Kingdom Hearts 1: Is It STILL Worth It?

In this video I explain why Kingdom Hearts 1 is still the game you should play first if you're new to the series!
Kingdom Hearts 4 looks super hype, but it's important to not skip out on where the series began.

You could hop into Kingdom Hearts 3 or 4 and still have fun, especially with the combat but just don't go acting brand new when parts of the story start going over your head...

I hope to answer the question of if kingdom hearts 1 is still even worth playing.
Play the games yourself! Amazon links (Affiliate)

I break down 5 reasons of what makes kingdom hearts special: It's quite a simple and charming Disney filled adventure with aspects still unique to the first game, and it's certainly still worth checking out if you're looking to get into the series.
Hopefully can help out those on the fence of giving one of my favorite game series a try! 💛

⏲️Video Chapters⏲️
0:00 What Kingdom Hearts to play first?
0:38 Is Kingdom Hearts Story good?
2:27 Is Kingdom Hearts combat good?
4:01 Is Kingdom Hearts a kids game?
5:32 Are Donald and Goofy annoying?
6:12 What makes Kingdom Hearts special
6:48 Does Kingdom Hearts have good music?
7:19 Is Kingdom Hearts still worth it?

I want this to be my little introduction into the kingdom hearts community, I am a fan of the entire series including Kingdom Hearts 2 and even Kingdom Hearts 3!
But the first game still has special place in my heart, so I definitely wanted to represent it in my own way.
This is intended for potential new players who are curious about the series, but not sure if the first game even holds up after 20 years!

If you're a kingdom hearts fan or looking to become one maybe subscribe and check me out elsewhere!

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[Atlas]

Original can still be considered the best in its own categories. IMO the level of creativity was higher here

[vmkblaster]

Nothing compares to the charm of Kingdom Hearts 1. There’s so many small details and cameos. There’s also a very real, ominous feeling of the game. Especially at the end. The End of the World has the most strange and apocalyptic feeling to it. There’s so much unknown in that game, and I just love it.

[Scratto]

my only problem in this game is that u sometimes dont know where to go since questlogs or maps just does not exist

[Cosmicabsolution]

Honestly, I love the first for the reason you gave at the beginning: it just feels different compared to the other entries. Also the plot hadn’t gone completely insane yet.

[teeth-man]

First: I love video essays and I love kingdom hearts. I always joke that my favorite genre of video are Kingdom Hearts video essays, but it's true. Thanks for this and please do more! It's such a good niche

Second: On your story points, I relate with having trouble being able to explain why I think KH1 is better than KH2 or any of the other games (in terms of story mostly.) So this is how I do it:

KH1 story is better because it's a better isolated story. You don't need to know any outside context like other games or cutscenes or etc to fully understand the plot. Everything is explained nicely, and all elements are introduced at good times. Princesses of heart, heartless, the keyblade, they're all simple concepts and explained nicely. After KH1, most games include references to events outside of the game, name people from other games, and generally require knowledge on other games to fully understand. I mean, take a look at KH2's long ass prologue. I understand this is all a given since KH1 was the first game and they assumed it would be one off but still. The simplicity of the story is very charming and I appreciate that it's a full-on classic "here is your quest, and you finish it" type of story instead of some of the other games bouncing around in terms of the direction.

As for the gameplay, KH2 is fun and fast but I feel like KH1 has more charm. It's clunky but in a charming way. I've said charming like 5 times but still. I feel like KH1's combat progresses nicely (altho the ability points system is not really explained) and aspects are simple and easy to pick up. While I felt KH2's mechanics were fun, I felt they were kinda dumped on you ( they don't explain the new form system and just say "look new clothes" and you don't really learn what they do and take away).

[derekwildstar]

Wait, this is your first video? Excellent job! I'm currently playing through KH series and I'm in KH2. KH1 is VERY charming and quite challenging.

[seamino]

I platinumed this game yesterday and it is really great. Definitely in the top 5 of the series!!

[casurto]

i am already on dream drop distance and im inlove with this series, i cannot wait to get to kingdom hearts 3

[CFLaughs]

The first game was beyond ahead of its time! Also, I encourage everybody to play on proud mode because the challenging boss battles are incredibly satisfying to defeat after multiple attempts!

[sankovic]

Played KH1 for the first time in 2006 and I love it so much. My favorite worlds are in this one ( far better than KH2 imo ), the story was simple I just wanted to find Riku and Kairi. Definitely my favorite KH game with Birth by Sleep

[priestofavalon]

I certainly agree with you. As the story goes, if you actually want to be able to follow everything, you do have to play all the games. Though Chain of Memories was probably my least favorite so far. I'm only up to Birth by Sleep myself, but I love the series. The story and charm of the first game is often underrated for sure. I do like the gameplay of the second game more, but story wise, I agree with you. It is a really good series with lots of depth to it. The series is easy enough to follow, but there is so much more for those that love the series. <3

[tylercafe]

1:56 All the Ansem Reports you get throughout the game were only the Odd Numbered Reports which showed Ansems good side and then when you get to Hollow Bastion and get the rest from Aerith it reveals his true intentions. The Ansem Reports also has lots of hidden secrets within them that reveal more than even the most dedicated fans realize.

"All doors need a key to open much like the one I have"

Implying Ansem always had a Keyblade. I could go on and on but yeah it's a complex story. Even when you get those Reports from Aerith says something along the lines of"The people who fled the castle told stories of Ansem protecting them... But now I see it's just for his evil schemes" Showing that at the very least Ansem had a change of heart or is not who he appears to be. When we then first see Ansem properly he's possessing Rikus body and we're never truly shown his original form. It's very complex but it does give answers which is why it's a much better story than 90% of other videogames stories. It's complex but it makes sense. Which is why saying "complex = bad" is just a bad take every time. Compare Kingdom Hearts to something like Zelda and you'll quickly see why Kingdom Hearts story is truly complex but makes much more sense than Zelda. Literally picking any other videogame and Kingdom Hearts is still not that complicated as the rest especially by today's standards. Ever glimpsed Halo lore? While I do disagree with most people that the story is complicated I cannot say that it is simple. It's just a good story with very clever twists that give emotional gut punch.

[ReginaSparrow]

If you didn't tell anyone you were new, I definitely wouldn't have noticed! You've done an excellent job! Especially since yesterday, I just finished Platinumed KH I! Keep going! You're doing so well! ❤️

[N.Durant]

I enjoy your relaxed presentation style. Subbed

[TravisDujack]

So many games from childhood don't hold up upon revisiting and i am so happy Kingdom Hearts isn't one of them. After replaying The Story So Far collection before KH3 dropped I was every bit as entertained as when I first picked them up years ago. (Maybe more so because of the final mix iterations finally being easily available) KH3 let me down a little bit despite being a fun and polished experience and I attribute that completely to it's predecessors being the masterpieces that they are. Completely agree with your points. Great video! I always enjoy discussions of this franchise that aren't just focused on some of the more convoluted aspects of the plot.

[CrazyGamer]

I like how it doesn’t completely kills your magic when using heal.

[jpk]

I love KH1 with all my heart (no pun intended), but unfortunately its probably set to be one of those games where as more technological improvements in video games come into being over the coming years, this game will become harder and harder to go back to. It was just one of those early attempts at making an action rpg and it shows. Luckily the music and graphics are still dope, and the storyline is pretty entertaining, with heartfelt moments and comic relief.

[Giggles_iJest]

Awesome stuff!
Yeah, pretty much re-confirms how cool this game was and how much of a great start it is for newcomers 👍

[ryox]

Such a great video man, keep up the good work!

[duannehaughton]

I played KH1 and KH2 when they came out. I plan to play the rest of the series. Look forward to playing them on PS5.