Customer Reviews

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a brilliant prequel to what will be one of most well known video game crossovers of all time.

Beautiful graphics, the PSP shines like the PS2. True sceneries could be played with more but for the PSP Im massively impressed.

The story is absolutely heartbreaking, and incredibly dramatic. A perfect tie in to Kingdom Hearts, while also setting up potential storylines for KH3(whenever that decides to be announced).

I despised 356/2 days, absolutely loathed it this is such a breathe of fresh air. True its a hack and slash but there are so many minigames and story to tell its just a fantastic experience.

The gameplay like any Kingdom Hearts game is the typical God of War hack and slash with reaction commands every now and then. I like how they added D links and I LOVE the new combat system, its very enjoyable.

The one problem with the gameplay is the camera mode, they fixed the problem in KH2 but it came back in this one, granted it does not really effect the game play but when your trying to fight the boss and it locks on to a crate it can kind of make or break you.

Which now leads me to difficulty, this game is HARD. It is very challenging especially on Proud Mode, I underestimated the level of difficulty. It seems all those fans that complained about how easy KH 2 was can breathe a fresh air because BBS especially on proud mode is HARD. I think I died 6 times in the Sleeping Beauty world, very difficult.

This game is well worth the money, well worth the wait and an incredible experience.

5/5 easily, I hope I helped. The 1 star review for this amazing game is just a huge hell no.

I've followed the Kingdom Hearts series from the beginning and this one is the one I would consider the best out of all. Many have complained that the prior KH games were just button mashing. It's nice to be able to say that that is no longer the case. This game requires strategy in battle to beat the bosses (assuming you're playing at a difficult higher than easy). The battles are flashy and fun and the graphics are very nice. I have had no issues with the loading times using Data Install. The graphics are some of the nicest I've seen on the PSP and the voice acting is top notch. You might notice that Mark Hamill (Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender) and Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek)do voice acting as well as many of the VA from previous games. Some newcomers to KH may find the cutscenes a bit long but there is a skip scene option. Birth By Sleep is a great place to start for those who have never played a KH game before and for those who are already quite familiar with the story. With three scenarios and a fourth secret scenario as well as several fun minigames and a theatre mode that allows you to watch cutscenes after you complete the game, BBS will give you your money's worth.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep does not disappoint.

STORY:
If you're unfamiliar with the series, the general idea is that you play a hero who wields a weapon known as the Keyblade and you visit various Disney worlds (Aladdin, Hercules, The Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, etc.) to fight the forces of evil. This is a gross simplification of the story, but that's the general idea.

This game takes place about 10 years before the events of the first game. Instead of usual lead Sora, the story revolves around three friends: Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, who are in training to become Keyblade Masters. Early in the game, the heroes get sent on a mission to defeat monsters called "Unversed" that have appeared in the various worlds. In addition, they are tasked with locating the mysterious Master Xehanort, who has vanished under strange circumstances.

Since this is a prequel, we know that things can't end well for our heroes -- otherwise Sora would have nothing to do in the other games. As such, BBS has a much darker story than any of the previous games. The ending in particular is rather heart-wrenching, but I won't spoil any of the details. Despite saying all this, don't expect it to be as dark or depressing as something like the Matrix or Battlestar Galactica -- this is still a Disney game and you will definitely find yourself smiling and/or chuckling to yourself at many points throughout the game.

The story has been very well crafted and all the new characters have a great deal of depth to them. Aqua in particular I found to be a very good hero; I like her as much as, if not more than Sora. The main villain of the game is easily the most cunning and insidious villain to appear in the series. In fact, I would argue that he is one of the best villains to come out of Square-Enix in a very long time.

Do you need to play the other games to appreciate this story? No, but you will appreciate certain events more if you have played the other games (in particular, Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2). Even if you're new to the series, I'd still suggest picking it up.

Story: 10/10

GRAPHICS:
This game is beautiful. It is likely one of the best looking games on the PSP. It easily surpasses the graphics of Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, and is probably about as good or slightly better than RE:Chain of Memories or Kingdom Hearts 2. In particular, I found myself admiring the detail of the expressions on the characters' faces during cutscenes.

Graphics: 10/10

SOUND:
Voice acting is, as usual for the series, stellar. Perhaps not the best voice acting ever (the Metal Gear series is probably better), but nevertheless quite good. Disney characters tend to sound just like in the movies (in some cases, voiced by the actual Disney voice actor!) and the original characters are voiced well. Of the three leads, Terra is probably the weakest for voice acting, but it's not intolerable. Special mention goes to Leonard Nimoy for his role as Master Xehanort -- he is outstanding at voicing the character.

Sound: 9/10

GAMEPLAY:
If you enjoyed the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts 2, you will likely enjoy playing BBS. The combat is fast paced and there are a variety of attacks to use, from standard keyblade strikes to casting spells to using shotlock attacks to hit groups. You can customize your character's arsenal of attacks by selecting different types of attacks and moves, allowing you to tailor the gameplay to your own preferences.

In addition to just finding new commands/spells as the game progresses, you can also fuse 2 spells together to make a new, more powerful one. In addition, you can choose to add a crystal to give the spell extra powers/abilities. It is like a simpler (albeit less addicting) version of the fusions that occur in the Shin Megami Tensei games.

Summons and Drive Forms from KH2 return as D-Links and Command Styles. D-links allow you to inherit special powers from a friend that you've met in the storyline (like Mickey or Snow White). Command Styles alter your basic attacks. By using various attacks and spells, you charge up the command gauge, and once it is filled, you may enter a Command Style. This greatly improves the effectiveness of your standard Keyblade attacks, just like entering the Drive Forms in KH2. By charging the command gauge with different types of attacks, you may enter different Command Styles.

You play through the story 3 times: once as Terra, once as Ventus, and once as Aqua. At first, you might expect this game to suffer from a lot of repetitiveness, but it never feels like that. While you visit the same worlds, you have different interactions with the characters and see a different part of the storyline. You may not even visit the same parts of a particular world. For example, in the Cinderella world, the Ventus part takes place completely within Cinderella's home, while Terra never even goes inside.

After playing through all 3 stories, if you have achieved a certain condition, then you get to play though one final story as Aqua. While it's pretty short, it gives you an extra boss fight and provides closure to the story.

As usual, there are plenty of fun minigames to play, and a couple not-so-fun minigames. But they add a nice sense of variety to the standard gameplay. Multiplayer is hypothetically fun, but only if you know someone else with a PSP. As I do not, I can't comment on that.

There are 4 difficulties to the game, as opposed to the usual 3 for Kingdom Hearts games. The newly added "Critical Mode" makes the game a serious challenge. Unless you do a lot of level grinding, expect the boss fights to be on par with Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden for difficulty. So if you're inexperienced, do not choose Critical. If you're up for the challenge though, it is a very fun and rewarding experience.

Gameplay: 10/10

At the end of the day, this is my favorite KH game. No question about it. If you're a fan of the series, then you're probably going to pick this up regardless of what I say. If you're unsure, I'd say go for it.

One last note: If you buy the game, I STRONGLY encourage you to do the full 600 MB data install. Unlike some other games, this one really benefits from it. Also, if you only have a PSPGo, you may be out of luck; at time of writing this game is not available for download from the PlayStation Store.

Amazing game!

It is a portable, but WAY better than 358/2 days.

*Some unknown facts about the game*

It was in production before KH2 Final Mix, so it was originally designed as a PS2 game which is why it shines so much better than 358/2 days, and why they worked harder on it. The game features the 3 heroes, however, in Final Mix +, they are all wearing capes (gone now) and when you fight Terra's lingering segment, he doesn't have the chain on his keyblade as he does in this game. now on to the review...

*Characters*

It starts with Ventus through the tutorial and lets you control the other two during it to show how they all play. Then you can choose who you want first and Once you beat it with one person, you move on to the next. But I will strongly suggest using Aqua last, as her story goes deeper and further than the others, way past the ends of their stories. (Which is where the secret US exclusive hooded unknown battle comes in.)

*Gameplay*

The Gameplay is flawless! It may be frustrating at times, but you really have to level up the abilities. you can mend abilities together for example, fire and some strike ability, and you get fire strike. once you level up certain spells such as Cure, if you have 2 of them at max level, you mend them together to upgrade to Cura, then to Curaga (as with other spells.) And the gameplay is very fun! Also with mending, you add certain crystals to get abilities such as combo plus or HP plus, and leveling the ability at MAX gives you the ability for other use. I started the game on Proud mode, so I got really frustrated until i figured out how to use the things.

*Command Board*

It's like Mario Party on drugs. You play the game just like Mario Party but you level up your abilities at the same time, or if you win.

Storyline

It takes place before the first Kingdom Hearts, everything is explained in a beautiful way, feels like a PS2 game, definitely.

All in all, I rate the game 5 stars. And don't go thinking just because it is a portable game it would be as watered down as 358/2 days. That game was decent, but not the best in the series and not even close to Birth By Sleep.

***Spoliers Below***
One of the cooler cutscenes is Terra appearing at Destiny Islands. He lets (young) Riku touch the Keyblade and tells him if he looks inside his heart, someday he will be the next Keyblade Master and can travel freely (as Riku wants to leave the island). Sora is their too, and its funny because after Riku talks to Terra, Sora says
"come on riku, tell me who he is! I'm the best at keeping secrets!"

First off, i'm a Huge Disney, Final Fantasy & Square Enix Fan.

The presentation is amazing, it looks smooth, Runs Smooth (and thats without using the Extra 16-32 bit & Color palette options) The Kingdom hearts game series has increasingly great Final Fantasy Cameo's & Fun disney worlds and that's no different with Birth By Sleep.


i was kinda wary of Worlds like Cinderella & Sleeping beauty when i heard they were in this (Well they're not exactly action based disney titles) But actually they're Jolly Good fun.

If i had more time i'd be more descriptive, but i'm short on time, So, all i Can say, is This game will Grip your Heart, & Take your breath away, it's definitely worth the $39.99 (& Ignore the reviewer who rated one Star, they're biased)
My Verdict: 10/10

I'm not going to go hugely in depth with this review, but I did want a chance to rate it and say a few things.

First, this game reminds me again why I own a PSP, for epic amazing looking games such as these. Heck, this could stand up for itself (content wise) on a PS3 (not so much graphically, obviously). This game feels like you are playing a legit PS2 game in the palm of your hands, it's THAT good.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this game. If you don't own a PSP, buy a PSP then buy this game.

One of the best psp games 45 hours of gameplay 15 hours for each characters i highly recommend picking up this game

Set about ten years before the original Kingdom Hearts, this game follows the interwoven stories of three new would-be Keyblade Masters. When I heard that the game was going to be divided into three separate stories, I was a little apprehensive. I prefer a single longer narrative to multiple shorter ones. Thankfully, the format works better than I would have hoped. Starting from scratch the third time through can feel a little tedious, but the character advancement is fun enough to keep you engaged, and since each character's story fills in the plot holes left by the others, the sense of discovery never has a chance to wane too much.

The gameplay is fantastic, and the graphics look beautiful on the PSP, especially the flashy spell-effects and the CGI movie. I actually found the combat in this game to be the best in the series. (Yes, the camera is still imperfect.) I still miss the platforming aspect of the first game. Without it, the worlds just seem a bit less interesting. If you are tired of saving Agrabbah or Halloween Town for the tenth time, you will be glad to know that there are new Disney worlds to explore here, including the Fairy Tale lands of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, Peter Pan's Neverland, and even Stitch's Deep Space.

But what makes the game special is its original characters and story. It borrows a lot from Star Wars, but in a good way. The Keyblade Masters are a lot like the Jedi of the Kingdom Hearts universe. Mark Hamill even voices one of the characters (the guy is a terrific voice actor; I didn't even recognize him in the role). The story is accessible to everyone, but those who have played Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II will get a lot more out of it. I actually felt that the storyline was one of the best in the series, eclipsed only by the first Kingdom Hearts. I loved the villain of the piece, Master Xehanort (voiced to evil perfection by Leonard Nimoy). If you have played the other games, you might suspect what's coming, but that doesn't make it hit you any less hard when it does. The tragic elements of the story are some of the most emotional scenes since the first Kingdom Hearts. But it's not all tragedy; there's plenty of heartwarming stuff here too. I especially loved when the heroes of the story ran into a some familiar faces. Seeing a couple of young someday-heroes, and knowing what lies ahead for them, is sure to make you smile.

If you are a fan of Kingdom Hearts, you want to play this game. You will love finding out what happened to the Keyblade Masters, and Xehanort's heartbreaking rise to power. If you have never played a Kingdom Hearts game before, there is enough new here to make you feel right at home, but it's a little like watching the Star Wars prequels without seeing the original trilogy. Knowing what lies ahead makes the story all the more poignant.

I still think the original Kingdom Hearts is the best, but this one might just be second. With a wonderful, bittersweet story and new characters to care for, it is a treat for already-fans of the series, and might just welcome some new fans as well.

If you loved the Kingdom Hearts series you will definitely love this game. It has all the features you would expect from the PS2 versions of the game plus much more. I felt that the first Kingdom Hearts was lacking when it came to game-play, but that all changed with Kingdom Hearts 2. Birth by Sleep only enhances what already worked by adding a more robust level up system and putting the PSP to work with its fast paced action. If you loved the Kingdom Hearts games for the PS2 and are sick of waiting for Kingdom Hearts 3 then this game is more then enough to soothe that pain.

I love the Kingdom Hearts games, but the first has always been my favorite. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is a forgettable mess only good for the story it brings to the overall canon. Kingdom Hearts II is all right, it gets better as it goes, but is missing something that was present in the first KH game. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is better than CoM, because that's not hard, but for me, is again really only worth playing for the story value.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep finds the magic from the first game and keeps it.

It has everything a good KH game should have: an engaging story; three interesting protagonists; easy, intuitive gameplay (unlike the overly complicated and just "What?" card-based system of CoM); and a playtime to cut scene ratio that keeps you playing more than you're watching movies (unlike KHII). There are even cameos by our favorite KH and KHII heroes!

For any KH game, the story is important, and what KH: BbS brings to the overall canon of KH is an important link not only to the past, but to the continuing future of the games.