer at Square Enix and is only contributing to one song,

Which ironically ended up not even being that good.

Back on topic: Watching Pirates of the Caribean in school today (WOOT to blow off classes!), I couldn't get my mind off the world in Kingdom Hearts II, and how they're getting such a blockbuster cast into an RPG.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful

Back on topic: Watching Pirates of the Caribean in school today (WOOT to blow off classes!), I couldn't get my mind off the world in Kingdom Hearts II, and how they're getting such a blockbuster cast into an RPG.

Yeah, the casting is another one of the fantastic parts of the Disney end of the bargain. It's pretty obvious that Square Enix would never be able to assemble such a great cast on their own.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful

Actually, I would say the NES and SNES games had the ugliest character models. The only thing that made up for it was the awesome art style that was used to draw them. Let's face it: Terra wasn't that hot and Cecil looked like he had slits for eyes.

Yeah, I kind of agree with you. Although the FF purists may murder us both for saying so. Yo****aka Amano's style was...interesting...but I don't find them to be good character models. Most of them are so flowy and ornate that you can't tell what the hell they are supposed to be. Yes, Cecil especially. The character art for his Paladin version looks like a really old man. The in-game menu images (for the GBA version, at least) are much better done. Cecil actually looks the age he is supposed to be.

Being one of my favorite games ever, Kingdom Hearts satisfied me to no end. It's the only game I beat 100%, all the way. With everything. I'm very glad that the wait for the sequel is almost over. All these cliffhangers are driving me crazy.

@buckeyes1186: No offence, but I don't a Goddamn **** who your friend is. TP's release date is April 1st unless Nintendo says otherwise. Not your friend.

Originally Posted by Radek

@buckeyes1186: No offence, but I don't a Goddamn **** who your friend is. TP's release date is April 1st unless Nintendo says otherwise. Not your friend.

Excuse me? I said nothing about a friend. If you mean Matt Casamassina, he's the editor of IGN Revolution/Gamecube. He's not my friend.

If you want to complain about TP's release date (or lack thereof), go to another thread.

I went ahead and removed that first paragraph from my original post, just to stay on the safe side.

I was (probably still am...) obsessed with KH and have been waitiing for KHII since I finished KH..... which was the year it came out.... So I can't wait. I have reserved it for months now....

Originally Posted by IluvZelda

I was (probably still am...) obsessed with KH and have been waitiing for KHII since I finished KH..... which was the year it came out.... So I can't wait. I have reserved it for months now....

Definitely feel for you, man. I only played KH a year ago, so I haven't had to wait that long.

EDIT: I checked your profile and I apologize for calling you "man". Haha.