Review By

Darrell Mashia

From time to time, there is a piece of entertainment that pushes the boundaries between entertainment and enlightenment. After I completed Kingdom Hearts for the first time, I removed the disk from my little black box and stared at the simple design of its label. I pondered how such an experience of profound enjoyment could be stored behind such a meager wrapper. As I stared closer, I began to see something that I had never seen before in a videogame: I saw myself. It wasn't my reflection in the plastic that was so frightening as much as it was the realization that it was I who was the architect of the videogame experience. Disney Interactive and Square gave me the plans and the tools for the job, but ultimately the job of creating a compelling game play experience was left to my imagination and I. It is this same self-engineering, or to borrow a phrase from Walt Disney himself, imagineering of my entertainment that made playing with action figures as a kid so enjoyable and is also the reason why I believe that Kingdom Hearts has received far more criticism than it deserves.

From the first moments of the game my mind began to run wild with thoughts of where the game that I had awaited for so long would take me. After all of the waiting and training screens, it turned out that the game's only destination was a place deep within my mind that I had long since forsaken—my child-like sense of adventure. The first moments of the games narrative transported me to a small deserted island. The island was much in the same vein as that in which young Peter Pan inhabited on Nevernever land. This island is a place where the ideas and problems of the real world are stripped away; the thoughts of responsibility or expectation are swept away and all that is left is the child-like sense of wonder that we all had on Christmas mornings so many years ago when we still wondered what was just behind the shiny bows under the tree. It is here that the game rooted itself and let my imagination (along with a few of my childhood friends from the Disney kingdom) take over.

All of the familiar faces that made waking up early on Saturdays special are present. But a group joins these characters that many of the relative newcomers to videogames have cut their teeth with, the Square stable. The most memorable of the Final Fantasy characters of the last two generations of gaming consoles are here, giant swords and all. It is with this composite of characters that I could play out my adventure. Much like as a child GI Joe fought alongside the Ninja Turtles or Superman action figures in massive battles against the forces of evil, Sora and his rag-tag band of brothers search each of the worlds from top to bottom as they fight the heartless.

It is the battle against the heartless that has come into question the most in Brad's review, but I have to say that I didn't find a problem with it at all. The battles reminded me of the battles I had with my action figures as a child. My head almost touching the ground as I leaned over the battlefield that was my backyard, I peered closely as He-Man fought wave after wave of bad guys and whatever other toys dared to challenge his greatness. Much in the same way that Kingdom Hearts' camera sweeps to sometimes the most awkward of positions, my eye would dart around the action as toys clashed together in battle. But in the end, when I didn't feel like He-Man needed to fight anymore, he would simply run away, escaping in the grossly disproportionate helicopter that GI Joe had waiting for him. If the fighting in Kingdom Hearts became tedious, I simply ran away. The heartless are not exactly an immovable force that requires vanquishing, those encountered on the streets of the levels can be easily avoided and those that appeared in rooms that needed to be searched were viewed more like free opportunities to receive "munny" than a hindrance to my exploration.

The camera also comes into question in the main review. Though I do feel as though the camera movement could have been a bit more cooperative, there was a part of me that found the struggle with the camera a bit invigorating. There is a certain sense of accomplishment that I feel when I overcome what could be considered insurmountable odds. In a room filled to the brim with heartless and a camera that seems a bit infatuated with Sora's crotch, it seemed as though the end was near. But with the quick use of well- placed button mashing and some help from my Disney compatriots, I not only emerged from the room unscathed, but also with a renewed interest in the fighting. The camera actually added to my game play experience by becoming the unknown variable in the otherwise monotonous fighting system.

As with all good things, my time in the Disney universe had to come to an end. With the conclusion of the final screens I sat in front of my television amazed by the journey that I had just taken. It wasn't what I was expecting by any means, but contrary to what many may believe, that isn't a bad thing. Instead of a game that would merely entertain me for a few hours and perhaps coaxes another $45 dollars from my bank account for a sequel, I received an experience that reminded me of my gaming roots. Before there were consoles connected to my TV there was something that was something else that occupied my time, something that can provide much more than a game, my imagination. Kingdom Hearts is a glorious celebration of the imagination of the child within us all.

Domestikgodes says...
I understand your disappointment with Kindom Hearts, but I don't wholeheartedly agree. I think we all were desperate to get a copy of Kingdom Hearts. It is an excellent premise. As usual, I think you were a bit too harsh on the game (Sorry Brad...this is the 2nd time I've said this!). My philosophy about videogames is that sometimes they're great, sometimes they're bad, but like sex, even the bad one's can be good to a point! I would never call Kindom Hearts bad, but it does have some problems. The camera angle problems and slow-down are the first on my mind.

The anticipation of this game and combination of creators was so high, that any imperfections lead to disappointment. Well, I thought it was great, just for the fun factor; seeing all of the Disney environments alive and well. (Oh, I totally do agree however about the overabundance of random battles!) The environments were beautiful, the concepts fun, the characters endearing, and the curve not too difficult. Some of my favorite games have imperfections, but provided the best amusement ever (Okage comes to mind) and that's what makes gaming fun -- simple amusement! Thanks for all you do!

RATING: 8.5

RATING: 9.5

I pretty much completely agree with Brad's review. I can't believe the huge amount of battles there are in this game. Of course they had to make the battles horrible as well. Why are the camera and lock-on so bad? Haven't they played The Legend Of Zelda?

The graphics are great, but the environemnts are just so small and are artificially lengthened by the huge amount of battles. Going from place to place just becomes tedious. The music is nice sometimes, but easily forgettable. The story's subpar and I felt nothing for the characters. The mini games aren't done well, they feel clumsy and awkward.

Overall, I'd have to say this is just an above average game. I have been suprised by the large amounts of great reviews this game received. Forty hours of my life could have been saved by reading Brad's review first.

RATING: 6.0

RATING: 7.5

You asked who this game was made for, I can't help but answer, "who couldn't enjoy it?" I personally felt a strong connection to the game as I played through it (3 times and counting) and constantly felt myself questioning why more games didn't play like Kingdom Hearts. Overall it just seemed so perfect and well rounded. The mini-games and side-quests balance out any flaws that there may be ON THEIR OWN. Each part of the game is enjoyable in some way (yes even the Gummi Ship sections), appealing if you pursue it enough.

While I found the camera to be slightly detrimental, I felt that it did no harm to the combat, even as I watched many of my friends—inexperienced gamers no less—easily fly through the most "aggravating" and "claustrophobic" areas. All-in-all, I can't comprehend how this game could get lower than an 8. Rating the game on my own, I'd give Kingdom Hearts: graphics:8.5 story:10 characters:9.5 idea:9.5 playability:9 audio:9.5

RATING: 9.5
Published: March 16, 2005

I was skeptical about this game to begin with. I've never really been a fan of Disney, but seeing as the creator of my beloved Final Fantasy was developing Kingdom Hearts, I gave it a shot. What a waste of time. This game is an absolute abomination. I don't care about the story or characters. The sound is great at some points, but many of the character voices will grate on your nerves. However, above all, Kingdom Hearts isn't any fun to play. It was cool to hear the Final Fantasy characters talk and the graphics are nice(a given with Square), but that doesn't make up for the game not being any fun. Kingdom Hearts quickly becomes a exercise in tedium. I don't think Brad was hard enough on this game. Avoid this "game" at all costs.

RATING: 0.5
Published: March 16, 2005

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