Changed Opinions on KH Games

[Launchpad]

The thing about KH2 is that it's a very particular experience compared to 1, 3D, and 3 (my favorite games). You sort of have to concede things and nerf yourself in order to enjoy it.I think of it as a game thst is almost like adrenaline, you're always supposed to be moving straight forward, not taking any time to breathe, explore, level up, whatever. Even the hallway design is a part of that, trying to discourage you from doing anything but going forward. I just generally enjoy platforming, exploring, grinding in games which is why it's lower down the list in my rankings.

But it feels like a very long and full game with the FM additions. Getting to lvl 99 happens without trying (unlike 1 or 3), just from following the natural sequence of the game. I particularly felt like the Drives benefitted in FM, too--the addition of Dodge Roll on top of another form (not to mention all the new synthesis recipes) just fill out things more. I used to always think the game dumbed down SDG, but I suppose the game was attempting to highlight how different the state of things are after what they accomplished in 1, that they don't have to be as serious or worried now. Plus something about the scene after they meet Mickey at the train station, it's almost as if D&G think this might just be one last adventure with Sora before they all return home and they just want to enjoy the experience this time after thinking they'd never see one another again at the end of 1. That's how I look at it more now anyway.

Oh, despite KH2 being one of the most smartly crafted KH games, it still has the most things that stick in my craw. I've got more beef with KH2 than any other title, mostly BECAUSE of its pedigree as the supposed followup to KH1. Like, you say that KH2 is a game where you keep moving forward without side stuff, but I can't even chalk that up as a positive when you have to grind the stupid drive forms to get the movement abilities that make Sora feel complete. There's so much nonsense minigames that exist only to waste time, like guiding Lumiere to lanterns, hitting a prison door until enough orbs come out, finding the correct cube in a room of cubes, just so much not-fun stupid shit that it feels insulting to even include...

But, putting it next to KH1 and KH3... I forgive KH2, because KH2 is fun. Because it succeeds in areas that KH1 and KH3 don't even approach. It is the KH game with the fancy combat, so nowadays in the fuller context of how meticulous KH1 is, and how grand KH3 is, I can moreso get behind how narrow and laser focused KH2 is.

 

[Elysium]

That first paragraph sounded critical--I guess it is to some degree, just in the sense I still prefer 1, 3, and 3D's way of doing things--but it was more explaining how I came to understand and enjoy the game. I recognize they wanted you to constantly be moving, not stopping. Once you accept it, it can be more enjoyable for what it is.

I'm still not overly fond of Drives, but I came to appreciate them a little more when using them to handle the Mushrooms and Data Battles. It was interesting to learn all these little things about how the different Drives can be used since I was forced into using them. Mostly before FM, I would never use them except to lvl them up fast enough to get the growth abilities and that was it. I guess in a lot of ways I would fight with the game to make it more like I wanted to be rather than trying to accept it as it is.

I can't remember right off--did the Drive Forms level up two levels fewer in original release versus FM? Or were they the same amount?

 

[Guernsey]

I will admit that I was too critical of the overall story of the games but I am still not a fan of how they approach the writing of the games. It could say more about me than it does about the writing practices but I still think the games could be more episodic as opposed to serialized.

 

[1millionsquats]

I thought KH3 looked pretty good at release. And it still does at points, but now that I'm playing through it again I can't help but feel it looks off. I can't put my finger on it, maybe it's the color balance or the way light interacts with the models? It's all way too soft and uniform. Is everyone made of plastic?

Andy's room and street in Toy Box are some of the better looking areas of the game to me. This may or may not be due to characters being actual plastic toys.

 

[Launchpad]

KH3 looked a lot better to me on my lil crappy 1080p tv. It's still a gorgeous fucking game but its imperfections have a tougher time hiding at higher resolutions

 

[SweetYetSalty]

A lot of my opinions have changed on KH over the years. But it's mostly story and character related. Gameplay wise most of my early opinions remain the same.

Namine: Namine was a character I originally didn't like that much. Mainly because after CoM she stops feeling like an actual character. I've recently come around on her and like her a lot more. This is mainly because the novels really fleshed her out and in turn I find myself enjoying and appreciating her role much more.

DDD's story: I've gone from mildly enjoying this games story, to despising it, to enjoying it again, to outright hating what it did. Nowadays I think the main thing I like about this game is the Dream Eaters and introducing me to The awesome Rhyme I mean the World Ends With You Cast.

Recompletion: I mentioned this in another thread and this goes back to me DDD story bit...or was it Re:Coded? I hate recompletion of the Heartless and Nobody. Previously I never gave it much thought but the more I replay the series the more this new bit of lore sours my enjoyment of Organization XIII. They all could have been human again if they just had Roxas kill each member and thus the entire group would have achieved their goal in a matter of minutes. People will say that 'Nobodies regrowing hearts' ruined Nobodies, no it was Recompletion. It was the laziest of ways to revive and keep Organization XIII around. People whine about Roxas and Xion coming back but not the 11 other people who inadvertently gained immortality through recompletion.

KH1 Guard: This is a minor one. And it's probably because I really came to rely on Guard in future games after it but I don't enjoy the KH1 guard timing as other games like I use to. KH1 is still my favorite and guard is still useful when used right, but half the time I think parrying is just as good if not better in certain situations.

KH3 Attractions: I never disliked this, but I use to find them distracting. Now I love them if only because there is no better way to beat DarkAqua then with a fun Disney World pirate ship. That's how you're supposed to beat edginess.

KH Summons in general: I use to think Summons were pointless beyond Tinkerbell's Auto Life. Just a waste of MP and getting rid of my potion/Donald-healers for something else. But after years of experimenting with Summons/Links they are one of the most fun mechanics in every KH game. It really showed how I was just a simple X button masher before lol.

KH1 Magic: Much like the summons, I rarely used magic beyond Cure when I originally played. I was a Keyblade X button masher. Nowadays I love overusing magic, especially in KH1. It's so stupidly broken and that makes it fun to abuse and explore. KH1 is probably one of the most fun games to go back to and discover new tricks in.

Saix/Isa in KH3: Oh boy! This is the biggest opinion change of the franchise for me. If anyone remembers my thoughts on KH3 back in 2019/2020 I praised the writing of Isa. Never has my opinion changed as hard as this one. After going back from the entire series from KH1 to KH3, to put it in short terms, I despise the offscreen character redemption, that they wasted Roxas and Xion's revival on him, and his inclusion in the KH3 ending has actually soured my enjoyment of the otherwise perfect Clocktower ending. It's like seeing a stain that can't be wiped away. That's the short/nice version of it.