Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)

Kingdom Hearts II is in every way a worthy sequel to the first, and perhaps even better, something that is difficult to believe.

The story starts out a little slow, however. You are virtually stuck in a bog of cutscenes. Overall, you probably move about 100 steps in the first few hours or so, which is not a lot. The fighting is pretty basic, and you have to put up with these annoying messages at the top of the screen every time you enter a significant battle. However, this all changes once you start out as Sora.

From then on, it is more like the original Kingdom Hearts, however there is a more controlled feel to the game. It may feel very linear at first, since you are often directed places and you don't really get a chance to explore. The majority of the boss battles are ridiculously easy on standard -- I would definitely advise playing Proud mode, especially since it makes it easier to get the secret ending later on.

The game has several new additions -- a new way of travelling to worlds, a new drive bar, limits gauge and summons gauge, as well as a new magic system, shorcut commands and reaction commands.

The new gummi ship system I found absolutely horrendous. It was more entertaining that the old game, where you could just leave the ship to fly itself while you nipped off to have some tea, but far more challenging for someone like myself, who is not a very experienced gamer. I found this a negative point, but this is just my personal opinion, I think that several people will enjoy this new feature, don't let me put you off.

The new Drive Forms -- there simply aren't words to describe how fantastic these are. Drive with Goofy, Donald, or both to gain new abilities or to just generally kick ass. I suppose the only fault of these is that they don't last long -- but then you can simply Drive again by using a very useful Drive Recovery item.

Limits are also useful, albeit a bit annoying. Donald and Goofy's basic limits are probably the ones you'll end up using the most as they can help you out in several boss fights, but the more interesting limits are saved for when you have people like Mulan, Auron, the Beast and Tron in your party. I myself didn't use them very often in the game, but they are quite interesting and fun for now and then.

Again with the summons, I think I used one summon the whole way through the game and that was by accident. The problem with this is that they use the Drive gauge, so you can't Drive. :( I much preferred Driving to summoning, thus the very low number of summons. I've heard that others have found them useful: to me, they are there if I'm desperate and nothing more.

The new magic system -- I hate this system to death, and nothing will convince me otherwise. Magic is measured in a bar, and the simplest spell like Cura will use all your MP, leaving you defenceless until the MP gauge powers up. Limits also take up all your MP. Later on in the game, however, once you are more experienced and at a higher level, the MP system becomes more bearable since you don't need to depend on it for health anymore.

Shortcuts are your saviour. You can now equip an item to your shortcut menu, something like potion or hi-potion makes up for the appalling magic system. There is the option of auto-reloading items after battle, a very nifty feature for those of us who are absent minded, but it does make you go rather rapidly through scores of potions.

Reaction commands. Despite being sceptical at first, I am now converted. Your helping hand in many a boss fight, these are a clever implant that makes battles simply more interesting and a fair bit easier at times. ;)

What else is there to say about this game? Despite its linear nature at first, you have to revisit worlds, meaning that by the end of the game you will have thoroughly explored them. There are the options of several mini-games all the way through, some exceedingly good fun, others, not so. The gameplay is good, the graphics excellent and the soundtrack every bit as wonderful as the first. The storyline will keep you hooked all the way up until the very last moment. Another bonus point [to me] is that Atlantica is now a side-quest, no more silly swimming! It's also easier to get the Ultima Weapon this time round, and with it, to face down the ultimate boss: Sephiroth...

I'd definitely recommend this game: to me this outstrips any of the Final Fantasy games and is on par with the last one. Despite a delayed release, I would advise to just wait for it: it's worth it.

After losing interest in kingdom hearts 1, I forced myself to complete it and I'm glad I did because if I hadn't I may have missed out on this superb game.

I'm 19, am a HUGE final fantasy fan and like most lads my age I can put up with a disney film although they aren't exactly a film of choice! However the integration between the 2 worlds is so surreal it fits perfectly. Unfortunatly the cheesy moments can be cringeworthy at times but thankfully there's not too many of them!

The graphics are superb - but thats the high standard square enix have been setting for years now.

The sound track is a mixed bag, but one which I really enjoyed. Original scores and disney classics sum it up but it fits the entire game to a tee.

Its surprising noticing all the disney references which come back to you from your childhood. Being honest the game made me want to go out and update my disney video collection.

The story is one of the best I have encountered on the PS2. Although it may be a good idea to play the first game first to get the jist of the story. But there is enough flashbacks and explainations for new comers - they may just find the game harder to absorb.

It's really hard to pick a downfall... but if I'm picky then they are the button bashing elements and the game being slightly too easy.

So heres a quick summary

Graphics 5/5 - perfect! PS2's graphics and processing being pushed to its limits.

Gameplay 4/5 - extremely fun and addictive. Just let down by the difficulty and button bashing

Storyline 5/5 - like all good stories it has to end somewhere and it does it superb fashion.

Soundtrack 4/5 - Would have been 5 but for walking round for weeks whistling the winnie the pooh tune!

Overall - BUY THIS GAME! =) you won't regret it!

The thing that struck me about this game is the sheer amount of different tactics you have to use to get through the game. With each boss you have to learn interesting ways to defeat them, be they in teh way you evade attacks, special attacks you can perform or the way you defend yourself.

Also you can interact with most of the environments to help you out in battle in one way or another which really got my interested. Another point about the environments... it's HUGE! The whole game is big, you can find yourself getting lost for quite a while in some worlds, especially at the start of your visit.

The gummi ship system is much simpler this time round and a hell of a lot more fun.

The only thing that let me down was that the story was a bit pants, considering you spend most of the time helping out Disney characters and not focusing on the real story at hand which starts well, fizzles out completely in the middle and then picks back up towards the end. However, with such great gameplay, fluid battles and good graphics it really doesn't bother you too much.

Real highlights are the POTC world, the Lion King world, the black and white section of the game and the start, which is the most confusing opening I've ever seen in a video game.

The low parts of the game are really only limited to the Mulan world which was rather irritating... although that might have been because I've never seen Mulan.