Quite the mishmash.
Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts series is an odd beast.
In most cases, gamers either adore the series, or despise it for a variety of reasons. And the funny thing is that honestly, it’s easier to make a case for how bad the series is than how good it is.
Having said that, know that I am indeed a Kingdom Hearts fan. I have fond memories of my introduction to the series way back in the day with the original Kingdom Hearts. I enjoyed Chain of Memories for what it was, despite the radical, and often frustrating changes in the gameplay. And Kingdom Hearts II most definitely has a spot among my all-time favorite PS2 RPGs. I’m “under the spell,” as I like to say; one way or another, Kingdom Hearts just works for me.
A brief re-visiting of Kingdom Hearts II was all it took to re-confirm this fact. Cheesy voice acting, intensely melodramatic scripting, and embarrasing localization issues aside, the first few hours of Square Enix’s PS2 masterpiece amazed me today just as it did over three years ago. The question, though, is why?
What makes or breaks Kingdom Hearts is the setting itself: Disney characters and Final Fantasy heroes thrown into the same game, with a healthy dose of original (and very Japanese) content to buff out the storyline. It sounds crazy because it IS crazy. Nobody knew what the hell to think when the original Kingdom Hearts was announced oh-so-many years ago. Upon its arrival, the odd mishmash of characters and franchises either resonated with gamers, or it simply… didn’t. There isn’t too much more to say, frankly; people like myself find the concept charming, while others find it awkward and childish.
Regardless, it can’t be denied that the series has a hell of a heart behind it. Sora is a naive little toolbag, but I find myself relating to the guy nonetheless. He doesn’t really buy into the whole key-bearer nonsense, he just wants to find his friends and go back to a peaceful life on his lush island home. And, as the player, I find myself wanting the exact same thing. Kingdom Hearts has an awful lot of convoluted mythology behind it, which is honestly quite fascinating if you take the time to wrap your head around it. But the ongoing themes of friendship and devotion are what make the player connect to the experience – provided they can get past the heavy layer of schmaltz and melodrama.
This can't come soon enough.
It’s worth mentioning that the mechanics upon which the game is built are, for the most part, pretty solid. The combat is fairly straightforward hack-and-slash, with a pinch of obligatory RPG elements. Is it deep? No, not really. Is it broken? Not by any means. It’s fast, flashy, fun, and most of all, flashy. Kingdom Hearts is just one of those experiences that has a very unique, very over-the-top sense of style to it. And once again, this manner of flashy, stylized fun will either draw gamers in, or turn them away in disgust.
It’s hard to argue against those who dislike the series; it just doesn’t work for everyone. But it certainly works for me. I still consider the “opening segment” of Kingdom Hearts II to be one of the best found in any game, ever. The conclusion to Roxas’ tragic story brought tears to my eyes back in 2006, and three years later, it has the same effect. In Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix has the beginnings of a rich and long-running franchise. Here’s hoping they take the ball and run with it.
