Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
-
ajmrowland
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 8177
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Appleton, WI
-
Margos
- Anniversary Edition
- Posts: 1931
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:12 pm
- Location: A small suburban/rural town in PA
And so I did!http://dragonsbane.webs.com
http://childrenofnight.webs.com
^My websites promoting my two WIP novels! Check them out for exclusive content!
http://childrenofnight.webs.com
^My websites promoting my two WIP novels! Check them out for exclusive content!
-
Disney's Divinity
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 16250
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
- Gender: Male
I know I'm way behind, but I finally managed to buy a Nintendo DS and finished the game finally. Sorry for the super-long post, but I like to put all my thoughts into words when I first review something even if nobody reads them--there's always so much to say.
****SPOILERS****
Overall, I felt 358/2 Days was a very good game--definitely an improvement on Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2. I think the only problem I had was that it was overlong and monotonous. I also thought the game worked in a rather deus ex machine kind of way, with things happening the way the game wanted them to happen (like how nothing occurs for about 60-80 of those days or how people in the Disney worlds show up and vanish when necessary). Regardless, I think having this game is almost a requirement to help make up for the fact that the Organization was so bland and uninteresting in KH2. SE still didn't completely fix that problem, but by having more interaction with Org. XIII (rather than the single appearance to die they generally had in KH2) you get more of a fondness and, subsequently, sympathy for them.
The game does shorthand the CoM Nobodies (Larxene, Marluxia, et al), but they got a lot of development in CoM whereas Xigbar, Luxord and the others didn't get this in KH2. I really like Xigbar now. Xemnas also came off more fascinating than I found him before--maybe because we don't hear that awful, monotone voice. Saix seems to be the only really cruel member, which is why I think he's the only one Roxas fights (there needed to be some little justice by having Roxas wipe the floor with him). Luxord had a more interesting vibe as well, and I think it was fitting to have him in Wonderland.
I especially liked how this game dealt with the Disney worlds. While they were minimal since the Organization couldn't realistically interact very much with these characters they're trying to kill, I think the fact that the movie plots didn't dominate what we saw in the worlds was definitely a good thing. I hate playing something I've already seen in a much-better film. I also liked how they subtly filled in the gaps to KH2 plotlines, too. Like Xaldin's obsession with the Beast (I wonder if this reflects on Dilan's life pre-Nobody?) or how Jack thought of the scarecrow-thing for the next Halloween (is it me, or did this look a lot like the Experiment in KH2?--which I guess was a symbol for Roxas/the Nobodies).
The game also had several funny moments, mostly from Xigbar. "Flamesilocks." lmao. I also thought the incident with Phil in the Coliseum was hilarious, when he realized Roxas wasn't the guy Hercules had been talking about. And I really loved the mission Roxas had investigating Beast's Castle with Xaldin; I was laughing forever over some of Xaldin's lines at Roxas' stupidity.
There was another thing I was wondering about: what was going on with Axel and Saix? The game never fully explains what their 'plans' were in killing off Vexen and Zexion. It kind of implies that they were planning a coup, but this plot idea kind of vanishes midway through the game. Why didn't the plan go through? Maybe it was because Axel was changing, but how could just Axel and Saix have planned to take over the Organization when Saix couldn't even take on Roxas?
As for the gameplay, the AI system was a lot better in this game. I think it helped that the Org. members can just travel through darkness and reappear right beside you. As for the panel system, I didn't really like it, but it was a lot less intrusive and tedious than the card system in CoM (which I eventually got used to, but still bothered me). The Challenge Missions and Mission Mode were actually more fun than I thought they would be. I especially like playing as Donald for some reason.
Anyway, I think I'll re-play the series in December (when I'm off from school) to connect everything together. KH, then CoM, then 358/2 Days, and then KH2. I would wait for Birth by Sleep to play it first, since it takes place 10 yrs prior, but school starts soon after it comes out. I won't have that kind of time.
In general, I was surprised by how much I liked this game. I really only got it to complete the KH collection and didn't expect it to be great (again, because the Organization was so terribly done in KH2). I guess under-expectation helped me to get more out of this game than I might have if I'd assumed the game would be a 10/10.
****SPOILERS****
Overall, I felt 358/2 Days was a very good game--definitely an improvement on Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2. I think the only problem I had was that it was overlong and monotonous. I also thought the game worked in a rather deus ex machine kind of way, with things happening the way the game wanted them to happen (like how nothing occurs for about 60-80 of those days or how people in the Disney worlds show up and vanish when necessary). Regardless, I think having this game is almost a requirement to help make up for the fact that the Organization was so bland and uninteresting in KH2. SE still didn't completely fix that problem, but by having more interaction with Org. XIII (rather than the single appearance to die they generally had in KH2) you get more of a fondness and, subsequently, sympathy for them.
The game does shorthand the CoM Nobodies (Larxene, Marluxia, et al), but they got a lot of development in CoM whereas Xigbar, Luxord and the others didn't get this in KH2. I really like Xigbar now. Xemnas also came off more fascinating than I found him before--maybe because we don't hear that awful, monotone voice. Saix seems to be the only really cruel member, which is why I think he's the only one Roxas fights (there needed to be some little justice by having Roxas wipe the floor with him). Luxord had a more interesting vibe as well, and I think it was fitting to have him in Wonderland.
I especially liked how this game dealt with the Disney worlds. While they were minimal since the Organization couldn't realistically interact very much with these characters they're trying to kill, I think the fact that the movie plots didn't dominate what we saw in the worlds was definitely a good thing. I hate playing something I've already seen in a much-better film. I also liked how they subtly filled in the gaps to KH2 plotlines, too. Like Xaldin's obsession with the Beast (I wonder if this reflects on Dilan's life pre-Nobody?) or how Jack thought of the scarecrow-thing for the next Halloween (is it me, or did this look a lot like the Experiment in KH2?--which I guess was a symbol for Roxas/the Nobodies).
The game also had several funny moments, mostly from Xigbar. "Flamesilocks." lmao. I also thought the incident with Phil in the Coliseum was hilarious, when he realized Roxas wasn't the guy Hercules had been talking about. And I really loved the mission Roxas had investigating Beast's Castle with Xaldin; I was laughing forever over some of Xaldin's lines at Roxas' stupidity.
There was another thing I was wondering about: what was going on with Axel and Saix? The game never fully explains what their 'plans' were in killing off Vexen and Zexion. It kind of implies that they were planning a coup, but this plot idea kind of vanishes midway through the game. Why didn't the plan go through? Maybe it was because Axel was changing, but how could just Axel and Saix have planned to take over the Organization when Saix couldn't even take on Roxas?
As for the gameplay, the AI system was a lot better in this game. I think it helped that the Org. members can just travel through darkness and reappear right beside you. As for the panel system, I didn't really like it, but it was a lot less intrusive and tedious than the card system in CoM (which I eventually got used to, but still bothered me). The Challenge Missions and Mission Mode were actually more fun than I thought they would be. I especially like playing as Donald for some reason.
Anyway, I think I'll re-play the series in December (when I'm off from school) to connect everything together. KH, then CoM, then 358/2 Days, and then KH2. I would wait for Birth by Sleep to play it first, since it takes place 10 yrs prior, but school starts soon after it comes out. I won't have that kind of time.
In general, I was surprised by how much I liked this game. I really only got it to complete the KH collection and didn't expect it to be great (again, because the Organization was so terribly done in KH2). I guess under-expectation helped me to get more out of this game than I might have if I'd assumed the game would be a 10/10.
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
-
ajmrowland
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 8177
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Appleton, WI
-
SmartAleck25
- Special Edition
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:02 pm
- Location: The U.S.
I just completed this game after getting it in early March, and these are my thoughts:
I did really enjoy this game. It was an improvement on Chain of Memories, and I liked the use of the panel system, getting rid of the need to put in a bunch of attack cards in a COM deck.
The story was fantastic, as we’ve come to expect from the series. Roxas’ personality sets the tone well, and there’s still that hint of Sora in him. The rest of the Organizations members’ personalities shine as well, and help explain the plot holes from COM and KH2. The video cutscenes (not the ones where you press A, B, or Down on the D-Pad to keep going) and the Disney worlds are beautifully rendered, and really do allow you to go around. I must admit, I spent quite a bit of time flying around the ballroom… 
Partners were a great help; in fact, I ended up relying on them a lot!
Some nitpicks I had: Sometimes, the animation was shoddy. Like whenever Axel scratches his head (which is often), it goes right through his hair. And usually when a character picks something up, their hand blurs into a black square. I know these aren’t PS2 graphics (I mean, come on, it’s handheld!), but those things bothered me a bit (but not much). Another problem I had was with the Disney worlds. I had the complete opposite reaction of Disney’s Divinity’s opinion of the way the story was handled. I WANTED an actual storyline, not some characters going around doing their business, completely oblivious to the Organization. I know that Roxas occasionally interacted with Disney characters (off the top of my head, Tinker Bell, Zero, Genie, Carpet, the Doorknob, the Chesire Cat, Phil, Lock, Shock, Barrel, and Pete), but seriously, hiding around and watching them doesn’t really click for me. Also, no villain battles? Those were the highlight of COM for me (which I haven’t finished yet), and only Pete, Captain Hook/Smee, and the Queen of Hearts (who doesn’t really count) appear. Where’s Jafar? Oogie Boogie? Hades? Oh that’s right, they haven’t been resurrected yet by Maleficent. I also don’t really get what Pete is doing this entire time. Why does he want the lamp? Genie’s not in there. Why does he want Captain Hook to be greedy? The “Heartless Army” doesn’t really do it for me.
But there are still those highlights. The story is very deep, and even sometimes emotional. The ending really tore me apart, but it does explain what the heck’s going on in Kingdom Hearts 2. I did like what you could do with the other playable characters: customize their weapons according to their style, making them fight themselves (Saix, but he fights Anti-Saix in that mission. BTW, what is an Anti-Organization Member?), looking at their different victory stances in the Coliseum (ok, that’s a little cheesy, but hey, it’s me), etc. Right now, I’m just finishing missions to get Sora. Mission Mode is really cool, the possibilities are endless! But for now, I can sit back and relax, knowing that I played a pretty darn good game. Sigh… If only I had a PS2.
I did really enjoy this game. It was an improvement on Chain of Memories, and I liked the use of the panel system, getting rid of the need to put in a bunch of attack cards in a COM deck.
The story was fantastic, as we’ve come to expect from the series. Roxas’ personality sets the tone well, and there’s still that hint of Sora in him. The rest of the Organizations members’ personalities shine as well, and help explain the plot holes from COM and KH2. The video cutscenes (not the ones where you press A, B, or Down on the D-Pad to keep going) and the Disney worlds are beautifully rendered, and really do allow you to go around. I must admit, I spent quite a bit of time flying around the ballroom… Partners were a great help; in fact, I ended up relying on them a lot! Some nitpicks I had: Sometimes, the animation was shoddy. Like whenever Axel scratches his head (which is often), it goes right through his hair. And usually when a character picks something up, their hand blurs into a black square. I know these aren’t PS2 graphics (I mean, come on, it’s handheld!), but those things bothered me a bit (but not much). Another problem I had was with the Disney worlds. I had the complete opposite reaction of Disney’s Divinity’s opinion of the way the story was handled. I WANTED an actual storyline, not some characters going around doing their business, completely oblivious to the Organization. I know that Roxas occasionally interacted with Disney characters (off the top of my head, Tinker Bell, Zero, Genie, Carpet, the Doorknob, the Chesire Cat, Phil, Lock, Shock, Barrel, and Pete), but seriously, hiding around and watching them doesn’t really click for me. Also, no villain battles? Those were the highlight of COM for me (which I haven’t finished yet), and only Pete, Captain Hook/Smee, and the Queen of Hearts (who doesn’t really count) appear. Where’s Jafar? Oogie Boogie? Hades? Oh that’s right, they haven’t been resurrected yet by Maleficent. I also don’t really get what Pete is doing this entire time. Why does he want the lamp? Genie’s not in there. Why does he want Captain Hook to be greedy? The “Heartless Army” doesn’t really do it for me.
But there are still those highlights. The story is very deep, and even sometimes emotional. The ending really tore me apart, but it does explain what the heck’s going on in Kingdom Hearts 2. I did like what you could do with the other playable characters: customize their weapons according to their style, making them fight themselves (Saix, but he fights Anti-Saix in that mission. BTW, what is an Anti-Organization Member?), looking at their different victory stances in the Coliseum (ok, that’s a little cheesy, but hey, it’s me), etc. Right now, I’m just finishing missions to get Sora. Mission Mode is really cool, the possibilities are endless! But for now, I can sit back and relax, knowing that I played a pretty darn good game. Sigh… If only I had a PS2.
-
SmartAleck25
- Special Edition
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:02 pm
- Location: The U.S.
Axel killed Zexion so Saix could move up in the ranks. I don't think the plan was to kill Vexen or Lexaeus, depending on if Xemnas or Saix ordered the group to go to Castle Oblivion (I can't remember). If Xemnas ordered it, it was to dispose of the weaklings and rebels. If Saix ordered it, then it was to make him #4, and to get rid of the rebels, with Axel as a spy. Vexen was killed by Axel not under Saix's orders (to my extent of knowledge), but under Marluxia's orders, so that he could gain his and Larxene's trust, and then abandon it. So, Axel was a triple agent.Disney's Divinity wrote:There was another thing I was wondering about: what was going on with Axel and Saix? The game never fully explains what their 'plans' were in killing off Vexen and Zexion. It kind of implies that they were planning a coup, but this plot idea kind of vanishes midway through the game. Why didn't the plan go through? Maybe it was because Axel was changing, but how could just Axel and Saix have planned to take over the Organization when Saix couldn't even take on Roxas?
-
ajmrowland
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 8177
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Appleton, WI
First off, PSP has near-ps2 graphics. This is ds, which has worse.
I enjoyed the game immensely. It felt monotonous for some time, but it was more like a movie. a 30 hr, Benjamin Button-style life-tracking character movie. Why? Because it flows very much.
Xigbar's dialogue is a big bowl of poppet, kiddo, flamesilocks, goldfish, and other things.
I enjoyed the game immensely. It felt monotonous for some time, but it was more like a movie. a 30 hr, Benjamin Button-style life-tracking character movie. Why? Because it flows very much.
Xigbar's dialogue is a big bowl of poppet, kiddo, flamesilocks, goldfish, and other things.
-
blackcauldron85
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 16691
- Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:54 am
- Gender: Female
- Contact:
Kingdom Hearts Prequel Arrives September 7
http://animatedviews.com/2010/kingdom-h ... ptember-7/
The trailer for the game:
http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/2010/ ... gdoms.html
http://animatedviews.com/2010/kingdom-h ... ptember-7/
The trailer for the game:
http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/2010/ ... gdoms.html
-
ajmrowland
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 8177
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Appleton, WI
-
ajmrowland
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 8177
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Appleton, WI
-
blackcauldron85
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 16691
- Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:54 am
- Gender: Female
- Contact: