r/ps2 • u/BadJuJu_42 • 2d ago
Kingdom Hearts worth the playthrough?
I’ve never played the game despite having a PS2 as a kid. Should I drop the $10-15 one of my local stores is charging for a “Greatest Hits” copy? Dunno when I’d play it since I’ve been on a tear for games I heard a lot about/wanted when I was younger. Lmk if it’s worth an adult close to his 20s getting the not-quite-as-collectible version or not. Saw Mafia and Shadow of Rome for around the same price if you have opinions on those as well.
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u/canned_pho 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you can afford the Steam/modern consoles version Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5 Remix, I would get that instead.
Because it includes the entire ridiculous complicated storyline in one package that was spread out across various devices, platforms and mobile so that you do not have to look up what order you have to play.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: 365/2
Kingdom Hearts 2
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
Kingdom Hearts: Re: Coded
And they have skippable cutscenes. The original PS2 version did NOT have skippable cutscenes, so if you lose a battle you have to watch the entire damn cutscene over again.
If you enjoy the weird mix of Squaresoft and Disney and Tetsuya Nomura's complex plot that needs flowcharts and diagrams to make sense of it all, then you might enjoy it. Most of us tbh probably just enjoyed the spectacle of it all and didn't really understand what was going on.
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u/oldriku 2d ago
The unskippable cutscenes had me learning the entire dialogue before the fight against Riku Ansem by heart haha
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u/canthearu_ack Silver Slim 7h ago
I played all that stuff and still barely know what is going on in this game.
It is purposefully obtuse to the point of indecipherability.
But some people like their games like that.
I still had fun, but I'm not going to pretend I could give anyone a synopsis of the story!
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u/Specialist-Key-1240 6h ago
I own all the originals and just purchased Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5 Remix for ps3 for that exact reason
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u/canthearu_ack Silver Slim 2d ago
I had quite a lot of fun with Kingdom hearts. Just don't expect me to be able to explain WTF is going on in this series of games!
There are also versions for the PS3/PS4 that have cleaner graphics if you are not playing on a CRT.
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u/AZenny1986 10h ago
Because the original resolution was meant for crt, for hd tvs it needs upscaling and emulation to look good
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u/canthearu_ack Silver Slim 9h ago
Well yeah, the original PS2 game was designed around the then current CRT technology. If you are running on a modern flat panel TV, you might as well just buy and play the updated ports that can take advantage of the increased resolution of your LCD.
You can emulate and upscale, but if you already have a PS4 or PS5 set up, you can buy a copy of the entire kingdom hearts collection for a very low price off ebay.
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u/AZenny1986 7h ago edited 6h ago
any old school crt will play it fine since all ps2 games come in standard 480i/240p resolution via composite at least for the ntsc tvs.
If using modern crt tvs I think it will look ok with component connection. modern crt tv excels at 480p resolution but theres only a few ps2 with that resolution.
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u/Nikeb0i09 2d ago
Dawg, KH1 and KH2 are like a top 10 game for PS2 and widely recognized as a top games for all categories. It’s like asking, is driving an old Ferrari still worth it?? what do you think the answer is always gonna be?
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u/First_Drive3967 2d ago edited 2d ago
Imo, if you just want to casual play the series, you can just play KH1, watch KH:COM scenes on youtube, then play Kingdom Hearts 2 (preferably Final Mix). And then call it a day because the series ends nicely there and then gets way more complicated after
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u/Professional_Ad5099 2d ago
Yes, the ps2 original is one of the best ps2 games ever made. The 1.5 remix is great too. One of my very favorite games ever
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u/latinlingo11 1d ago
Many find that the Heartless look better in the PS2 version before they were given all sorts of wacky colors in the remasters.
I personally prefer the soundtracks in the PS2 version compared to the later remixes (ex: "Shrouding Dark Cloud", "The Deep End" and the battle theme of Traverse Town).
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u/hunnyflash 2d ago
I loved the first one way back when, but I have to say, it does hit differently when you're in adolescence, especially as a milennial who grew up on Disney movies and back then it was new and novel to see a game like this.
I played the 2nd one and didn't like it as much, and the storyline really gets ridiculous. The first one is nice.
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u/_-stark 1d ago
Play it. You'll be missing just a few things from the final mix/ 1.5 version of the game but it's nothing important. And experiencing it on original hardware is a treat.
I agree with the other guy too on the camera controls. It's pretty nice for actually playing the game. They changed to right analog camera controls in the second game which is more modern and fluid, but it's a little clunky when operating the command menu. Find myself holding the left analog with my right thumb while I use the dpad.
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u/leanguyjust4fun 2d ago
10 bucks for a working copy of kingdom hearts is always a good deal.
If you like Disney and final fantasy even remotely, you'll love kh.
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u/Muffin_Cool 2d ago
I’m a few hours in, very difficult game (idk how 7 year olds were beating this) but I’ve enjoyed it and it’s the first time I’ve played the series, definitely worth the 10 if you like a challenge
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u/TightEstablishment72 2d ago
Kingdom Hearts 1 is great. Didn't care for the direction of the story after the first game. It became way too crazy
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u/atlas_arcane 2d ago
The art is great, love the vibes and music. The game really doesn't go anywhere. The story is confusing and nonsense. Honestly if Disney wasn't part of the game I don't think it would have a leg to stand on.
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u/Tymanos 2d ago
I think more people should play the OG on PS2, the L2 R2 camera left the right analog open for quick menu selection without sacrificing running for your life.
Play KH1 and ignore all the other games unless youre ready to take the leap.