Kingdom Come... Again
Kingdom Hearts II is here! Kingdom Hearts II is here!
Published: March 28, 2006
The first Kingdom Hearts was such a surprise hit that I don't think even Square or Disney knew how big it was going to get. And really, in concept, mixing Square and Disney franchises together in a game that's pure fan service seems like something that would just collapse under the weight of the combined licenses, but somehow the Japanese uberdeveloper pulled it off.
The result was a game that could suddenly be recommended to play who didn't even play video games, and when they did, they got equal doses of action, storyline, humor, heart and that sweet, sweet Squaresoft graphic panache. It's no surprise, then, that a sequel was quickly green lighted, but the slow trick of info that Square Enix has pushed out has been nigh unbearable.
Fortunately, we needn't bear it much longer. Kingdom Hearts II, savior of mankind, soother of crying babes, beacon of hope for Disney freak and RPG nerd alike, is upon us. This is the part where you start flipping out with pure, unchecked glee. Well, it's the part where we do it anyway.
“Kingdom Hearts II is a perfect demonstration of what can be created when two companies with astounding resources come together,” boasts Daishiro Okada, Square Enix's president and COO. “The result is an absolutely stunning video game that will engage gamers of all ages in multiple worlds both familiar and new."
“The creative collaboration between the Disney and Square Enix production teams has resulted in a game that is not only innovative but truly remarkable in scope,” adds Graham Hopper, senior VP and general manager at Buena Vista Games. “With the addition of new worlds from Mickey Mouse’s classic screen debut in Steamboat Willie to the current film franchise Pirates of the Caribbean, Kingdom Hearts II covers the spectrum of Disney properties.”
Business back-patting and ego-stroking aside, the game does look awesome, mixing Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Steamboat Willie, Tron, Aladdin, Disney Castle, Hercules, The Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas worlds in with 100+ Disney characters, tons of Final Fantasy references, new summons, and antagonists, and yet preserves the heart and storyline aspects that made the first game so good.
Square Enix added a Drive System that lets Sora, the game's hero, merge with his friends Donald or Goofy. This piggybacks off of a new camera system, deeper combat, and continues the storyline the didn't quite finish up at the tail end of the first game. This means Sora's still looking for his friend Riku, and Mickey will finally make an appearance.
We've already spazzed out over the game's Hollywood voice cast, but it honestly feels like there's reason to believe the hype. We'll have a full review here shortly to let you know one way or the other, so check back soon.
The result was a game that could suddenly be recommended to play who didn't even play video games, and when they did, they got equal doses of action, storyline, humor, heart and that sweet, sweet Squaresoft graphic panache. It's no surprise, then, that a sequel was quickly green lighted, but the slow trick of info that Square Enix has pushed out has been nigh unbearable.
Fortunately, we needn't bear it much longer. Kingdom Hearts II, savior of mankind, soother of crying babes, beacon of hope for Disney freak and RPG nerd alike, is upon us. This is the part where you start flipping out with pure, unchecked glee. Well, it's the part where we do it anyway.
“Kingdom Hearts II is a perfect demonstration of what can be created when two companies with astounding resources come together,” boasts Daishiro Okada, Square Enix's president and COO. “The result is an absolutely stunning video game that will engage gamers of all ages in multiple worlds both familiar and new."
“The creative collaboration between the Disney and Square Enix production teams has resulted in a game that is not only innovative but truly remarkable in scope,” adds Graham Hopper, senior VP and general manager at Buena Vista Games. “With the addition of new worlds from Mickey Mouse’s classic screen debut in Steamboat Willie to the current film franchise Pirates of the Caribbean, Kingdom Hearts II covers the spectrum of Disney properties.”
Business back-patting and ego-stroking aside, the game does look awesome, mixing Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Steamboat Willie, Tron, Aladdin, Disney Castle, Hercules, The Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas worlds in with 100+ Disney characters, tons of Final Fantasy references, new summons, and antagonists, and yet preserves the heart and storyline aspects that made the first game so good.
Square Enix added a Drive System that lets Sora, the game's hero, merge with his friends Donald or Goofy. This piggybacks off of a new camera system, deeper combat, and continues the storyline the didn't quite finish up at the tail end of the first game. This means Sora's still looking for his friend Riku, and Mickey will finally make an appearance.
We've already spazzed out over the game's Hollywood voice cast, but it honestly feels like there's reason to believe the hype. We'll have a full review here shortly to let you know one way or the other, so check back soon.