It is type of unattainable to separate the Kingdom Hearts sequence from the phrase ‘bizarre’, as a result of basically it simply is.
What do you imply there’s a whole sequence of video games that is actually Ultimate Fantasy meets Disney, that genuinely exists due to a real-life elevator pitch? That is bizarre! Fortunately it is simply pretty much as good as it’s bizarre, however with 12 video games below the sequence’ belt, you possibly can clearly count on some selection there too. Start by Sleep blended issues up by letting you play as three totally different characters, alongside some fight modifications, Dream Drop Distance had some Pokemon-like parts, Melody of Reminiscence was an odd little rhythm recreation.
I feel even throughout all 12 of its entries there’s nonetheless one recreation that stands because the weirdest of all of them, and it was really the second recreation to be launched. No, I am not speaking about Kingdom Hearts 2 (I would forgive you for pondering so, although), however Chain of Reminiscences for the Sport Boy Advance. When you can consider it, the customarily maligned Kingdom Hearts recreation is 20 years outdated immediately, and other people might need their issues with it, however I truthfully assume it could be one in all my favourites.
Let’s provide some context: think about you are coming sizzling off the heels of the unique Kingdom Hearts, a recreation that has its personal idiosyncrasies however is not almost as on the market as later entries. Protagonist Sora saves the day however results in some unusual, mysterious dimension, and also you’re left questioning what occurs to him. Two years later, a brand new Kingdom Hearts recreation comes out for the GBA, you choose it up and out of the blueβ¦ Sora is in a citadel? And a few hooded determine is taunting you as you undergo it, with a blonde lady that type of seems like Kairi from the primary recreation gaslighting Sora into believing they’re childhood pals? And also you struggle withβ¦ playing cards? Like I mentioned, bizarre! However oh so compelling.
You see, most individuals nowadays will usually be extra acquainted with Re:Chain of Reminiscences, its asset flip PS2 remake. As of late you possibly can play that one fairly simply due to the HD 1.5 Remix launch of the video games, besides very often you may see individuals telling newcomers to only watch the cutscenes and transfer onto 2. I feel that is an enormous mistake, and additional than that, I feel extra individuals must be inspired to try to return and play the GBA authentic.
As unusual as mixing real-time motion fight with card-based technique is, there additionally simply is not something prefer it. On the indie scene there are video games like Mates vs Mates that mixes deckbuilding with first-person capturing, however that simply makes Chain of Reminiscences wildly forward of its time. It is genuinely enjoyable constructing a deck of playing cards, layering them in methods to get distinctive combos and strikes, and placing them into follow. There is a degree of technique there that later Kingdom Hearts video games simply do not have, making for fairly the singular gameplay expertise.
Actually, as a lot as I do genuinely take pleasure in Chain of Reminiscences quirky gameplay, the factor that actually does promote it for me is the story. “Boooo” I hear you chant “hisssss” I hear you seethe, however guess what pal, generally, Kingdom Hearts is sweet, really, and that is a type of instances. When you could not inform, a serious theme within the recreation is reminiscence, significantly concepts round how reminiscences change.
Sora’s reminiscences are forcibly modified all through the story, and he is determined to guard them – I can not assist however really feel like this hits residence even more durable now, wanting again on my childhood, feeling much less and fewer assured in how I am recollecting totally different occasions. Positive, Donald Duck is there, however he was there in my childhood too, so it isn’t that foolish actually.
The remainder of the Kingdom Hearts video games do go on to follow-up on these themes, and discover greater (and sure, sometimes complicated) ones, however I’ve such a deep appreciation in my coronary heart for Chain of Reminiscences trying to do one thing actually totally different. Here is hoping there’s a few of that Magic in Kingdom Hearts 4, each time it comes out.
