I believe that this game is a masterpiece and changed the landscape for Kingdom Hearts gaming going forward. It created new timeless elements with the flowmotion, quick abilities, and flashy movements. While many have downvoted those claims, I can honestly say 3 years later that it’s one of my favorite experiences in my gaming career.
Here’s 6 Reasons Why
1. The Graphics
After years and years of the same graphics engine for the previous games in the series, we finally witnessed the true power of Kingdom Hearts so to speak. From Big Hero 6 to Pirates, it was almost like each world had a complete overhaul. And in my opinion they’re the most lively that we’ve ever seen them. Some complaints brought up were the worlds are ‘bland’ or ‘disjointed’, but from my eyes they were fresh and vibrant. Nomura’s kingdom shader made each landscape unique through the original lens they were meant to be captured in.
2. Sora, Donald, Goofy
Ever since the we played the first game we seen their friendship dynamic grow and change. Sora received many power ups from his friends, but none more than the two Disney characters. The camaraderie they share is heartfelt and genuine. One of the biggest moments of the game, is when the two walk up behind Sora before the final battle with Master Xehanort and show all the support that he’s needed. In contrast to the scene in the original KH when they left him behind because he no longer possessed the Keyblade. During the experience of the game you laugh, cry, and see the sincerity of their dramatic moments: many for which stood out to me.
3. The Combat System
Now the combat in Kingdom Hearts 2 is definitely no slouch and is no doubt neck and neck with the combat of this game. Kingdom Hearts 3 has a sort of razzle dazzle when it comes to your abilities and it wows me even to this day. In the wake of Remind releasing not only did the combat system equal Number 2’s but in some ways in surpassed it. I can’t get over the amount of transformations there are in the game as well as the on the fly Keyblade switches. It made the game have that much more of versatile feeling.
4. REconnect Kingdom Hearts
The connections in the game, specifically in the endgame with characters was amazing to me. Seeing those reunions between the Seasalt Trio and the BBS Trio was a real treat. Also seeing characters interact with each other gave me great feeling of acknowledgement that the story was giving me. Some people may have felt like the story was jampacked in the last few hours of the story and in a way I would agree. But at the same time I disagree because the original story was progressing behind the scenes. It was just the meat and potatoes weren’t presented until later. I had a feeling this would happen based off of the previous games in the series. I don’t think KH3 should be treated as the red headed step child when other games have fallen to the same missteps. Moments such as Yen Sid finally going into the fray, the 10,000 heartless battle, Sora and Kairi sharing the paopu fruit, and Xehanort forging the X-blade was well worth the price of admission to me.
5. The Worlds
The worlds are the best we’ve ever seen them. They’re leaps and bounds ahead of the previous games in many ways. Of course the graphical overhaul is the first, but not the only progression. Pirates for example has some of the best graphics I’ve seen from Square to date. The fidelity to the Disney movies is uncanny. Kingdom Hearts 3 also still finds a way to bring some charm to the worlds by making unique puzzles and through each level’s interactivity. Each Disney world is distinct in its purpose and helps shape Sora as he goes on his journey. One of fan favorite moments was fighting Davy Jones while the Kraken attacked our heroes during the maelstrom. It was Epic!
6. The Key That Connects All
Sora is probably the best version of himself in this game. He is silly, likable, and mature in most ideal moments. Even though we see him give up at times, there’s no doubt that he can take on any foe. He is very sensible in the game and wants to see the best in everyone, even in the members of Organization XIII. You see even more that his friends are his power and he’s willing to do anything to see them happy.
Wrap Up:
Based on sales for Kingdom Hearts 3 I would say overall its a very successful game with many merits to show for it. We may not all agree on the decisions made in the game or even getting to this point after all these years. But, I believe with the uptmost confidence that Number 3 has the gumption of being in the top games of the series. And at this point of being a fan since seeing that old Disney channel commercial in 2001, I can honestly say its my favorite of the bunch.