Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

[Australian Ninja]

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS is already out in the US and UK, and is supposed to be out NOW-ish in AU, but I have not seen it, and didn't find any good info on a local release date. If you know when it's out, please post info.

The game is not so much as a sequel as an off-shoot of Kingdom Hearts 2, with the focus being on the the bad guys - Organisation XIII - and the main playable character is Roxas. (the goon from the first few painfully boring hours of KH2).

The game is mission based and looks like it has been well implemented on the DS, however some US reviewers have commented that the controls / camera angles are not the best, but that is nothing new, and not a game-breaking fault.

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/kingdomhearts3582days?q=Kingdom%20Hearts%20358/2%20Days

Anyway, who will be playing this one? I was going to import, but thought I might wait and see who else from the forums has already played it, and wait for the local release. I really enjoyed KH2 but thought the first one was a bit "meh" and after the frustration of playing " Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories" on GBA (and giving up) I'm looking forward to playing a decent portable Kingdom Hearts while waiting for part three.

I'm glad they went with a different lead character in this one, because it gives the game something unique to distinguish it from the other three games. Even if the the lead is technically Soras' "Nobody".

My main concern is what it wil be like to play with the DS's "+" control, seeing as the + control is pretty darn rubbish for playing games in 3D, but fine for 2D games like Mario Bros. One reviewer complained that he felt like his thumbs were going to fall off after playing this (it's a long game). But that is a fault with the DS, not the game itself.

[Australian Ninja]

THE RUMOURS ARE TRUE, MICKEY HAS FALLEN IN WITH A HAIR-STYLE-FETISH CULT

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/358_2_Days_Wallpaper_by_mizzmanga.png

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/kingdom-hearts-358-2-days-01.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/Kingdom_Hearts_358_2_days_by_CoolPs.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/Jonny9999/Kingdom-Hearts-358-2-Days-kingdom-h.jpg

[PrattP]

Really looking forward to this.

Release date was meant to be the 8th of October in Aus, has now been pushed back to the 22nd.

Hanging out for it!

[JubeiSaotome]

Am I the only one who thinks this looks beyond ridiculous?

[AranchineD]

File size is 200MB, no sale.

[SOX]

File size is 200MB, no sale.

If you are looking at how much space it takes up its pretty much a foregone conclusion

[AranchineD]

Tis the meaning I intended all along, good sir. :cool:

[BB2K]

I really couldn't be less interested in this.

[AranchineD]

And by that, I mean I was never going to get this game in any form.

[PrattP]

Am I the only one who thinks this looks beyond ridiculous?

Yes. Well actually you, Aranchine and BB2K.

Game is gonna be awesome, but you need to know the KH story, and like the KH games prior to this to want it, quite clearly. You can't just pick up the whole story from this game.

[Kasplatza Red]

The KH Story is pure monkey s**t. It makes no sense, is convoluted, and too absorbed in itself (has played KH1, CoM, and KH2). I've heard Xion is the biggest mary-sue in history, and that the gameplay gets old REAL fast, but it's still sorta fun.

I'll pick it up when it goes down in price, I guess.

[Australian Ninja]

The KH Story is pure monkey s**t. It makes no sense, is convoluted, and too absorbed in itself (has played KH1, CoM, and KH2). I've heard Xion is the biggest mary-sue in history, and that the gameplay gets old REAL fast, but it's still sorta fun.

I'll pick it up when it goes down in price, I guess.

So, do you ENJOY the games then?

I don't think anyone will disagree about the story, but it's only ever meant as an excuse to get all the same characters into the one game.

[PrattP]

So, do you ENJOY the games then?

I don't think anyone will disagree about the story, but it's only ever meant as an excuse to get all the same characters into the one game.

Hah I love the story, yes it's a tad whimsical at times, but I don't care - it's what makes KH KH.

I've had this sitting on my desk for the past two days but don't have the time to play it, it's killing me! But I know once I start I won't be able to stop...

[Australian Ninja]

I've gotten impatient waiting for a local realease and picked up K.H. 358/2 from cduniverse (total $47 AU)
I'll post my impressions of it when I've played it for a bit.

[Australian Ninja]

Hah I love the story, yes it's a tad whimsical at times, but I don't care - it's what makes KH KH.

I've had this sitting on my desk for the past two days but don't have the time to play it, it's killing me! But I know once I start I won't be able to stop...

Actually I enjoy the story, but I'm reminded of when people say they love ocarina of time for the story. I just think, what F***ing story?

The story of Zelda : Ocarina of time - in one sentence -
*(or Kingdom Hearts , or whatever other similarly themed game you can think of)*

"Male protaganist rescues female protaganist from evil forces after many trials and challenges. The End."

Seriously, what ****ing story?

[borgster101]

Ok, so I enjoyed KH 1 & 2 on PS2 ... and I'm certainly interested in this .. reviews seem to suggest that if you enjoyed the PS2 games you'll enjoy this, so I'm in.

My only concern is that if I buy it now, I know it will just be waiting on the shelf, potentially for months while I get other games finished that I want to play (on DS for instance I'm still trying to finish Devil Survivor) .. so I figure I might as well wait until its cheaper. Impressions would perhaps sway me to buy it now :p

[Australian Ninja]

If that's how you feel than you can go jump in a river.... actually what I meant was that you may as well hang out for the PAL release, seeing as it should be out soon enough, but don't ask me when. That way you can bide your time playing other games.

My plan is to take my DS on holiday with me and I figured this would be a good game, otherwise it would probably be sitting on the shelf waiting to be played for quite some time, so hooray for holidays and portable gaming.

[borgster101]

The game is out now, I saw it at EB and was thinking of getting it ... but it was selling for the standrad $70 .. I think JB is selling it for $10 less .. but thats about it.

I would have thought Pratt would have played this by now and been posting about it though :/

[PrattP]

Haha sorry borgy!! Haven't had the time lately, plus after playing the starting tutorials I had to just turn it off (because I know I wouldn't be able to stop as I'm becoming be hooked on the story, as usual).

It's a pretty top notch game. Same epic music, menu sound effects etc, it's all the same which is awesome.

The graphics are pretty sweet, when you start battling you almost don't even notice it's on a DS, as it resembles the PS2 a whole lot.

It is just modelled slightly differently this game, with like a main hub you return to after completing missions, not as much free roam. That suits handheld perfectly though. One thing that sucks too is the movement, the d-pad is hard to manoeuvre. Basically I just hold up on the d-pad, and move the cameras to steer myself in all directions. I miss joysticks.

I'd say get it if you have the spare. It's not going anywhere (I shouldn't think) so if you've got too many other games to play just wait for it to possibly drop in price a bit.

It's by no means a bad game though, I'm loving it.

[FF Freak]

I've been playing this and up to day 321. the one thing I'm kicking myself about though is the fact that i still haven't finished playing Chain of memories since it explains the part about Sora being trapped and the disappearance of a number of the organization. I always knew this game would be like watching two speeding trains on a collision course and that's pretty much what it is...leading towards tragedy. I've been finding that I actually like Luxord as a character but all the other members of the organization are just pains...can't stand them. Which i guess is the way they should be since they're villains.

[Rambo]

Spoiler tag that FF Freak, at least the last sentence.

Eh, I've played both PS2 versions and the free roam is what it was all about. Exploring each disney universe was awesome, not the same level coated with a different skin.

[borgster101]

Cool, sounds good .. to be honest I dont think I'd miss the free roam much, since I pretty played the PS2 games in a linear fashion, i.e. just went through the main story.

[Australian Ninja]

So I read the Hyper review for this last night and just sat there thinking - WTF?
If ever there was a biased and practically useless review, this would be the one. It's not the score that bothers me, so much as the review saying that it's basically trash - without any real justification. Most of the comments seem to be the bias of the reviewer.

[FF Freak]

I don't know why I need to spoiler tag since the last sentence is basically common knowledge since KHII has been released.

Anyway finished the game last night and now just gotta work on the mission modes trying to get the two types of emblems.that and a couple of stages that aren't completely finished because you don't get the necessary skill upgrades until the end. By the time I finished the game I was 55 and with the LvL up enhancement items I can hit 63 after the end.

[borgster101]

I started it .. long tutorial is long! :p

It's looking good though, and bringing back lots of KH memories :) ... I think I've finally got to the real game now after 1.5 hours ... seems like this can be played in shorter bursts with the mission structure, which suits the handheld.

[JulesFox]

So I read the Hyper review for this last night and just sat there thinking - WTF?
If ever there was a biased and practically useless review, this would be the one. It's not the score that bothers me, so much as the review saying that it's basically trash - without any real justification. Most of the comments seem to be the bias of the reviewer.

I have to agree there, and I'm glad someone else felt the same way. This is the first time a review in Hyper has ever irked me so much. And yeah, it's not really because of the score, but the way whoever it was who wrote the review went about 'justifying' it. Came across more as just a guy being a dick, or like a flame from an angry forum/web troll.

I can honestly understand how alot of people might not like this game. It can be repetitive, it's somewhat unforgiving to those who aren't well versed in the Kingdom Hearts Universe, and you probably have to like that kind of storytelling to really enjoy it, but honestly, 'David Boreanez' or whatever you wanna call yourself...weak, dude....totally weak.

(PS. I honestly enjoyed the game. Not as much as the console games but still a solid 8/10 for me)

[Australian Ninja]

I have to agree there, and I'm glad someone else felt the same way. This is the first time a review in Hyper has ever irked me so much. And yeah, it's not really because of the score, but the way whoever it was who wrote the review went about 'justifying' it. Came across more as just a guy being a dick, or like a flame from an angry forum/web troll.

I can honestly understand how alot of people might not like this game. It can be repetitive, it's somewhat unforgiving to those who aren't well versed in the Kingdom Hearts Universe, and you probably have to like that kind of storytelling to really enjoy it, but honestly, 'David Boreanez' or whatever you wanna call yourself...weak, dude....totally weak.

(PS. I honestly enjoyed the game. Not as much as the console games but still a solid 8/10 for me)

I'd feel the same way even if I had zero interest in the game itself, it's not like I'm a rabid fan of the series, I've only played KH2, because KH1 was rubbish IMO.

I wrote more crap in the hyper feedback section. Almost wrote a letter too, but didn't have the email address at the time...

So I read the Hyper review for KH 358/2 last night and just sat there thinking - WTF?
If ever there was a biased and practically useless review, this would be the one. It's not the score that bothers me, so much as the review saying that it's basically trash - without any real justification.

Most of the comments seem to be the bias of the reviewer, and don't even highlight how having a mission based structure make the game more suitable for a handheld etc.

And the review seemed to miss the point entirely that this game is a side-story. It's not Kingdom Hearts 3. 358/2 has a different cast etc borrowed from KH2, so complaining that it is "different" is like saying "give me a carbon copy of the previous games, but on DS". Granted some people would like that (probably me as well), but I'd rather see something that at least tries to do something different.

I did find the review amusing, and had a laugh - but honestly Hyper can do better.

*For anyone even mildy interested in getting Kingdom Hearts 358/2 days at least check out second opinions online before making any decision.

Yup, I agree with that mouthy ninja dude:D

[borgster101]

I'm enjoying it, the structure is a bit different with the missions and the panels .. but it suits the handheld, I like being able to play this in shorter bursts .. and being a fan of the console KH games .. I'm liking where the story is going and seeing more of the Organisation.

[JubeiSaotome]

So I read the Hyper review for this last night and just sat there thinking - WTF?
If ever there was a biased and practically useless review, this would be the one. It's not the score that bothers me, so much as the review saying that it's basically trash - without any real justification. Most of the comments seem to be the bias of the reviewer.

Who was the reviewer?

[BB2K]

TV's David Boreanaz. By which I mean Dirk Watch or Yuri Spadeface.

[AranchineD]

Or 'Darren Wells'.

[BB2K]

Or 'Darren Wells'.

So, Daniel Wilks?

[RunningMild]

Or Jethro Powderkeg? :p

So I read the Hyper review for this last night and just sat there thinking - WTF?
If ever there was a biased and practically useless review, this would be the one. It's not the score that bothers me, so much as the review saying that it's basically trash - without any real justification. Most of the comments seem to be the bias of the reviewer.

So, the reviewer just said it was trash because he was biased against KH or something?


"This isn't the Kingdom Hearts I remember."

"There's no teaming up for adventure this time. No rollicking tours through interactive... versions of Disney's best films."

"Where Kingdom Hearts and it's sequel are fairly typical RPGs, Random Numbers mimics it's crappy GBA cousin and weirds everything up for no good reason."

"At first [the inventory system] makes for an intriguing change, but loses its appeal when it becomes apparent that it's just complicating what should be a straightforward process."

"It's Kingdom Hearts without all the good bits. It's bad."


Oh yes, this guy is definitely biased against KH games. He's certainly not a fan of the series or anything, he's just hating it for the sake of hating it.

Also, what do you mean "without any real justification"? Here's another quote from the review:


"Now it's all mission-based: you start off in a big grey castle, some guy... tells you to go and kill/collect some things, you go kill/collect some things, then you come back and do it again. And Again. And again and again and again. After four hours, it gets boring. After ten or fifteen, it literally begins to kill little bits of your soul."


That sounds like a damn good justification to me. :p

[Australian Ninja]

Christ, I'm not going there again. There's been enough about that "review" in the mag feedback section, so I won't comment any further here.

Anyway, KH arrived in the mail last week and so far I've found it rather fun to play.

The main thing that is lacking is that sense of grand adventure and excitement that KH 2 had plenty of.

358/2 days is very linear, in that you play through specific missions etc, and unless you already like dungeon crawling and / or mashing the button a lot, it holds almost no appeal to casual gamers who may have enjoyed the Playstion games.

Where the PS2 games were about spectacle (emotionally manipulative, giant size bosses, nice visuals etc) the DS game is very plain to look at and not as addictive.

But I'm enjoying it for what it is, a simplistic action game with lite RPG elements that works well on the DS with flawed controls (but not game breaking, I don't even really mind them).

It's the kind of game I'll put a lot of hours into seeing as I can play it on holiday, and while watching TV etc, seeing as the sound is pretty rubbish.

I'm glad I imported it, seeing as it's still not on any shelves where I live, overall I quite enjoy the game, warts and all.