Yoko Shimomura is THE reason I have so much nostalgia for Kingdom Hearts. She is a genius and what she created was a masterpiece. She deserves all the recognition, praise, and renoun for this absolute peak musical artwork
YES!!! Pretty much all the content of this series I come across, makes me nostalgic as hell, but the second I hear the music... Eyes just start doing their thing. It's just beautiful beyond words
Honestly if it wasn’t for Kingdom Hearts I never would have played Final Fantasy. I remember seeing character like Squall, Yuffie, and Cloud wondering who they were and luckily the games journal has the name of their respective games in each entry. My favorite reaction was seeing Sephiroth I still vividly remember it. I go into the fight wonder who the heck is this guy with the long flowing silver hair the wing and OMG HOW LONG IS THAT SWORD!!!! The next thing I know I’m dead in two hits from it those were good times.
@@j.2512 I don't really see why. Granted I was 12 when KH released but already had beaten Final Fantasy Tactics, 7, 9, and 10 AND was a fan of Disney. They released just in time for that demographic. Older FF fans were being a bit much in my opinion.
1:36:12 Honestly my favorite piece of foreshadowing for the Kairi reveal was one you didn't even mention, when Sora seals the keyhole in Deep Jungle, and Tarzan tries to say that our friends are in our hearts Jane: Oh, now I've got it. Hee-hoo, hoo-hoo-hah means heart. Friends in our hearts... Tarzan: Heart... Sora: Oh, so that's what it meant. Tarzan: Friends, same heart. When you watch it in context, it's clear they're talking about a more abstract idea of being connected to friends by our hearts. But if you choose to interpret it literally, he's saying that our friends are in our hearts, which Kairi literally is in Sora's heart! killed me that i didn't notice this until my like sixth time through
Maaaaaaan that was a GREAT Christmas. My mom did her thing! I got vice city, my younger brother got Kingdom Hearts, and my youngest brother Pro Skater 4 for his bday a week before Christmas. We were in heaven 😂😂🙏🏾
I got my first PlayStation 2 that Christmas with The Simpsons Road Rage, Digimon Rumble Arena, and Spongebob Squarepants: Super Sponge. KH wasn't until 2007 for me, but it feels so long ago that it may as well have been 2002 lol
@@j.2512 far from it. “I” only got vice city because I was the oldest. None of us really claimed the games as our own, we all played together. But I played KH more than anyone else.
Although I agree with the sentiment, I fear that Disney probably doesn't. They seem to have been kinda dismissive about the property for much of its existence. It seems, to me at least, that they view Kingdom Hearts as some small, inconsequential spinoff, fully separate from the Disney canon. I could be wrong, and I'd love to be, but that's the vibe I get.
With the way things are going for disney lately, they desperately need a hit after releasing so much crap. KH is still a very successful franchise that the public loves so they might want to capitalise on that. But then again, its disney, bad decisions are their standart practise now.
@@alemirdiksonIf that were the case, KH3 wouldn’t have been so heavily advertised. I hope you aren’t forgetting that it was one of the most anticipated video games _of all time_
@@UniqueHandles it was heavily advertised, yes, but by Square Enix, not by Disney itself. In general Disney as a company tries very little to acknowledge the series.
1:28:11 There's actually a bunch of lines you can read from the FF kids on Destiny Island if you refuse to spar with them, and a few of those are about Riku. Wakka in particular really hypes him up during day 1. But there's a line from Tidus that I really wish wasn't so easy to miss: he straight up asks Sora if him and Riku are really friends, because he thinks it's hard to tell if they are or not sometimes. That means there's been trouble between the two for a while already. I think it's likely Riku's grown a bit of an ego from being the oldest and strongest of the kids on Destiny Island, and that he really doesn't know how to handle Sora being able to keep up with him or even surpass him in any way.
@@viruschris3160 Just talk to them, and when they ask you if you want to fight them, refuse and then do it again to cycle through their lines. Everyone's got 3 to 4 lines of text during both days. Kairi also has a few lines of text if you tell her you don't need her help finding stuff, though you have to do the Riku race first when on day 2. Riku himself doesn't get any extra lines if you refuse to fight/race him multiple times, surprisingly enough.
Kudos to you for diving into the background of the development team and the motivations for making KH. Especially liked the little known fact about Kairi being based on Utada. Also, props for using the PS2 version for footage. I haven’t seen these graphics in ages
I've been a KH fan for as long as the series has been a thing and watched TONS of KH1 reviews and retrospectives and I gotta say this may be one of the best I've watched, I absolutely love how much you discuss the history of the game developer insight and reasons for the choices they made for characters, worlds, designs and gameplay. Everybody knows the "Disney and Square employee met in an elevator and thus Kingdom Hearts was born" but I had never heard this story how they were far into development without actually having Disney's full blessing until the meeting with Eisner. I also absolutely love how Nomura was so bold and passionate about his ideas, no fear in presenting what he wanted to do, love that man. You got a subscriber for life, definitely watching all your other videos in the future.
Them, 2000: "Both companies would remain tight-lipped about the project, not giving away even a single modicum of information about the game's title or status." Me, 2024: You don't say.
KH was my childhood too! It was so formative for me. I loved its unabashed sweetness. I was disappointed by how complicated the story became in KH2 when it came out. I've come to accept it all for the whole that it was, but I think the relative simplicity of the original story and its core characters was better. It's contrary to a lot of people and I get why, 2 is also iconic and it plays way better, it's only really the immense amount of new lore that threw me off. Looking back at it all, I'm not sure I'm the happiest with where the story has gone since KH, but I'll always have the warm feelings that it gave me and I still enjoy revisiting the other entries as well.
Your thoughts on how the emotional impact of characters and stories driving home the best stories, to me, rang so true. I've found that treating characters as "real" as they can be has left me more and more in tune with writing and analysis than any cold read ever could. I feel more for the story because I empathize with fiction as I would a real person. It's why I can say I like melodrama. I like over the top moments that, when written out sound silly, but in the moment it hits different. I feel empathy is a dirty word anymore, but to me, empathy is the crux to what allows people to enjoy the world, and stories told therein.
Thank you for talking about adjusting Donald and Goofys battle tactics in the menu. Im so so sick of the "dOnAlD nEVeR hEalS mE" memes when the option to adjust what they do in battle has always been right there
Hi Andrew, fellow Andrew here! I've been following your channel since you started putting out your Final Fantasy retrospectives. I hold you responsible for getting me back in to the FF series and loving every second of it. I'm so grateful to have this retrospective done for the game that absolutely changed my life during my formative years. Embarrassingly, I would imagine myself as Sora falling from the sky and searching for Kairi in my bedroom! This video has reminded me about those times and I appreciate your feedback and retrospective on the Kingdom Hearts 1 game and I look forward to the rest of the series being done! So thanks!
Amazing and underrated retrospective of Kingdom Hearts, its honestly a miracle that this game even released to shelves with how many statistical improbabilities were in its path, Tetsuya Nomura and his team had some ridiculous drive to get this game out. Forever my favorite video game franchise ever created. ❤
this video mustve been a massive undertaking to put together. Thank you for your hard effort. KH1 will always be my favorite main entry in the series, and I too wept for the first time playing a video game during the final cutscene. This game was legit lifechanging for a young me. What a special project and a miracle that it even exists, at all!
The way that I knew that Kingdom hearts was going to be something special is that the TV show X play, with Adam sessler and Morgan Webb, had both hosts actually agree for once that the game was enjoyable. Usually Adam historically did not like role-playing games, and this game was unique and interesting enough to him.
Just wanted to say how much I loved this video essay adjacent retrospective of one of my favorite games! A lot of these types of things in the past few years devolve into plot summary with a tiny bit of opinions mixed in, while this has a healthy balance of summary, thoughts, history, and analysis. Super excited for eventual KH2 and FF9-10 reviews if they happen!
Thank you! I, too, have grown tired of long-form videos which are largely structured around a complete recap of the story. I find them to be uninteresting and restrictive by being beholden to the flow of the narrative, even when there are events which are hardly worth even a passing mention. I don't, for example, need to note how the story in each Disney world unfolds because the specific minutiae largely doesn't matter there when examining the whole. No shade to those who do like that type of video, but I try to avoid it.
I finally got to experience kingdom hearts for the first time and i gotta say it couldn't be better time to do it. At this day and age when everything seem to be going off the rails, entertainment seem to divide more than entertain its great to experience something as genuine as Kingdom Hearts. Great vid my guy, you earned a big sub with this one.
As a kid having over protective parents, I wasn't allowed to play games with violence/ guns. When this game came out I was so hyped, I grew up as a Disney kid, parents bought all the VHS and I had about all of them. I showed my parents this game and they bought it. I played it on and off from 7-12 until KH2 came out and then I played that game for another couple years until 365 where I spent a good year on that game with friends. The game was a big part of my childhood for a long time. It was such a special game with really important morals that stuck with me after all these years. Anytime I hear the OST from any KH game it has a special feeling that makes me feel young and unbothered by my problems for a moment. This game franchise was a masterpiece
This is, of every video game franchise EVER, my favorite. It genuinely means so much to me and it's been that way since I first played it as a child in 2010. So excited to start watching this, I've loved all of your previous videos and I know this one will be just as fantastic.
And you my friend have earned a subscription for an expertly crafted video and detailed analysis on the game that has helped shaped me into who I am today. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
Ive been recommended your videos in my feed but I haven't seen you cover a game I know that well. But now that you have and having watched this video you have handily earned my sub!! I'm ready for my 890th KH retrospective marathon!!!
I appreciate that you used the OG PS2 version for footage in a majority of the video. These days most video essays on this game use footage from the most recent HD port, which looks nice, but there’s something nostalgic about seeing the version of the game that I played as a kid.
You really did a good job with this video man. I find that most KH retrospectives on RU-vid are insufferably cringey, I can't even finish a KingK video, but this was very tasteful. Subscribed and looking forward to watching your other work.
i really love your style of analysis and critique. the way you use the story beats to flow in and out of aspects of the game is really enrapturing! the history lesson the proceeds the analysis is always a highlight too, i considered myself pretty knowledgeable about kingdom hearts but i learnt a bunch of new stuff about its development today
I still can’t believe it’s been 22 years of loving a game and characters so much that it’s shaped my entire way of life. I really love how you made all the close ups of the old sketches in your detailed video. I truly wish Nomura went through with the animated series of Kingdom Hearts. I’m making small animations of Sora and it’s been a lot of fun just roughing out goofy looking animations of him. His hair is so much fun to animate. ❤
Woah!! Thanks a lot for this video! I had collected and read the majority of Ansem's reports, but the way you summarized them really helped me understand the lore. How fascinating! 👀 nice retrospective
This has been in my watch later for a while but I finally found time to sit down and watch through it all and I have to say, this is probably the best retrospective on this game I've personally seen. Cannot wait for more!
I'm so impressed with this presentation, and I LOVE your source links in the description and how well the information was integrated into the video. I clicked a couple to read the original interviews, and it was a real joy to read through the more wild things we know about now. What a great video
this was a lovely retrospective, thank you for all your hard work!!! so many others have probably said exactly what's on my mind about how excellent the presentation is and how in depth you've gone... so i'll leave it at: i'm excited to see the next one when march caprice arrives next year! (a quick side note because i can't help myself: i adored how you talked about leon/squall in this! KH was my intro to FF; leon was the character i liked the best and i've adored squall since diving into FF. you're the first person i've seen talk about how perfect he ended up being in KH, and also how he's clearly the squall he see at the end of 8--comfortable in a leadership position, but it's clear he also learned the emotional intelligence he gets in 8 too, since he warms up to sora so quickly!! anyway, you did a great job discussing him on top of all the incredible work displayed throughout the entire run time of this retrospective!!)
just popping by after watching the vid to say it was fantastic! didn't expect much from a channel with low subs but it was quite impressive in the way it was sorted and delivered.
Phenomenal work! Thank you for taking the time to make such a detailed video and taking me through my childhood again. I remember getting this for my 10th birthday in October 2002 and have been in love with the series ever since.
Not now babe, some youtuber I've never heard of just dropped a 2hr KH video and I'm pretty sure it's going to be the best thing i've watched this year.
The journey that KH1 had to get from conception to my home in 2003 is truly remarkable. Im so grateful everything worked in its favor and the world got to experience this amazing series
I remember being 6 and seeing sora on a Florida’s naturals gummy snack and thinking he looked so cool, later that year I got a ps2 and went to game freak to get games with my sister, and saw him again on the front of kingdom hearts 1 and 2… Those days playing kingdom hearts were so fun, and I practically burned the title screens onto the TV with how long I would listen to dearly beloved. (I actually finished kingdom hearts 2 before I did 1 because Hercules throwing barrels made me rage quit so bad throughout the years, I think I beat 2 when I was 8 or 9)
Watched the video then went to sleep. I woke up two hours later with a panic attack. Few minutes later after I calmed down a bit. I started sobbing while thinking of the heartless people of our world. And over how some people would go through a monumental effort to reunite with their beloved ones just to shortly part ways. Thank you Andrew. I, too, played the game when I was 12.
This was so well researched, while also considering themes and intended messaging AND the actual experience of the game. First time I’ve ever seen an essay this good on my favorite game.
Funny they asked people in their 30s about Kingdom Hearts. I was 12 when it released and not only grew up on Disney but had already beaten Final Fantasy Tactics, 7, 9, and 10 and was pumped for the game.
i remember seeing that commercial on tv and being like “i NEED to have this game” and so i saved my allowance for months to buy it when it came out and i still have that copy
At the time of its release I had never played a final fantasy game and was just old enough that when my mom showed me the game at the store I saw Donald and Goofy on the cover and immediately dismissed it as a kids game and didn't want to get it. Fortunately she went ahead and bought it for me anyways for my birthday or Christmas so I felt obligated to play it and instantly fell in love with it. It remains one of my favorite gaming series of all time and I periodically play the whole series all over again
The end of the world felt like a fever dream. I was brawling at the ending as well. Still got goosebumps when u showed this scene again. really memorable game for sure. Can’t wait for the retrospective of the second one🎉
I didn't have a console of my own growing up but me and my friends in grade school were OBSESSED with Kingdom Hearts. We read through the guidebook at recess and pretend to be the characters. I went over to my friend's house to play it. I used to watch tons of Kingdom Hearts AMVs. Eventually I got to play it fully in my own (I think I was like 13 at that point). It's been a staple part of my childhood, both KH 1 & 2. It's a comfort game. It's got a charm to it that's just undeniable. The soundtrack is so good. I was so hooked on Simple and Clean and Sanctuary. Dearly Beloved is my morning alarm. It's just so serene, it's a great way to wake up. Riku ended up being my favorite character 💙
Truly an excellent video. I like the in depth look you gave into how the idea of kingdom hearts got off the ground, and how it was developed as everyone in square soft and disney started warming to the idea and were figuring out how to make this work. I look forward to you making more videos on the other kingdom hearts games
I haven't finished watching yet- but commenting to say that I'm loving this so far!! It seems really well researched and I really appreciate your putting the citations in the video for us to reference. Thanks for the hard work!!
Just glimpse at these cutscenes punch me in my chest so hard. My eyes never fail to tear up. This game and its sequel is a cornerstone of my heart and who I am as a person. Not my personality but my morals and how high I regard my friends and family above myself and it’s because of Sora.
Holy...one of my favorite essayists put out a KH video TWO WEEKS ago and I'm just now seeing it? How does that even happen but also I am feasting now thank you.
As you mentioned camera my camera in dark souls 1 moved by itself while walking on a scaffold type thing and sent me plummeting to my death. Thematic timing is incredible.
My favourite series of all time. You did a great job! I was there to see kh1 release and have had to wait this long while for the third! And you were able to fit so much in this video :)
Back in November 2006 i had just turned 5 and for my birthday i got a Silver Slim Playstation 2 and one of those mixed game boxes from ebay. The first game i pulled out was Kingdom Hearts and not another game was touched for 6 months my first game ever being kingdom hearts it will always hold a place in my heart
Kingdom Hearts connected me to Utada Hikaru, who I still listen to well into my 30's. Her music sets my heart on fire and I'll never forget hearing Simple and Clean and falling in love!
I was 12 when this game came out, seen almost all the movies and played enough FF to were I knew who the characters were, best experience…I can’t imagine being one of them kids who thought Cloud was just some random guy when he walks into the Coliseum lol, I lost my shit when I first got to that part
Of all the retrospectives I was expecting, I must admit... Disney's Secret of Mana was not on my bingo card at first. But I'm very glad you did it... I needed an excuse to order some pizza while I watch.
I enjoy all of your content, but this was a really special retrospective for me as a consumer. Kingdom Hearts is one of my favorite games, and I still remember being in high school in 2002, and my mom taking me to the store to purchase my copy of it which I still have to this day. I remember being excited for a few months reading gaming magazines anticipating it's release. It felt so surreal at the time to see Square, and Disney combine forces. Not everyone was keen on the idea that's for sure, but for whatever reason I thought it was brilliant idea. Your review really made me want to go back, and play the Final Mix version of the game which I downloaded on my PS4, but still never got around to completing. I'll be sure, and do that now. Thanks for all that you do.
This was a fantastic video! Even as a longtime KH fan who grew up with the series, there was some development info I hadn’t heard or seen before. Hoping you’ll do more games from the series!
Talking about learning something new on every playthrough, Bambi is incredible for both wave clearing and for synthesis collection. I always thought Bambi was practically useless when I was younger, but I also subbed to the Unga bunga beat things with big metal stick philosophy. If Bambi is on the field you will basically never run out of MP and he semi-stuns enemies he lands on leading to cleaner uses of fire blizzard and thunder. You can whipe whole hordes of heartless with an endless thundaga chain. When he's out, he also has a chance of forcing enemies to drop unique synthesis materials on death, making the grinding process far easier.
