Why do people love the Kingdom Hearts games so much?

[bellydrum]

Hey, I'm coming out and admitting I've never played Kingdom Hearts. But I'm surrounded by people who have grown up with the games and seem to love it very deeply.

What is it that seems to make people feel so attached to these games?

From my point of view as a critical outsider, it seems like a corny convoluted mess of a story that takes itself far more seriously than it should.

But why, then, did I want to cry when I was watching the Sora reveal trailer? Does Disney have some sort of magical spell on everyone born after 1989? What's the deal?

 

[DecoReturns]

The gameplay is good and the music is great.

It’s also rather charming a lot of the times. But I’m not a fan of the whole seriousness of the story, still the game knows how to set up a set piece and boss fights.

You can call it an epic in a way since boss fights do feel grand in scale.

 

[blondkayvon]

For those of us who grew up with the Disney movies, the concept of Kingdom Hearts is still kind of insane. Being able to play a game where you go and visit the movies you grew up with as a kid was (and still is) something special. The series is really wacky but it has a lot of heart. And if you play the games in series order the progression to taking itself that seriously makes more sense. But yeah, it's wacky and kind of crazy but there's something special about it.

 

[lemonfresh]

Disney characters and flashy graphics. If you like those and some mindless combat the game is for you

 

[Dardan Sandiego]

apparently this this song makes everyone cry idk i've never played them

 

[bellydrum]

I’m not a fan of the whole seriousness of the story, still the game knows how to set up a set piece and boss fights.

Interesting. As I've been getting older (bruh I'm 30) I've actually been getting less critical of storytelling, and my demands for a deeper "substance" have calmed down a bit. Maybe it's because as I grow older, I realize how incredible rare (and near impossible) it is for a genuinely new and innovative story to be told, what I really care about is if it resonates with the reader/viewer - in any way.

Ironically I might actually be old enough to appreciate these games for what they are, now that I'm passing my cynical critic phase. And if they are just dumb nonsensical cheese with great character development, it may be a game for me.

 

[TheQuietone]

No one really plays it for the story. Its the Disney worlds and characters you visit that make the series special. Now if only Disney would allow the Disney characters to interact. As far as I remember they only allow Donald, Goofy, Mickey to interact with Aladdin and such but not no Aladdin and Jack Sparrow for example.

 

[evilmonkey]

They're a mix of accessible gameplay, high production values, and some of most recognizable characters in all of fiction. It was a winning formula from day 1.

The plot is definitely written to appeal to edgy teens but aside from the most diehard of KH fans, to everyone it's the series' weakest point.

 

[Ahmed]

I have a similar question, as an outside admirer of the series. Will I even like the games if I don't care or have barely seen any Disney movies in my life? I only care about the Lion King, from the top of my head. And even that as a Tezuka rip-off.

Either way, I want to get into the series, but it seems like a huge commitment.

 

[Pandora]

From the very start it was a very wild never would have expected crossover more or less between disney and “final fantasy” during the height of post FF7 ff mania and the disney renaissance. That was also better apparently than such a concept had any right to be at the time . Add on to that two decades now of story twists , sequels and cliffhangers and loose ends the fans have wanted to see outcomes of and the fact most of the fanbase started playing when they were around 10-14 or so and yea lots of reasons folks are crazy about it .

I will also add at the time as someone in that age demo it felt like advertising for it was everywhere, to the point I got a bit tearyeyed at “simple and clean” despite never playing kh. The only reason i’m not a fellow sorapilled sicko crying over him getting into smash and aqua getting norted is I had a gamecube instead of a ps2 and my cousin with a ps2 never got KH despite me insisting he should.

 

[Thorakai]

Disney characters and flashy graphics. If you like those and some mindless combat the game is for you

There are a lot of Kingdom Hearts fans that are also super into the original characters and story elements of the series. You can visit any large kingdom hearts community and you’ll see a lot of theorizing about what might happen next or what the latest secret ending means for the series. Disney for sure is a huge part of the draw, but the draw of the original elements shouldn’t be understated. You can just look at many Smash reveal reactions and you’ll be hardpressed to find anyone being disappointed with there being zero classic Disney representations.

 

[VHS]

the gameplay/combat is really well done, that's why I put up with the insane story. Would absolutely love an MMO with some semblance of its combat system.

 

[Pandora]

There are a lot of Kingdom Hearts fans that are also super into the original characters and story elements of the series. You can visit any large kingdom hearts community and you’ll see a lot of theorizing about what might happen next or what the latest secret ending means for the series. Disney for sure is a huge part of the draw, but the draw of the original elements shouldn’t be understated. You can just look at many Smash reveal reactions and you’ll be hardpressed to find anyone being disappointed with there being zero classic Disney representations.

I mean it goes understated often that a large part of the original appeal was disney x “final fantasy/square “ and not just disney , or else idk we’d all be here talking about the “ disney magical world 2” fanbase or something

 

[Mr_No_U]

I don't like them at all, but here's what attracted me to the original game in the first place:

-Final Fantasy x Disney (I'm not a Disney fan, but it was such a crazy crossover at the time, you know?)
-Appealing (to me) art style

That's it. I still think the art style is pleasing, but it did not deliver on the gameplay or story front IMO. Then over time, the shitty original characters became even more prominent, the story even more nonsensical and stupid, and (from what I've heard) nowadays the Final Fantasy aspect of it is greatly diminished or nearly non-existent. So really zero reason for me to give it the time of day.

Best compliment I can give it is some of the music is cool.

 

[TaySan]

I only have fond memories of the first game as it was my first game for the PS2. Great gameplay + all the Disney mashups.

 

[CloverNotes]

The characters are fun.

The music is amazing.

Those CGI cutscenes!

As insane of a mess as the story is, I'm interested in it.

 

[bellydrum]

I'm really excited to play these games for the first time on the Switch.

 

[Mekanos]

 

[VHS]

I'm really excited to play these games for the first time on the Switch.

I believe they are cloud only just so you are aware, wish they would have made at least the first pack native on the switch

 

[AquaWateria]

Music S++++++ tier
Gameplay S tier especially Kingdom Hearts 2 on critical
Characters are comfy and fun
Designs are great
Exploring Worlds is great

Honestly, Kingdom Hearts can definitely be corny, but for me it's the good kind of corny that feels really comfy and fun. Plus the music and gameplay really make the series special as well as the characters. Disney characters are great to see in the games, but honestly it's the original characters that I have more attachment to and it's the same for a lot of other people as well. It's also why people weren't mad with no Disney characters seen in Smash.


This song right here is fucking magical and how it's used in the games just hit different.

 

[Kanhir]

Hey, I'm coming out and admitting I've never played Kingdom Hearts. But I'm surrounded by people who have grown up with the games and seem to love it very deeply.

What is it that seems to make people feel so attached to these games?

From my point of view as a critical outsider, it seems like a corny convoluted mess of a story that takes itself far more seriously than it should.

But why, then, did I want to cry when I was watching the Sora reveal trailer? Does Disney have some sort of magical spell on everyone born after 1989? What's the deal?

The story was manageable until KH3D, at which point they brought in time travel and it became a massive convoluted mess, even among fans.

It is corny, though, and that's part of its charm. The first game was just a standard anime tale of friendship and the hero's journey, plus Disney and some Final Fantasy thrown in. KH2 was when it started coming into its own, and is arguably even now the high point of the series.

The secret movies were what really sold me, though. Another Side, Another Story had a ton of promise, and then Deep Dive was genuinely one of the most hype things ever made. There's always a massive amount of speculation and theorising between games, it's a great community to be in because literally anything could happen and people would be excited.

 

[asagami_]

They are charming and the gameplay (KH1 aside) is pretty solid.

 

[VolcanicDynamo]

As games, the appeal of Kingdom Hearts games is pretty straightforward. It's a fun (and as many have already pointed out, accessible) action game series with familiar characters and worlds. Add in some nice graphics, phenomenal soundtracks, and a bunch of memorable bosses, and the moment to moment play is enjoyable.

The story after the first game is admittedly a mess. It's less complicated and more...convoluted. Bringing characters back for little reason, throwing twists around just to have twists, not treating all of its characters well (poor Kairi), focusing so hard on the original elements that the crossover goodness is less of the focus at points (though that has its fans)...it can be a lot. Especially since each game's story builds upon the previous, there's only really one story that can be considered unimportant to the full narrative. But at the same time, it's really earnest? There's something really joyous to seeing Sora, Donald and Goofy messing around and acting like friends, and the world can feel pretty whimsical at points too. It's a "greater than the sum of its parts" kinda deal, but I get the story being a deal breaker.

A lot of it is also probably right place, right time for a lot of folks. When I was the most hyped for the series, around the release of Birth By Sleep, I was around Sora's age - the perfect demographic to take the anime/Disney mashup seriously and find it really cool. Honestly there still is something to the blend of Disney like magic and Final Fantasy like JRPG tropes.

In terms of Smash specifically though, it helps that Sora himself is a pretty likeable character. Sure, he's not all that different from many shounen protagonists, but he's friendly and earnest - a certified Good Boi. The combo of classic Disney and Final Fantasy inspiration that went into his look (particularly in KH1) also gives him a lot of cross-generational appeal. I think this tweet sums that up best:

 

[BassForever]

The gameplay is excellent, and the story starts simple enough to hook you in. As a big Disney fan getting to play through the various movies and fight the iconic villains is also an absolute joy. As it's gone on the bat shit plot has become entertaining enough in it's own right on top of the excellent gameplay and nostalgia trips through various Disney films/worlds.

 

[UnrulyUmbreon]

I think there's a uniqueness to every aspect of Kingdom Hearts that's sorely lacking in many games. This was true in 2002 and has only grown. Kingdom Hearts has so many facets, and each of them, for better or for worse, is unique. If you're in it for the story, nothing replicates the wild story Nomura's team is telling. Nothing plays quite like Kingdom Hearts, which is a mix between the floaty aerial combat of DMC and Square Enix's classic RPGs. If you're along for the Disney characters, nothing even comes close to the level of isekai crossover madness. If you like the original characters, the Final Fantasy cameos, the locales, the high production values, or Yoko Shinumura's unbelievable soundtrack, you can't find them anywhere else individually, much less melded together.

If you've never played Kingdom Hearts, the first game has all of Disney most popular worlds at their disposal, and they started with the 1951 Alice in Wonderland. This is an action RPG, but you have to do Star Fox rail shooter segments to travel between worlds. You can skateboard at the start of Kingdom Hearts 2. The skateboard doesn't improve your stats or assist in combat in any way. It's just there if you want to skate. And after the opening hours of the game, you switch characters and never skateboard again. There was no practical reason for that skateboard to be there, and that about sums up Kingdom Hearts.

It's a series that subverts being practical with astounding consistency, and that's woven into the fabric of every aspect of the game. There is no knockoff Kingdom Hearts. Nothing would even come close to being even a cheap imitation.

 

[BlueManifest]

Because it mixed Disney together with FF characters, the gameplay is pretty good too

I think it’s peak was during kingdom hearts 1 & 2 though

 

[Benzychenz]

You ever play a game and think it’s just full of heart, and feels like the dev team made the game with love and passion? That’s Kingdom Hearts.

The games are just so earnest in how they present this journey through all these Disney worlds of your childhood, the high production values, the loveable characters, the absolutely incredible music, and super fun gameplay.

The original story starts off a bit smaller in the first game, and it ramps up over the series. It’s done in a way that makes sense, even if you don’t personally super enjoy it.

It also helps with engagement as I’ve gotten older that they also have boss fights that are the best in the business and up there with the best stuff from FromSoft games and the like. The KH3 DLC superboss is absolutely incredible.

 

[GamerJM]

The games probably have the best combat of any action RPG of its kind. The only thing I've played that comes a little close is the Trials of Mana remake. By "its kind" I mean fully 3D action RPG based around combos (without random encounters like Star Ocean and Tales have).

Everything else about the games are merely okay to me, as someone who likes some Disney movies but isn't an enthusiast, and finds a lot of the shonen storytelling kinda dumb. But the combat makes it all worth it.

 

[Terraforce]

Some of the best action combat period and some amazing bosses to go along with it (KH2 and 3 especially), stellar soundtrack (especially the openings, god bless Utada), and has plenty of characters to get attached to. Plus Disney is special to a lot of people, as is Final Fantasy.

Even if you aren't in the series for the lore, there's plenty of other aspects to appreciate. No other new AAA game in current year can I run around Andy's room from Toy Story, or fight alongside Simba at Pride Rock, interact with Pete and Mickey in a Steamboat Willie recreation, etc. If you're into it from that angle, you can jump in with pretty much any game (given you won't understand the story much, but the worlds are still a ton of fun to explore!).

 

[Twinsen]

Honestly the reason is quite superficial. The gameplay is actually quite average but the coating of disney and square makes it really magical. Square's music actually reaches a really good disney feel, in a square way, if that makes sense. The music is really good in these games.

 

[Phendrift]

- it’s charming as hell. Yes it’s bullshit, but the premise is just so crazy and interesting to me - Disney, final fantasy, anime stuff. Just eat it all up

- the gameplay in KH2FM and KH3remind is amazing. The post game bosses are among my best experiences in gaming.

- the music is amazing

- the story and characters pull you in. It’s fun as hell, I’m sorry, I love putting everything together and how crazy it gets. Nomura just knows how to string you along. He teases things in such cool and mysterious ways that just keep you guessing, I’m super curious where the series goes next because it sounds FUCKING insane.

There’s just nothing else like it, it’s extremely unique and I’m glad we have it. Not my favorite series ever, not a showcase of brilliant game design (besides the aforementioned bosses), but it’s so unique

 

[Twilight]

I never really got why. I tried a handful of games, is something that interested me since I'm a fan of Disney movies, and I just came out cold.

Combat is too simplistic and unsatisfying compared to a lot of other action games or action RPGs, the Disney worlds and characters are used only at a surface level, nothing really interesting going on with them, all their scenes fall flat, where there is an original take I don't feel anything, and when they replicate an scene from the movie I just feel annoyed at the butchering, the music jumps between unmemorable and lacking identity, to repetitive and annoying, and when there is a Disney arrangement is very below the quality of the original, which has always been something that sticks out for me since I like Yoko's music in other games. And none of the original stuff ever grabbed me, most of the time the story is actually pretty simple, but badly told, tho Sora is ok in the first game.

In short KH has always been soulless to me when I play it, despite the idea on paper being interesting.

 

[OldSkOoL]

As I've been getting older (bruh I'm 30)

young folks these days

 

[Helix]

it's simple and clean + bonds

 

[xsquiddox]

Amazing gameplay (kh2 final remix has the best action gameplay imho) and the disney like feeling especially in the first few games. + bonds we made with friends i introduced all my irl friends to kingdom hearts and most of them still play them or are still in love with kh.

Also the music is pretty darn good especially simple and clean is iconic. A friend of mine when we were teens turned it on at a party and everyone just vibed to it. So even if you are not a fan some of the music even gets the person without knowing the games.

The series and the main Protag Sora have this kind of magical innocence (child/disney like?) we can all relate too or remember being like when young. And the friendship theme of the games relates to alot of ppl.

Also seeing disney and final fantasy characters interact was kinda surreal. Mickey with a Keyblade never gets old. A shame the final fantasy part faded a bit but i can understand with so many kh oc's right now.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I remember seeing the commercials for it a lot as kid. Didn't care too much about Disney at the time. Walked in on my friend fighting Oogie Boogie and knew it was one of those games I had to get for myself.

 

[Jannyish]

I... really don't know either. I guess it's a mixture of Disney, the admittedly good music and... nostalgia? Listen, I tried, I really did. I actually made it to the end of KH1, but then after that, even though my friend had landed me all the collections +kh3, I couldn't bring myself to play another one.

I don't HATE it. I am an advocate for being happy for others when they get what they want (re: Sora in Smash) and just letting people enjoy what they want. They aren't by any means bad games, the gameplay is actually decent, but I can't for the love of me take them seriously, but the story expects me to take it seriously, at which point, immersion is broken.

In my mind it's one big meme. This video describes my feelings perfectly:

 

[RochHoch]

The combat is very fun

The story is a load of stupid bullshit, but dammit, it's endearing in it's own way. We all know how nonsensical and dumb this shit is, but it's all so absurd that it wraps back around to being charming.

 

[HockeyBird]

I will push back on people stating that the KH's gameplay is too simplistic. While if you compare the games to action RPGs that came later, KH may seem not that special. But in 2002, KH was doing things other action RPGs weren't doing at the time. For context, Devil May Cry only came out the year prior. You had a fairly fluid melee combat system combined with a magic system. And all of that happened in big and sprawling Disney worlds with exploration and platforming. There are portions where you had aerial combat. Big bosses that were more difficult than you'd expect from a Disney game. The production of KH was something to behold at the time.

For KH2, the combat became even flashier. It looked like something about of Advent Children which also just released around the same time. With the Final Mix version and in the inclusion of critical mode, the combat system really shined at the higher difficulties. Over the years, KH2 has gained a reputation as one of the better combat systems an RPG.

KH3 was less impressive. The rest of the industry had already caught up and many argue that the gameplay was a regression from KH2. But for the first two games, it's undeniable what Square was able to achieve. Those games were doing a lot for their time. Action combat, platforming, exploration, some character customization, etc. Not all of it were the top of their class but the combination of all those elements really made for packages that were top tier.

 

[Cantaim]

It's hard to put into words but what I can say. Is that Organization 13 is cool as hell.

 

[Sadist]

The music, Disney worlds and after the second game the gameplay that works.

As for the story and characters… yikes. Especially in the third game its even worse.