Kingdom Hearts III: The Epic Conclusion to the Xehanort Saga
As a long-time fan who has played every game in the series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Kingdom Hearts III. This epic action RPG delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Xehanort saga that long-time fans have been waiting over a decade for. In this blog post, I’ll provide an in-depth look at Kingdom Hearts III and why it’s a must-play for any fan of Disney or action RPGs.
Overview of the Kingdom Hearts Series
For those unfamiliar, Kingdom Hearts is a crossover series that combines the universes of Disney and Square Enix properties like Final Fantasy. The main games follow protagonists Sora, Riku and Kairi as they battle against the villain Xehanort and his various forms.
The series launched in 2002 with Kingdom Hearts on PlayStation 2, followed by Kingdom Hearts II in 2005. After over a decade of side stories and prequels, Kingdom Hearts III finally arrived in 2019 as the third numbered entry and conclusion to the Xehanort saga.
Story and Settings
Kingdom Hearts III picks up after the events of previous games, as Sora journeys to gather the power of “waking” to foil Xehanort’s latest scheme. He’s joined by stalwart companions Goofy, Donald, Riku and King Mickey.
The game takes players across beautifully rendered Disney worlds like Frozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, Toy Story and more. Each world has its own contained story that typically follows the plots of the Disney films.
Without getting into major spoilers, Kingdom Hearts III provides a sweeping and emotional conclusion to the Xehanort subplot that has spanned the entire series. All the loose ends regarding Xehanort’s motivations and backstory get tied up in a satisfying way.
Exciting, Fast-Paced Combat
Kingdom Hearts III features real-time combat against the Heartless and Nobodies. As Sora, you can perform combos and magic spells using a customizable set of Keyblades. Allies like Donald and Goofy fight by your side, with the CPU controlling them.
The combat is fast, fluid and exciting. New mechanics like Attractions allow you to summon ride vehicles from Disney parks for spectacular special moves. Transformations like Second Form provide fun new ways to dish out damage.
Flowmotion adds dynamic parkour elements that allow Sora to dart around environments and perform air combos against groups of enemies. Taking out a horde of Heartless with flashy attacks and magic abilities is immensely gratifying.
Breathtaking Graphics and Music
Powered by Unreal Engine 4, Kingdom Hearts III is simply gorgeous. The Disney worlds are brought to life with vibrant colors and stunning levels of detail. Characters like Elsa from Frozen look like they jumped right off the movie screen.
The soundtrack mixes classic Kingdom Hearts compositions with new orchestral scores. Hearing the iconic main theme swell as you journey through the worlds never loses its emotional impact. Fans of orchestral game music will be pleased.
Worth Playing for Any RPG Fan
Kingdom Hearts III received glowing reviews, with critics praising its story, gameplay and presentation. As a long-time fan, I wholeheartedly agree. This game offers an unforgettable conclusion to the Xehanort saga that’s been built up for so many years.
The combat is accessible for newcomers but with enough depth and challenge to satisfy experienced action RPG players. Running through lavish Disney locales while battling alongside iconic characters is a sheer delight.
In summary, I firmly recommend Kingdom Hearts III to any fan of action RPGs or Disney films. It offers dozens of hours of magical gameplay and brings closure to long-time fans. This epic adventure is absolutely worth embarking on.
People Also Ask
What systems is Kingdom Hearts 3 available on?
KH3 released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2019.
Do I need to play the previous Kingdom Hearts games before KH3?
You can play KH3 alone, but the story will make more sense if you’ve played the main numbered entries Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 at minimum.
Does Kingdom Hearts 3 have multiplayer or co-op modes?
No, KH3 is a single player only game without any multiplayer components.
Is there post-game or end-game content after finishing KH3?
Yes, there are additional boss battles, challenges, and mini-games unlocked after completing the main story.
How many hours does it take to beat Kingdom Hearts 3?
Average playtime is around 30-40 hours if playing through the main story without doing everything. Completionists can spend over 80+ hours.
Is Kingdom Hearts 3 harder or easier than the previous games?
KH3 is a bit easier than previous titles, with several difficulty options available. Critical Mode provides a challenge for seasoned players.
Can you play as Riku or Kairi in Kingdom Hearts 3?
No, Sora is the only playable character, with Riku and Kairi as non-playable party members for certain battles.
Does Kingdom Hearts 3 have an open world or is it linear?
It’s mostly a linear, level-based game, not an open world. The individual Disney worlds provide some opportunity for exploration.
Is Kingdom Hearts 3 appropriate for kids?
Yes, it’s rated E10+ and suitable for tweens and up. There is cartoon action violence but nothing inappropriate.