KINGDOM HEARTS III
It’s the key (blade) to a great time
While fighting a giant dragon with Frozen’s snow golem in the magical kingdom of Arendelle, I really don’t know why I’m doing it. Not a clue. Do I care? No. All that matters is that Elsa needs me and I’m hitting things with a massive key that spits out flowers and slaughtering monsters with a teacup made out of fairy lights. At its big, squidgy centre, Kingdom Hearts III is a massive JRPG with multiple menus, stats, weapons, items, and buffs – it just happens to be populated by Disney characters. Not in a cursory, cameo way, either, as this game fully immerses you in different and diverse Disney worlds.
Your party is made up of you (heroic twink Sora), Goofy, Donald Duck, and a roster of allies such as Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski, and Hercules; all pulled from Disney past and present. Your wholesome trio travel (by Gummi Ship, of course) around a solar system of different Disney planets, which include Tangled’s Corona and Big Hero 6’s San Fransokyo, solving whatever problem the big dark villains have caused there and getting a shiny new keyblade in return.
The keyblade is your main weapon, but combat in Kingdom Hearts III is a spectacle of spells, special attacks, and summons that make every battle feel like an event. Fights play out in real time and are incredibly manic, with numerous forms of Heartless – blue bad guys – or Nobodies – white bad guys – as your basic blade-fodder.
As well as melee combat, you’re able to cast spells such as elemental-based fires or blizzards, and eventually you’ll trigger your keyblade’s unique features, tied to each world. The Tangled-themed blade, for instance, does mirage magic for a time before becoming an actual tower that damages any nearby enemies.
Donald, Goofy, and your other allies have special attacks as well, and you can summon other Disney characters such as Wreck It Ralph with a Link move. It’s a little overwhelming, but no battle, no matter how big or small, is ever boring to encounter and combo through.
GUMMIED-UP
The same can’t be said for journeys between worlds, aboard your Gummi Ship. To get anywhere new you have to traverse a space filled with enemies, obstacles, and the occasional treasure sphere – floating puzzles hiding goodies to uncover – but it’s the blandest part of the game. Missing any Disney magic, these journeys instead feel like a slightly dusty arcade game.
You can expand your Gummi Ship, adding new blocks, weapons, and… er, a giant puppy dog, just because. However you can give me all the random cuteness in the
“THE TANGLED BLADE DOES MIRAGE MAGIC BEFORE BECOMING AN ACTUAL TOWER.”
world, and I’d happily trade it all away to speed through this dull Gummi-play.
COMPL-EAT IT
More fun is the levelling system. Sora can search worlds for ingredients, such as caviar or butter, that can be made into meals to buff your stats. The twist? You’re collecting the ingredients for Ratatouille’s Remy, and then helping him cook in the kitchen of a bistro owned by Scrooge McDuck. Think Final Fantasy 15’s cuisine obsession, but with just a soupçon of Cooking Mama.
When it comes to why this is happening, that’s tough. The Kingdom Hearts series is pretty impenetrable but the good news is it barely matters. All you really need to know is anyone who looks shady is, and you’re fighting for all that is good and pure in the world. Oh, and Mickey Mouse is a King. Even if you’re a fan, there are times when Kingdom Hearts III won’t make sense. Then there are times when you get to hang out with Woody and Buzz, and honestly you couldn’t care less.
The only time the magic fails? The Pirates Of The Caribbean world. I’m sure it sort of made sense around the early 2000s, but now watching a Captain Jack Sparrow straight from the Uncanny Valley gurn for Sora has rather lost its charm. To add insult to injury the world is joyless too.
However, there is nothing quite like Kingdom Hearts III. After all, name one other game where you can watch Elsa belt out Let It Go before hammering some monsters to death with a giant key. I’ll wait.
VERDICT
It looks spectacular and captures the magic of Disney across its many varied worlds. Despite some grindy moments, and an Uncanny Johnny Depp, that charm can’t fail to raise a broad smile. Rachel Weber