When a few years ago, Squaresoft announced a joint corporation with a Disney project, many doubted the success of this plan. And the truth - how can speak little animals from cartoons to fit into the scenario of a full-scale RPG, which seriously addresses the issues of what is good and evil, love and hate? It turned out, could and quite successfully. The first part of Kingdom Hearts has become a sensation in 2002 for players and great commercial success for its creators. That determined the appearance of two sequels - the contradictory Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for GBA, and Kingdom Hearts 2 for PS2, our guest today.
Dangerous Liaisons Pocket Chain of Memories mentioned is not in vain. If you missed it, but played in the original, there is considerable risk of confusion in the plot intricacies of Kingdom Hearts 2 and suspect the authors of inconsistency. Intro video, although it tries to briefly recount the previous event, a singular clarity and does not bring only further confuse the uninitiated. And when it comes to extremely prolonged prologue, fit and completely confused. Instead, Sora, Donald and Goofy us slip unknown teenager named Roxas. Who is where? Alas, to get a full explanation will have to wait for the finale - in the Square Enix has not forgotten how to how to intrigue the gullible user.
 | The Great Mouse power |
In some battles with the bosses, if Sora is defeated, he comes to the aid itself Mickey Mouse. Terrible mouse is capable of much, thanks to the incredible speed and jumping. Moreover, King Mickey is very well versed in magic - many of his spells can hit several enemies at once.
 | |  | Many bosses in Kingdom Hearts 2 have a weakness for posturing and cheap effect. | | Cloud Strife and Sephiroth will again have the chance to cross swords. |
Sad, but Disney guard frayed and no longer so strongly influences the course of events, though at first this and not say. Yes, talking mice, ducks and dogs of all stripes are present in abundance, but every now and then overshadow the diverse recruits. Particularly unlucky villain. The most charismatic, like Jafar and Ursula the sea witch, well finished off in the first part, and a worthy replacement was not found.Due to the lack of suitable staff writers even had a few people to revive - in fact at one bumpkin Pete does not go far. However, one way or another, while cartoon masters of intrigue over. To replace them were far more severe personality and ambitious.
Life in Motion The first war with the heartless (Heartless) break the link between the worlds of Kingdom Hearts. Therefore, willy-nilly, we must again be saddled right Gummi Ship and surf the space in search of safe routes and runways. The latter, there are about a dozen, including a well-known places (Agraba, Halloween Town) and the hitherto unexplored territory, like Port Royale (Pirates of the Caribbean ") and the Castle of the Beast (Beauty and the Beast").
Of course, peaceful walk in the neighborhoods you will not be allowed. Powers of Darkness not sit idly by and everywhere had "noted", not sparing nothing and nobody, including the impregnable fortress of King Mickey. So, wherever there were heroes, they always have time to spare - only manages to smash hordes of monsters, but destroying countless insidious plans, one of the other contraptions. To rest once: events do not stand still and do anything with the main task is not related, not just difficult, but somewhere and inappropriate. Apparent concessions to two: the developers hands of Hades and his henchmen have organized another series of tournaments in the world of Hercules (this time the gladiatorial fights take place in the kingdom of the afterworld). And even forced to look for torn pages from books about Winnie the Pooh, please inadvertently Merlin into the hands of heartless.
| Voice of Saruman |
With the cast in the Kingdom
Hearts 2, as always, a full order - here you and Haley Joel Osment and James Woods and other famous persons. As to the newcomers, the most notable among them was Christopher Lee (Saruman in the trilogy "Lord of the Rings" and Count Dooku in "Star Wars") - he got the role of the mysterious DiZ.
 | |  | Skirmishes on the Gummi Ship severe as ever - even bosses appeared! | | About save points you can rest and regain health. |
The passage of most of the levels is carried out on long-tested scheme. Immediately after arrival at the destination there is a meeting with a prominent member of the indigenous population. It was he who tells you about local troubles and may want to temporarily join the squad. Further actions are obvious: it is necessary to find the root of all evil, and after a fair trial, and inflict brutal reprisals. Of course, the fight with the boss (or even two or three) is an indispensable item of the cultural program.
By the way, with the boss battles in particular and in general, creators of the game went to a small trick. On the one hand, the contractions became much easier than in the first part of (read about it below). On the other, in addition to its primary goal - to destroy the enemy - often have to perform one more: to protect some auxiliary character, or a key segment of the narrative at this facility. And on a minor problem in the general confusion is easy to forget, especially if you're too carried away by the charms of the battle.The result of such forgetfulness is always sad: hated all forms of life inscription «Game Over» and the need to begin the battle from the start. Of course, at first, this prospect is not very scary, but that's closer to the finale, when the slaughter with the key opponents stretched into several stages, it is better to keep your eyes open.
| Gamma-disassembly |
Flying a Gummi Ship of many annoyances in the original, but the developers have not thought of be rid of them. On the contrary, now I have to fly more often than before, each time destroying the path of the clouds of enemies. But do not worry - in the Square Enix took into account the complaints of fans, so that now control the awkward a ship much more comfortable, and the shooting became markedly more interesting and exciting. Something they already resemble classics - for example, Panzer Dragoon. By the way, you can still construct their own ship, although a specific need for it is not: the number and functionality of the "factory" model raises no objections.
 | |  | Many of the characters are willing to help the Council and indicate the next target travel. | | Do not forget to look for chests! They lay a lot of value. |
The key to victory Combat system has got the lion's share of innovations that are still able to pave the road to Kingdom Hearts 2. And not to say that progress has gone the game exclusively for the benefit. Without a doubt, the developers wanted good, but sometimes their diligence turned clear sabotage.
At first glance, everything remained as before. You directly control the main character (usually Sora), whereas the actions of his colleagues (eg, Donald and Goofy) manages the watchful and rather stupid artificial intelligence. Your influence on his comrades in arms on the distribution of equipment and the most general instructions on how to behave in conflict situations, does not apply - not necessary!
Sora - a young man is extremely flexible, and most of the special moves executed a single button. Further, much depends upon a specific enemy, its characteristics and behavior. Is it really so simple? No way! Somewhere on the second or third hour comes the turn of those same innovations. And the battle system out of something primitive and not burdensome immediately grows into a multifaceted miracle Yudo.
 | |  | From time to time appear on the screen tips, what to do next. Do not ignore them. | | The squad can be changed as a menu, and right during the battle. |
Innovation for number one - Reaction Commands, heart gift from the brutal God of War.In the battle on the screen every now and then light up the image desired key. If you wait too long, can enjoy the spectacular stunts and much easier on yourself. Otherwise, continue to fight, not yet submitted a new opportunity. Innovation number two - Drive Forms. Filling a special strips Drive Gauge allows Sora for a short time become a super-strong and extremely fast fighter with two keybleydami instead of one. Finally, to finally put to rest the suspicion of avarice, in the light of day and even pulled Limits - superpriemy varying degrees of effectiveness that can be performed with any of guest stars (such as Hercules).
Impressive? And now let me say that magic and items from the first part, as well as summon-command, did not disappear. And using them is still needed in real time, when the bullets whistling over his head and the enemy comes from all sides. Do not say anything, it is an opportune moment to deal with convulsive wisdoms game interface! Rescued one - endemic weakness gripping the enemy soldiers. In Kingdom Hearts 2 truly formidable opponents are rarer than a kangaroo in the Arctic, except that a couple of bosses closer to the final will have a decent resistance.
| Bow to censorship |
As often happens with Japanese games to English-speaking market got Kingdom Hearts 2, after suffering some (thank goodness, minor) losses. For example, the green blood of Hydra (one of the bosses) were replaced by black and red smoke, pirate Barbossa can no longer burn spell Fire, and their muskets turnover in the awkward crossbows.
 | |  | Wearing red, Sora is capable of performing in combat real miracles. | | Many episodes almost verbatim repeat the familiar scenes from the cartoons. |
No cartoon, but beautiful! Technically, Kingdom Hearts 2 looks good, but its predecessor is not very different - at least so it seems at first glance. Go to the character models a little more carefully treated, so that the characters much prettier, no longer resemble the angular Pinocchio. Special effects and animation in the past were carried out on "excellent", and is now good, did not reproach. C levels slightly worse: they are generally small in size and a few ... deserted. Somewhere NPC afternoon with fire not otyschesh. By today's standards, bednovato, especially if you remember the last series of Dragon Quest, or watch footage from Final Fantasy XII. Well, at least the scale scuffles increased significantly: the usual thing when the screen turns a few tens of Heartless!
Music is great! Perhaps we are dealing with one of the best game soundtracks in recent memory. There is also a familiar theme, there are entirely new. And because no one tune can not be called boring or inappropriate.
 | |  | Even in black and white cartoons were the villains.Fights can not be avoided! | | Lock monsters (from m / f "Beauty and the Beast") is small, but still beautiful and solemn somber. |
Happy End Despite the small number of contradictions and missteps, from Kingdom Hearts 2 has turned out to be surprisingly solid, exciting and beautiful fairy tale. To the extent naive, moderately funny, partly philosophical, not devoid of pathos and dramatic notes. It can be recommended not only longtime admirers Square Enix and Disney, but also to all who care about the good role-playing games with intricate story and definitely a happy ending.
| Stop, Cut! |
Finally, the authors of the game figured out that the right analog knob can be used to control the camera (earlier this function was assigned to the buttons R2 and L2). But taking care of one, had forgotten about another: in the second part of the camera will be as happy stuck in narrow hallways and abuts against the wall, as in the first.
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