Kingdom Hearts is a Disney game which has grown into this new franchise that has proved VERY popular indeed... more popular than I personally had ever anticipated but now Square are stuck with this 'Disney' RPG which surly much have debilitating effects, especially on things such as storyline.

So my question... Does the Disney side actually add anything to the game or if Kingdom Hearts 3 had NOTHING to do with Disney (No Donald and Goofy... no King Mickey... No Disney worlds... not a single Disney aspect) would you be happier? It's never going to happen... but it's nice to think about it.

I'll add my own views later.

Personally I don't think the Disney aspect really adds to it except for giving them pre-made worlds already...I would prefer the game without the Disney, but since that would never happen, I'll just have to accept the fact and appreciate the games for what they are...

I thought the Disney elements worked quite nicely. I loved the Lion King, Aladin, and a lot of Disney films when I was younger. So seeing Winnie the Pooh and other famous Disney characters and worlds come to life in this game and making you able to interact with them was a positive experience for me. They were a big part of my childhood, and I think they brought together the Disney characters and the KH characters in a nice way that felt like it actually worked.
Some Disney worlds could have been handled better perhaps (I haven't played much of KH 2 so I don't know) but if the game was filled with only "Kingdom Hearts" worlds then I'm sure I'd say the same about a few of them.

They don't seem to have much to do with the main plot anyway except for a few certain characters like Mickey, and I'd like it to stay that way. They add something to the game that's separated from the main plot, but still part of the experience as a whole.

I want KH 3 to have Disney worlds again. I want to see more of Pirates of the Caribbean and also Cars, The Incredibles and some other movies that haven't been featured in the games yet.


~Edited in~

People easily praise Thundercats, TMNT, and other cartoons as being big influences during their childhood, and cheesy fun worth remembering. But for some reason they're quick to write off any appreciation they may have had for Disney. As if they didn't like it. As if it wasn't a huge part of all of our childhoods.
Today I actually appreciate the magic of some of these Disney films in ways I couldn't appreciate when I was younger.

I'm glad that they're not quite "dead" and forgotten, and out of our lives. Kingdom Hearts brought back some nice memories, and gave new life to some of my most beloved childhood memories.

I also thought that everything kind of fell together nicely and went smoothly. Sure, I guess it seems kiddish and may be better without the Disney characters in there, but it still made for a nice story where they all the disney stuff kinda mixed together and created an enjoyable enviornment.

Disney might not actually add much in terms of gameplay depth, but I doubt the KH series would have ever sold that much without Disney. Would I be happy without Disney? No, because when I played the first game it was an experience of playing a game with a bunch of new characters but at the same time with Disney characters which for some reason had this chemistry with each other. I just feel that it wouldn't be the KH I knew if there were no Disney in it, I'd rather have a as a new series if they are going to no-Disney in the future.

If you were to ask me if I thought the series could go on with equal or greater quality without the Disney aspect, I could only agree. However, if you think about it... would Square be able to pull that off without simply making it "the next Final Fantasy?"

As far as the game itself goes, I think the Disney aspect simply provides filler material for between the main parts of the story. Otherwise, it's basically just marketing. When they stamp that Disney logo on there, and include a bunch of Disney-related material, it opens up a larger group of fans-to-be than if it were just Square-Enix alone. (Which is kind of frightening to think about, when you know how much the SE logo sells to begin with. Haha.) The Disney material in the games provides a sense of nostalgia for a handful of people in the fanbase. It also... just kinda gives it a sort of "atmosphere" that I can't quite describe. Without it, though, I'm sure it just wouldn't quite "feel" like KH. Anyway, by now, I'm sure it's to the point that if Square-Enix somehow ditched the Disney stuff, I don't think it would affect the sales much, if at all.

I've been thinking about the idea these days, though. KH2 started to show a slightly darker and more mature side to the KH series, starting with the ASAS and DD trailers shown in the original game. I'm not sure of the possibility of completely ridding the series of the Disney material, but I wouldn't be too surprised if we started to gradually see less and less of it. I can't really say if it'd make me appreciate the series any more or less, though. I don't really mind having the Disney stuff in the game, as I feel they do a good job of mixing it all together to make it what it is.

I honestly don't know why people are so anal over the Disney aspect. I mean, it may seem really childish but it's hard to imagine Kingdom Hearts without the worlds being based on the popular series, or without the characters that were able to fight in your party, or all of the other NPC's that were existent. If anything, I think the Disney aspect is what helped set Kingdom Hearts apart from all the other cliche action RPG's.

You know, it's not like Kingdom Hearts is the only RPG with a kiddy, cartoony side. Most RPG's have something to match Disney characters to some degree. Final Fantasy for example, having a bunch of oddball characters that look more like Poke'mon, or creatures like moogles/chocobo's, etc.. I know KH is more heavily themed on Disney when it comes to themes and characters, but they're already moving away from that as it is. Compare KH2, or even KH CoM to the orginal KH, and you can see the Disney presence isn't as signifigant. So it wouldn't surprise me to see KH3 having most of its own original worlds with most or all Disney worlds being optional. I personally think the Disney combo works out nicely, as do millions of other fans obviously... It's something different that somehow blended well to make an interesting feel to the series. But it seems that along with the characters growing more mature, the storyline and main themes have as well. So I'd assume it's going to continue down that path, in which case seeing little or no Disney isn't too far-fetched. And I personally think it'll work nicely regardless of how much or little Disney is there, so I don't really mind either way to be honest.

People easily praise Thundercats, TMNT, and other cartoons as being big influences during their childhood, and cheesy fun worth remembering. But for some reason they're quick to write off any appreciation they may have had for Disney. As if they didn't like it. As if it wasn't a huge part of all of our childhoods.
Today I actually appreciate the magic of some of these Disney films in ways I couldn't appreciate when I was younger.

I'm glad that they're not quite "dead" and forgotten, and out of our lives. Kingdom Hearts brought back some nice memories, and gave new life to some of my most beloved childhood memories.

Well, it's not that people don't appreciate them anymore. It's just that the idea of throwing Disney and FF together like that into a single game where it has nothing to do with any sort of concrete plot is just plain silly to some people. Personally, if I wanted to experience the magic of Disney or FF again, I'd just watch my old tapes of those Disney movies I have, or replay my FF games. Honestly, I don't see much real purpose in just whoring Disney and FF as cheap gimmicks in a pretty much irrelevant story or game.

SquareEnix + Disney = Kingdom hearts. Without one of these, it won't be "Kingdom hearts".


As I have said above, if there is no Disney stuff in KH3, I would like them to remove the name of Kingdom Hearts away and make a new title. =)
I'm interested with KH because of the Disney atmosphere, so I can say I would be unhappy if KH 3 had nothing to do about it.


Hahaha. *anal rapes Apple* w00t

Hmm, I thought you never played the game? "Whoring Disney and FF as cheap gimmicks"? That's a pretty strong oppinion about the concept from someone who hasn't even experienced it. So how would you know how well they work when put together?
The old movies will always be there, but if they're not used again in any way or form then they'll be dead still.

Do you think that when I first saw Dumbo in the trailers, I went OMG Disney + FF, this is going to be great!
No, I didn't.
I'm all about either loving or hating KH, but you should at least get an actual opinion on it rather than just thinking the same as everyone else did before they played the game.

The first game, the mix worked well, but the second game? Nope. The first worked well since all the villains from the Disney World were alive, in the second, a good portion of them were gone. Maleficent and Pete? What the heck, man. I'm mainly complaining about the fact of the villains from Disney were lacking. Heck, you wasted so much time with Maleficent and Pete during K.H. 2, you didn't get enough face time with Organization XIII. Heck, you saw a couple of them once or twice before you fought and killed them. I just felt wasting the first half of the game with Maleficent and Peter seem like a waste of time.

I don't care about the Disney aspect, but how it's put into effect. I like what they did with the first one where all the villains allied together to collect all the princess for their grand plan. In K.H. 2? I don't know what the heck we were doing for the first half of the game. They lack enough Disney villains to use, too. Jafar and Hades were back, but Hades remain cool, but what the heck happen to him while fighting him with that stupid pose? The Jafar fight a complete and utter joke.

Disney been the main theme for both games, but Disney shouldn't have had such a major role in 2. Mainly, because of the lack of villains from the Disney side while Organization XIII had a great cast they ended up being wiped out easily, mainly at the final level. Disney theme should stay, but I hope it's put to better effect in the next game. 2 disappoint me, because it had a lot of potential and ended up not being used. 1 was decent, but the Disney theme was used well.


Mind giving us a list of cliche action RPG's?

I wouldn't like Disney gone from the games, the whole combination thing was what originally caught my eye with the first game. I'd like them to tone it down a little though, give the actual cast a chance to shine.

I think that it would still be a good game without the disney characters, but it wouldn't be as good. I mean, sure, they don't add much, but what they do add is so much fun and stuff worth adding. I really enjoyed the winny the pooh adventures in both KH and KHII. I also semi-enjoyed the pirates of the carribean world in KHII. it was alright, but it kinda sucked, monkey balls. I don't think that there will be any disney characters in KHIII because there will be just so much action and stuff with all these new key blades, and those three knights in the secrect ending of KHII, but they're might be. I also don't think that sora will be in it. But that's just my opinion. Excuse the fact that I don't use paragraphs, but at least I use good spelling and punctuation.

I haven't really played KH2 completely (it's my best friend's file) but so far, I like the Disney part of KH...

Seeing Mulan again was fun, sure she wasn't really much a good fighter but heck I loved the movie and Sora can take care of whacking the Heartless... That's just one thing... The costumes they wear are based on where they are and seeing Sora as a lion is cool IMO...

Well, if I didn't want the Disney part, I'd just play some other game, like the Final Fantasy series or something...

Another thing about the Disney part is that most storylines are based from the movie/cartoons we saw as kids, so to those who have watched, it wouldn't take long to understand how the characters are related and how the story goes...

I am assuming everyone here has beat both games so spoilers

I like the disney elements of Goofy,Donald, and Mickey in both Kingdom Hearts. Disney elements were sweet in the first but in the second they were lacking. In the first one Sora is sealing keyholes and looking for his friends. In the second one he is just looking for his friends, I felt like I was doing nothing in these worlds other than helping the disney characters. I agree that Org. XIII was not used enough in the beginning but I love the second game I think it made the series more mature and I think that is where the series is going. I read that the next game in the series will not be called KH3 but rather something like Kingdom Hearts: The Keyblade Wars.

I know that sounds korny it was just an example. Nomura also said that he does not know if Sora and Riku will be in it so there is still a possibility. I just watched the video where they fight the knight in Final Mix 2 and it looked like the world where the secret ending takes place. Since he said Sora and Riku might not be in it, it makes me think Goofy, Donald and Mickey will definately be in it. I think they should tell me what the message in the bottle they recieved at the end of KH2 was the one with the mickey stamp on it.

Maybe it is a new series like he said dealing with the keyblade and knigdom hearts and then later they make kingdom hearts 3. Using the whole FF13 vibe of making many games in a series to tell a grand story.

Nomura said that his next project will be the new KH series does this mean FFVersus 13 is finished.

I agree with Eva thinking they did too much disney worlds in KH:2. I really didn't like the disney aspects, other than your allies anyway. It wouldn't be KH w/o the disney, but man.. >_> I can only dream.

I also agree there was way too much. Flame and I actually just had a long argument over it haha

http://www.rpgdreamersforum.com/index.php?...0167&st=120


I don't feel like bringing up ALL my points again, but my main point was that there was TOO much Disney. Everything was influenced by Disney, and not enuf of KH2 was its original stuff and FF only made cameo appearances and in most cases they were altered from their original characters immensely.

Thats just waht made me upset, cause I like the Disney aspect, but htye suffocated the game with it

I think kingdom hearts need cartoon network and its characters. With ed edd n eddy and dexter and others the game just need to be interesting. That would be an interesting project.

LOL. what. I can't even comment on that, that's a terrible idea lol. Ed and Eddy and Dexter have nothing related to any kind of friendship, love, heart, or inspiration that Disney movies have, they're just silly characters on a badly animated cartoon show lol.

Ok that is terrible idea. Then maybe they could use naruto or shaman king or someone else. With naruto something should work out. Believe it.

I'd shoot myself if they did that.

Naruto would totally destroy Kingdom Hearts. No offense to the anime/manga, but what would adding that do to the series, exactly?

Disney, at least, remains true to form when it comes to the true aspects of what Kingdom Hearts really is.

as stated before, Disney gives the game a certain touch that makes it enjoyable and somewhat not so linear like other Rpgs, but its true that Disney needs to cut down on its over use of its worlds and its characters a little. When i played KH 1 it was fun wondering what kind of cool Disney worlds there would be and how it would tie into the story. I had a great time exploring all the worlds because they were basically a brand new experience. But in KH 2 it got rather dull rather quickly. There were a few worlds that were fun (Tron & Halloween Town) but yes Disney needs to back off just a little bit so we dont get bombarded by Disney characters continuously

They should cut down on the disney and put in more KH, but at the same time, I like the fact that it has disney characters, it's just that about 80% of KH2 is all about disney, you only hear about final fantasy and KH at the beggining and the end, most of the middle is all about disney.

I agree with the whole put in naruto thing, it should be cool, I mean, don't make a world of naruto, just make him part of the KH story, like axel was, make him appear in some parts and just leave and come back, you know, to add the surprise of having ninjas and things like that in the game, and if the add bleach, they can also add spirits and stuff. It'll be ninja and spirit heartless, that should be cool.

I'm really sorry to say this but the worst possible thing that Square could do to this game is add in Naruto...

I must admit... I'm glad that in KH2 they have picked Disney films such as Pirates of the Carribean, and Tron which aren't you're usual good Vs evil colourful cartoony style. Whether they worked or not, I don't know, but the point is that they're at least a little different.

I've been wondering why do we have such crazy love for a game with only two games that both came out in the 2000s.
Where's Seiken Densetsu props or Valkyrie Profile or Persona or Breath of Fire or heck the Chrono series(it has two games and rules)?

On another note I'm still very skeptical about KH

I think there should be another forum just for "Other popular RPG series"

Well it has three games actually (Chain of memories for GBA) and it's a very popular series these days. Popular rpg's get their own section, but the hype around Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire (we used to have a Breath of Fire section) etc isn't too high these days. No point in having a separate forum when only a few people are going to talk about them.

But for other rpg's, just post in their respective console forum, Sony, Nintendo, etc.

O ok I was wondering about that. KH meh popularity only ppl I kno that I've met that like em are those completely quiet kids who r by themselves at school, no disrespect but it does seem to be a bit more popular with the azn community than other ethnicities.

God I would have my own Chrono Trigger shrine a 12 year old game is still by far greater than over 90% of the games made since(certainly better than KH)

i thought the whole point of kingdom hearts was the curious team up, of disney and square characters.
thats what makes kingdom hearts kingdom hearts! thats what makes it unique. its a fantastic idea, and if square/disney cant particularly think of new ideas based around the disney worlds, then just leave the series at that.

The team up was a good Idea in my thoughts on the game. Teaming with Disney gave a good number of worlds for which to explore, each different from the last and unique in their own way. In KH2 I was giddy with joy the times I teamed up with Captain Jack Sparrow and got to be a mini lion in the Lion King World which was alot of fun. Many people feel it would have been better without Disney, but considering the game's moral basis is love, friendship, and the power of the heart, Disney was kind of a must for it since their pretty much the masters of touchy feely moments. And on a last note...I thank Disney for giving me the chances to ride the magic carpet in Alladin like that in the city as it crumbled, it was fun~!

As far as I know, the only thing Disney provides is the characters. the gameplay is done be Square and perhaps just a few people from Buena Vista games. Other than that, the Disney characters have provided an important role in both games. i don't think they'll start a new KH without them.

well I liked the disney in it...before the game came out and I only had trailers/pictures and such to go by I decided I hated it before I even played it...I thought the addition of disney into square-soft related things would be a complete disaster...well after actually playing it I was suprised at how quickly I fell in love...it was nice revisiting my past through all the disney worlds....however...I love the kingdom hearts storyline the most (regarding sora/riku/kairi) and wouldn't mind there being a few more of their parts in the game...I disliked the worlds that didn't really help the storyline any...I felt like the only reason I went to that world was to level up and get items...

Well i believe it would have worked out nice with or without disney the story plot was good and the different worlds were good but if kingdom hearts only had final fantasy it would only probably draw alot teenange attention like most of the final fantasies and they would have probably sold less then they did now well thats my opinion.

power of the heart, love and friendship, sooo lame. Even people who like that game complain about the Disney elements. I find that people like the gameplay more than anything, which is good because that's what matters, but nobody has raved to me about the story, graphics or anything else for that matter(yes I kno the graphics are pretty nice). Only thing I constantly here is the gameplay. KH is just one of those games I'll miss.

Well I found myself just a little bit excited about visiting certain Disney worlds in KH2... but I have been very dissapointed when I do get to them... The best example of that is the Nightmare Before Christmas World... I love the film and I liked the world in the first game but I just couldn't get into the story this time around. They have used some interesting worlds this time around in KH2 and more obscure titles such as Tron but overall I feel that Disney does detract from the real storyline. I love hearing about what's happening in the Hollow Bastion world, the whole Roxas story and the rest of Org XIII but it's always cut short because you have to go dance in Atlantis or some crap <.<

Disney suited the first kingdom hearts... but it feels quite awkward in the second game.

The team up was a nice idea. I just do not like how it turned out.
I was a big fan of Disney when I was a kid, but now I don't feel like watching it anymore, not because it is a cartoon, but simply because I do not like Disney anymore.
Considering the game is so heavily based on Disney and also quite immature I jusst never bothered to play the game to its fullest.
I'd rather see the game without Disney and maybe not so immature, well the characters that is.

See, I DO think it's a good team to have Sora, Goofy, and Donald, but it did get rather silly. I think it could have easily been done just as well if not better ifi t was more serious. I mean, there are plenty of games with Paladins (i dunno, Cecil for example), that were still great characters, while at the same time embodying the light.

It's just that the game is so dark that Goofy and Donald threw it off kilter. I understand the concept that if there's so much dark there needs to be a lot of light, but they went about doing the light the wrong way. I hope the series turns more toward a serious/dark side, because it's such a great storlying when exlcluding the DIsne movies.

I actually loved the Disney part of it. I pretty much love Disney movies (Pirates!) and I really liked that you got to play in the Disney worlds in this game. It was a nice little thing where you can be like, "Awww I love POTC and yes I will collect all 183 gold pieces back!"

Plus it was entertaining for my when I was in Disneyland a week ago and I was on the Alice in Wonderland ride and was remembering how that part of Kingdom Hearts was so hard for me.

I can't say if the game would be better with or without Disney in it but it would be a different game and at least they got all/most of the original voices of the characters to do the voice overs for the game. If they didn't have Disney in it then who knows it might have sucked. That's why I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with KH3 if there is one...