The game combines characters and settings from Disney animated features with those from Square's Final Fantasy series. The story follows a young boy, Sora, as he is thrown into an epic battle against the forces of darkness. He is joined by Donald Duck and Goofy, classic Disney characters who help him on his quest.
Kingdom Hearts was a departure from Square's standard role-playing games, introducing a substantial action-adventure element to the gameplay. In addition, it has an all-star voice cast which includes many of the Disney characters' official voice actors. Kingdom Hearts was longtime Square character designer Tetsuya Nomura's first time in a directorial position.
The game was praised for its unusual combination of action and role-playing, as well as its unexpectedly harmonious mix of Square and Disney motifs. It received numerous year-end "Best" video game awards, was a dominating presence in the 2002 holiday season, and went on to achieve Sony "Greatest Hits" status. Our particular borrowed copy of the game has "PS2 Greatest Hits" in gold on the top. Since its release, Kingdom Hearts has sold over 5.6 million copies worldwide and has prompted three sequels. Two more titles are currently being developed, which have a connection to a future, unannounced game.
Sounds like a strange combination, eh? Well, I ASSURE you it is fantastically done. Though it is a bit of a shock to see Goofy and Donald wearing Tokyo pop clothing, it is SO cool to be fighting wraiths in Halloween Town alongside Jack the Skeleton (not to mention wearing an awesome/freaky costume). Even though you no longer care, I will tell you that I just beat the Neverland World, AND learned how to fly (score! Really fun actually).
Let's continue nerding out; this is fun.
For all of you with....underdevoloped attention spans/modern intolerance....I have included a more visual demonstration.
The opening. (Que choir chorus "Ahhhh!")
Don't worry, you get over his shoes really fast (phew).
I thought he was a girl at first too.
Check out the graphics when he flips his hair out of the water... cool.
And that's where you start the game: standing on a giant Snow White stained glass...thingie.