Come on, KH3D was good! Maybe not so much Days/Coded, but I, optimist as I am, see it as another epic adventure to go on. The games in the KH series are better than a LOT of other games out there.

And also, I'm actually looking forward to KH 1.5, I could use a refreshed version of the PS2 games.

I still love Kingdom Hearts now as much as I did when I first read the manga for KH2 (which is actually how I got into the series) and when I first played the games. I've been around from the days of pwilliard's reign on youtube, and to consider the fact that the three figures in the secret ending were Sora, Kairi, and Riku's kids in the far future, though we now know that was completely wrong, and my love for the series has not lessened. Days and 3D were not useless at all, if you ask me (though I do agree that Coded was stretching it, a bit). They gave vital information that we will need for future games, and if we were to skip those games and go ahead and play KH3 (whatever it will contain) we'd just get completely lost. [SPOILER=Reactions of those who haven't played Days or 3D]"What? Since when are there 13 Xehanorts? Riku is a Keyblade Master but Sora? What madness is this?! When did this happen?! And how the heck is there a girl version of Sora?!"[/SPOILER] It's all part of the "Jigsaw Puzzle Plot".

I do agree that it's taking a really long time, but that gives me a chance to focus on other things in my life, such as that book I keep saying I'm gonna write... or those really long school projects. I also enjoy Kingdom Hearts and stay with it for the nostalgia I get. Do you know how much pleasure I get out of beating up Giant Ursula, song-mode or otherwise? Not to mention I conquered my fear of moving skeletons in the world Port Royal.

I think the series has done as well as it has because it caters to so many people, and brings new fans in with new games. There's the people who love Disney, the people who love trying to figure out a confusing plot, and those that simply want to play a game where they get to beat something up. I think the wait for Kingdom Hearts III will be well worth it.

KH and I have been forced into not seeing eachother...granted we sent emails, but it;s not the same as face to face. We meet again in DDD and picked up from where we left off. I've changed, so has KH, but the spark is still there.

I'm sorry, but I almost uniformly disagree with you. The only part I'll side with you on is the whole Sora/Vanitas thing. It confuses me, too.

I like the whole kudzu-like growth of the story. I enjoy not knowing exactly where the series is going to go, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all ties in at the end. The fact that the games don't tie up all the loose ends within the games themselves makes me smile. It kind of reminds me of Harry Potter and all the wonky, crazy plots that J. K. Rowling came up with that weren't resolved until the end of the seventh book. For me, at least, Kingdom Hearts provides an excellent vessel with which to play through a similarly-formed storyline, and that is an awesome thing indeed.

I'm no Organization fangirl, but Days is still a positive game for me as far as the story goes. I liked seeing the character development of the Org. members, specifically Axel and Roxas. Xion is still one of my favorite characters, honestly, and though she may not be the most well-developed of all time she's just so tragic and angst-ridden that my heart goes out to her. She's one of the only characters who doesn't seem to be on track to get a happy ending, and that alone earns my respect in a Disney series.

As far as the whole Disney aspect of the story goes, I really feel that 3D did a great job of bringing back some of the life to the Disney plots. Unlike KH2, where the original movie-verses were basically hijacked and used solely as set pieces in the game's plot, the Disney worlds included in 3D seemed to shape the characters, just as they did in the original game. As the whole point of the game is for Riku and Sora to grow into the Keybearers they were meant to be (or so it seems at first), the fact that the worlds do transform their characterizations is perhaps even more seamless than the original. I don't understand why people are complaining so much about how Disney seems to have disappeared; you must remember that the Disney plots have also never been the main focus of the side-games, so to look at Days and Coded and expect them to be filled with Disney characters and plots is absurd to me.

The parkouring, as you call it, in 3D is actually one of my favorite features. It allows players to explore the worlds in a way that was only really possible in Neverland, when the characters could fly. There are hidden niches that you can climb up to and look down at the world, and there are belltowers to climb up and around just like Quasimodo does...it's a beautiful game.

I'm really sorry that you have fallen out of love with the series. For me, it's grown up along with me and has expanded into something greater than just the original game (which is indeed a great thing). Was the gameplay of Days bad? Yes, it was horrendous. Was the story of Coded horribly done and probably unnecessary? Absolutely. Is this series dead? Not by a long shot.

I dunno, man. I understand your frustrations with the series, but this editorial just comes off as really cheesy. KH is a great series, and if every game was exactly like the first one, it would be pretty bland. Instead, the story branches out into this really complex, really cool plot chock-full of side stories and minor characters and different elements that fill in the holes in the KH universe.

I know you don't dig the side games, but I think that just means you're not really a KH fan; you just like the basics.

The analogy is good. I hope it doesn't last the whole thing.

First and foremost, Kingdom Hearts needs to stop being so complicated with me. When we were still married, she'd come home from work and I wouldn't even know who she was anymore. I had trouble just managing the different interactions between the thirteen unique organization members, let alone dealing with whatever Xion is supposed to be or that really poorly-designed X-Blade. Or figuring out why Vanitas looks like Sora (don’t try to explain it, I’ve given up hope on that part of her). Look, I want to go back to the early days when KH and I had just started dating. Sora left Destiny Islands to go find his friends and he discovered some really cool Disney worlds along the way. Light was slowly shed on the story and we were teased with something greater. But now it’s just too much. Baby, let’s go back to the days where we could converse, not now where you talk about every facet of your day and I’m lost to the details. So hey, can you stop being pedantic and just get to the point already? I really don’t care about Xion. I really don’t. To be honest, I don’t care about most of what you tell me from work. I don’t care about the guy from the accounting department who left you a nasty note because you didn’t leave enough coffee for him. You probably deserved that note anyway. All I want is the crucial summary of your day. You did a great job of giving me an introduction and a firm middle, now where’s the climactic ending? Stop padding with useless details. Stop meandering around trying to distract me from the main cause. You know what I want. I want you to put out for once. I mean Kingdom Hearts III, of course. Look, the secret ending to the second game’s Final Mix was really cool. And hey, Birth by Sleep isn’t the worst thing you’ve invented to stir up our love again, but you need to cut the crap with the rest of it. Days? Coded? 3D? Seriously, knock it off. I want Kingdom Hearts III. Sometimes when I go to the bar with my friends they make a point to ask me about how our relationship is going. They ask about Kingdom Hearts III. And you know what? I don’t know what to tell them anymore. Secondly, I wish you could bring out your fun side a little bit more. I remember when KH and I first started dating she used to be all about the Disney characters and worlds. There was some other stuff thrown in, but Disney used to be a giant web that held everything together, including our budding romance. I know you’re running out of ways to keep things fresh: there are a finite amount of Disney movies. But imagine all the possibilities you haven’t explored. I’m looking at you, Pixar. Don’t you hold out on me. Basically, just surprise me sometimes. I get tired of coming home to the same dinner or watching the same movies on HBO every week. That doesn’t make for a very romantic relationship and you know it. It’s exactly why I’ve been sleeping around with The Legend of Zelda. Look, I know you have a nice formula all lined up. You’re in a comfortable routine where you just go through each iteration with the same mindset as the last. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Remember when Chain of Memories came out and you introduced this new card-based mechanic? That was cool. It definitely needed some work, but it was progress via baby steps. That’s all I’m asking for. And adding something like parkour mechanics in your game doesn’t feel like a real change. It feels like an unhealthy distraction. Just like your cupcakes. And look, I’m not saying we won’t fight every now and then. Every healthy relationship is going to get into an argument sometimes. But maybe that’s part of the problem: I’ve never felt challenged by you. You always just let me win. What you don’t understand is that it’s not about the feelings of victory – I’m not some jerk who only cares about the end goal – it’s about how we got there. It’s about the journey we took and the feelings conveyed. It’s about not just TAPPING THE X BUTTON 300,000 TIMES IN ONE PLAYTHROUGH AND WINNING EVERY TIME. See, I’m getting confrontational again. Are you going to ante up this time or do I win again? Ball’s in your court. I know I’m asking a lot of you, and I don’t exactly expect you to live up to my expectations. You haven’t so far. And I'm also not going to make the promise that I'll take you back because I'm young and relatively attractive and I can maybe get a hotter woman in my life anyway, but I think you might still be able to impress me. And given your poor track record and constant disappointments in the past few years, I think I'm beig very understanding. You're welcome. Look, I get that you have to cater to thousands and thousands of other lovers, many of whom like who you are right now. And maybe that’s all you want, KH. Maybe you just want to be loved for who you are. But understand that you’re not a good person, KH. Not to me and not to a lot of your other now ex-lovers. It’s not too late to get a few of us back; all we’re asking is that you just change who you are. Just a little bit. After all, it’s a new year with fresh possibilities to explore. Try something different. What’s that? Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX? WE’RE THROUGH.

diddly.

First and foremost, Kingdom Hearts needs to stop being so complicated with me. When we were still married, she'd come home from work and I wouldn't even know who she was anymore. I had trouble just managing the different interactions between the thirteen unique organization members, let alone dealing with whatever Xion is supposed to be or that really poorly-designed X-Blade. Or figuring out why Vanitas looks like Sora (don’t try to explain it, I’ve given up hope on that part of her). Look, I want to go back to the early days when KH and I had just started dating. Sora left Destiny Islands to go find his friends and he discovered some really cool Disney worlds along the way. Light was slowly shed on the story and we were teased with something greater. But now it’s just too much. Baby, let’s go back to the days where we could converse, not now where you talk about every facet of your day and I’m lost to the details.

Easy solution, just focus on the older days. Give up now.

So hey, can you stop being pedantic and just get to the point already? I really don’t care about Xion. I really don’t.

She's sticking around. You don't want her, go back to the time before her and stay there #easysolution

To be honest, I don’t care about most of what you tell me from work. I don’t care about the guy from the accounting department who left you a nasty note because you didn’t leave enough coffee for him. You probably deserved that note anyway. All I want is the crucial summary of your day. You did a great job of giving me an introduction and a firm middle, now where’s the climactic ending? Stop padding with useless details. Stop meandering around trying to distract me from the main cause. You know what I want. I want you to put out for once.

*sob*
Analogies.

I mean Kingdom Hearts III, of course.

Uh oh.

Look, the secret ending to the second game’s Final Mix was really cool. And hey, Birth by Sleep isn’t the worst thing you’ve invented to stir up our love again, but you need to cut the crap with the rest of it. Days? Coded? 3D? Seriously, knock it off.

Can't change the past.

I want Kingdom Hearts III. Sometimes when I go to the bar with my friends they make a point to ask me about how our relationship is going. They ask about Kingdom Hearts III. And you know what? I don’t know what to tell them anymore.

We all want it. But really, reading this gave me a headache.

Basically, just surprise me sometimes. I get tired of coming home to the same dinner or watching the same movies on HBO every week. That doesn’t make for a very romantic relationship and you know it. It’s exactly why I’ve been sleeping around with The Legend of Zelda. Look, I know you have a nice formula all lined up. You’re in a comfortable routine where you just go through each iteration with the same mindset as the last. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Stop with the analogies omg.

Remember when Chain of Memories came out and you introduced this new card-based mechanic? That was cool. It definitely needed some work, but it was progress via baby steps. That’s all I’m asking for. And adding something like parkour mechanics in your game doesn’t feel like a real change. It feels like an unhealthy distraction. Just like your cupcakes.

They did progress on it though... and I think 99.9% of people like the flowmotion. Calling it parkour just seems like a cheap way to seem like you're trying to easily relate to todays teenages(and you're just 18 taylor. you don't need to do that)

It’s about not just TAPPING THE X BUTTON 300,000 TIMES IN ONE PLAYTHROUGH AND WINNING EVERY TIME.

Well they have changed it up. How would you prefer the gameplay to go?

I know I’m asking a lot of you, and I don’t exactly expect you to live up to my expectations. You haven’t so far. And I'm also not going to make the promise that I'll take you back because I'm young and relatively attractive and I can maybe get a hotter woman in my life anyway, but I think you might still be able to impress me. And given your poor track record and constant disappointments in the past few years, I think I'm beig very understanding. You're welcome. Look, I get that you have to cater to thousands and thousands of other lovers, many of whom like who you are right now. And maybe that’s all you want, KH. Maybe you just want to be loved for who you are. But understand that you’re not a good person, KH. Not to me and not to a lot of your other now ex-lovers. It’s not too late to get a few of us back; all we’re asking is that you just change who you are. Just a little bit. After all, it’s a new year with fresh possibilities to explore. Try something different.

The thing that killed me, reading this whole editorial, was the much over-used analogies. Taylor, this is too much.

What’s that? Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX? WE’RE THROUGH.

[FONT=Book Antiqua]This "editorial" should not be your blog, and yet, it is. You could have done better.[/FONT]

This series of editorials was framed from the beginning as his personal experience with Kingdom Hearts. And all an article requires to qualify as an editorial, by the way, is that it be an expression of the writer's opinion, so I have no idea why you put that in quotes. I'm not sure what else you could've reasonably expected.

Anyway, I agree that the analogy probably overstayed it's welcome, and overcomplicated the article to a degree (but I wasn't as utterly repulsed as Chaser lol). I'm also not super positive that the entire premise of this editorial wasn't redundant, since, really, you already covered what you felt needed to be improved in the last one, and all you seemed to do here was marginally expand on those same complaints. IDK. My two cents.

Thanks for the critique, Chaser. I agree with a lot of it. Proof reading would have been a good idea. I think looking at it now, the analogy is probably abused, but for whatever reason it never struck me like that originally. Thanks though!

Agreed!



I knew it was redundant while I was writing it, but that's more of the fault of how I handled the second one over how I handled this one. But I definitely agree that there should have been a little more balance between the two. I was supposed to write them both at the same time and then work from there but I wrote one two months after the other and it kind of resulted in something really repetitive. Like a condensed summary. Definitely a rushed piece, and I don't plan on handling them like that anymore.

I could care less about Coded, considering how i've never played it. But i watched Gameplay of it and the whole story with cutscenes.

But Days? Come on. Admit Days was good.

I shared most of my thoughts when you posted your second article I think, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to expand a little bit:

My first KH game was actually Chain of Memories. Back then seeing Cloud and Donald in the same game was the weirdest thing ever. I got caught up in the first KH's story and beat it and it was actually pretty enjoyable. The card-based gameplay wasn't exactly one of their best ideas, since all it really meant was you had to do really easy mental math and not spam quite as much while still doing exactly what you did before. But I really enjoyed the story and characters, and it felt like there was a lot of promise.

I played KH2 and KH2FM came out shortly afterwards around the time I joined the forum. Soon afterwards CoM, BBS, and Days were announced and I was legitimately excited to see how things would go. But as the games came out, I became more and more disenfranchised with every installment.

There were good things about Days: the panel customization system was so much fun for the first few hours. The re-creations of the PS2 worlds on the DS were very impressive. The dialogue seemed less sophomoric and more nuanced. There was actual character interaction that regularly happened between Axel Roxas and Xion. But then the game's faults just became too apparent. The game is just one of the many rehashes SE has done of the KH1 worlds with some KH2 worlds at that. The admiration for how they rendered the worlds on the DS fades away rather quickly and it all just feels rather lazy. Been here, done that. Why couldn't Prankster's Paradise have been a world instead of Agrabah? The game's premise didn't really seem like it would have worked as a game anyway, to the point where I was surprised they made one of it at all. And of course they had to BS an entirely new character in, in an attempt to create drama. The whole thing just felt so unnecessary. And honestly, that wouldn't bother me normally. I don't mind "unnecessary" pieces of media so long as they're good. But Days isn't good. It just isn't.

BBS just further complicated a story that had already become too convoluted for its own good. The new worlds were a nice addition, but they're still just as empty and uninteresting as KH2's. In fact, it didn't really feel like much of an improvement from KH2 in general, which was already a game with a lot of design issues.

I haven't played coded. It could be a fun game for all I know, so I won't comment much on its quality as a game. I'll just say that I'm ready for when SE stops re-hashing KH1's worlds.

Overall I just don't feel very invested in the series anymore. I don't think it was ever particularly excellent; KH1 is really rough and unpolished and just got by on being charming and something that worked out better than expected. Subsequent games haven't really managed to recapture my interest, so I think the games just aren't something I can enjoy anymore.

The games in the KH series are better than a LOT of other games out there.

That really depends what games you're talking about and in what ways. I could also mention several franchises that I think are better at being the type of game they are supposed to be than KH. It's not ENTIRELY a pointless back and forth of opinions when it comes to issues like these because game design is a difficult thing to argue when something is definitely wrong, but it's still a really opinionated affair overall.

The thing about Coded and Days is, the gameplay of Days sucked while Coded had fun gameplay.
The plot of Days was much much better than Coded.
If they would have gotten the basic plot of Days with the gameplay of Coded, then the game would have been so much better when playing.

So the solution would have been to unite Days and Coded into one game?
Like having one good game instead of two mediocre ones?

Maybe. Wouldn't have stopped people complaining about Xion though :P

I think I can agree based on what I've played of both. The gameplay of Days never enticed me to keep playing, but the Coded gameplay felt similar to the first game while also feelings fresh.

Yep, for these issues to go away they would have needed to release Days before KH2.

I'm content with the fact that they'll never make a game as good as KH1 again, because I also can be content to know they'll never make anything as simple/easy/awkwardly voice acted as KH2 and they'll never be as bad as Days again.

Look, I have no idea what you're talking about. I have watched every Kingdom Hearts except I and II on youtube cause I couldn't afford all the consoles and stuff. (HD ReMIX FTW)

And to be honest with you I really don't get what's the problem with the story. I understand everything. Sure I may have forgotten some stuff since I watched them all on youtube, but that will change with the collections.

But maybe you don't like it anymore cause it's not your #1 favorite game? Ever since I put the CD in and saw the login screen and then the first cutscene I fell in love with it. And it's still is my most favorite series. It will forever be. And don't say "yeah you're just saying that now but you'll change your mind" no I won't. As long as KH runs I'll run with it.

i'm still very happy with all the kingdom hearts games, some aspects of them more than others, but i enjoyed each game for the most part, and most of them, even the side games seem important to the overall plot. i am actually looking foward to kingdom hearts 1.5 remix..because that means we'll finally get the remix...which will lead to us eventually getting the KH 2 final remix too..which i've been dying for.
from what i hear, they need to finish that final fantasy game before working on KH 3 , so this is just something to give us in the meanwhile, something is better than nothing..and i normally wait longer for a new zelda game to come out than i do kingdom hearts so i'm content :3

i'm not saying KH is perfect or there's nothing to improve on but all that aside , it's still one of my favorite game series ever.

People aren't thinking clearly in my opinion. Its been stated that the kingdom hearts team needs to finish developing FF13 versus , then they'll get on it. Plus if its coming out layer, their refining the story more and giving us some of what we want. Ive been waiting for a kingdom hearts on PS3 for years, and now its finally coming out. I don't care if its a refined copy of the first game and CoM, its still a PS3 KH game, and I'm happy with it. Plus its the first games final mix for PS3, which is even better since theres more to the story and all of it links up. You may not realize this still, but theyre updating the storyline to get you guys caught up for the new game, its like a trailer or sneak peak of whats to come with the next gen consoles. So guys, be happy. Its what weve wanted and now your complaining because they gave it to you.

People aren't thinking clearly in my opinion. Its been stated that the kingdom hearts team needs to finish developing FF13 versus , then they'll get on it.

That was a statement that was made several years ago. I'm pretty sure it no longer applies.

Gotta say that i haven't stepped into these threads in forever, and i have yet to really touch a kh game in years, so i'm a bit rusty on a lot of this stuff.

Anyway, i have to say that Kingdom Hearts for me at it's beginning was definitely the game to enjoy, and like many older members here, it was the prime of any of its future titles. I didn't care about the basics as it was just a fun story for me. Had it restrained itself from being complicated, then yeah maybe the series would have seemed bland, but at the same time, it's really how they go about it that takes the toll.

I've played games that progress itself to its players as to giving itself an edge, but KH adds stuff to tie loose ends while creating more stuff that completely bloats the series into a muck of complete wtf. They've created characters to give other characters a push into fleshing out their characters, and then they throw them away, and if they re-use them...well how interesting are they the second time if they were so forgettable then?

KH is not a hard story to understand, but it has it's fill of useless complications in my opinion. Albeit the situation with Xehanort is becoming clearer after DDD, but it's funny how everything up to that point felt like filler. Often times i felt like i wasn't playing Kingdom Hearts anymore. I feel like this series is riddled with trying to make itself look cool on top of it's story, if that's what growing up with a series means.... I played Kingdom Hearts 1 when i was 13, and i'm getting close to my mid 20's and in no way has my view of gaming changed. I know in myself what game feels good as opposed to feeling a little off, and i understand everything is opinionated, so don't all radical naysayers of OP's thread get their panties in a bunch, but too much is too much, y'know?

I think Kingdom Hearts is capable of being a good game by just making a simplified transition to being a little darker, with few complicated stories just to add twists. Most games do that anyway, but i think Kingdom Hearts...didn't know what it really wanted to do, so the story added more than it really needed. It's a bit laughable sometimes...but again, just my opinion

Has FF13 Versus been released yet? No. It still applies.

What I was implying was:

http://forums.khinsider.com/final-fantasy-series/133242-final-fantasy-versus-xiii-bearsauce-269.html#post5971099

Keep in mind that the "no KH3 until Versus is done" comment was years ago. I don't believe with current circumstances that it holds much water right now.

As in, they're not necessarily going to wait until Versus is done to work on KH3. When they said FF Versus had to be finished first I'm pretty sure they weren't necessarily expecting it to take this long (they ran into problems with working on the new engine and the game's had a LOT of retooling since being initially conceived). It only started full production in 2011. They wouldn't have announced the game in like 2006 if they were only planning to start it in 11.

Not really. Remember there are two development teams for Kingdom Hearts. One of them is off in Tokyo doing whatever they are doing with Versus (PDD1), and the other is in Osaka (PDD5 or whatever) with a small number of them working on the HD remasters. They have also been stated to be working on multiple projects, and the fact they are doing the HD remasters at all shows they are very familiar with the architecture of the PS3.

I'm not saying it means they are working on KH3 or anything, but I am saying that PDD1 isn't the only team that can work on it and that the team in Osaka is well more than able to work on KH3 if need be.

I hope they still keep all the disney worlds they put in the 1st 2 games, I mean ya it can get old going back through them, but its nostalgic. And then they need to add more like from pixar. KH3 needs to go ALL OUT.

Not necessarily. If KH3 goes all out, what's left for KH4?
PAlso, I loved the worlds in KH1 and 2 it not all of them need to return, especially if they're gonna add new ones.

The start of the brand new saga.

If Kingdom Hearts 3 comes out and the series ends, what is one to do with their life? lol

Continue it, presumably.

Taylor, insane as you are, that was a beautiful article. Seriously I'm impressed you kept the whole wife thing going. I laughed a lot.

But anyway I'd have to say I agree with everything you said. KH has been a dry formula since two. How would everyone feel about KH3 going open world? I think it would be an entirely new concept, considering that you travel between worlds. Might be the fresh start the series needs?

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep helped redeem the series. the worst of it was repetitive worlds we've already seen, an end world that seemed cut short, and the whole of it all being on a handheld. Otherwise great gameplay and story.

Days, ReCoded, and 3D were okay-good. not great by any means. 3D had the best gameplay, and a mind blowing ending, but overall was just lengthy. I enjoyed Days story, but the repetitive missions once again drew out the story to make points seem worthless and forgettable. ReCoded could have been summed up in all of one scene, and it became it's own game. it was the best gameplay on the original DS, but no one really asked for a DS game anyway.

now they are releasing the HD remakes on PS3, and if KH3 ever comes out it will most likely be next gen, PS4. and the odds of backwards compatibility from ps3-ps4 haven't been looking good.

I just believe that if KH3 does ever finally release, through all the troubles we've had and the wait we've been put through, it wont be enough. it will be the ultimate hype ruining a game in history.