Kingdom Hearts II starts out with too many cinematics and too few moments of actual gameplay. At the start literally every new area you enter begins a new cinema with maybe a couple of enemies to fight, if your lucky. This quickly becomes tiresome as some of the cinematics seem superfluous, and could have been given up for the sake of more gameplay. Though, about half way it evens out more and relies more on the great fighting system unique to this game. The fighting is very intersting, giving the player multiple options. With fast and furious fighting moves, magic, drives, summons, and your two other party members fighting alongside, it never becomes tiresome. This is especially true since the system encourages you to vary your attacking methods with summons and drives that level up as you use them, adn a magic guage that fills up your drive guage when your out of magic point to use. However, aside from the gameplay, the story is certainly interesting and mysterious, but unbalanced. It has many questions, only answered much later into the game, and quite a few of the stories within the many different worlds are just rehashes of the classic Disney story. Nostalgic, but boring at times. The second half of the game however has less story, much more gameplay and is more original. Taht second half is great. So, overall, I give it a 4.0 for its interesting story, superb fighting, amazing cinematics, and strong characters, but at times the cinematics are too much and it has an unbalanced flow and story progression.

I'm not just saying I like this game because I'm a fan(To all you people who think so). I'm saying it because it's a great game. Lovable characters, beatiful graffics, memorable music, and fun gameplay make this a must-have.

This is with out a doubt the long awaited sequel that all who have come to love Sora have been waiting for. This game will actually become a legacy ((Hopfully a trilogy)) the unigue counter system, new combos acutally makes one feel like the hero of all time. Any one who is a true gamer should pick this one up and enjoy every moment cause Sora will not be here with us for long, like all heroes he will be like a scattered memory, a scattered memory which will end up like a scattered dream.

Kingdom hearts was a major hit when it first came out, and for good reasons, it had a very unique mix of final fantasy and disney characters. The first was good, and the sequel is only looking better. The catchy story could appeal to gamers young, or young at heart. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that it will be as good as it looks, and right now, it's looking very good.

dude this friggin game is gonna sell like friggin hotcakes just like the first kh buy it preorder it steal no dont steal ummmmmm steal it from ur freinds

I can honestly say I am psyched about this game. I loved the first one, and I've been anticipating the sequel. Now, here's some problems... From what I hear, according to Gamepro's preview, the camrea is going to be controlled by the right analog stick. Now of course, that SOUNDS logical (oh, it is quite logical), but then you've got to think what you want more: to be able to move the camera up and down as well as left and right, for once, or to have quick and easier access to your menus during a REAL-TIME battle. Granted, I might be making light of the new change means, but I really did like the right analog controlled menus (especially during battle). Just think of how awkward it'll be having to use the D-pad. Other than that, the only problem I can see is for those who did not take feel the need to play Chain of Memories. Now I didn't because I never actually finished the first game (a kid stole it from me, and now that I bought another copy, I'm trying to get the Ultima weapon). That and it got some decent reviews, which sort of turned me off. Plus, I didn't want to drop $35 on it. So now I might go buy a used copy. All this, I must do before March or so, when Kingdom Hearts II is set to come out. I am glad to say that I reserved my copy. All those worries aside, I'm sure that Kingdom Hearts II will satisfy me better than any *Final Fantasy game, and will keep me isolated from any outside social contact for a week or so. I'm especially curious about the "Steamboat Willie" level set to be in there and how it'll be delivered. I'm sure it'll be quite interesting. *- For Final Fantasy's defense, I never actually finished one, and only own FF7, altough I havn't gotten through the first disk on it. The games just never really sparked my interest, so technically ANY game could probably hold my interest longer, or at least, long enough for me to beat it.

Some Kingdom Hearts fans wonder why is Kingdom Hearts II late. The reason is, there is a rumor or maybe a fact that Tetsuya Nomura had a flu last year but he may now be okay. Anyways, for those fans out there, Kingdom Hearts II will probably be coming out on December of this year or early next year. This time, you won't only play as the new darker, Sora, you will also play as the blond-haired kid that appear in the end Chain of Memories (for the Game Boy Advance system) , when you play as Riku. Of course, Mickey will be making his return as well as Riku and Auron (from Final Fantasy X) who will be your party member in a certain part of the game. New worlds, such as Mulan's, will be included. Nomura will probably include a new battle system and new moves. Keep looking for more reviews of Kingdom Hearts II or other games here in GamePro.com.