Kingdom Hearts Triumphs Over Its Sequel

If you jumped on the fusion bandwagon of Squaresoft characters, Disney worlds, and simplistic fun that was Kingdom Hearts, most likely you couldn't wait for the sequel. When the game hit shelves reviewers and players alike faced a shocking letdown. Sure there was still fun to be had in Kingdom Hearts II, but more fun? Fun worth the wait of four years since the original was released? Not a chance. The original Kingdom Hearts remains a triumph over its muddled sequel in most respects. Let's break down the facts.

The original Kingdom Hearts had a simple but entertaining story. Players learned about Sora, Rikku, and Kairi and about the keyblades. You found out you were a defender of worlds and had to close the dark forces of The Heartless from those locales. You helped the stories of the other Disney realms and learned how important friendship was to Sora, Goofy, and Donald. Everything was enjoyable and swift to follow.

Then came the convoluted sequel. Sorry to say, it fell prey to what many sequels in any medium can succumb: Kingdom Hearts II tried too hard to be different. There was no pacing; characters and plot points changed and overlapped and shifted speeds at random. Fans had to bid farewell to the simple times of yore. The first few plot points most fans were able to handle. Every Heartless killed produces a Nobody, done and done. Then the diary of Ansem came. Followed shortly by the Organization XIII and its cryptic characters and motives. After that, you discovered the bonds of Sora, Rikku, and Kairi's Nobodies. And lastly, the fact that you reopen worlds that you closed from darkness in the original made the previous game's endeavors futile.