It’s not such a small world after all for Disney favourites
IN SUCH a fast-paced world waiting nearly 13 years to release a sequel would be considered suicide for most franchises – but not Disney. Kingdom Hearts (KH) began life back in 2002, a fusion of Japanese RPGs and beloved Disney characters which proved an instant hit with gamers.
A sequel followed in 2005, but other than myriad portable and mobile spin-offs over the last decade, Kingdom Hearts III is the first mainline release since the PlayStation 2 era, and the final chapter in the Dark Seeker saga.
I can see why this game might seem daunting to newcomers. Each spin-off has added its own lore and plot points to the original story, layering on extra characters and twists that have taken it away from its roots.
But Kingdom Hearts III is an attempt to take all those strands and reconcile them into a satisfying conclusion – and that might be easier said than done.
The action starts with the final scenes of Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue (yes, they really called it that) which was an amalgam of six previous KH releases issued last year on the PS4.
I’ve not played that game, and I must admit I did find things a little confusing trying to piece together various plotlines as the in-game catch ups seemed more like reminders aimed at die hard fans than exposition for new players.
But despite that, our hero Sora is essentially starting from zero here, preparing for his journey through various new Disney worlds for a showdown with the shadowy Organisation XIII.
All of the worlds Sora (voiced by Haley Joel Osment) will travel through are new to the series, and it’s hard to knock the exquisite detail in which developer Square Enix has recreated those environments.
Each world offers a specific gameplay element, from first person shooter in Toy Story world, and downhill sledding in Frozen, to a bit of diving and underwater exploration with the Pirates of the Caribbean.
On its surface, KH has always appeared a fairly simplistic game – almost like a clip show of Disney favourites woven together with a rudimentary new story. But that’s where the Japanese RPG element makes things more complex.
Japanese games are known for their drama, and KH can, in places, be overwrought with it – to the point even the Disney characters in the background look like they’re perplexed by what’s going on.
That being said, when KH works, it’s an utter joy. The battles can be a thing of beauty, and there’s an unbridled rush of childhood joy in hunting down the collectibles, which are inspired by Disneyland itself.
For a game which is supposed to bring an end to a saga 17 years in the making, the ending feels hollow and unrewarding – an unworthy conclusion for a journey which has been so full of colour and passion.
But if there’s one bit of good that’s come from playing KH III, it’s that it’s made me want to sit down and start again, right from the beginning.
REVISITING ALIEN
RIDLEY SCOTT’S sci-fi masterpiece turns 40 this year, and to mark the anniversary the movie is getting a cinematic re-release.
Sigourney Weaver stars as Ellen Ripley (pictured) the warrant officer who takes on a terrifying and seemingly indestructible xenomorph, after it comes on board the starship Nostromo, hidden in John Hurt’s chest.
With screenings across the UK from March 1, this is a brilliant opportunity to watch one of the greatest horror sci-fi movies ever made on the big screen.