I love the concept of mixing Final Fantasy-like characters with Disney legends. The idea is phenomenal. But the execution is terrible.
For the time this game came out, there were already some solid 3D action/platforming games to take inspiration from, and the PS2 doesn't lacks the power to create great worlds. Despite of this, the level design in this game is terrible; barren and lifeless most of the time, not to mention that it doesn´t feels connected at all. Each area is more like a set of scattered rooms. It doesn't feels like I'm part of a Disney movie. It feels like I'm part of the filming of a cheap rip-off of a Disney movie inside a garage. Gameplaywise, the platforming is decent but the combat turns braindead and boring so quickly. And if you tell me "use the magics and all the other stuff", I say "why?" if the main attack works just fine, and almost nothing encourages me to switch combat styles.
And this may be only me, but when I reach the end of one level, I expect a great ending for the story from that world (movie) you just completed, but I feel that each story ends in a vey low key, every time.
The story is good. But the writing and narrative are just terrible. I can buy is a "kid/teenager oriented game" but man, there is a lot to get right in here.
The emotions this game transmit are at most "artificially flavored", compared with many other emotional plots, as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IX, or Final Fantasy VI just to name a few.
Even after finishing Kingdom Hearts 2, I find more of the same. The level design is slightly better and it has some of the best character models and animations the PS2 has to offer, but that's all I noticed, and I swear I had A LOT of expectations on the sequel.
As far as I see, this series is hold up by nostalgia and popularity of the main concept, which is pretty good. But nothing else.
To end in a positive note, I'm amazed about the animations and character designs. Among the best you can find in the PS2 back in 2002. That is impressive.
For the time this game came out, there were already some solid 3D action/platforming games to take inspiration from, and the PS2 doesn't lacks the power to create great worlds. Despite of this, the level design in this game is terrible; barren and lifeless most of the time, not to mention that it doesn´t feels connected at all. Each area is more like a set of scattered rooms. It doesn't feels like I'm part of a Disney movie. It feels like I'm part of the filming of a cheap rip-off of a Disney movie inside a garage. Gameplaywise, the platforming is decent but the combat turns braindead and boring so quickly. And if you tell me "use the magics and all the other stuff", I say "why?" if the main attack works just fine, and almost nothing encourages me to switch combat styles.
And this may be only me, but when I reach the end of one level, I expect a great ending for the story from that world (movie) you just completed, but I feel that each story ends in a vey low key, every time.
The story is good. But the writing and narrative are just terrible. I can buy is a "kid/teenager oriented game" but man, there is a lot to get right in here.
The emotions this game transmit are at most "artificially flavored", compared with many other emotional plots, as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IX, or Final Fantasy VI just to name a few.
Even after finishing Kingdom Hearts 2, I find more of the same. The level design is slightly better and it has some of the best character models and animations the PS2 has to offer, but that's all I noticed, and I swear I had A LOT of expectations on the sequel.
As far as I see, this series is hold up by nostalgia and popularity of the main concept, which is pretty good. But nothing else.
To end in a positive note, I'm amazed about the animations and character designs. Among the best you can find in the PS2 back in 2002. That is impressive.