Kingdom Hearts

As for the gameplay, it may come as a surprise to learn that it doesn't actually feature, as all the Final Fantasy games do, turn-based combat. Instead it's essentially a scrolling beat-'em-up-cum-platformer with exactly the kind of complicated Square-style knobs you'd expect. The game may be a little shallow, but it's an impressive artistic achievement and to be quite frank any title that allows you to magically summon Bambi out of thin air to attack evil demons of the underworld has got to be worth some sort of recommendation. --David Jenkins

Product Description
Kingdom Hearts: Greatest Hits is a classic role-player for the PS2 -- now rereleased at an affordable price, for those who missed out the first time around! This is the story of Sora, a 14-year-old boy whose world is shattered. When a violent storm hits his island-paradise home, he is separated from his two best friends and goes to look for them. Meanwhile, King Mickey is missing from Disney Castle and Captain Goofy and the court wizard Donald are off to search for him. When Sora, Donald and Goofy meet, they hear about the Heartless: Strange and powerful creatures who caused the terrible storm and kidnapped King Mickey. They'll work together to help each other meet their goals - and have an incredible adventure as they go!

However, as it has many times over, Square has proven the critics wrong. Kingdom Hearts has gorgeous graphics that pushes the PS2 to its limits. Many of the Disney characters look and move as if they were ripped right from their respective cartoons. Disney has also spared no expense on voice acting, in many cases brining back a character's original actor when it came time to give the incredibly large ensemble cast voices

The game also features returning characters from Square's reknowned Final Fantasy series. Specifically, the game will feature Cloud, Aeris, Cid and Yuffie from FF7; Squall from FF8; and Tidus and Wakka from FF10. One of the most interesting scenes from Kingdom Hearts is a scene where Donald Duck and Aeris have a conversation.

Fans of the Secret of Mana will be excited to learn that the battle system is more like it than Final Fantasy. Fighting is done in real time and with little menus. Even spells can be fired off with menu-less ease by linking them to buttons on the control pad. This gives a very interesting feel since many of the spells come from the Final Fantasy series. Summoned Monsters are also used in Kingdom Hearts, but this time around they're Disney characters. Simba, Bambi, Dumbo, and Tinkerbell all come to your aid in battle.

In short, buy this game. Younger fans will enjoy the nearly limitless cast of Disney characters. Older fans and Square veterans will enjoy seeing familiar characters and the type of story that has made Square games the standard for RPGs. The story, while light-hearted at times, can also become incredibly dark. The packaged is rounded out with incredible music, not the least of which is "Light", an English version of Utada Hikaru's song "Hikari". For more info, visit Square's game site...


I hate people who judge games before they even play them   July 14, 2002
 10 out of 16 found this review helpful

Having played a demo version of this game at E3, I agree with another review. The fighting system is similar to Zelda (don't think Dark Cloud; think Ocarina of Time). To a different review that tried to muck up the game's rating on this site: to quote the televised FF10 commercial "Don't believe a word until you play it." This is not simply "another horrible attempt at games by Disney". Squaresoft obviously wouldn't let Disney Interactive sit down on the job for this masterpiece. The graphics on the PS2 are pushed to their limits yet again, the gameplay gets you hooked VERY quickly (again, think THE LEGEND OF ZELDA; a kid can slash with the sword, but the more complex actions take some practice) and the game is actually rated E. My 6-year old sister saw the trailer for the game on the demo disc that came with the most recent edition of PS2 Official Magazine; she doesn't like to watch me play video games, but when saw the trailer for this game, she became as ready to get it as I am.

All in all, I've pre-ordered it, and so should you ;)


Thumbs up to Disney/Squaresoft   June 16, 2002
 12 out of 16 found this review helpful

I played this game at the E3 convention in Los Angeles, and it is truly one of the best Disney games I've played. Visually beautiful, and equally fun to play. The fight sequences remind me of Zelda. The Halloweentown level ROCKS!! In the past Disney has tried very hard to come up with a game that tries to please kids as well as adults, and I often found myself dissapointed. Not with this one though. It's amazing.


Uhhhhhhh.....   June 1, 2002
 16 out of 23 found this review helpful

At first, this game may seem childish because of the 100 or more disney characters that apear in it and the look of the bright grapics and the fact that it is made disney.... The games grapics are great. Somtimes it feels like you are wathing a Disney movie. Gameplay isnt perfect, but it is close to it. With easy to use controls for people who [are not good] at pressing lots of buttons at onece. For the Square fans, there will be a variety of final fantasy characters making apperances. Including Cloud, Cid, Aeris (thought she was dead... maby they finally figured to use a pheonix down on her) , Yuffie, Squall (doesnt look like him though)and lots of others (how very exiting!). The storyline is good and will keep even older gamers glued to the TV. Dont pass this game up no matter what your friends tell you, or what your sick little mind thinks.


THIS GAME IS ONE OF SQUARE'S BEST   June 1, 2002
 27 out of 35 found this review helpful

... This game contains some of the best graphics and gameplay of any game on the market. It was completely developed by Squaresoft, by the creators of Final Fantasy. There are only a few camera issues. This game is not kiddy, it flows very nicely, and a good relief from the typical RPG. Characters from Final Fantasy games return, as well as all the famous Disney Characters. This title is a very imaginative and fun game, and i would recommend it to anyone with a brain.