STACK January 2017 Issue 147

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42 JANUARY 2017
GAMES
FEATURE
Square Enix games of all time, if not the most.
This is the same developer who brought us
FFXIII- XIII-2 and Lightning Returns , so that
might give you an idea of the tangled web of
bottom-of-the-bag headphones plot involved.
Of course, that makes the reveals, and the
rules of the universe, all the more impactful.
Every new bit of information, every twist, every
character, fundamentally changes how the
game can be viewed. Hell, every KH forum is
filled with theory and speculation.
KH is not a franchise banking on Mickey’s
good looks to make its buck – it has a level of
gameplay, customisation and level progression
behind it that would make your Europa
Universalis player think that some people have
too much time on their hands.
You can get lost in levelling and progressing
And that’s one of the secrets of KH – it
understands epic on more than one level.
For those not invested in KH, this is easily
seen in the boss fights throughout the series.
Stages are set, the cinematics are badass, and
the combat intensifies significantly from the
norm. There’s also some cases where you can
perform special, boss-specific moves.
It’s more than just the visual of the attack,
or the damage output – it’s about significance
in that moment. Change has occurred and you
have to pay attention, because this isn’t like
every other fight. Oh no, this is its own moment
and it’s going to stick with you.
However, for those in the KH fandom, their
sense of the epic might’ve also been tickled
by the characters, story and reveals. For those
unaware, KH is one of the most convoluted
your characters to fill roles as niche or rounded
as you can think. Weapons, medals, attacks,
stats – whatever has been in a JRPG and
could have been in a JRPG can be found and
configured to make a system that is truly
yours and unlike anyone else's. This means
the playthrough value is almost endless, giving
players the excuse to fight alongside their
favourite faces time and time again.
As strange as Kingdom Hearts is, it’s
undeniable that it comes together beautifully,
like pork and apple, salt and caramel, hopeful
youth and bewildered teen.
Kingdom Hearts X Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts Chain
of Memories Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts
Coded Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Kingdom Hearts III
• Kingdom
Hearts HD 2.8
is out Jan 24
continued
Why Kingdom Hearts Works