The One, The Only: Kingdom Hearts II Thread - US Release 03/28!
04-11-06 | 10:42 AM
#176
You are correct, that is where I am. And that sounds nice. Wife is out of town so I'm already having late nights with it as is. It may be time to start a separate save at her bedtime tonight 
04-11-06 | 11:03 AM
#177
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Well.. you might be able to hold off for a little longer! I will say this though: After you get through "Assault of the Dreadnaught", be prepared to have a few hours uninterrupted from that point on. I'll say no more but am anxious to have someone to discuss stuff with when you're done.
You know, I really love how child-like the kept Sora.. even though it's only been a year, visually he (and certain "other" characters) look more like they've aged about three years! One of my favorite parts of the game is seeing Sora get excited to see Santa Claus. And whenever somebody starts babbling about "dark pasts" or something Sora tells them to think positive or makes a silly face at them. Beautiful! My favorite line from the first game is when Sora tells Donald and Goofy "How can you be so happy, you're still no closer to finding your king!" and Donald simply replies "Aw, phooey!"
You know, I really love how child-like the kept Sora.. even though it's only been a year, visually he (and certain "other" characters) look more like they've aged about three years! One of my favorite parts of the game is seeing Sora get excited to see Santa Claus. And whenever somebody starts babbling about "dark pasts" or something Sora tells them to think positive or makes a silly face at them. Beautiful! My favorite line from the first game is when Sora tells Donald and Goofy "How can you be so happy, you're still no closer to finding your king!" and Donald simply replies "Aw, phooey!"
04-11-06 | 12:17 PM
#179
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
So is everyone enjoying the soundtrack? I love it!
Some of my favorites:
Title Music ("Dearly Beloved")
Twilight Town (in and out of and battle) as Roxas
Battle with Axel as Roxas
Theme when Sora "awakens"
The Underworld (out of battle) <- CATCHY AS HELL!
Coliseum Battles
Atlantica
Ursula Battle musical
Tron (in and out of battle)
TWTNW (in and out of battle)
The music played when [spoiler] removes his blindfold.
Gummi Ship Pirate Level
Gummi Ship Highway Level
All the boss battle music is great but I specifically liked the one fighting the ballroom, fighting Pete and the FIRST battle with Xemnas (which was reused from Final Mix, but it'll be new for most of you guys). I can't even remember how many boss themes I heard so it was hard to keep track but these were unique if I recall.
Hollow Bastion's out of battle theme was my favorites from the first game.. I don't quite like the new version at all.
Some of my favorites:
Title Music ("Dearly Beloved")
Twilight Town (in and out of and battle) as Roxas
Battle with Axel as Roxas
Theme when Sora "awakens"
The Underworld (out of battle) <- CATCHY AS HELL!
Coliseum Battles
Atlantica
Ursula Battle musical
Tron (in and out of battle)
TWTNW (in and out of battle)
The music played when [spoiler] removes his blindfold.
Gummi Ship Pirate Level
Gummi Ship Highway Level
All the boss battle music is great but I specifically liked the one fighting the ballroom, fighting Pete and the FIRST battle with Xemnas (which was reused from Final Mix, but it'll be new for most of you guys). I can't even remember how many boss themes I heard so it was hard to keep track but these were unique if I recall.
Hollow Bastion's out of battle theme was my favorites from the first game.. I don't quite like the new version at all.
04-11-06 | 12:30 PM
#181
I listen to the Japanese 2-disc set (with the above English Sanctuary rip inserted) a couple times a week up here. Already once today. It is all pretty good.
The last one you mention, the Gummi Highway music, is ridiculously cool.
The last one you mention, the Gummi Highway music, is ridiculously cool.
04-11-06 | 07:15 PM
#183
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I was bummed when I learned the cast from Pirates-otC weren't going to lend their voices to the game, but the VA's they got were really good. I forgot that they weren't Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in about 4 minutes. The character models in this world were very well done.
However the B&W world might just be the coolest thing the world has ever known.
However the B&W world might just be the coolest thing the world has ever known.
04-12-06 | 09:47 AM
#185
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Damn, that poster mission was a BITCH.
And at level 97 I still had my ass served cold in the final tournament (damn special rules).
Safe for pinata242:
And at level 97 I still had my ass served cold in the final tournament (damn special rules).
Safe for pinata242:
Spoiler:
04-12-06 | 12:08 PM
#186
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix?
I was browsing through some interviews (and by browsing I mean carefully avoiding parts that talk about what I have not seen yet) and there's some interesting information on a Final Mix version of this game. Apparently, the original plan was NOT to have a Final Mix considering how large the game became.. but there's such a high demand in Japan for the English voices in the game that it may very well happen. Nomura talks about some things that didn't make the cut that would go in IF (huge emphasis on if) a Final Mix was made, one being Mushroom Heartless and one being his "trump card."
I have to wonder if it does happen, will we get to see it this time? Admittedly, the first Final Mix was had a lot added to Japanese players but would have been a small change from the American version (which had a lot added to it before coming out here).. but there seems to be an increasing trend of "Special Editions" of games when they hit Greatest Hits.. so who knows?
I was browsing through some interviews (and by browsing I mean carefully avoiding parts that talk about what I have not seen yet) and there's some interesting information on a Final Mix version of this game. Apparently, the original plan was NOT to have a Final Mix considering how large the game became.. but there's such a high demand in Japan for the English voices in the game that it may very well happen. Nomura talks about some things that didn't make the cut that would go in IF (huge emphasis on if) a Final Mix was made, one being Mushroom Heartless and one being his "trump card."
I have to wonder if it does happen, will we get to see it this time? Admittedly, the first Final Mix was had a lot added to Japanese players but would have been a small change from the American version (which had a lot added to it before coming out here).. but there seems to be an increasing trend of "Special Editions" of games when they hit Greatest Hits.. so who knows?
04-12-06 | 01:07 PM
#187
Isn't the resale market much bigger in Japan than here as well? I remember hearing that the norm over there is to buy a game, run through it as quick as possible, and resell it. I don't know if this is just because of the sheer quantity of titles they seem to get or if it is a cultural difference. I don't consider myself a collector, but I keep what I buy. Of course, I have room for games I may never play again
Could this just be a ploy to sell a product twice in an area where many more people get your game than you sell new?
Could this just be a ploy to sell a product twice in an area where many more people get your game than you sell new?
04-12-06 | 01:26 PM
#188
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
You know, I'm not sure. I know at one point (and maybe still, I'll have to check my newest imports) I distinctly remember "NOT FOR RESALE" warnings on Japanese games.. not that that would stop anybody, but I'm pretty sure that most of the game resale stores deal in older stuff than what we have here with Gamestop and the like.
Regardless, used games in Japan are usually really nice. I've gotten a couple of titles from auctions and they ALWAYS include the case and manuals and are almost always in pristine condition. There's still a good number of cartridge only games for cartridge systems but complete games for those systems are still fairly common whereas here they're rare as hell and can quadruple the resale price.
Though, Nomura mentioned the original idea was to have both Japanese and English voices in the Japanese version since most people came into the series via Final Mix.. but they had filled the disc already and some of the English recording was delayed so it didn't happen.
Regardless, used games in Japan are usually really nice. I've gotten a couple of titles from auctions and they ALWAYS include the case and manuals and are almost always in pristine condition. There's still a good number of cartridge only games for cartridge systems but complete games for those systems are still fairly common whereas here they're rare as hell and can quadruple the resale price.
Though, Nomura mentioned the original idea was to have both Japanese and English voices in the Japanese version since most people came into the series via Final Mix.. but they had filled the disc already and some of the English recording was delayed so it didn't happen.
04-13-06 | 12:59 AM
#189
Here's a spoiler for ya:
First time I've ever had to use items in a battle.
And, Pixy:
That reminds me of how much smaller your "draw" radius is in this game compared to the first. Back then, orbs barely hit the ground before flying to you and here you practically have to walk over them to pick them up without extra abilities and/or accessories. I actually like that.
Spoiler:
And, Pixy:
Spoiler:
That reminds me of how much smaller your "draw" radius is in this game compared to the first. Back then, orbs barely hit the ground before flying to you and here you practically have to walk over them to pick them up without extra abilities and/or accessories. I actually like that.
04-14-06 | 08:03 AM
#191
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
ARGH! The Hades Cup tournament is pure evil! It took me AN HOUR to get through and then it had the audacity to tell me I didn't score enough "points" to register in the Journal. You bastards. 
There are four summons, by the way (unless I missed some).
There are four summons, by the way (unless I missed some).
04-14-06 | 09:27 AM
#192
Today's Good Friday and for some reason the multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-religional corporation I work for gives us today as a Holiday. Wife works for the State and they don't get off and the daycare's open. Meaning I'm home alone all day to really make some headway.
I just finished the 2nd Halloween Town episode and I thought this was a really nice touch...
I just finished the 2nd Halloween Town episode and I thought this was a really nice touch...
Spoiler:
04-14-06 | 09:40 AM
#193
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
You lucky *bleep* *buzz* *bleep*.. I'VE BEEN "CENSORED!" NOOOOO!!
I had an ex-roommate call me up last night raving about Kingdom Hearts II. A friend of mine bought the game for another friend of mine who gives him a ride to work and just happens to be my ex-roommate's current roommate so now he gets to play it after watching me play the first game several times. Good times, good times.
Yes, I like that scene too.. even though I'm not fond of Kairi. You're getting closer! Just make sure when you get "there" to make sure you've got some time to go through it all.. otherwise I'd just save when you get "there" and come back when you won't be interrupted. I was going to give my friend this advice but then I remember he doesn't do anything so it's not like he'd have some to actually interrupt him.
I'VE BEEN "CENSORED!" NOOOOO!! I had an ex-roommate call me up last night raving about Kingdom Hearts II. A friend of mine bought the game for another friend of mine who gives him a ride to work and just happens to be my ex-roommate's current roommate so now he gets to play it after watching me play the first game several times. Good times, good times.
Yes, I like that scene too.. even though I'm not fond of Kairi. You're getting closer! Just make sure when you get "there" to make sure you've got some time to go through it all.. otherwise I'd just save when you get "there" and come back when you won't be interrupted. I was going to give my friend this advice but then I remember he doesn't do anything so it's not like he'd have some to actually interrupt him.
04-14-06 | 10:38 AM
#194
Finished Prideland and Atlantica. I have 2 things on my agenda now: another HB episode and "the assault". I'm going to take a break for lunch and hopefully this afternoon will be enough for the uniterrupted play you've warned us about.
04-14-06 | 11:33 AM
#195
DVD Talk Limited Edition
The Prideland stage is beautifully realized. I think that might be my favorite of the worlds this go round. I won't admit to how many times I jumped off the very top of Pride Rock only to fall through the sky for a great 7 seconds. Won't admit it and you can't make me.
04-14-06 | 04:38 PM
#198
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by pinata242
It... can't... be... done...
Amazing, wasn't it?
04-14-06 | 04:55 PM
#199
Oh, wait... Yes it can. 
No, I didn't realize I had to hit 2 buttons. 3rd time's the charm. (haven't actually unpaused for the final scene(s) yet. Daughter's bound to be home any minute. I can't wait for her to see too.)
No, I didn't realize I had to hit 2 buttons. 3rd time's the charm. (haven't actually unpaused for the final scene(s) yet. Daughter's bound to be home any minute. I can't wait for her to see too.)
