Sora and Riku deflecting the lasers back to back is the best moment in the whole series for me

“Confusing for fans who didn’t play 358 first” Except 358 came out 4 (FOUR) years after kh2. That tutorial segment was designed to be experienced without any prior knowledge of Roxas and his ties with Sora and Axel

“Kingdom Hearts correctly assumed there was a genre of person who sings broadway tunes to themselves when no one’s around, with no training or clean sounding voice because they just want to feel the music.” ... wow? like that’s a really fucking powerful analogy jesus christ amazing video

There are no Spinoffs in KH, that's the scariest thing. Everything is part of the Lore :O

"the mechanics are S I M P L E A N D C L E A N" uuhhhhhhhh

K-bash: You linger in the air a bit too long for my taste Ah, so he's learned how to speak like a HeartsTuber

I've got to applaud this video to do something I really don't see many other KH videos do- Minus KingK's retrospectives on it. It acknowledges both the flaws in a smart and respectful way, but also gives respect and appreciation where it's due, and not just to the gameplay. Even with how much of a mess everything is in this verse and how admittedly hilarious and cheesy some things are, it's still something that can convey real emotion and friendship, and I'm glad at how that was talked about in the video. Definitely looking forward to more of this.

You know K-bash is serious when he time-stamps the video into segments

We opening with a Devil May Cry reference? Hell yeah, brother

That ending was beautiful honestly

“Let’s have a fun battle against Larxene-“ *Fucking dies* “I will come back later!” Why is this so accurate

Hearing someone else played 358/2 before 2 and understand what's going on in the opening hours is kinda surprising for me.

17:00 This right here is why I can't stand our current, memetic culture of irony, where everyone's afraid to like something with a bit of cheese because it's "cringe". Who cares if it's a little goofy or cheesy?! Cheese means you believe in your work! People will resonate with a story if it's told with sincerity and heart, no matter how ridiculous it sounds on paper! Sure, winking to the camera and going, "lol isn't this all so dumb? Aren't you happy we're so quirky and self-aware?" might be good for a few laughs, but in the end it's stuff like Kingdom Hearts and it's unashamed emotional sincerity that people remember and connect with years down the line.

When I first seen this game series I never thought i'd fall love with it because how cheesy it can be but damn it, I love it all.

*ah yes, Nomura the "I want to make a game with the word BY in the title cause I've never seen one" genius.*

I love these games so much that its actually similar to Stockholm syndrome.

K-Bash:Complains about getting anti-form a lot in the end Also K-bash: I really like this keyblade that gives me anti-form constantly

"Why are gummi ships?" Padding. Anticipation. Variety. Shooty shooty. More Yoko love.

Woah, no mention of the Sephiroth battle?? As an edgy 13 year old who was obsessed with FF7 Crisis Core, that shit was transcendant for me.

I have zero idea why you popped into my recommended, but god DAMN - you’re a fantastic writer. You speaking to Roxas’ intro in KH2 was beautiful. Thanks for this video.

A kingdom hearts video? They'll pay for this.

That part about the connection between Sora's Destiny to be a hero story theme and Move assist mechanic is actually a pretty big brain thought(Although it loss a bit credible when Combo Master ability is a thing) I always found that KH2 combo modifier is the great contributor to button-mashing reception the game got since it covers so many range and option automatically with way less effort than other option like magic. And compares to KH1, the modifier bearly has a trade-off. Comparing 1 and 2 slide dash and like night and day. But man, I can't wait when you get to KH3. Cause those points about destiny and pull into combat.... Ho boy.... I'm sure you will a lot to say.

Watch this kid roxas go through his “Data day.” I don’t know if that was intentional but kudos

Finally someone who appreciates the intro to Kh2 as much as me

Kingdom Hearts is basically the aftermath of drinking 2 Liters of cough syrup and a bottle of Adderal.

that person singing broadway to ourself off key with no audience just to feel the music is me, and that perfectly captures what I love about this franchise

Kingdom Hearts is kinda legendary simply (and cleanly) for the fact that they committed to doing whatever the hell they wanted to. A Final Fantasy crossover with Disney is strange enough, but how many people would take that concept and use it to tell stories about memory erasure, villains in agony at their lack of feelings and identities, armor suits that come to life through sheer hurt and anger, a kid realising his life is some fake VR simulation, and a war being fought with GIANT KEYS?

I turn 31 years old and i still cant play this series without crying multiple times

Funny how you keep saying that Sora was fated to be the hero even though narratively he wasn’t supposed to be

equip scan equip scan equip scan KBASH PLEASE EQUIP SCAN

I’ve always heard about how good kingdom hearts was but I never tried it myself. I have a friend that played it all the time back in the day

Kh1 is genuinely one of the best rpgs I've ever played along with ffX and Chrono trigger

Kingdom Hearts is love, Kingdom Hearts is life.

358 was my first kh game back when I was just 12 and that game hit HARD

This is the best I've heard the ending of 2 summarized. That still feels like the high point of the series to me.

Just stumbled upon your video and your blend of comedy, analysis and retrospective is really refreshing and enjoyable cant wait to binge more of your videos keep up the great work

21:27 I completely forgot about this, but to think about how there’s two is really interesting....

Cant tell you how much i love this series. Only played 1 and 2 but still love it. Read the mangas as well. I sunk so many hours in designing gummi ships

Holy shit, KBASH YOU GOT IT. YOU GOT KH IN A WAY MANY DIDNT. THE MEANINGFUL ORIGINAL PLOT, THAT FEELING IT CAPTURES AND THE COOL. Amazing. 10/10, KBASH'D THE GOOFY with a Rock. SOLID.

Honestly, I hope you make another video covering the series, because despite it having some low points, the games have a really special place in my heart, and I really enjoyed this video!

My first exposure to the series was the translated manga series of the first game and I didnt even recognize the ff characters

If for whatever reason someone reading this hasn't played KH2 at least, it really is one of the most fun action experiences you can have on Critical mode. I understand it can be a little off-putting with how fragile you are on that mode, but the gameplay is a rush and you grow to fit it really quickly. I enjoy KH2's combat almost as most as DMC3's. It gets to be that fast and fun. Those end game and post game boss fights are just incredible on Critical mode.

I don't think I've ever vibed this much with a kingdom hearts video before. I've seen a lot but I really agree on every point Kbash makes here. For some reason I assumed he didn't like the series. I had a big goofy grin watching this through.

"But the mechanics are SIMPLE AND CLEAN." You have earned a new subscriber. That was glorious.

I wonder how you'll feel about BBS onward.

12:24 Dude! I got stuck on the LAST DOOR because of this shit. The one that needs one red, one blue, one green, and 99 total. I had everything EXCEPT the green card. I went from level 60 to level 90 looking for a single green card. From top to bottom. I have never played the game ever again since because of it.

Thank you for that lone glimmer of substance; where you clarified the Keyblade's actual powers. I've been shouting that into the void since it was literally clarified in a cutscene in KH3's San Fransokyo world - when they literally examined his powers. It's a key. It unlocks things, including everything - from a soul from a body, to the way to another shadowy mug in need of slapping via magical metal rod.

358 came out after 2, though. All of us were confused.

Fun Fact about Mickey showing up to save Sora: It only happens against plot relevant organization 13 fights and keyhole boss fights with a few exceptions. He can only appear once and save him in each fight before dying again will actually give you a game over. Fun Fact about Anti-Form: It's a hidden in game percentage that depends on your location, health, and keyblade. There's no for sure way to activate when you do want to, but having the Two Become One keyblade gives you the highest consistent percent at around 45%

With square bringing more SaGa games, I would love to see Kbash talking about the series, specially since he already talked the Mana games

3:41 was this just an excuse to flex your yugioh collection?

Fun Fact: The writer of FFX said he disliked making a sequel because he felt it unnecessary. After making both X-2 and the audio drama he said that he purposefully made the story convoluted in order to turn off fans to the story. Hoping they would lose interest in future projects involving the series(he changed his mind later) After seeing the KH Director/writer suffer a breakdown because of the stress related to making additional games he suggested the idea to him...and it shows. The story is a huge mess that needs charts and timelines to make sense of...and it's aimed at children...wtf? Also I laugh that you used the word "fated" because the Fate/Stay franchise went the same way. Getting lost up its own ass. It stop making sense after Zero.

Your experience and mine differ so much in chain of memories. I never felt like I didn't have the cards I needed to progress

2:00 I had to laugh at that. i never thought of it but this could very well happen. (and if not in canon then certainly in an interstitial oneshot) and oh god kh2 is insane with the tech. the blend between magic and physical combos, since both are part of the combo system now, going into drive at the right time and knowing the changes that come with them. and all the hidden teck that exists and you wouldnt think of, like quick run roxas strats (yes this is real) Also kh2 has a working randomizer. YES it has a randomizer. its flippin amazing

I haven’t ever listened to someone say the patreon names all the way through before, but something about the way you do it is just... mesmerizing. Oh, also good video.

Man for real, we have almost the EXACT same opinions on MOST games. You straight up deserve my first Patreon support I've ever given. Keep up the great content!!!!!!

Is it weird that I absolutely love the Winnie the Pooh levels. It's just so nostalgic and serene within this intense chaotic story and action. I look forward to it every playthrough

KH2 is my favorite game of all time. The franchise means so much to me.

this video was absolutely beautiful :') one of my favorite series, despite its blemishes, and your commentary was really insightful and made me appreciate it even more. better than i ever would've dreamed, can't wait for the other parts!!

This series fits your video presentation style perfectly.

I’m gonna be real, Sora’s character in KH1 and CoM were outstanding, one being a great hero’s journey where you see a realistically immature but somewhat intelligent young man and the other where you see a hero on the psychological brink of collapse. KH2 Sora, however, is disappointingly a typical young child protagonist. Doofy, happy all the time, making stupid decisions because he’s just that darn nice, and being generally slow on the uptake. He still has some great emotional moments in that game, but as the series progresses he just keeps going down that path. It’s because I love Sora’s character that I felt he was done dirty in later games as all the development from the first game got replaced with “I’m basically Goku now!”

Oh man, I've been waiting for this video, even though I never asked. Just one line in your Trials of Mana review, "Action games with RPG elements, I love that stuff," made me wonder if you'd like Kingdom Hearts. So glad you did. Great video! Keep up the good work!

You sound like Hayner lmao. Listening to Hayner delve deep into KH lore is hilarious

Kbash, i heard in another video briefly where you mentioned you probaly wouldnt do this show much longer. i cant remember which, ive seen every episode you have. that being said, im so happy you have so many patrons who support you. im a broke bitch so i cant financially help you but WE LOVE YOUR VIDEOS PLEASE NEVER STOP MAKING THEM. :)

Wow this dude gets it. I dont agree with everything you say but you understand Sora really well and communicate what makes the series so special. Great video.

KH2 final mix to me is the absolute peak of the series, the drive forms make you feel absolutely unstoppable and the way your combos build up is so satisfying o the point that even KH3 felt almost crooked, all they had to do was put the part 2 mechanics into 3 without removing drive forms the way they did (the weapon forms are amazing tho) the PC mods are going to be insane once they start building on part 2s own set of mods never mind 3

0:00 that Dmc4 reference thou

Kingdom Hearts 2 was and still is my favorite game in the series bar none. Anytime the ending pops up, I shed a tear and remembered how good the entire game was.

Love those intros... you pick the best clips to express them yelling lines.. A1 buddy love the videos

You say it’s hard to listen to xemnas ramble on about kingdom hearts, but cmon we all loved listening to his voice don’t deny it

That little aside at around ~9:00 about fanworks couldn't possibly have been more wrong, and I felt no small amount of shock at anyone being that stunningly out of touch with reality. Fanworks are the sincerest form of flattery, going even beyond imitation. Imitation is the creation of something new in the image of a beloved work. Fanworks are a step beyond that, being so moved or gripped by a work that one can't even leave it behind long enough to make something new. Fanworks are an extrapolation on something beloved; no-one seriously makes a fanwork unless they truly love the series in question. To say that fanworks besmirch the original is an absolutely baseless argument. Every fanwork is like a love letter written to a beloved franchise, and in this way even the most heinously awful fanfics have value. Yes, even My Immortal.

I like how this stops at kh2 like it should have lol

I'm glad someone was able to put into words as to what exactly it is that captures people's attention with Kingdom Hearts. There are flaws like cheesy dialogue and some technical issues here and there but overall I think that the very themes amd concepts introduced with each game really intrigue people. GBA Chain of Memories wad my first game and all I remember about it was being so sucked into the main plot. The theme of strength of character and the plot of forgetting your loved ones is a pretty powerful story to tell. It really caught my attention so I started my journey down the rabbit hole and I can't say that I've ever regretted it. It really says something about a series when objectively you can see that execution is lacking or even fails in some ways yet it manages to pull itself up and even blow your mind for what ends up feeling like the whole experience. I do also agree that the Disney aspect of the series holds it back. Both in what's added and probably what's changed. I personally believe that KH should drop the Disney part of itself. Not in its entirety of course but having played all the games, I can say that the story really does want to go above in beyond but is constantly held back by Disney

KBash, I have been critical of you in the past, but you have improved immensely.

It's a shame they never got around to making kh3. Maybe one day

KBash, you need to fight the Terra boss on crit. It is honestly one of the best final fights I've ever experienced. It turns the game on its head and fully expects mastery of every mechanic. I loved how much work it was to learn the game in a way I never had before. 103 attempts for me to beat it (im not very good at games) but I loved every second I put into doing it. It's incredibly punishing but well worth the time and effort. I know people are kind of divided on the fight but I can't recommend it enough. As per usual, amazing work! I'm on another KBash binge after your video on SRPGs. Thanks for all the great content!

Man this is such an underrated channel cant wait to see this channel subscriber count reach up there

I like that it's sora's destiny to be a hero not because he was chosen by another person, but because he was chosen by the weapon itself... because he's a good person. he's the kind of person who WOULD be a hero if given the chance, and wouldn't sacrifice others for his own gain.

Your video concept is dead on point it you are elaborating on a lot of good stuff is constantly amazing of what you're you're saying and staying at the same time you are totally reading this heroines story arc to the T as you go keep up the good work I love it you like some of the others are understanding his truest purpose of being the wielder of the blade

Thanks for being a conduit for consciousness to entertain collective consciousness

I'm not much of a gamer, or even a Disney fan (at least not lately), but KH 1 and 2 hit all the right notes for me. They were just fun games, with the right balance of nostalgia and new story. I don't even know what it is now though lol

Nice vid as always. I was hoping to hear KBash retell the horror of facing that dirty sommabish. But another time hopefully

I am someone who sings Broadway showtunes when no one is around and a massive Kingdom Hearts fan, so I think you got something right in that ending statement.

Awesome one, KBash! Had to rewind every minute from laughing. Great analysis too, and I loved the ending! Congrats on reaching your Patreon goal :)

The whole thing with auron being in hell in KH is actually kinda appropriate when talking about the theming of his character and the game that he's from. With the metaphor of him fighting "sin" and effectively failing before he dies.

Holy shi%t man, your segment in the 20 min. mark was really insightful. Thanks for that, and congratulations on the awesome review!

Never got to experience this franchise as a child until this summer at the age of 19. What a fucking experience man, never expect to get so into it and just binge EVERY game in such a short period of time. Yeah, of course, the plot has a bunch of issues but god damn it has its amazing moments and the music, god the fucking music is out of this world. Glad I got to experience KH now than never :)

Easily one of my favorites; KH2FM is honestly the quintessential edgy prepubescent game that I would recommend to all introverts when growing up, it'll make you look back at those times with a smile, rather than just cringe and regret. KH1 is the formative game you play when you're kid that shapes your tastes and decent part of who you are, and KH2 is the chance to look back at your infancy and determine that it had value at an age where it seems natural to want to reject your previous persona and desire to reinvent yourself, maybe the person you turned out to be is alright after all, maybe accepting the past is okay, maybe you're okay, and that's a really nice thing to realize at a teen age.

SIMPLE AND CLEAN IS THE WAY THAT YOURE MAKING ME FEEL TONIGHT

We should have played the second game as either Roxas or Riku (or heck, Kairi) with their own Disney friends. Sora had nothing to do in kh2 and only was the protagonist because he was the protagonist of 1. Roxas and Riku were the characters with emotional arcs.

This was a super great review, and definitely reflected my feelings on these games, even though I haven't played them hands on (I watched my sister play 😁) Thanks for not harking on the series too hard, but keeping it real enough to not sound like a total KH simp.

You know, I've been subbed for a sec, but only occasionally watch your vids, but every time I do I enjoy them. I'm sorry Idk what's wrong with me because I legit enjoy what I've watched so far.

This franchise was my introduction to JRPGs, make of that as you will.

Ah yes K-bash. The best 2008 youtuber to come out in 2016. That's a compliment btw

Wow. What a fantastic video. Arguably your best one. One can see really see the growth of your content, and I hope it only gets better from here. I think you really captured the essence of what makes Kingdom Hearts special to fans and why it's a dud franchise to others. By the way, those final boss battle sequences only get longer. Especially Dream Drop Distace. God damn.

KH2 Is still my favorite story and gameplay wise, but KH1 Final Mix made me appreciate the 1st game some more and how its probably the most coherent story in the series.

First time seeing one of your videos, I already fucking love you

If you play KH2FM again make sure u take off dodge slash :)

what the fuck you have my brain? this feels like the exact review i would've written you talk about things in this series that i've never heard anyone else talk about. like that gameplay/narrative integration bit? absolutely superb work

Was not expecting to find a new fave content creator today but here I am!