Honestly though, while I really loved the map design in DDD and the one in II isn’t one of my favorites, I don’t think there’s anything inherently bad about that approach to map design
Flowmotion's problem is that it ultimately undermined all of the standard movement abilities, and it was also often better for crowd control than actual abilities. What's interesting to me is comparing how some of these KHII worlds feel between entries. Like 358/2 manages to bring back a lot of platforming antics by slightly changing around established maps, but also by nerfing Roxas' movement abilities. It was interesting trying to get around Twilight Town in the prologue and realizing that despite lacking all of the standard movement abilities, Roxas had a pretty easy time reaching places that I'm still having trouble doing so in the handheld entry. Roxas' jump distance is much better in KHII for example. I am being reminded how boring the world design is in this title, especially for the starting worlds. I think Hollow Bastion/Radiant Garden and Twilight Town are like the only worlds that really escape the issue since they're both huge, and the player spends the most time in those locations. The other world's are just kind of short and have to bring in gimmicks to add longevity to hide the pretty basic design. You can tell the game was designed more with the combat system in mind as the core. It will be interesting to see how BbS holds up because it had a similar issue, but at least it had the excuse of being on a smaller system.
Yeah, I’m a bit torn on the playformjng. On the one hand, there was a lot of really flat, empty locales in II. But then on the other hand, I’s Platfroming was pretty terrible in places. I’m glad later games are far more enjoyable in that regard, especially BBS and 3D (though I know flowmotuon from the latter is controversial).
Yeah, with the heart issue, I feel the easiest way to rectify it is to simply realize that KH's universe works on Plato's Theory of Forms, with Form/Idea being replaced by Heart. Though I would still argue it's a poor explanation overall. I just finished the first two Disney Worlds of Mulan and Beauty and the Beast. I completely forgot how every world has some weird mini-game gimmick going for it to cover the fact the platforming and exploration have been gutted from this entry. The funniest one is the one where you light the lanterns at Beat's Castle and you have to go back and forth between lighting the lanterns and restoring Cogsworth's stamina, yet here's Donal and Goofy just standing around killing time and never helping. I forgot how easy Proud mode is in this title compared to KH1's. I think the only fight I've died in was with Roxas dealing with the Twilight Thorn, and that was mainly because he summoned some Nobodies and then proceeded to turn the arena into a light and magic show so I kept taking unnecessary from the Nobodies because they blend in so well with everything else going on in the screen. After that, I've just been kicking ass and taking names. Still adore the Gummi Ship sequences in this title though. So far, the only really new element I've encountered is the Puzzle Piece mini-game, which I feel exists solely to justify all the of movement abilities and upgrades in this game. Have't finished a puzzle yet, and there are a few I've seen where I already know I won't be able to reach them without either Glide or a maxed out High Jump. I've also apparently unlocked Mushroom XIII as well, but have yet to check it out as I had gotten stuck in the plot doing a "But Thou Must" situation that has kept me from revisiting that world.
I think data copies of hearts actually resonate with real hearts - at least that’s what it always felt like to me. It not only helps explain why Rinzler resonates with Tron’s memories, despite Sora never meeting that version of him, but also how what Data Sora felt was later felt by real Sora. It’s never stated outright, but there are several factors pointing to it, so it seems like a logical conclusion. As for Roxas’ routine with HPO - yeah I feel it was the latter, with DiZ replicating it but not just to ease Roxas into it, but to make it easier for himself, since that way he would t have to attempt to reprogram Roxas within the days world
Prologue is finished. Still trippy and interesting, but I also feel it showcases a lot of the issues I have with the story overall with all the early twists that seem to be there more for shock value than because it's necessary for the story. I still enjoyed it, and I'm quickly learning I'm a bit out of practice with this entry though. I will say, it was harder to get through this part with the 358/2 retcons now in play. Obviously 358/2 utilized ideas from KH2 for it's plot and character interaction, but looking at it as a whole, it now makes me wonder if the actions and routines of Hayner, Pence, and Olette are simply just like that and it just happens to be similar to what Roxas did with Axel and Xion, or if Diz set up the virtual world to tap in and copy Roxas memories to ease him better into the fake world? I am being reminded of a plot hole that has always bothered me about this game. If Roxas' reality was a fake based on the real Twilight Town, then how do the trio sort of remember him? Like their interaction with Sora is sort of based on their virtual selves dealing with Roxas, and even though they never actually met Roxas purposely, why does the story treat it like the events of the prologue really happened to them when it was all an assimilation. The cosmology of this series has always bugged me because it really does seem like the writers play fast and loose with rules and definitions to get their cake and eat it too.
PS3, I got the 1.5 Mix as a Christmas gift a few years back when it was new, and I opted to pick up the second set for the PS3 as well because my OCD works that way. I did break down and also pick up a used copy of the II.8 nonsense, only because I was curious about Aqua's title and could justify it by getting a coupon from Gamestop. I don't really believe my thoughts on the writing is going to change much, I still feel like II has a meandering plot that halfheartedly closed out the Nobody arc while spending most of it's actual time setting up all of the spin-off titles that came after. I'm more curious to see if the gameplay side of things will change for me, but I also don't really feel that will be the case either as most of my time watching videos justifying why it's so good falls into my pet peeve about difficulty balance. I mean it's great that they added a whole slew of optional bosses that make the battle system shine, it;'s a shame they couldn't fix the rest of the game's gameplay to do the same...
I wouldn’t expect much, honestly. I imagine the game feels more complete and that the end-game challenges will actually be pretty fun, but if you dislike the original, I doubt you’ll go around and change your mind with this. But then again, who knows if your perception of the game won’t change after so many years of not playing? If my FF marathon has taught me anything, it’s that this can happen at unexpected times. Btw, PS3 or PS4? I heard the PS3 version has some noticeable loading times during form changes for some reason
And finished. Was nice to replay an old classic even if it was rough around the edges. Outside of the two difficulty mode trophies, I believe I got all of Riku's trophies. I mostly ran through Twilight Town and only stopped to the boss I forgot about. Honestly the Riku Replica fight was tough despite having a better deck, but I blame it on the fact the deck is set up to have the weakest cards on the third part of a combo, leaving poor Riku wide open for card break. Ansem was also and ass, and I'm mostly annoyed because I nearly got him ona first attempt because we kept card dueling and I kept wrecking him, but the finisher for barrage had this nasty habit of shifting or maneuvering Riku towards the Guardian who blocks all damage. Course the wonky 3D has it's advantages as well, I had Ansem activate his nasty charge move and I couldn't move fast enough to find a 0 card only for Ansem to somehow get stuck on the environment and give me time to set up a counter. The ending was good of course, and one thing I forgot to mention I did really enjoy is the credit sequence. Not so much the highlight reel as much as I enjoy watching all of the various cast members do stuff. It was a nice touch to have Sora showcase heroes, while Riku showcased the villains. Now I get to move onto KHII:FM and see what all the hype is about.
Yeah, I feel Zane did a better job of making Ansem a total ham. Granted, I love Epcar as well, but he'll always be Ziggy, Baofu, and Jigen for me.
