I love DDD. It's great. The problem is not that it's a "bad" game, it just has some stuff that is either weird (Dream Eaters) or jarring (time travel).
Even the time travel thing, I am okay with. Nomura was very smart and held it back, making it so that it was restricted and unable to screw with already established events. He completely dodged the possibility of uber plot holes, and allowed for some very cool plot twists to be introduced. Personally, the concept of fighting 13 incarnations of Xehanort against 7 heroes is amazing and the fact that the time travel idea made it possible is why I am totally supportive of the time travel thing. Yes, it further complicates things, but it's adding a massive setup for the climax of the Saga.
Flowmotion, while executed poorly in DDD, is an awesome concept. It's fun and adds a lot of flair to the game. I can't wait to play the revamped version of it in KH3.
The Dream Eaters were a big turn off for me at first, but they grew on me. I still think the color-vomit design of them is off-putting, but the entirety of the game seems to have this kinda "carnival of exploding neon colors" vibe, so they do work in the art style of the game. Also, the first time I heard the Dream Eater theme song, I was like "Wtf IS this horrendous sound!?" and now that shit is my JAM. Headbanging to the Dream Eater song is so wonderfully oxymoronic.
One thing in particular I really like about DDD was that it developed Sora and Riku further. It showed that Sora, despite all he's gone through, is still naive and doesn't fully understand the gravity of what's going on. Yes, he saved the Realms twice, and slayed a Castle full of jerks, but you can see the overconfidence he's developed at the beginning of the game. Sora is naturally carefree and aloof, so combine that with him thinking that he can already take on anything without needing preparation and DDD was necessary to show Sora that he does need more work to be truly ready for what is to come.
And for Riku, I enjoy how DDD essentially made Riku the main protagonist. I thought that was a fantastic choice and Riku finally confronting himself and his actions, rather than trying to fight/control the Darkness, was a solid path for the plot to follow. He made peace with himself. He learned to control the Darkness, but he was still insecure. He overcame that insecurity in DDD and that will do wonders for him in KH3. I just hope Square doesn't make Riku keep having his struggle with the Darkness in KH3. He's done it, he's won, that part of his character arc is done. I think the smart thing to do now is have Riku start and Aqua-type character arc, where he works on the responsibility of being a Keyblade Master.
And omfg, the MUSIC in DDD. "L'Oscurita dell'Ignoto"? The Sora vs Xemnas boss battle song? Masterpiece. One of the best songs Yoko has ever composed, and that's saying a lot because every song in the KH series is amazing, both the Disney remixes and original compositions.
DDD is my fourth favorite game of the series, after 2, 1, and BBS. I think it's fantastic and I can't wait to replay it in 2.8.
I do too! I think the contrast between the two is really well done. Xehanort forces his heart onto others for his own selfish desires, while Sora allows others into his heart in pure selflessness. It very much reminds me of the duality between Harry and Voldemort, where they are so similar in many ways, but their choices and outlook on the world create two completely different personas: one full of love and the other devoid of it.
Even the time travel thing, I am okay with. Nomura was very smart and held it back, making it so that it was restricted and unable to screw with already established events. He completely dodged the possibility of uber plot holes, and allowed for some very cool plot twists to be introduced. Personally, the concept of fighting 13 incarnations of Xehanort against 7 heroes is amazing and the fact that the time travel idea made it possible is why I am totally supportive of the time travel thing. Yes, it further complicates things, but it's adding a massive setup for the climax of the Saga.
Flowmotion, while executed poorly in DDD, is an awesome concept. It's fun and adds a lot of flair to the game. I can't wait to play the revamped version of it in KH3.
The Dream Eaters were a big turn off for me at first, but they grew on me. I still think the color-vomit design of them is off-putting, but the entirety of the game seems to have this kinda "carnival of exploding neon colors" vibe, so they do work in the art style of the game. Also, the first time I heard the Dream Eater theme song, I was like "Wtf IS this horrendous sound!?" and now that shit is my JAM. Headbanging to the Dream Eater song is so wonderfully oxymoronic.
One thing in particular I really like about DDD was that it developed Sora and Riku further. It showed that Sora, despite all he's gone through, is still naive and doesn't fully understand the gravity of what's going on. Yes, he saved the Realms twice, and slayed a Castle full of jerks, but you can see the overconfidence he's developed at the beginning of the game. Sora is naturally carefree and aloof, so combine that with him thinking that he can already take on anything without needing preparation and DDD was necessary to show Sora that he does need more work to be truly ready for what is to come.
And for Riku, I enjoy how DDD essentially made Riku the main protagonist. I thought that was a fantastic choice and Riku finally confronting himself and his actions, rather than trying to fight/control the Darkness, was a solid path for the plot to follow. He made peace with himself. He learned to control the Darkness, but he was still insecure. He overcame that insecurity in DDD and that will do wonders for him in KH3. I just hope Square doesn't make Riku keep having his struggle with the Darkness in KH3. He's done it, he's won, that part of his character arc is done. I think the smart thing to do now is have Riku start and Aqua-type character arc, where he works on the responsibility of being a Keyblade Master.
And omfg, the MUSIC in DDD. "L'Oscurita dell'Ignoto"? The Sora vs Xemnas boss battle song? Masterpiece. One of the best songs Yoko has ever composed, and that's saying a lot because every song in the KH series is amazing, both the Disney remixes and original compositions.
DDD is my fourth favorite game of the series, after 2, 1, and BBS. I think it's fantastic and I can't wait to replay it in 2.8.
I do too! I think the contrast between the two is really well done. Xehanort forces his heart onto others for his own selfish desires, while Sora allows others into his heart in pure selflessness. It very much reminds me of the duality between Harry and Voldemort, where they are so similar in many ways, but their choices and outlook on the world create two completely different personas: one full of love and the other devoid of it.
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