KINGDOM HEARTS II REVIEW

Square-Enix released Kingdom Hearts a few years ago for the PS2 and no one in the gaming industry was sure how a story based around Disney movies and final fantasy characters and an unsuspecting main character.

Up till a few months ago fans of the first Kingdom Hearts have been huddling around their Gameboy Advances playing Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories (which also included FMV - full motion video - from Kingdom Hearts for the PS2) and then there was Kingdom Hearts II (herein called KMII).

Being released almost 6 months ago I have definately had enough time to write a review for KMII and here it is.

STORY

KMII continues the story from Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories. You still have your cast of characters from the previous games including Sora, Donald, Goofy minus Riku.

You start as a new character named Roxas with his own band of friends and and his own set of problems.

You're looking for King Mickey still when you're in character with Sora and Riku's disappeared completely off the map.

If I tell you more it will give away the story.

GAMEPLAY

The controls are much better now. The triangle button is the dedicated action button now and also doubles as a special combat move button. During attacks on certain enemies you can press triangle and Sora or Roxas will execute a special attack.

Sora and Roxas also have the ability to use more than one keyblade. SAAAWEEEEEET!

The camera has improved like 2000%. It's not stupid anymore and it is controlled by the R stick now. So much easier.

The rest of the controls remain the same.

GRAPHICS

The graphics are a great improvement over Kingdom Hearts I. So much of an improvement that this game actually proves to push the PS2 to its limits.

Colours are rich, characters well-detailed, and menus graphically stuning and easy to navigate.

Beyond that there isn't much more to say.

They FMVs are visually stunning and really show the maturity of the PS2 and Square-Enix's artistic ability.

SOUND

Yoko Shimomura is the mastermind behind the music in KMII an deserves a round of applause. His music ranks up there with Nobuo Uematsu (who has now left Square-Enix and has his own company) and really adds to the game.

Utada Hikaru is the vocalist for the theme song again and the theme is just unreal. To add another demension she even reversed her voice for the soundtrack. Its so cool. It's a mix between J-pop and contemporary but it is amazing and if you have a chance check out Utada on the iTunes music store.

Overall KMII is a visually, and audibly stunning conclusion to Kingdom Hearts. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

STORY________9.8/10
GAMEPLAY____9.5/10
GRAPHICS_____9.7/10
SOUND________9.6/10
OVERALL______9.65