Kingdom Hearts Who agrees the Original Kingdom Hearts is still the best?Give your reasons why!

I personally love the main 3 games.The story,gameplay,music,characters and the concept of blending Final Fantasy with Disney is fantastic.Still at 22 I'm loving the series most recently the amazing Birth by Sleep.
However Kingdom Hearts 1 will always be my favourite.None of the follow ups were able to balance the story and gameplay quite as well as the original.Number 2 was sensational but lacked the exploration and simplicity in terms of story of number 1.
I thought BBS might recapture the magic that I had while playing the original but it just didn't happen.
Can't help but feel like the series slightly outgrew itself after number 2 with all the subgames as I like to call them.
Did anyone else feel slightly betrayed when Chain of Memories came out for Nintendo and continued the story?
A lot of people including myself was very lost playing KH2 and trying to catch up on everything that happened in Castle Oblivion and not to mention who the hell Roxas was lol
I always felt like Square were trying to squeeze money outta the franchise and totally changed the direction the series story was going after Kingdom Hearts 1.
This definitely seems to be the case now with 3D and Birth by Sleep Volume 2 supposedly coming out.
By the time Kingdom hearts 3 comes out I'll probably have totally lost interest in future of the series.I really don't want that to happen but with so many overbranching stories and games I feel like the Kingdom Hearts series is heading for a meltdown.
I think they should return to the drawing board and look at what made the original the best.
Return to the difficulty and exploration but include the battle system of BBS and try and give the series a definitve ending instead of dragging the franchise into eternity to the point nobody will want to follow it anymore.
Whew what a rant lol.Just wanna guage others peoples' views on this.Do you agree that the original KH is the best and if so why?

 

Sure, I'll bite.

The first Kingdom Hearts is my favorite, but it is not without its flaws. The camera isn't too good (though I'd say the camera and targetting system in most of the handhelds are worse), and most boss fights aren't too interesting, as you pretty much only need to evade and attack or jump-attack.

But the first Kingdom Hearts still had the best plot. It was actually a story about fantasy and Disney. The later games (except maybe BbS) seem like they've been trying to brush aside as much Disney as possible to make room for their (terribly written) anime stuff. I'm not trying to defend KH1's story as a masterpiece, but it did serve its purpose well: Disney villains band together and the chosen one has to go beat them up. Defeating them serves a purpose, unlike KH2 for example, where the Disney worlds have nothing at all to do with anything. Yeah sure, cutscenes were unskippable in KH1, but most of them are actually at least interesting to watch by having multiple camera angles and sometimes being action packed. Much better than the KH2 approach of "~500 cutscenes of people who stand around and talk."

I also love the battle system in KH1, and I wish they'd move a bit back in that direction with future games. Combat was just so nice and smooth in KH1. You could easily change between evading, guarding, and attacking, but your enemies were tough too. In later games, BbS especially, combat feels a lot stiffer, more "automatic." It doesn't feel like you're the one playing, it feels like the game is playing for you, you just need to press X to continue all the time. There's also the Riku fight, and despite my bashing of KH1's boss fights earlier, that one fight is probably my favorite in the whole series.

 

I have to agree with you Kingdom Hearts 1 wasn't perfect.The camera was atrocious not to mention the horrible Gummi ship segments.:$
But it did have the perfect balance between Disney and Final Fantasy storyline.You had a reason to go to every world and each world had a specific villain.
In number 2 they focused too much on the antics of Organisation 13 so that when you fought a Disney villain like Scar or Shan Yu you were kinda going "What's the point in fighting these guys" because they were not the major threat.
And the amount of cutscenes must number more than MGS 4.
I havn't played any of the handhelds other than Birth by Sleep because I didn't feel like they added anything to the main story they just gave background info.
How about the worlds?I absolutely loathed Atlantica and Agrabah.Loved Halloween town and Traverse Town was my favourite.

 

Atlantica isn't so bad once you know the shortcuts. Wonderland, on the other hand, is a world I can't stand. Monstro also gets boring really fast.

 

Kingdom Hearts II is probably my favorite just because I love the story, and I how much better the controls were compared to the first, and I mostly love how much better the fighting seemed to have gotten. Compared to the first, I was actually able to control the fights a little better, and the abilities were much easier to use. And the sephiroth fight was a lot more fun, since it seemed a little longer, not too mention easier to fight compared to the first game, since you had to be who-knows-what-level which I could never be

 

The main thing that KH lacks is better gameplay.

KH2 tops it with the reaction commands and drive forms ANY DAY!

Other than that, the story was very original. Most things in the other games came from the original, but there are a few things that it lacked. Luckily, they added it into the other games but KH is still one of the best in the series. (:

 

I do in a way

When I first played KH1 I was just like damn. So then I'm thinking they can't do this any better way. They did it with KH2. I love the reaction commands, Drive Forms, and Dual Weild Keyblades. But then I really wanted to play Final Mix because you get more and better moves, and keyblades. For the first one I really wanna get the keyblade you get when you beat sephy. Then the Ice Titan one.

I just like the fact that the second one Final Mix version you can fight Terra, another drive form, finishing plus(I just love the arial finishing plus. When he spins around like he's in master form then does arial finisher.) and more bosses. Damn that looks so good. But I'm heated that the add on's didn't come out for the PS2. I would have got that in a heart beat.

Damn gotta buy a PSP for BBS. Then get the Final Mix imported. Then gotta buy a DS for 358/2 days which I have yet to play to this day. But besides that I actual like the Final Mixes and other stuff. But the reasons I don't. They never made one for the PS2. And the Final Mixes are only in Japan. Does anyone know why that is? The fact that the Final Mixes are only in Japan?

 

KH1 will probably remain my favorite. I was a preteen when I first played through it. When I heard about Chain of Memories, I was completely surprised it had a sequel, although

Spoiler: KH1 ending

everyone was split up, the ending just felt complete/definite to me. I'm weird, I know.

The other games I've played have been okay but just seem to lack the magic that the first one contained. The battle system and camera work may have improved, but I hold story/plot in higher regard than those. I was excited for KH2, but then disappointed when I realized you pretty much beat every world twice which just added repetitiveness that detracted from the overall story. I choose to completely ignore 358/2 Days (I think it was a horrid attempt of a filler sequel). I haven't played BBS or Re:Connect (though I know their complete stories already), but I feel like I will get that repetitiveness feeling when/if I do get around to them (BBS being more appealing with different characters and earlier timeline). KH1 is just set apart from the rest. I fell in love with it and I'm never tired of playing it again and again.

 

Now the first one is good, it's a lot more challenging then KH2 I think. However, after playing KH2 (which I finished within about a week) I played the first one, it took me a lot longer, not only because it was harder but because I wasn't as in to it as the second. I don't know if it would have been different had I played KH1 first. Well, KH2 is still my favourite mainly because it changed my life, when I play it I am reminded of my 12th birthday when I got it and all the fun and enjoyment I had out of it, I've over played it, I love it, the music can set me off down a road of good memories, the game play can make me smile so easily. Everything about it just rings good memories, that isn't all though, I just love the storyline, I like how it began to get complicated with the nobodies and I found the nobodies themselves to be very interesting, a being with no heart- no emotion. I was taken away by this fact, it just amazed me and I don't know why. I have only ever finished the first one once and I am currently playing through it again, I am enjoying it more this time and it is definitely better than some of the spin offs but it really can't beat KH2.

KH2 was the first one I played so it was that game that introduced me to the concept of all my childhood Disney films merged into one, it really helped that a lot of the same voices came back and that it was just one amazing game. I easily get sucked into the second one but the first not so much. Now that I'm older though, I find the first one less challenging which is better to an extent, one thing as well, I prefer Sora, Riku and Kairi being a year older, it makes them feel mroe mature and grown up. Plus Sora's KH1 costume bugs me xD but that's not a major thing really.

 

I prefer KH1 over KH2 for many reasons. The main one being that it was definitely more challenging which is a big plus for me given that KH2 was literally the easiest game I have ever played (yes, on proud mode). The story was more simple, and, as mentioned before, the Riku fight was the most epic fight I have ever experienced in any game. I also liked the ability dynamic with Strike Raid, Ars Arcanum, etc. It was unique and smooth, and very fun. A lot of the bosses were lame but some were really freaking cool too, like the second to last Ansem+Guardian fight.

However, I prefer KH2FM+ over KH1. It addressed the difficulty issue A LOT with the data fights and Critical Mode, and the combat is also amazing in that game. It's a very replayable game and very fun. Hacked fights never get old.

 

Kingdom Hearts 2 was too easy. I've always liked the first one better.

 

I have to disagree with you, Arch, on the point that Kingdom Hearts is a good game because you feel you can play it once and love it. While not the sole factor in determining a "good" game, I think replay value is important. If you buy these games when they're first released, you're looking at around $50. I want to get the most I can out of that $50!

I think that, story-wise, the original is much better. The story was exciting and unexpected, interesting without being overcomplicated. In Kingdom Hearts II I think they got a little too ambitious. Introducing the Nobodies and Organization XIII was one thing, but the story was sometimes hard to follow, had plot holes, and it never felt you had a clear goal. In the first game you knew, okay, I am looking for Riku and Kairi, and attempting to seal the Keyholes because that is my duty as Keyblade Master. But in KHII, you started with "time to find Riku and go home!", but as the game went on you got a number of objectives, vague and otherwise. All the while it never felt I had a clear goal, or a plan of action to find Riku. Basically, Sora just seemed to hop from world to world hoping he'd bump into Riku, and would get wrapped up in a bunch of stuff.

Gameplay-wise, I enjoy Kingdom Hearts II more. They did completely destroy the magic system, though--I used it a LOT in the original game, but the new MP system in KHII made it really difficult to be a magic user. One Cure spell and your MP was eaten up entirely. And it is a button masher, that's true too. But I'm not sure. Something about it is just downright fun.

Chain of Memories I really love the story of (though the card system is god-awful, imo), but I wish they'd taken it a little further, in a way? I'm not sure.

Haven't played the others, so I can't really speak of them.

 

Kingdom Hearts sure has its memories; I'll give it that. It is the original installment that started the whole franchise. I can still distinctly remember the emotions coursing through me as I played this game; did I mention it was my first one too? Yep, its sentimental value exceeds the other games. However, Kingdom Hearts 2 exceeds the other games in the sense that it was because of this game that the other games found the opportunity to unlock other doors of improvements. Reaction commands, nice little map display, awesome combat effects, new Final fantasy combos, everything about it is what made this game pure awesome.

All in all, I can't really agree as to which game is better per-say. I can only say that they're both awesome in their own way. ^_^;

 

I like the story line and the worlds and the bosses and heartless. Its also much easier :lolface:

 

1.Yes. Kh2 does have some non-button, but I don't recall where...

2.Thank You! No circling Fire! YAY!

3.A.K.A. Hollow Bastion, and almost all the other worlds.

4. Kurt Zisa anyone? How about Dark Riku?

5.I miss that feature alot. Some bosses,you HAVE to block them.

6.Yes, yes, yes!!!!! hard, mysterious and plot twists? what's not to love?

7.once or twice for me, but really, i played the whole thing through once.

8.If you're talking about Donald and Goofy's reaction commands then yes. Parts of the game are lit up like disco show. although, being able to go all samuri with the press of the triangle? nice... sometimes. others? it sucks! The camera in KH1 is really good. Plus, you have to earn nearly everything from the beginning.

9.finally!
except for healing.
10. abused, mistreated and hated upon, to be correct.

11.RANGAROK!!!!! {sorry favorite kh1 command}

I don't hate/bash kh2, i like it alot. it's fun and upbeat. it's part shooter. however! In compraision, the sora from KH1 seemed waaaay more smater than KH2 sora. "where's kairi?" KH1 sora: "i dunno, but we'll find her." KH2 sora: "We'll never find her!!!!!...." seems being without a nobody makes you real stupid..

 

KHII is my favorite. Button mashing, not the greatest magic system, but I loved it.

KH(1) was very fun and enjoyable, but for some reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the others.

BBS took a slither of KH and KHII and combined it, and I loved the storyline/gameplay. (But that ice cream minigame..ugh...) Plus I started hyperventilating when I saw Zack. /endgirlymoment

CoM was fun but the card system had me banging my Gameboy against the wall. Never played the remake.

Days. I loved the storyline, and I was tearing up at the end. The gameplay dragged on, so it kind of bored me.

 

KH1 is probably the best example of a game that sounds ******, to a fantastic adventure, it has both a good balance of Disney and Final Fantasy in it, the game was actually challenging and not just a button masher, Hard mode on KH1 was actually hard! And I'm sorry, I get so much satisfaction of seeing all of the Disney villains together trying to take over all worlds and take 1 kid ONE KID down! The music is truly one of the best music pieces I have ever seen in a video game. Atlantaca is not stupid in KH1, even though I despised the controls it was 10 times better than in KH2, it actually feels like a Disney and a Final Fantasy game at the same time! And Billy Zane as "Ansem" is 10 times better than whoever played Xemnas in KH2, yes the Gummie sections do suck, but looking over all of its problems, its truly a magical game

KH2 as a game is fantastic, but it dose not have the charm that KH1 had, I'm sorry, I just thought that yes, the combat was the same but most of it, MOST of it was just "herp durp, press triangle duuuuuuurp" the story just felt like another Final Fantasy game.....with Disney Characters as a cameo. While not easy at times, proud mode was just not hard, thats just how I feel, it just wasn't as difficult as KH1, and there are just ALOT of cheesy dialog in KH2, I know its a Square game supported by Disney, but come on, we didn't have stupid dialog like this in KH1! And while I do like Roxas as a character, I can never forgive him or Square for putting me through a stupid, wasteful 2 hour tutorial that for the most part, was unnecessary except for days 3 and the last day. Once again, KH2 is a great game, but its just not as awesome as KH1. Oh and I can not ****ing stand the voice actor for Aries, she sounds like a ****ing robot.

 

I think KH II will always be my fave, followed by BBS, Days, then KH I, then CoM, then Coded. At the first time of playing the first KH I was like 'OMG this is best thing ever!'. But after playing II, replaying the original always feels clunky and awkward, and I finally realise how annoying HighPitched!Sora is. Don't get me wrong, I still love it, but I think the sequels were better.

 

Kingdom Hearts 1 will always be my favourite KH in the series. The first time i played KH it was rather challenging mostly because of my inexperience with games but ever since that day i've never been able to put the game down.
There is just something about KH1 which makes me want to play it!