TrojanMan
12-04-06, 05:11
Not exactly saying much considering I wasn't expecting a terrible amount, but I was definately impressed to a larger amount than I had anticipated.
Visuals: As expected, the graphics are stunning. Extremely vibrant with excellent looking environments and highly detailed character models. Overall however, it's the explosively amazing effects that really drive the graphics home in a stretch limo.
Gameplay: Very, very button mashingly friendly, but still fun, and Proud mode offers a pretty challenge, that is very unblanaced however. Some of the most difficult moments of the game were simply normal battles, which were much harder than bosses. Still, dozens of abilities, lots of keyblades to collect, and a fun, flashy, and surprisingly satisfying combat system. The worst part of the gameplay is that there are so many annoying enemies in the game, I can hardly stand it. Lots of Heartless and Nobodies I just hated fighting because of their frustrating attacks.
Story: The most disappointing part of the game. Literally 80% of the game's content consists of Sora, Donald, and Goofy solving everyone else's problems, with no bearing at all on the overall storyline. Even when the story was there, a lot of the twists and turns were pretty weak. Nothing spectacular happens until the last two-to-three hours of gameplay.
Voice Overs: I wasn't really impressed by the voices in the first Kingdom Hearts, but II is a definate improvement. Some voices are drastically hurt, like Aeris and Cid, while Yuffie and Sora are definate improvements. Rachel Leigh Cook makes a great Tifa, and gives me much hope for the US version of Advent Children.
Music: Just as memorable and varying as ever. Can't really say what hasn't been said about every other Square game in existence.
Value: This hurts a bit. I was told in previews that Kingdom Hearts II was "a massive game" and that "there was a enough content for four games." Please, there's barely enough for one, especially considering this an action-RPG. Still, in the 26 hours it took me to beat it, it was a blast.
Overall, I loved it. The gameplay kept it going, as did the interesting cast, great voices, wonderful music and jaw-dropping visuals, so I can forgive so annoying enemies and bad story pacing.
Using GameSpot's average category scale (which I love)...
Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 10
Sound: 9
Value: 9
Tilt: 9
Average Overall Score: 8.9
Visuals: As expected, the graphics are stunning. Extremely vibrant with excellent looking environments and highly detailed character models. Overall however, it's the explosively amazing effects that really drive the graphics home in a stretch limo.
Gameplay: Very, very button mashingly friendly, but still fun, and Proud mode offers a pretty challenge, that is very unblanaced however. Some of the most difficult moments of the game were simply normal battles, which were much harder than bosses. Still, dozens of abilities, lots of keyblades to collect, and a fun, flashy, and surprisingly satisfying combat system. The worst part of the gameplay is that there are so many annoying enemies in the game, I can hardly stand it. Lots of Heartless and Nobodies I just hated fighting because of their frustrating attacks.
Story: The most disappointing part of the game. Literally 80% of the game's content consists of Sora, Donald, and Goofy solving everyone else's problems, with no bearing at all on the overall storyline. Even when the story was there, a lot of the twists and turns were pretty weak. Nothing spectacular happens until the last two-to-three hours of gameplay.
Voice Overs: I wasn't really impressed by the voices in the first Kingdom Hearts, but II is a definate improvement. Some voices are drastically hurt, like Aeris and Cid, while Yuffie and Sora are definate improvements. Rachel Leigh Cook makes a great Tifa, and gives me much hope for the US version of Advent Children.
Music: Just as memorable and varying as ever. Can't really say what hasn't been said about every other Square game in existence.
Value: This hurts a bit. I was told in previews that Kingdom Hearts II was "a massive game" and that "there was a enough content for four games." Please, there's barely enough for one, especially considering this an action-RPG. Still, in the 26 hours it took me to beat it, it was a blast.
Overall, I loved it. The gameplay kept it going, as did the interesting cast, great voices, wonderful music and jaw-dropping visuals, so I can forgive so annoying enemies and bad story pacing.
Using GameSpot's average category scale (which I love)...
Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 10
Sound: 9
Value: 9
Tilt: 9
Average Overall Score: 8.9