The unique Kingdom Hearts is considered one of my favourite video games. It is an emotional expertise, filled with storytelling that completely captures the childlike surprise and horror of the better world round us (and I will even defend its notorious Atlantica world to the grave). I do, nevertheless, must be in the proper headspace for the unique recreation to completely respect it. As for its sequel, Kingdom Hearts 2, I by no means want to fret about setting that good temper.
Ever because it was ported to PlayStation 4, I have been booting up Kingdom Hearts 2 yearly. From messing round in a accomplished save, to ranging from the very starting, I have been discovering that there’s at all times one thing new to like about Kingdom Hearts 2.
Acquired It Memorized?
Kingdom Hearts 1 was a surprisingly mature recreation, and relied on lore reveals to set its tone. Histories of genocide, conflicting revelations that may both increase or reply questions you had about what the brand new data was contradicting. KH 2 as an alternative focuses extra on the theme existentialism, within the type of new enemies known as Nobodies.
However Nobodies technically do not exist, resulting from having no Coronary heart. Group XIII seeks to steal numerous Hearts as a way to power Kingdom Hearts to make them complete once more. Sora is tasked with stopping them, however for the primary two hours of the sport, you play as Roxas, who you’ll quickly discover out can be a No one.
Teenage me did not perceive why Roxas took up a lot of the story. He was a stranger, and I needed to know what Sora was as much as. I did not care about his boring buddies, I cared about getting Sora again. And also you do get Sora again, however to ensure that that to occur Roxas must sacrifice himself, which he does so willingly, and as a No one it means he’ll merely vanish. The older I get, the extra I’ve come to understand these tragic early hours with Roxas.
The cutscene depicting Roxas’ demise, with him saying the parting phrases “It seems to be like my summer season trip, is over” earlier than Sora is about to be revived, is among the most hard-hitting storytelling in RPGs, someway changing into an increasing number of profound with every playthrough together with my appreciation of Roxas himself.
The remainder of the story makes it even worse, context lets you already know Roxas was unloved again when he was a part of Group XIII, little greater than a pawn as a result of he may wield a Keyblade like Sora. They used him, and technically, so did you. Since you needed to play as Sora. That is some heavy stuff.
The Disney worlds hit this too. Moments like Jack Skellington and Sally dancing collectively in Halloweentown, the real shock that Scar grew to become a Heartless, or Sora being digitized to fulfill up with Tron. There’s nearly at all times a spotlight for the Disney characters, both proper within the feels or via improbable fight.
And it is taken me some time to appreciate this, however Xemnas is the best villain within the franchise. Ansem The Seeker Of Darkness labored as a plot twist in Kingdom Hearts 1, one thing not really shocking, however that also answered so many questions I did not know I had. Xemnas, nevertheless, manages to have the extra fulfilling persona. He is smug sufficient that it is at all times satisfying to bury the Keyblade in his face, however similar to the opposite members of Group XIII, none of his unspeakably evil actions fully erase the underlying sympathy; he’s, in any case, a nonexistent being in search of function.
The Mark Of Mastery
KH 2 at all times had an edge by way of fight over KH1. Even at the moment, it is shocking how this was a PlayStation 2 recreation. It feels very mid-to-late-stage Ps 3, it is quick and kinetic with tons of gimmicks below the hood. That at all times made it really feel simpler again within the PS2 days, with exceptions just like the combat in opposition to Xaldin. That is the place “press X to win” memes got here from. X was the assault button you see, and spamming it was normally all you wanted to assert victory.
For that PS2 unique, that is nonetheless true, however the Remaining Combine model that by no means left Japan till the HD ports added quite a lot of modifications that showcase how essential each mechanic may be. We’re speaking new secret bosses, further minigames, even new cutscenes and for some purpose enemies acquired recolored.
After I replay KH2 as of late, I play on Important, one thing I discussed whereas discussing the significance of problem settings. It is risk-reward as much as eleven, and calls for you place inventory in studying Sora’s talents, in addition to bothering to degree up your highly effective Drive Varieties.
Have you ever ever heard the phrase “I want I may return and play that recreation for the primary time another time”? That does not actually apply right here, as a result of to me Kingdom Hearts 2 has gotten higher with age. I by no means wish to return to whining about Roxas hogging the tutorial, or how the fight is just too straightforward. I’ve discovered simply how nice Kingdom Hearts 2 actually is, and I do not wish to overlook any of that. I will stick with replaying it yearly as an alternative of wishing for Namine to erase it from my reminiscence, thanks.
