Ok I'm currently playing Tales of the Abyss, Metroid Prime and when I get the 360 around xmas Halo 3 or Mass Effect.
Tell me why I honestly would want to play KH. I've been so skeptical on this series and the constant reviews and complaints support my initial idea. I'm finally now willing to try these games, but I dunno if I even should.

Also most of you hate KH compared to KH2. Would it be fine n dandy to play KH2? I have no idea when I'll play them but I've been wondering for ages. Plus they sound like rental material!!! yeh

maybe KH3 will be wonderful?

Well mainly, as simple reason as to why you should play any other game. It's a good game.
I don't think most people hate KH1 though. I mean among those who played through both games. It's just that the second one has a much more refined battle system. Take Zone of Enders 1 compared to Zone of Enders 2 for example, and you get a pretty accurate comparison.

Unlike what most people seem to think, KH has a very epic, and original story in spite of having themes of Disney and FF mixed in. Those are usually kept out of the main plot, and only acts as worlds you visit on your journey.

Watch this video for example. (There might be an add first.)

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/18256.html

KH has a darker theme below the surface. And it plays on some symbolism and religious themes that a 10 year old most likely won't be able to appreciate in the same way an adult would. However, that darker themed story doesn't really start to get focused on much until towards the end of the first game. In the second game (the one for GBA) and the third (Kingdom hearts II) it becaomes a lot more apparant, and is the central theme of the games.

But skipping the first game is probably not a good idea. They're all direct sequels of eachother. The story more or less concluded with the third game. Leaving a few things unanswered though. But the next game will focus on a different story, (and won't even be called Kingdom Hearts, from what I read) but will still be related to Sora, Riku and Kairi's story somehow. The only skippable one is the one for GBA, because they explain the events of that game somewhat in KH 2.

well, KH1 wasnt bad, but i cant tell you about KH2, i was watching my friend play it though, i think it sucked. but i cant rly judge a game by lookin, although i already did. oh wellz.

I guess people would not like Kingdom Hearts just because it seems childish, what with the Disney characters and all. I played through the first game (and the second) this summer, and while there were times that the characters bothered me, I kept playing because it had a fun system and because of the story. There’s a lot of underlying meaning in the games, as Athrun said, so you kind of have to delve into it on your own to understand it all.

Overall it’s a good game. I wouldn’t even say I like KH2 more than the first installment. Both have their moments. People would most likely say they like the second game more just because the story is more advanced all around. Though, I wouldn’t skip the first game. There is still a lot in the first that game would be good to know before playing the second, and could help in understanding the plot of the games better.

So yeah, I dunno. I think it’s definitely a series worth checking out at the least. If you don’t think you’ll actually like them, I guess just borrow them from a friend or rent them first. I think they’re worth it, but I suppose it just depends.

AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS.

in both games, the gameplay gets boring fast. you like button-mashers? you like button-mashers inwhich you only use one button? That's kingdom hearts in a nut shell. all you do is go from world to world mashing X (and occassionally usin spells) through waves of enemies. very little strategy required. also, the ally AI is very lacking.
also, the story has so many plot holes, it really takes from the game- even though the story isn't very memorable. Villian at the start are nothing more than plot devices as the story makes an unanounced transition to the 'real' story midway through.

also, everyone who played KH keeps bragging about beating Stuperoth. i've played both games (and regret it) and have beaten Stuperoth (those were easily forgettable fights)... Stuperoth was a very pathetic villian in FF7, why should i make a big deal about him being an 'ultra hard' boss in KH?

To the point- both games are mediocre at best. dull characters with a monotonous hack'n'slash system and a flawed story, and an overhyped aura don't make them "teh GR34T3ST G4M3S 3V4H"
if you're over the age of 15 and not a diehard FF freak, then trust me. if you don't believe me, rent them. they aren't all that remarkable.

play Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria.

QUOTE (Sigs Minock @ Dec 10 2007, 10:00 PM)

AVOID LISTENING TO ME AT ALL COSTS.

^Good advice.

Hold up, boyo... You play MegaTen games- and you enjoyed the Kingdom Hearts games? unless i've mistaken you for someone else who had a Persona 2/DDS avatar, something is seriously wrong with you.

anyway, my opinion has been state. i hated them; shallow characters, boring story, boring hack'n'slash, neurotic controls.
i like games with substance; not games slathered in mainstream hype.

You did.
JD-San does not Equal J-5.

I personally didn't enjoy Kingdom Hearts, myself. Never played the second. Its all a matter of taste, though, if you think you won't like it, you most likely won't.

(I didn't enjoy VP2 either, but VP1 is a masterpiece )

I would say you should give them a shot, they aren't quite as childish as they might look, and the combat system is pretty fun. Some of the worlds are fun to explore as well, though it is a little awkward controlling Sora while swimming/flying, but overall it's fun.

Some people are capable of having varied tastes lol! I love the Megaten games and I happen to enjoy Kingdom Hearts (and Final Fantasy for that matter).

@Hoodman
If you happened to enjoy the Disney movies growing up as well as playing Final Fantasy then I would definitely recommend picking them up I got a great nostalgia trip playing Kingdom Hearts, it brought out the kid in me big time and I'm 28 married with a kid of my own.

Why play KH? Well, it's kind of deep, if you really take it in. I think that kids would play it for the game itself, not the true meaning. Well, in KH, there's lots of emotion, action, violence, excitement...the Disney characters are a vital part of kh, btw. Disney people are childish, but they create a nice effect on the excitement of the game.

well guess I'll rent or borrow them, because I love both FF and all those 90s Disney classics, but am just not big on the mixture of the two. But I'll check em out thanks guy, hah I can see everyone is split on like or dislike.

I'm with the crowd that says to go for it. If anything, you could just a used copy of the first game for just as much as it would cost to rent it at a Blockbuster, and if you do not like it it would not be a big lost to you.

Anyway, while the plot is average, perhaps slightly above if anything, I loved the gameplay. Granted, Sigs Minock is right on the account that you are mashing X about 80% of the time or so, but there is something about watching Sora doing all of these amazing stunts, flips, hacks and slashes that make it so fun to just keep mashing that button. The fights you get into are numerous and there are actually some tough battles towards the end of the game. Though, it might have been because I was younger back then that I had such a problem with those fights, but none the less some of them are hard.

If you like adventure RPGs in the realm of Secret of Evermore or Odin Sphere then I do not see why you would not like this game as well. Similar concepts really, just in 3-D.

wow i just started playing Flyff, but i will defintely try out this game after reading your reviews.

Its a good game when i got the 1st one i was a little sus on it and i didnt wont to play it becuase i thought i was a kiddy game but there both good games and the fighting systems are also good and how u can get combo upgrades many different worlds to explore get it play it dont ask people what they think of the game play it and get ur own oppinion

I by-passed the first game and have only played the second one. (I think I'm almost done with it though...) but ya, solid game. I only bought the second one because I saw it on sale

Graphics are cool. Some parts will literally bring you to tears (Little Mermaid area.... groanage) but other levels are solid and a lot of fun to play (especially the Aladdin level) I would recommend it.

I can still remember the last boss in KH2 i think its one of the best fights i have ever played on a game its amazing And the story in KH2 is also amazing they wraped it up niceley i cant wait for 3

At first I thought Kingdom Hearts was one of the fruitiest games in the RPG world and refused to play it. "Wtf keyblade? How gay is that" is close enough to my first reaction. Eventually after hearing about it so much from my friend and after growing more in to the RPG genre I decided, why not give it a try?

Once I begun playing the first Kingdom Hearts I fell in love. I was addicted. Of course the beginning was not that great but I eventually deeply got in to the storyline. I even bought the manga. If you are like myself and mainly play RPG games for the storyline then go for it. Purchasing the first or the second, it is up to you. I recommend you play the first game first but that is my opinion. I do not like jumping in to a series without beginning from the start of the series. I have beaten both and enjoyed both games equally although the 2nd was better combat wise. Now that I think about it, if you were to play the 2nd game first you would be quite confused unless you were to read the storyline from the first game. In the end, I recommend both games in a heart beat.

Good luck with your decision.

Figured I'd drop a pos tin here, and let you guys know today I bought KH1, my first ever go or even look at the KH series. I felt motivated by the fact there's a DS game coming and I wanna udnerstand the story. I've only really played about 20 mins of it, can't say I enjoyed getting shoved into tutorial straight away, but I have a good feeling and positive attitude about the game XD I was always put off by the disney aspect ( i love FF, and i lvoe disney, but together??), but its not or never and I'd rather give the series a go, especially since ps2 games are so cheap now. I'll let you guys know how it goes ^^ lmfao at Wakka's voice btw.

Kingdom Hearts is amazing for KH2 not KH1... but u must play KH1 first absolutely

it really is a great franchise that's headed in a good direction. People always made fun of it for "milking the cow", and partly it did, but they put a LOT of work into the games, especially with Nomura heading the whole project, and u know that it's a quality game when he does it.

Its always worth trying out a game.

I'm the same as Mushroom, bought it the other day and at the same place just the start of Traverse Town. Wasn't impressed by the start, in fact the start was awful but I have faith and hope it gets better. Yeah Wakka's voice. Wtf? Lol.
Let you guys know if I start to like it anytime soon.