A Passionate Defense of Kingdom Hearts 3

[@Davi_L]

I laughed so hard at "Riku flew out of Riku into Riku in order defeat Riku"

[@Aspirider0220]

It’s like Vergil hiring vergils brother and vergils son so Vergil and Vergil can become Vergil

[@monkey_blu]

"Check please...."

[@tylercafe1260]

Yeah KH1 was pretty crazy huh :)

[@LilacMonarch]

Riku kills Riku while Riku watches

[@DieAlteistwiederda]

You know you've played too much of this madness that this sentence somehow makes perfect sense. Kingdom Hearts lore is just weird.

[@PostMesmeric]

You were the first KZbinr I knew who actually openly said, through all the online backlash, that they don't just LIKE Kingdom Hearts III, but genuinely ADORE it. I can't think of a better person to make a video like this. You really poured your heart into it. Stellar work.

[@hi-i-am-atan]

@Jediberner8 that's stuff that mostly just comes down to implied background detail. like, formchanges first came up in kh2 as something the lingering will could do, and then bbs drops and all of the crew can formchange their keyblades into their gliders, terra can bust out the ultima cannon the lingering will inherited, and no heart packs its own bonus boss formchanges. young xehanort gets in on it in ddd, to boot. and when you think about it, none of this _really_ comes out of nowhere, because we've been changing the keyblade's form since game 1, just to a more limited extent. so it's pretty well established, if through subtext rather than text, that keyblades are p. malleable weapons that can reshape themselves to respond to their wielder's will, and keyblade wielders can learn through teaching or experience to take full advantage of this ability - which p. straightforwardly leads to the conclusion that sora gaining access to formchanging is the culmination of him masting the keyblade over the course of all the previous games, experience which remains even after the events of ddd drained him of his raw power the rides, meanwhile, aren't quite so easy to explain ... unless you subscribe to the theory that kh3 pulls a union x, at which point the fact that the proper name for them is attraction _flow_ in the same game in which _flow_ motion returns after its sole inclusion of ddd has some interesting implications. there's a lot of ways that they're similar to ddd's reality shifts, after all

[@Dracobyte]

Regular Pat also said nice things about KH. I recommend gis videos.

[@c0mplex_Ale]

@@Dracobyte regular pat is specifically a KH content creator, so the people that follow him are the ones that like it, anyone might get recommended KingK’s videos since he made videos for so many things

[@KurosakiRuka]

Still waiting for that video from super butter buns

[@adhfoajodgia]

I remember Kh1 moving me. I remember kh2 surprising me time and time again. This story only... Bored me... Your passion only makes me more disappointed at kh3.... I am glad there are so many people who enjoyed and loved it.... I only wish I had these feelings too...

[@jmcolext]

"Don't lose yourself in the sorrow of separation. Be thankful that bond was strong enough to create that sadness." One of the greatest lines I've ever heard. Well done.

[@shiningpikachu4750]

It’s a KH level quote in itself

[@lawgx9819]

@@shiningpikachu4750 fuck me if you didn't tell me that I would've 100% believe it was a KH quote

[@shiningpikachu4750]

@@lawgx9819 I know right...Kinda sad that it wasn't.

[@kallmeej9106]

​@@shiningpikachu4750 I was kinda beating myself up for not remembering it so I'm a lil glad it's not 😂

[@Lightning-ig2do]

I'm totally gonna steal that for D&D 😁

[@comfylain]

"Roxas resonated with my preteen self so much that I thought about him every day" made me tear up. I thought about Roxas every single day from 2006-2012.

[@thatguy5876]

Same I had never related to a character more when I was younger

[@comfylain]

@@thatguy5876 👊

[@girlthattalkstoomuch9425]

omg found my people, he is the star of my maladaptive daydream

[@HHTwice]

Gay

[@umwha]

Genuine question but .. how can you relate to roxas when he has no personality ? Like, he lives in Twilight town in the kh2 intro… normal life, then merges with sora.(?) . Later we learn that roxas had 1 year as a grunt in the org before being put in a simulation. Mentally he is about 1.5 years old. He has no parents. No country , no context. He has shallowly written friendships with axel and xion, and turns against the org. Not a complex story. He’s not written like a human character. Like most of Kh the writing is actually bad. Yet, it’s told in a very slick way that compelled me to think it was cool at the time.

[@jhudson6101]

I remember the night this game came out, I was sitting in my college dorm room at midnight when the game dropped I sat down at my desk and played for 46 hours without stopping except to eat and other necessities, when the credits played I crashed with tears in my eyes and woke up the next morning with the title screen playing its beautiful music. It was one of my favourite times experiencing a game and I will never forget it.

[@AvatarTrev6]

Okayyyyy

[@D4rkThuNderplays]

Way to say you don't have friends haha Mate if a game this mediocre made you tear up you have bigger problems

[@jhudson6101]

@@D4rkThuNderplays Maybe you would have to understand my history with this game to get why i cried as at the time this was the end of an era for this game series that had been with me since before i could remember. I played this game with family as a child and it holds a very special place in my heart and memories.

[@silvsora]

​@@D4rkThuNderplaysNah, it simply means he has a different oppinion from yours. Honestly, if we were to judge this game completely objectively, he would be more in the right than you. This game is not mid mechanically, storywise, emotionally, graphically or whatever else you want to point out, but obviously you can still hate the game and think it's the worst in the series(a very mind boggling take, but ey, if the 6 years of waiting destroyed you that much, it's your freedom to think that way), but you can't go around telling people they can't love something or spread positivity about it(and you can especially not tell them that there is something wrong with them, just because they did the 2 prior mentioned things). Sure it seems a bit hypocritical to say "You can't judge people because of what they like, just because you dont like it" while Im judging you for judging other people and have a clear bias towards KH3, still it doesn't undermine my points. These topics are just wayy too complicated, while I love KH3 everyone should obviously be able to express their thoughts about the game, even if it is extremely negative. Just do it in a way where it doesn't seem toxic, if a game is bad, you can just outright say it, but if you're disappointed in a game you shouldn't just chalk it up to the game being objectively bad, maybe you yourself are the problem and if not try to criticize it instead of just saying "Ah, it's mid".

[@D4rkThuNderplays]

@@silvsora man said the game was not mid storywise or emotional 💀 Well you're right it's not mid, it's bad Gameplay you can just fly while attacking, never falling down, also attractions, don't even need to say more Most people need to learn the difference between liking something and it being good, you can like something not good and you can not like something good Also if what I said is toxic you're gonna have a rough life buddy

[@keichocomint]

EVEN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE SEA SALT TRIO'S RESOLUTION BROUGHT ME TO TEARS, by far my favorite resolution in that entire game.

[@zackanderson3521]

Sora getting into Smash made me feel like my love for kingdom hearts was validated. Like I wasn't the only one who enjoys this series just as much as me. It's by far my favorite piece of fiction.

[@JustSkram]

Sorry for your trash taste.

[@bellboy7809]

Be validated. Thank you for being honest :)

[@zachanikwano]

I mean that’s sweet, and community centered around common interest is amazing too- but your likes are validated because you like them. Not cause it’s popular or what have ya ☺️

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@JustSkram Taste is a matter of perspective

[@DjTrustNo.1]

@@JustSkram keep you pitty, you will need it for yourself.

[@DADA-yt1pt]

To quote Eggman from Sonic Unleashed: "Oh, I've waited a long time for this!"

[@jakelester4857]

"I miss my wife Sora."

[@IdkahandleIguess69]

"I've been waiting for this!"

[@Dracobyte]

This and Regular Pat's videos about KH gave me years of life.

[@keenansartain2854]

@@jakelester4857 commas are important

[@chrisshep7564]

I can't believe it's been four years since the game came out. I remember waiting for KH3 for an eternity and it's so hard to think it's not even "new" anymore. Incredible video.

[@DADA-yt1pt]

Not to mentioned that we already got a trailer for KH4. It feels so surreal.

[@AngryGoats555]

I’m absolutely HYPED for the Lost Masters arc. What X, Union X, Dark Road, and now Missing Link are setting up and how it all is going to culminate in KH4 is going to be epic. I really hope they give Union X and Dark Road the movie treatment like they did with X just to make those stories more accessible for wider audiences

[@DesignDoc]

Very excited to listen to this. My feelings on Kingdom Hearts 3 are complicated and I have a lot of frustrations with it but many of those are also tied to the greater context of the lead up to KH3 with both the story setup (Not the biggest fan of Dream Drop Distance and 358 Days for various reasons) and the sheer amount of time it took for this game to actually happen. With those feelings of frustration combined with how KH3 handles its own pacing and where it decides to focus the majority of its story's run time, I don't think I can say I'll ever fully love the game but I'm very interested in hearing the defense for it. EDIT: One of my biggest take aways with my frustrations I think come from how Kairi is handled in general. There's a TON of emphasis placed on her towards the end but ultimately it's used just to fridge her and provoke Sora. With all the emphasis placed on the two at the end and in ReMind it really makes me think that she should've joined the trio throughout the adventure so that we could actually see Sora and Kairi work off of each other and let her develop as a hero on her own. Areas like Arendelle and Corona would've provided some solid opportunities for that relationship to become more fleshed out. There doesn't have to be a TON of scenes dedicated to her but let her and Sora's journeys intertwine Actually sell us on their relationship like they already have with him and Riku. Let the player connect with her more instead of just telling us that she matters. But no, they give her worthless off-screen training with nothing of note other than a couple nice scenes with Axel that could still have been delivered in another way.

[@CorIsFire]

Fellow KingK worshipper?!?!

[@blueb_oy]

Dude, you couldn't have said it any better tbh..

[@xemnasxiii3992]

Honestly i am here, there's a lot of the execution of Kh3 that i can't just overlook even above the good moments, i haven't finished watching the video but i hope half of the arguments won't just be a complicated variant of "I like it and the child within me likes it too so that means it's a good thing" like some people use when talking about kh3. You can like it bc your inner child does i'm not saying the opposite but it would be nice it of people were more willing to talk about what it did wrong instead of hiding it. (yes random hardcore kh2fm+ fans are shitty what can i say that hasn't been said )

[@chardrive]

they basically didn’t use any of the games runtime to expound on the actual plot. everything just happens in the last 10% of the game and it’s bittersweet because there was no kingdom hearts in kingdom hearts. just a bunch of weird jilted paced unimportant cutscenes, until the final battle.

[@haruhirogrimgar6047]

Meh, Kairi has always been a useless throwaway character. I never expected them to use her any differently.

[@TheKusio]

Maybe it's because I've discovered the series rather recently that I did not have as big expectations of KHIII as people who basically grew up with it - still, it was really enjoyable gameplaywise, had a decent story aside from the Frozen world (it did feel like Sora and the gang found themselves there by a mistake), and seeing the BBS and Days trios reunite was absolutely magical. I believe that if Nomura decided to show the importance of Disney worlds in a bit more organised way would help the game tremendously. After you've connected them to KH events in this video, it actually makes sense. That's why even cliche retrospections would tie things neatly. Nonetheless, it was a blast, hoping that KH IV (whenever it releases) will redeem the series' image. No matter how you look at it, things may completely change now and I'm all for it.

[@AsteroSloth]

I cried so hard when Xion came back and said “it’s xioning time” 😢😢😢

[@DADA-yt1pt]

Yeah. It would be nice having more civil discussions about Kingdom Hearts with KH4. Though, we do have Sora in Smash Brothers and I've seen a lot more positivity surrounding that to this day. Which includes me as well, that was still such a magical moment.

[@cadetronic3122]

So hilarious that he mentioned how cold it was the day this game came out. I also vividly remember heading to gamestop right after school to grab the game and I couldn’t even describe how deadly freezing it was outside

[@Humbletomato]

RIGHT. I walked through a Chicago blizzard to pick up my copy of KH3

[@ski-meme-trash-k1ll3rsbane71]

I remember grabbing mine and then going with my mom to pick up groceries. Excitingly telling my friends about it and showing them the awesome box art.

[@jackmanleblanc2518]

I remember standing in the cold outside with a group of other people waiting for the game.

[@ItzMeNido]

In Minnesota we hit a record low -60f after wind chill right around when this game came out. Garbage year, this game was one of the few highlights.

[@StarzJake]

And I remember it's being hot being in Australia, took a whole week off work to play it

[@shinigamisway1645]

Also...I normally dont comment twice on videos, but I feel I have to after resonating so hard with you here. The "shame " associated with loving something that's a part of your identity ....what KH is for you and so many others is what sonic is for me. And people shittin on frontiers made me feel the EXACT what you described feeling in defense of Kh3. It's okay to love something that isnt perfect. And btw ; glad you finally put out the video, you Faced Your Fears, King K !

[@Sora418]

Interpreting the power of wakening as Sora growing up hits so much harder with what we know about KH4, sora grew up, he is no longer a kid, he is now then, in a different reality, no longer in the fantasy and magical world he once lived, but in the streets of Tokyo, a gray atmosphere, where he is now looking at the adulthood reality

[@willrobert4197]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

I love that the KingK and Regular Pat videos are showing a positive light on this series, specially KH III.

[@pascalsimioli6777]

So I guess to mature you just need to put no effort and just f*ck around. What a great message, genius Nomura as usual.

[@pridefulmaster1390]

Feel like this is going to make the Disney worlds in KH4 a lot more interesting. If Sora still travels to them, everything that’s happened to him will probably color his interactions more. Making him less of the goofball he’s always been. But if someone else travels to them, it could show how Sora does kind of need that kind of positivity in his life. That his life can’t just be one where he shoulders everything. He needs to learn he’s his friends power as much as he’s their power

[@aroccoification]

What? The hell does being older have to do with things being regular and boring? Aqua and terra are both adults in birth by sleep and things are still colorful and fun. Nomura said aqua is around 18 and terra around 20 and that didnt mean they had to go to a normal city. Plus plenty of adults live in colorful non city areas so that being a correlation to adulthood sounds unnecessary anyway

[@BugsyFoga]

I remember really enjoying KH3 when I initially played, so seeing the backlash it was getting certainly came as a shock to me .

[@superlombax1561]

I was actually the complete opposite, not liking KH3 and surprised to see so many people around me didn't see the same issues I did.

[@logiclunacy606]

​@Super Lombax it has issues sure, particularly the fact there is no drop in your combos but it's is still a great game.

[@bruhtholemew]

@@superlombax1561 Same here. Felt like I was playing a different game than everyone else until I started seeing similar opinions months later.

[@walter4180]

For story, pacing and dialogue I felt it was weak asf but as a KH fan since I was a kid the emotional highs were very high despite on reflection noticing how contrived some shit felt Terms of as a GAME, I thought it was great and at least the base game was on par to better than KH2 in terms of world design and general fun. Even ended up being tided over completely when limit cut came around I pretty heavily prefer those fights to KH2 data org too. I'd say as an overall package, KH2FM is more solid but I'd say 3 sits pretty comfortably between 2 and 1 for quality.

[@skillyoshi]

i loved the game.

[@LombaxOttsel]

If your goal was to capture the feelings KH3 gave you and justify why it’s excellent, you achieved it.

[@FR33DOMK1D]

It's really nice seeing a ray of positivity for III with how negatively people tend to regard it lol. Your insight and impressions of these games have always been great, and Sora's journey using the Disney worlds was well put! An extra detail I'll never forget about the Master Xehanort fight was Donald and Goofy calling out to you right before the Trinity limit. I was playing it with my headphones plugged into the controller and that made for one final super immersive finisher to the fight.

[@thedancingsousa]

I avoided everything about this game until it came out and I finished it. I saw exactly one trailer, the very first one, and then forced myself into a media blackout. No theories, no trailers, no "everything you need to know" videos. I bought a PS4 just to play through the whole series again, finished that a week before it came out, and prepared myself. At midnight, I was ready. I played for 7 hours before pulling myself together to go teach a class at 8am. Every night I played until I couldn't. It was beautiful, everything I hoped and more. I'm so glad I didn't involve myself in the community beforehand, seeing how negative and salty they were afterwards. I love this game fully, and I enjoy it every time I come back.

[@Titan_Trainer]

This is easily one of the best KH3 videos I've ever seen. This game is easily my favourite game in the entire franchise. It was such a satisfying conclusion to the saga, wrapping up so many things that were built up towards this epic conclusion. It brought heartfelt reunions, tearful scenes and amazing developments and interactions. The ending alone had left me sobbing for over half an hour because it was SO satisfying seeing all these characters that I loved for years, who had been through the worst of circumstances, FINALLY reunited and happy. This video was perfectly written and spoken because your positivity and emotions brought me back to 2019 when I first played through this incredible game. Nearly every single sentence spoken in this video felt like you were reading my mind. You perfectly expressed why I LOVE this game. You managed to take back four years ago. Thank you SO much for expressing and sharing all these positive thoughts on this amazing game. I've been eagerly waiting for this video and it certainly did not disappoint. An amazing video!

[@whyequalswhat]

You consider the bad guy not actually being bad and just want to make the world better a satisfying conclusion? KH3 blows

[@Titan_Trainer]

I consider it an incredibly satisfying conclusion considering Xehanort, after being physically beaten, was finally convinced to give up and move on from his obsession, especially when it was sn old friend who finally convinced him to do so, considering Xehanort, the exact opposite of Sora, chose to abandon his friendships in search of knowledge. His intentions brought up in KH3 were revealed all the way back in BBS; that light and darkness should be in balance. He always intended to use Kingdom Hearts to create a new world and recreate it to what he considered it should be. So yeah, KH3 absolutely rules.

[@Redxan600]

Oh hey, it's you! Didn't expect to see you here. If anyone else is reading this, watch this guy's videos about why and how Disney worlds are important and how they develop Sora's character.

[@deatheater6222]

@@whyequalswhat are you talking about when he said that he wanted a world pure and bright? because if so that was a mintraslation,in the original he says that he wants a world pure and blank

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@whyequalswhat It was always implied Xehanort wanted to make the world better. The Xehanort reports in BBS literally state this. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good guy. As he intended to literally wipe out the universe to accomplish his goal.

[@glitcheddream1748]

Honestly I’m glad they fleshed out Luxord a bit more in his final scenes. When I first saw Sora and him talking about playing a game when “they’re just guys” hit hard

[@NikiYKN]

53:58 Did those "simple days of KH1" ever even exist though? KH has ALWAYS been about these "weird", completely illogical moments that are perfect because of how cool or emotional they are. Sora using the Power of Waking to bring back his friends from the dead in such a way that seems like he rewrote history is no more nonsensical than, say, Naminé's memory rewriting powers changing the physical appearance of Sora's Lucky Charm with no explanation or reason other than to drive the "She's replacing Kairi in Sora's heart" point home further. Or that time Xion has a trippy dream that ends with a ethereal conversation between her, Roxas and Axel that no one is sure actually happened or not, but allows them to have a important moment on Destiny Islands, and is all the more special for it. Another moment I remember people complaining about for not making logical sense was Roxas' comeback, since "his replica body teleporting between worlds to where his heart is is nonsensical and too convenient", but did everyone forget about the time Kairi brought Sora back from the Darkness with nothing more than a hug and the power of love? Or when her letter to Sora paved the way for them to reunite through the Door to Light and magically got Sora and Riku out of the Realm of Darkness? Or when Ven and Terra's Key Blades came to rescue Aqua at the end of BBS, as a way to tell her to not lose hope, since she was about to give up? These are some of the best scenes in the series, because they're about friendship, love, and the connections these characters have with each other being so strong they break logic, making for incredibly powerful scenes. Roxas coming back completed out of his pure desire to protect his friends in need is perfect, and I will never understand why 3 is where people draw the line with these moments.

[@Funchal99]

I mean, I get your point, but notice how none of the examples you just described are from KH1. They are all from subsequent material, which people (myself included) argue is when the plot and lore started going off the rails. So, based on that, I'd say that yes, "the simple days of KH1" did exist. KH was simple, concise and to the point, with a cliffhanger for a sequel, clear rules, easy to follow logic and that was it. I think that the series themes and messages as a whole mean well, and it can certainly have moments of powerful emotion, but the lore that accompanied it has grown so big, convoluted and full of retcons that it just annoys me the more I think about it. That said, if you can overlook those things and enjoy the "essence" of KH for what it is, I'm genuinely happy for you. I think people need to learn to stop talking in absolutes and just accept different people enjoy different things and approaches.

[@justsomeguy727]

​@@Funchal99 you must have missed the part where they stated kairi brought sora back with nothing but a hug, which happened in the first game.

[@Funchal99]

​@@justsomeguy727 Oh, right That flew over my head. I still think that, given KH1's simpleness, that power of love hug scene is not really comparable to the crazy stuff that happens later in the series, because back then we didn't have a metric ton of ever-expanding rules that are then ignored or retconned or reframed in favor of rule of cool. So I think my point still stands in that regard. But yes, I did miss that one example, my bad.

[@EternallyBlu]

People really complained about Roxas doing the same thing Beast did in KH1.

[@davidsterling7570]

This must be how people feel when I talk about Shadow the Hedgehog. Glad you own your opinion and were able to finally get some of it out there!

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

Shadow the Hedgehog had reception waaaay worse than KH3. Lol

[@davidsterling7570]

@@user-vi4xy1jw7e And yet both have folks who're mostly unfazed by their flaws :)

[@natsurashizero]

Dave’s Jones Locker was the best use of foreshadowing I’ve seen in a while. It blew my mind discovering the connection between THAT and the Final World years later.

[@FireTrainer92]

Genius shit really lol

[@natsurashizero]

@@FireTrainer92 I WAS SHOCKED

[@yeetus6960]

@@natsurashizero HOLY SHIT YOU JUST MADE ME REALISE THAT AS WELL LMAO

[@orcinusoafish153]

If there's one thing I really appreciate about this channel is that you always manage to get me to grow a deeper respect for my favorite games and bring attention to stuff that I didn't even know or recognize about its gameplay, story, or both. Stellar video man. I could really feel your passion and love for this game as well as the rest of the series in this video and when I could hear your smile as you were speaking I was smiling right alongside with ya. This series really is something special and I thank you for bringing into words on why I love it so much.

[@soul6733]

Really well made video. KH3, much like any KH game, has plenty of flaws, but it also has so many good and great things that it can't pass as a truly bad game. And for me, those good moments and in general all the fun I had playing this compared to the other games, made KH3 my favourite game in the franchise.

[@MistaHahn117]

I feel like it's important to remember that later the same year that KH3 came out we saw the release of DMC5, accurately summarized as Vergil hiring Vergil's brother and Vergil's son to defeat Vergil so that Vergil can merge with Vergil to become Vergil Earnestly silly plots in video games are good actually

[@MisterPotats]

God Damn DMC5 was a masterpiece lmao

[@Neezy2635]

Very vergil for sure

[@justsomeguy727]

It's just so peak

[@nickmiller8855]

I’m glad someone is finally giving this game a fair shot. I love KH3. I’ve loved it since day 1 and I thinks it an excellent conclusion to this story arch.

[@-JaggedGrace-]

You think none of the haters gave the game a fair shot?

[@samuelwolch1302]

@@-JaggedGrace-i feel the difference is that years ago they went in with their own expectations for what the game would -or should- be. Long waiting periods will do that

[@-JaggedGrace-]

@@samuelwolch1302 I didn't do any theorizing, or predictions, didn't watch any KH videos in preparation. I just went in to explore more of the Kingdom Hearts world, and I hated it, for so many reasons. I guarantee you, plenty of the disappointed people were a result of the game's own shortcomings, not from any unrealistically high expectations.

[@Dexcric]

I had actually steered clear of KH content for a while due to getting recommended so many negative videos on 3, so this was a welcome change of pace. Breaking down the themes and character beats as well as you going into your own personal attachment to the series reminded me of how much the game and the series means to me. Banger video!

[@TJF588]

If one of those negative videos was the multi-hour "Kingdom Hearts III Was A Waste Of Effort", I'd definitely recommend it. Same guy who did "Metal Gear Solid 4 Was A Mistake", and both videos showcase a deep respect for the creators and the conditions they found themselves in, informing the perspectives of the games and their places as sequels. There's reverence for what was attempted, despite anything else, which I think has reinforced what appreciations I've had for those games.

[@killerkitten7534]

@@TJF588 I dunno. I watched that video and did not care for it. Especially since like 80% of that video felt like it was highlighting positives of the game yet he still walked away with the conclusion that it sucked. It was very very odd. Not to mention he also seems to hate exploration and the Disney worlds altogether which are the strongest parts of kingdom hearts. Ironically those are the two weakest things in KH2 and he seems to love that game while I hate it so maybe it is just a matter of perspective. Regardless “this game was a waste of effort.” Was unnecessarily harsh of a title

[@michaelbays6340]

I remember having a kinda similar experience to yours. I went and got the game at my local best buy then went home shut myself off from the internet for a few days (to avoid spoilers) and beat the game. I was super happy with how the game turned out it had everything I was looking for in it and what I thought everyone else wanted. I was giddy with excitement to go online and see all the reviews of people saying how great it was. Then I was super confused to find out that the reviews mostly ranged from disappointing to hated it. I spent a couple days watching those reviews trying to understand why people felt that way but none of it made sense to me. Atleast it's good to know that there are some people who liked this game as much as I did. Loved the video.

[@newkeyo]

I'm happy you were able to finally express the way you feel about Kingdom hearts 3, I really relate to your journey with the series because I did the same thing with metal gear solid and metal gear solid 5, It seemed like that was the only one that was satisfied with the conclusion of the series. But when you love a series as hard as we do at a certain point, it transcends a fandom and I can really tell that kingdom hearts has done that for you. It's a memory. It's a comfort. It's more than just a video game.

[@couchalmark675]

I've replayed Kingdom Hearts 2 every four years since it's come out, for one reason or another, and yet in just four years I've replayed Kingdom Hearts 3 more times. I think it's a superb game.

[@aussiegecko1892]

I cried... You made me weep. For that I am eternally grateful. For a series I love and a game I judged from the wrong perspective. You voiced the heart I was not willing to see. I wanted KH3 to be perfection. I wanted it to be more. I lost heart with it when I played it because I felt the story it told from world to world didn't build to the narrative at the end. I let it drag the rest down and my heart with it. But you are so right. The end is something we already knew. Following the journey of a boy who towards the known conclusion is the best way to express this journey. I didn't fall in love with Kingdom Hearts when I played the games for the first time. It was after. It was always after when I look back and found more and more to care about. Maybe it was where I was when it released vs where I am now but... Thank you for this. If not... I'd have continued to slide away from this series. I wouldn't have cared where the story went from here, letting this cloud my perspective moving forward. So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. It's was a few years in the making, but this video was worth it.

[@SasukeUchiha376]

Finally I can come out of hiding, seems like every game is put through a microscope of expectations this day in age.

[@Hospitabull]

Having played through the series for the very first time in it's entirety (including both DS titles, and even Dark Road), I've found KH3 to quite possibly be my absolute favorite in the series. Throughout my time, I've watched various reactions alongside your analysis videos as I've gone, watching them as sorts of treats for me to further enhance my own enjoyment. One thing I've noticed is that, similar to me, most of the reactors I watched who were new to the series at the time, who played through the series in relative succession, such a LeighXP, LouiseyHannah, Deebeegeek, etc, all seemed to be much less inclined towards the same criticisms that many people who grew up with the series and played KH3 at launch. Obviously you grew up with the series and still came out loving 3, but it does make me wonder if that lack of nostalgia actually made it easier to digest and accept decisions made on Nomura's part.

[@GrizzaldBear]

I find it really interesting to see how different trios have an emotional connect to different people. A lot of people were overwhelmed with emotions at the Days trio reunion, but it was the BBS trio resolution that truly got me bawling. I love that people can experience the same thing in different ways to the point where a plot point that can be brushed off by some, can be overwhelmingly cathartic for another. I have a lot of personal gripes with KH3, but it's very nice to see how passionately you love the game.

[@VixenLovelove]

That was simply beautiful. It’s clear you poured your heart into this, pun intended and your genuine love for kingdom hearts is infectious. You don’t have to explain all the ways this series has shaped and inspired you cause it’s clear from your voice alone. Great job.

[@JammieBear]

This video is honestly incredible, I was listening to it while playing another game and, when you started gushing about the lead up to the ending, you sounded so excited that I just had to smile along with you, it made me super happy! 🐻

[@Webbyneon89]

Mad respect to ya for sticking to your guns on a stance around game that has had strongly conflicting views on it! Much like you, I grew up on Kingdom Hearts in my childhood. I'll never forget the chills I got from seeing that first KH1 commercial on television and begging my parents to buy it for my birthday. Here I am now an adult in my thirties and owe this silly, yet highly endearing, series so much for the rough times it got me through and even inspiring emotional growth in myself. I've got seriously conflicting feels on Kingdom Hearts 3's story as a whole, but damn it I'd be full of bullshit if there were moments that didn't shake me to my emotional core. I'm in the same boat as you were at 56:57 when the 358/2 Days trio reunited at long last after all the turmoil they had been through. Their story in 358 is still arguably one of my favorite dramatic backstories in KH's franchise, so seeing them finally get that resolution hit me like a truck for real. KH2 & 358's stories left such a serious impact on me, I'd replay their endgame bosses repeatedly because I adored the emotional intensity and weight that went into each respective one. Good lord, Xion bursting into tears after being brought back into existence alongside those she cherished and realizing the weight of her disappearance it left Roxas & Axel just fucking gets me every time. I look at KH3 as a diamond in the rough, more or less. It may not be up in my favorite entries, but when it nails the high notes they were done very well. Bringing some beautiful closure and reinforcing why people love these timeless characters. Particularly, Sora sacrificing his own livelihood to save Kairi really encapsulates what his characterization is all about. Never agreed with the idea I've seen some claim with the ending around Sora vanishing was forced tragedy for the sake of it. While I do heavily agree Kairi got done very dirty in KH3's story, Sora sacrificing himself to save Kairi is completely in line with what he has done before, as seen in Kingdom Hearts 1 when he willingly freed his own heart to awaken her. Loved that they did a poetic call back to not just Kairi, but for everyone he revived with the power of waking. Sora has never been scared of sacrificing himself, rather he's been afraid of being unable to save his friends he cares for most. Kingdom Hearts is something I'll always love no matter how old I get in life and this video resonated with me a ton. Great work, man.

[@anipneuma4789]

I’ll never forget the excitement I felt during the midnight release. Yes it was jarring in a few parts but overall I love this series and I will be there for every new installment.

[@GreenRequiem]

loved that you spoke a bit about the music in KH3 (12:40, 36:00, 39:50, etc)--was really great to hear some attention brought to this aspect of the game

[@wuba5456]

best boy alert for Sora is so true

[@joshuahall9736]

I’ve never resonated more with the opening few minutes of a video in my life. I love all your videos but this made me feel a certain way. Makes sense given KH has been such a large part of my life but all I can say is THANK YOU!!

[@BioRoxas]

I've been looking forward to this!! Really interested to hear your thoughts

[@Redxan600]

And it's nice to see you give credit and props to this video, Mr. Bio.

[@danieltinsleykhvsff9622]

Nice to see you bio. Hope you liked this video.

[@Rhy2412TitanGamer]

One of the best reviews for KH3 i have seen. Good content.

[@neochozo]

Geez Louise, I love that you passionately care about KH3 as much as I did. I overlooked its flaws in service of its greater narrative and came away loving the game, and that was before ReMind fixed some of the problems I did have. Wonderful video essay!

[@xouptvey]

I'm so happy to hear someone else who loved KH3. I relate so hard to your lead up, your description of how important KH is to you. It feels like hearing myself. As silly as it sounds, I have felt a bit ashamed of how much I loved 3, but hearing you explain why you love it, and it mirroring my own thoughts... It makes me a less ashamed.

[@HikaruBaskerville]

I think you just managed to shift my perspective on a lot of things just now. I love this series with a passion, and when it comes to 3 specifically, I think I took a lot of the steps Nomura took to weave this game together for granted or was too blind to really see the bigger picture. I'm glad I gave this a watch when I did. And I'm right there with you with the road ahead, without a doubt. Can't wait to see what Quadratum has in store.

[@samadams8533]

Could not be more excited for the video King, your ability to convey emotional honesty/vulnerability while delivering a concise and compelling essay is unrivaled. Can’t wait for more videos

[@plopperson]

This video, much like Kingdom Hearts 3 itself, was absolutely worth the wait. Excellent job, mate.

[@Amaisa-zj4ju]

I am a year late, for sure. But i am truly glad I found this video. I was born in 2006 and to an extent you can say that I was too young to get into it during my childhood. It's only been a year since I've truly gotten into kingdom hearts. Im stuck in hollow bastion in KH1 and pissed off over the second Maleficent fight. This video is incredible, has me emotional and makes me proud that i got involved into something like this. Like you, I am also going through a journey of self discovery, about my decisions for my future and the things it will hold. I'll be 18 soon.. graduating, going to college meeting new people, getting a job, battling my anxiety and depression. Yet going to kingdom hearts gives me so much warmth. I just went to a comic con today and I bought a sora plush and an axel action figure, two of my favorite characters. Sora means a lot to me, his character development, his personality, his growth. The entire game and connection to Disney heals my inner child. I see myself a lot in Sora, hoping that people that i love stay close to me to keep my positive energy and strive forward. Kingdom hearts- no, square enix in general and disney are the reason I want to become a video game animator. To bring these wonderful characters, who mean a lot to me and frankly have saved me from many things, to life. I cannot imagine world without kingdom hearts and its huge influence into kids raised in the early 2000s Thank you for making this amazing video, i know its more meant to defend KH3 (i still haven't played it yet) but it truly makes me happy finding someone with the same emotional enthusiasm i have towards kingdom hearts in general. KH is one of the most amazing video game franchises ever created and i will die on that hill. Hopefully I'll get to write an essay about it myself

[@purbsi]

Thank you for this. I too have been with this series for the whole time - I was actually Sora's age when I got the first game, and I've played nearly every installment since. Imagine me when the game came out, in my late 20's playing as probably 16 year old Sora a little less than 20 years later. You and I came into the same pocket reality when emerging from the game, where we both wondered what was happening, how people could have disliked the game. 3 is my actual favorite installment in the series, so I deeply appreciate someone with an experience so similar to mine being willing to step forward in such a public manner. It really sucks to be alienated from the fandom of a franchise that is already alienated from common conversation, especially when you've been around for so long without much issue. Thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone in liking this game. also, a fun note: "I hope they cut the Disney out of the next one" is something that has been in the forums since KH2. I think it has to do with the idea that Disney is holding Kingdom Hearts back from being darker (which I don't believe is true or that making KH darker is necessary) or that there are a lot of people that like the gameplay that really don't like Disney on principle... both kind of forget that Kingdom Hearts wouldn't be Kingdom Hearts without Disney. It would be a Final Fantasy spinoff that probably would have died off years ago, if not fallen into obscurity after its first game... if it even came to exist in the first place.

[@SGalaxyify]

KH3 combat is the most fun in my opinion. I hope you go into it a bit here. Multiple keys and saving your transformations for when you want them is so cool.

[@jojodelacroix]

There's part of me that wants to try to convince you that this game is bad, which I do personally believe, but ya know, you love it so much why would I even want to do such a thing. I'm glad you liked it.

[@DigitalStatic]

While recently experiencing this series for the first time through the Discord screen sharing of my boyfriend who grew up with them in a similar way to you, this video popped up in my recommended often, and I really wanted to watch it. But I was trying to avoid spoilers so I waited. Now that we've finished 3 I can say that both it and this video were well worth the wait. This is a beautiful tribute and while my opinion of 3 has been positive throughout, your perspective has erased 90% of my remaining qualms with it. Thank you for sharing despite potential backlash, and thank you for letting us see glimpses of your life through this game. I'll be catching up on your other KH videos as well as other creators' now that I'm (mostly) safe from spoilers. Very excited for Re:mind and to start actually playing the games from this series that's shaped a part of me already.

[@ViosVibes]

Seeing the backlash for 3 at the time was incredibly shocking. I get the game isn't perfect, and there are absolutely segments of the game that didn't get enough time in the oven. *_Arendelle._* Even a few integral moments, like saving Aqua. But I can look past all the flaws, barring Arendelle, because this game is everything I wanted it to be. Characters got satisfying resolutions, characters that were considered enemies had some of the best ending scenes in the game ― Ansem, Marluxia, and Vanitas come to mind ― with each remaining true to the characters. With the given three, Ansem denoted it was time to move on, even coming off as a message of thanks for players who've been around since the first game. Marluxia gets a satisfying ending if you've played Union Cross, and Vanitas went out as he lived. As darkness. This game was the amount of fanfiction and emotional turmoil that I expect from a Kingdom Hearts game. One moment I'm bopping with Tigger and Roo, the next I'm taking down a gigantic Wolf Heartless that was born from the Darkness of Prince _fucking_ Hans. Saying this game wasn't a labor of love is a severe diservice to those who worked on the game. Seriously though, the only letdown was no Cloud and Sephiroth. Possibly even Tifa. That would've been awesome to see continued/resolved in some form.

[@larannoir]

As someone who has been in the exact same boat as you when it comes to KH as a series, I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels the way I do about this game. Thanks for that peace of mind for real.

[@DADA-yt1pt]

After watching this video all the way through, I have to say. The beginning and ending of the video really hit home for me. So damn relatable. As someone who considers KH3 to be their personal favorite in the series, I had similar thoughts and insecurities as you. But recently I felt like I needed to put them aside and accept how I truly feel. No matter what others may say. We're all different, after all. On top of that, the future is scary. For me at least. I know that I'll eventually have to start hustling, and I'll eventually have to get over the insecurities I have for myself, but ever since I got to relive the original Kingdom Hearts games after years and got to play 3 when it released, I was always excited to get up and play Kingdom Hearts and get immersed in it and to this day, these games give me comfort and happiness. Especially 2 and 3. I'm glad that I can always come back to them. To conclude, never be afraid to express how you feel. It bares repeating that you can love a game and still be critical of it. And this video really reminded me on how special Kingdom Hearts is and always will be to me. Thank you for this video.

[@herohearts1919]

ETA: ALSO the passion you give to this retrospective brought back every. single. inch. of my own heart and joy for this game/series. You absolutely spoke to all of my feelings and I'm so freaking glad you decided to make this . . Honestly I think the true flaw of KH3 is that it came so much later that people had nothing but time to visualize their perfect KH. It got so out of hand that there was NO way they were going to come out unscathed and that's honestly a tragedy. Certainly it has areas to improve on but it can't be everything for everyone! Gamers in general feel less open minded about imperfection and different preferences than previous lifetimes of

[@keplerscat28]

I'm only half way through your video, but I just have to say it: THANK YOU. I loved KH3 and hearing how passionate you are about it, how well thought out your takes on it are, as well as being able to look at the game from a neutral perspective, just makes me so giddy. I legit have butterflies, I have no one irl I can talk to as passionately about KH as I'd like too, this video is just pure joy to me. :) Edit: I finished the video and I'm honestly crying a little. Like you, I don't think I can truly express my love for KH in words, but I think it's best summarized by: It will always have special place in my heart. Thank you for this.

[@LokixRiddle]

I loved my time with Kingdom Hearts 3. Played it three times back to back on launch and twice again when the DLC dropped.

[@kaison12205]

Dude your feelings on the series and what you said about it are so resonant with me. I haven’t been with the series as long but it definitely reminds me of a simpler time in life. I legit almost wept at what you said near the end. Now part of that was def the music cues (kh music can make me bawl) but it was also your words and framing of kh

[@TJF588]

"Riku clenched his fist and--" _Eats! That! HORSE!_

[@eliottgomez883]

I needed this. Thank you for reawakening my love for this series and one of the good thing of my childhood.

[@bestnokuestion2150]

im so glad you "faced your fears" and dropped this... been watching since the first one!!!

[@Theblaziken2000]

Your videos are part of the reason that kept me playing this series. Very excited to get some popcorn and a drink and give this video the time it deserves. Thanks a bunch KingK.

[@Lux_Ferox]

I believe it was @RagnarRox who talked about how back in the days pre-internet games we're a lot more fun because you didn't have the entire world telling you how to think. You just had your own opinions and viewpoint of the world to navigate whatever the game threw at you. It was exciting and engaging. Now that everything is much more open to society's gaze it's hard to feel genuinely excited for something even though, deep down, you know you should be excited for it. I think Kingdom Hearts 3 is the epitome of that sentiment, at least for a vast majority of people. Excellent video btw. I can't seem to shake KH, it's always in the back of my mind.

[@NateOfLight]

Always love seeing KH3 love. I too have been with this since the beginning. I first played KH1 when I was 4. I played CoM after I obtained it from a local game store. I received 2 as a birthday present and played it to death. I read about Days in Nintendo magazines from my school library before it came out, then played it to death to get Sora and Mickey. Played BBS on my uncle's PSP every couple weekends until I finished it. For some reason, I never got around to ReCoded, so I read the synopsis. I read about the silly Japan-exclusive browser game and read translations of that. Anything for more KH. I made my first completely solo purchase over $100 USD to buy a 3DS to play DDD. I remember getting that "Square Enix ptsd" when I'd hear that chime before KH commercials. I remember watching the KH3 reveal trailer on my phone at summer camp, coming up with theories with my friends. I played them all over again both on PS3 then on PS4, only to boot up KH3 on January 29th 2019. 13 days later (hehe, got *that* memorized?) I had the platinum trophy. I sobbed like a child when Roxas returned. I loved every minute of this game. This series has my heart, soul, and literal flesh in the form of a tattoo. Can't wait to introduce my newborn daughter to the magic of this series. Thanks for a great video as always. All the love, KingK

[@oliverpease6719]

I turn 16 in 2 months, and the burden of responsibility is approaching. This stupid little series has been in my life since before I could read, and even though I was definitely in a less anxious place playing KH3, I still knew I’d get here eventually. I make it a habit to play through these games to give myself one last piece of a joy before I may not see it ever again, and goddammit does that hurt. Amazing video, well done!

[@LilacMonarch]

what happens at 16

[@katiemorison7969]

Remember to be a nice person to everyone who harms no one, and to critically evaluate who you think might be hurting someone to make sure you have the right of it ♡

[@terra5857]

im 15 now and im just abt to start playing 💀 i hate feeling late to things

[@katiemorison7969]

@@terra5857 hey bud! Just started myself :) you got this.

[@terra5857]

@@katiemorison7969 thanks 🤞🏽

[@GenTrollHD]

Damn it man, now I have to replay it again. I have been struggling with how I felt about KH3 after release but now I just have too replay it to fully get these feelings out.

[@marshall3973]

You do such an amazing job with these videos. There's lots of video essays about kingdom hearts out there, but yours are always so much more personal and emotional than others.

[@thekingcoltonious]

It makes me so unreasonably happy whenever I see somebody actually enjoying this game, like I do. I get so bogged down with all the hate for it that seeing you and regular Pat enjoy it makes me very happy

[@zincpodzzz]

Holy shit that Sora speech he gives in Toy Box is amazing, especially after hearing you connect it to other things in the series. He really is the best boy❤️

[@SolidArf]

So, I watched this a while back - and it's taken me a bit to comment, but my excitement for this one was not dissimilar to my excitement for KH3 itself. I related to your KH2 video a *lot* and have loved your coverage of the series, so I'd been looking forward to what you had to say about the third. As someone who loved it more than a lot of my friends did... this one made me feel seen all over again - and then some. Your writing, narration, editing recaptured so MANY of the highs of my own first playthrough.

[@thedancingsousa]

When Roxas arrived, I literally screamed. Pure, grown man, bellowing shouts as I had paused the game. It was glorious. I felt bad for my neighbors.

[@ProAxeru]

I do love KHIII, so I can understand you Just hearing sora saying "They can take your heart..." always makes me feel things

[@TheBloodyarcane]

It may not be my favorite game in the series, but it is my most memorable, and will always hold a deep special place in my heart. Thank you for defending the game king k, you’re awesome

[@annisk768]

Bravo 👏 this captured all my feelings on this game so damn well. KH3 really is such an incredibly special game

[@x3AmberLovex3]

I feel so validated after watching this. I also never understood the amount of hatred that KH3 got, and it made me stop talking to people about it because I felt so shut down. THANK YOU for defending it in a realistic and relatable way 😊❤

[@michaelwatson7430]

You’re opening paragraph is my life as well. I’m a bit older, 26, and have the same reaction on the whole “am I just blinded by nostalgia?” When kh3 came out I loved it. I still don’t get the hate for it. I cried when I first started the game and loved every moment. The final few hours made me laugh, cry, scream in excitement, bawl my eyes out, made my jaw drop (the epilogue was up there in one of my favorite in all media.) I respect that others don’t like it. I understand that they wanted something different. But that doesn’t mean the game is bad. I think In our current internet climate, people get so wrapped up in their own version of the story and when that stuff doesn’t happen people tend to be disappointed. And that’s fine to be disappointed, but it’s not ok to hate on the game because of it. Thank you for your words. It is so nice to hear another person with the same feelings. Thanks @KingK.

[@keichocomint]

I remember the first months after KH3 came out, I felt so conflicted because I felt so much finishing that game, I cried and felt like I generally liked it, but so many people around me called it disappointing and sad. But then a year later, Re;mind DLC came out, and I smiled and cried at the end all over again, I realized I Liked the game, even if others didn’t. Other people’s feeling didn’t have to factor into mine. And that was so liberating. Even if I didn’t love all of it, I cried smiled and loved what it was overall. And that’s good enough.

[@davidt3563]

I've never played any of the Kingdom Hearts games but I love the way you write, speak and tell a story. Time to put this up on the big screen!

[@bittabants]

Only found the three hour discussion last week. Listened to it on both flights while I went away. Perfect timing to jump into this!

[@xileys9307]

I love how the defense is only a bit over an hour and somebody attacking this game made their video over 5 hours

[@Wolf_Dominic]

I’m definitely open for different perspectives, but I’m not planning on watching a 5 hour video.

[@SlickEvan]

1:08:50 Man, that hits the heart directly. THIS is my "review," one that can just fully indulge into the madness that is this game, and this series. The closing statements and just stuff mentioned throughout the whole video echo my sentiments exactly. I truly enjoyed this video.

[@mixttime]

Thanks for this. KH3 still feels like a very mixed bag for me, but this helps me see the good in some of the things that didn't connect that well to me.

[@Hitoridoodles]

I couldn’t agree more with this video. KH3 had some small things didn’t enjoy but nothing that would make me hate the game as much as other people seem to. Hopefully with time people will warm up to the game like what happens with Pokémon games.

[@tjwagner3124]

Kingdom Hearts 1 was my first ever video game my patents bought me. When I beat 3 I wished my memory would go so I could relive them all again fresh for the first time

[@markling5058]

It is so refreshing to hear someone not dumping on this game was 2 better yh in my opinion but this was still a hell of a ride and i do wish we could have had few more scenes with original characters but anyone who says they couldnt like the reunions between trios at end in my opinion is just a misrrable person

[@ProjectMATHEW]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who loved this game. I came into kingdom hearts late, only playing the games after the first trailer for KH3 came out. Initially I was concerned when the questions didn't end with the credits and then the more I thought about it the more content I became with the ending. There was so much fulfilment so much happening that was great, everything had led to a point where the tension was so thick you could smell it. And can we talk about how not only fun but amazingly in control you feel when battling in this game! So much synergy, no correct way to play it, so much challenge but nothing unachievable. A truly worthy sequel and an experience I will never forget. Loved every second of it.

[@ninlos142]

HE'S FINALLY DONE IT! I've been following you waiting for this video since the one you did with your friends and the retrospectives.

[@machina5]

" I got it :D All right! ;P Olympus colloseum, here we come xD " It hurts

[@boshwa20]

I marathoned the entire series. I cried at the end of 2, and I laid on my bed staring at my ceiling when I finished 3 not knowing what to do now. I love this series

[@raeven5157]

You are so based. Thank you for making this video I loved it. I just played through KH3 for the 3rd time and I cried at the same scenes as before. I don't think any other pieces of fiction made me cry as much as just kh3 alone. I also always felt that KH3 was falsely criticized and i strongly agree with like all of your points lmao. Your video was heart warming, seeing a fellow fan enjoying KH3 as much as me felt really good thank you again for that. Also the part where you told about your childhood and how KH3 released at the perfect time resonated so much with me, I was 20yo when the game came out, was in my first year "above highschool" (can't really say it better sorry english is not my first language) I was living with my brother, away from my parents for the first time. It was the first step into adulthood then KH3 released as a parting gift from the series that made me who I am. I grew up with Sora and the sea salt trio especially because my brother gifted me a DS with a copy of Days. which I think contains the first death scene that made me cry. This series means a lot to me; and yes the story isn't perfect by far but it carries out a lot and I mean A LOT of different emotions ranging between hope, sadness, joy etc... This series helps me fight the most difficult moments of my life, when i'm sad i'm booting a KH game (most of the times it's KH2 and 3 tho lol) Anyway I can't really say more things but it was the best retrospective video of KH3 i've seen you made me laugh, cry, relate to you, remember things that's precious to me... THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤

[@Hyskaris]

Hearing your thoughts about how people reacted to Kingdom Hearts 3 compared to your own opinion... that resonates really REALLY strongly with me. I remember leaving my KH3 binge and thinking "Man... I loved that." And after eagerly hopping into the KH3 spoilers chat in my Discord server, and being met with a lot of "Why did X happen" and "Hated how Y did this" left me feeling...empty. I remember eagerly sharing my thoughts, and while people there had nodded along, conversation would shift right back to how much disdain there was for what I was otherwise wanting to praise. Perhaps at the time, I had an incredibly unhealthy attachment to Kingdom Hearts as a franchise. I was 17-years old after all, still mentally recovering from both an abusive childhood, and high school all by itself. This series was my coping mechanism. And where I had found light and hope, where I had shed tears of joy and cried out with a voice still frail from the flu, there was only painful doors slamming in my face. People I would normally have talked to about Kingdom Hearts were blasting the series with a shotgun. Any time I wished to discuss something from the game, I was met with rampant criticism. It was like I was getting weird looks from everyone in the classroom all over again. I felt what you described here: this dreadful feeling of something being wrong with me. This series meant so much, I even put it in my senior quote that same year the game launched. Yet by the time I had gotten my copy of the book, I was wondering if I was wrong to mention it there, like just mentioning the game was going to get people mad. In the mind of a younger me, I was devastated to know so many people hated what I otherwise loved. And to me, a social outcast who could hardly express himself without being laughed at, it was like my world was ending. I'm older now, have gone to therapy, realised these unhealthy coping habits. I've since moved past the frail mentality I had back then. I have accepted that people simply don't like a game I otherwise enjoyed. But watching this, hearing your words about how it all felt for you? A younger me feels like crying as he's nodding along and agreeing. Perhaps that's a sappy thing to say, but this series has always taught me to be true and honest about my feelings. And just this opening part has already struck me quite hard. I find myself wondering the same things. And I thank you for letting me realise I wasn't truly alone in how I'd felt back then. Edit: I wanna clarify, I'm not trying to pinpoint exactly where my woes started, nor do I want to garner any pity. The circles I was in during those old years were bad for my mental health, I later found out. Many abusive people in those groups, these were the first red flags I should've seen. But still, there's no shame to be had in enjoying something others don't. I've found many things I loved since then, and I no longer feel estranged for simply admitting I like these things. Rather, I spoke purely from a time where a younger me didn't know how to cope with these feelings. KingK's own story resonated with me so *so* strongly. I swear, there was a moment in that intro where I truly felt like I was that age again. And I was still huddled up in my room, wondering what I'd done wrong. The answer, of course, was nothing. Because there is nothing wrong with loving something so passionately like this.

[@VladDascaliuc]

I don't understand this trend of getting emotional about liking a not good to bad game. You can have a guilty pleasure. Especially with something as niche as this. It's not a big deal.

[@tehSunBro]

Nothing wrong with you for liking the game.

[@Droozydancer]

Honestly was not in the sphere of awareness of the internet that dealt with Kingdom Hearts, and am so happy I wasn’t. When I played KH3 my soul was torn from my body and put back again so many times. I cried over grass, I cried over character interactions, I cried from the sheer joy of seeing so many worlds get the KH treatment to this degree. Sora is so important and so is Xehanort; Seeing them reach the denouement of their overall combat arc is the most important moment of my life. I played this game without sleeping, for 46 hours I was in my own paradise. To see so many on the internet join either bandwagon hate, or for reasons unknown to me, hate this game, was extremely disheartening to say the least. Sure this game has its flaws to many for different reasons, but to me all I see is the sheer amount of love put into this experience. Thanks for marking this video in regards to your experience. May your heart be your guiding key. ✨

[@Knirrax]

My main issues with the game were too much disney, not enough kh original stuff, no final fantasy stuff, the character acting is the most awkward its ever been, story lacks consistansy/ continuity, no mid game story dump, power scaling felt WAY off in cutscenes compared to gameplay (sora literally goes from unable to stop Terranort to literally soloing the entire organization through time travel/ heart jumping) and FUCKING ATTRACTION FLOW OMG I HATED THIS MECHANIC (other than the train, the train was awesome) NO SEPHEROTH

[@TeamTowers1]

I would actually say KH's story is at it's best when it's having Sora and co are interacting with the Disney characters. You get some nice simple adventures as oppose to the convoluted nonsense that is the main plot. And the game isn't nearly as backloaded in regards to main plot content as people make it out to be. There are bits between each world that move the plot forward and even some vital stuff for the main story in some of the Disney Worlds (Frozen is the worst world in the game, but the whole End Game is actually caused by the events in that world). This is not to say that KH3 isn't a very flawed story, because there is a lot of dumb stuff in it. But I would argue that it isn't guilty of anything KH2 isn't also guilty of.

[@Erikthedood]

You say it didn’t have enough KH original stuff but the endgame was the longest KH original segment of the entire series so I’m kind of confused on that aspect

[@Knirrax]

@Erikthedood that may be true, BUT I would have taken the older formula of a mid game story segment like the battle for hollow bastion and then a climax later than kh3's climax wich you play through 3 times including dlc. It feels like a HUGE crutch rather than a cool climax. It IS my favorite part of the game, but it falls short in many ways. most of my complaints about dialogue, awkward acting, bad writing, & bad scaling happen DURING that final segment. It's so agresgeous that it literally feels like the last 3 hours is the real game, and the Disney worlds are all padding and don't actually matter in contrast. A lot of cool shit does happen in that section, but overall, I'm still left feeling very disappointed by it.

[@Calystilia]

I felt some of the same struggle accepting that I loved this game. The people who I shared my love of kingdom hearts with had thought it was not that good from the start, or got bored witht the gameplay and lost interest in the convoluted story, and it was really hard to not let that affect my enjoyment. But, I can't change and I don't want to change. I loved it. Even you talking about it moved me to tears again. The ending felt a bit ridiculous at first, but it was epic, and it was crazy, the kinda crazy we only get in kingdom hearts. And each time our long lost friends were _reconnected_ with each other, I felt those cutscenes were worth the years of waiting and the speculating. Thank you for this defense; I stand with you and others. We loved this game, and can't wait for what's next. :)

[@BigTWilsonD1]

I've been looking forward to this! As someone who felt disappointed by the ultimate narrative I'm very excited to hear your thoughts. I've got a very similar relationship with the series. I was 8 when KH1 came out. And I'll never forget how blown away I was by my friends copy of it on his PS2. I used to go to his house just to ask if I could play Kingdom Hearts. I was a teenager before I was able to really play these games for myself, and the magic never changed for me.

[@Shasowhateslife]

how did you comment 13 hours ago?

[@bubblemage]

@@Shasowhateslife maybe the video got hidden and unhidden?

[@BigTWilsonD1]

​@Brandon Gray Yes! It released about a day early for Patreon supporters. In hindsight I really wasted a chance to say "first"

[@AntifreezeTea]

kh3 is probably my fave of all of them, I binged the whole all in one collection in one go and 3 felt so satisfying to get to and never got why people didn't like it. It was as fun if not more than 1 or 2 for me and ngl I had a similar feeling of "am I foolish for loving this?"

[@chardrive]

yeah probably a result of binging the games. i think living through and playing each KH in real time creates a different perspective, as evidenced by the general disappointment by fans at large when KH3 dropped

[@LucasSantana-ws8po]

I played all the games as they were released and I don't get it too why people hate KH3 so much, the game was so emotional, exactly how it should be