I have always loved the Kingdom Hearts series. All starting with this one. I remember back in the day when I was little and this game came out. I started playing and immediately was addicted. I could never stop playing this game. There was always something to do. Even after I finally did beat everything I could, I still went ahead and tried to max out Sora's stats (Strength, Defense, etc.). I never quite got to that point as more KH games came out, but it still was a great game. Now, my ratings for this game are based on the PS2 version only. This does not apply for the new 1.5 version, because trust me, they would be much better. I am in the process of the 1.5 version and love it. The only thing I don't like about 1.5 is they changed the music and made it sound a lot different. I liked the original soundtracks. I still play this one from time to time to get the old feel for the original. However, I am really only playing the 1.5 Remix version so I can beat the secret bosses that Japan didn't give to the North America version. The PS2 Remix version was all in Japanese so I never could understand what was being said. Now I can.

So, let's get down to the depth of my ratings:

Graphics: 9

The graphics for the PS2 version are great. Especially during some of the cut scenes. They really put a lot of effort into this game and the design of the characters and making them look like they did in the movies. I personally believe this game was made to put you into the worlds of the your favorite Disney movies, and that's exactly what they did. You really feel like you're on a pirate ship with Peter Pan, or walking the streets of Halloween Town with Jack Skellington. It really is impressive. It is part of the reason why I like this game so much. However, some of the graphics could be a little better such as with the Gummi Ship. It has a very basic feel to it that could have been improved. Otherwise, this game was very well done.

Sound: 8

I gave this game a 9 for sound. I love the music in the game. Especially the way they implement some of the famous songs into the worlds as you travel them. Such as "This is Halloween" in Halloween Town, and "Under the Sea" in Atlantica. The music while fighting bosses is great too (I have a guilty pleasure with the boss songs that I actually have downloaded onto my phone). "Sanctuary" by Utada Hikaru is also a great song that fits very well with this game.
The sound effects of the game is another story. Some of the things can get pretty repetitive that many people may find annoying, but I love the game too much that while playing, I look past that. However for my review I have added this in here for anyone who may read it and I would rather not get yelled at for not mentioning it. 

Addictiveness: 9

I have given this a 9 because me personally, I am extremely addicted to this game, and the series in general. This is my number one favorite series of all time. But I have also figured not everyone loves this game, so I gave it a 9 for those 1/10 people who wont like it. If you're looking for something with a strong story line (even if sometimes excessive with all the side stories they have out) then Kingdom Hearts is a game for you. If you do plan on trying out the Kingdom Hearts series, I have a proposition for you. If you're looking to just try it out simple and just get the story line, then get the original PS2 version. If you're looking more in depth and things to do, then I suggest you get KH 1.5 Remix. Either way, insanely addictive to me personally.

Story: 10

I LOVE the story to Kingdom Hearts. This is the main reason why I love this series so much. The story line has such an in depth feel and really touches you. Granted the story line is across 7 games at the moment, not including Kingdom Hearts 3 (2015!!!! Hopefully...), it still is really great. It can get confusing at times because the way the games came out completely screws up the story line. For example, they came out with all these games in Sora's time, then they come out with Birth by Sleep which is a prequel, ten years before Sora receives the Keyblade. You start up Birth by Sleep going "Who are these guys?" And only until later do you realize what's going on. However, the story line in general is amazing.

Depth: 7

Depth was rated low only because the PS2 version does not offer a whole lot to do. There are 4 secret bosses you can find and fight, 2 of which are in the Olympus Coliseum. And once they are beat, there's not much to do besides collect items, unlock trinities, and collect puppies. All which could be done in a day. I mean, you could always try to reach level 99 (or 100, whichever was the max, I don't remember) but you'd have the rest of the game beat before you got anywhere near. I've beaten everything at level 74 only because Sephiroth is a major pain for me. I had everything else beaten by 56-57. However, the HD Remix version offers a few more things to do. Along with a new secret boss that was only released in Japan, the Gummi ship menu has missions to complete, and a few other things I have yet to discover. That's why I said before that if you are looking for things to do along with the story line, get the HD Remix version.

Difficulty: 8

This game is fairly simple following the story line. If you play on normal mode, there are very few difficult parts along the story line. One such time is when you return to Traverse Town for the second time and the Air Soldiers come into play. I FREAKING HATE THOSE THINGS. Even on normal difficulty, if you are on a low level they'll take you out quickly. Otherwise, the story line is pretty simple. Once you get into level 60+, even the toughest of the small heartless are easy to take out. However, inexperienced players will have a hard time with the secret bosses on anything below level 65-70. I have been playing this game ever since it came out and with enough concentration, I can beat the secret boss in Agrabah on 56, and he is a pain when he starts flying across the map. Sephiroth is the only real challenge for me in that game. Best I have ever beaten him on is 74.
The Proud difficulty is another story. Easy parts become hard, and hard parts become next to impossible. For inexperienced players of course.  It is still to this day a challenge for me on Proud, but its also still the same Kingdom Hearts. Heartless still act the same, and things all work the same way as usual, just heartless attacks are stronger, and Sora's attacks are weaker. Nothing that can't be solved with some power leveling, it's just finding the happy median between good xp, and heartless you can beat without getting pummeled.

So in conclusion to my review, it really is a wonderful game. I can't ever get enough of Kingdom Hearts. I have replayed every game in the series too many times to count, that's how much I love them. This one is no exception. So if you like Disney, deep story lines, fun game play, and are ready to get addicted to all that, I highly recommend this game.

Overall Score: 8.5

Nice review man! I love kingdom hearts dearly. The first one was a new change to my game likings, but it was very fun for me. I beat the game i think about 3 times . Personally The second Kindgom Heart is my favorite, since they put Roxas in it too. Kingdom hearts is such an amazing yet interesting franchise, which I hope every will play if they have not already.

The Kingdom Hearts Series is and was an instant classic, it will be remembered for years to come, it hit a true mark in the history of gaming. I must say though, really good post, very unique, very thought provoking, and very inteligent, intellectually sound, and thought provoking. Talking about this made me remind me of a classic series I hold deep in my heart, the name of the series is Resident Evil. Ah Resident Evil now there's a series that brings back many memories for me. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, and annoyed. The time it came out, I was quite young still in grade school, but though young the series made a lasting impact on me that I will never forget. The graphics may be horrendous now, but back then they were state of the art, I remember being scared out of my mind as a kid when I played that close to Halloween, I didnt sleep that night at all, not a good combination mixing turning the sound all the way up, with the lights off, and it being night out, I had nightmares for a week. My friends all were scared of that game as well, we all used to run home and were glued to our television sets, seeing what would happen between Wesker, Chris, and Jill, those three are like the trio of legendary proportions always anyone whoever it is talking about Resident Evil it's always Wesker, Chris, and Jill. And the infamous Jill sandwich, such a legendary meme, I was thinking of that meme for ages, it was so classic, and funny. I am glad this site offers so much Resident Evil, I could play the series for hours on end. Sadly Capcom never showed love or stop caring for Resident Evil after Resident Evil 4. After Resident Evil 4, it was not the same Resident Evil, I grew up on and fell in love with, it dramatically changed in the bad way, I never really understood why though they did such a harsh change to the genre. Don't get me wrong though, the later games are fun and amazing, but as amazingly awesome they are, it's just not the same as Resident 1 through Resident Evil Code Veronica. The newer ones are pure action, with barely any or none at all horror content or substance, a shell of its former self if you will. Hopefully Capcom will regain it's former glory and stop churning out games like theres no tomorrow, and Call of Duty clones. But in all it is a very wonder ful game, and has alot to give.

Estaban216 : Great review. What impressed me most was the combining of Square's characters and Disneys in a way that wasn't so jarring. When I heard about the game (without seeing the trailers), I thought in concept was going to be oil and water. But nah, its a good game indeed.