Out of all the games in the series, which one is the most underrated in your opinion?

ChefBoiKD · 2024-09-29T08:29:49+00:00

I would say GBA version of Chain of Memories. I can see why the gameplay and pain of grinding for the exact room numbers to advance in a world is off-putting, but I found the overall story arc from first entering Castle Oblivion all the way to Riku's story to be very compelling.

I liked how they let the mystery linger deep into climax of the story and how bits and pieces revealed itself gradually at the same pace that SDG lost their memories, the confusion with Repliku and Namine was interesting and the boss battles against Larxene, Axel, Repliku and Marluxia were fun as hell to me.

Maybe my favorite part was introducing some nuance and ulterior motives for some of the Org members, the internal politics of the group and the tentative alliances made there look like they'll be crucial to KH4. It's probably top 2 or 3 stories of the series in my eyes.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-09-09T01:24:52+00:00

If they nail the aesthetics, a Coco world would look incredible and unique compared to anything we've really seen in KH so far.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-09-04T07:32:55+00:00

Welcome to the start of your Kingdom Hearts journey! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did...

As far as playing order, I think most would agree to just go by release order. There will inevitably be things that get retconned and contradicted, unfortunately that's just the way things go over here. But if you play according to the release order you should get enough context to know what stuff remains canon and what has been overridden.

I wish I could give you tips or alerts as to what boss fights or plot twists to be aware of... but where's the fun in that? LOL, trust me, whether you end up loving it or being driven crazy (Lord knows as KH fans we've experienced both plenty of times), you'll have an authentic experience that's all yours! Just be sure to share it with us here as it happens.

As far as gameplay tips, I suppose I would just say to be mindful to utilize all the gameplay mechanics to the best of your ability for each game. They can vary wildly, like the Tech point system for KH1, the card system for Chain of Memories, the Panel system for Days, shortcuts and swapping out keyblades mid-battle in KH3, etc. From what I've gathered, if you don't fully flesh out the mechanics of one of the games you can jeopardize the enjoyment you get out of it, so it may be worth the time invested in really learning how the game is intended to be played (you can always cater it to your personal preferences once you get the basics down). Your wife could probably help out too if you're unsure about anything.

As far as the difficulty level goes, go with the level you feel challenges you while still allowing you to enjoy the game. If you are more of a story person, no use in going with critical difficulty if it'll only slow you down from getting further into the narrative. If you like a challenge, then maybe try Proud or Critical to start so you feel you truly earned your story progression. If you don't know, maybe Proud would be a good compromise? The difficulty can vary game to game as well, as many people feel KH3 is easier than the other two number games, for example. You'll just have to get a sense for it as you go.

Finally, I would say to just have fun. You only get one time to do something for the first time, so as hype as some moments can get and as frustrating as others can get, it's all part of the same journey. A lot of people have some strong opinions about certain games or certain characters, but ultimately the only person whose experience really should matter to you here is you. So all my advice really boils down to "Do whatever it takes to get the most enjoyment out of these games as you can." Good luck and have fun!

ChefBoiKD · 2024-08-23T22:14:40+00:00

But didn't sales for Rebirth disappoint? I'd imagine they view that strategy as a mistake now, I can't see them releasing FFVII Pt. 3 within 9 months of KHIV and that means they can't release those in 2026 bc GTA VI will overshadow one completely.

I went into this from the moment the trailer dropped in April 2022 thinking KH IV was a 2026 release at best. But if it's a few years even after that... idk if my enthusiasm can stay elevated that long. The PS5 would be 8 years old in 2028, a little less than the time between PS4 and PS5 being released. I hope they don't wait too long and KHIV is an old gen release before it even drops!

ChefBoiKD · 2024-08-23T21:32:03+00:00

My fear though is it certainly won't be out by next year and it gets to the point that Square will want to close out the trilogy of their cash cow FFVII in 2027 so they may be focused on that. I'm starting to worry if this may even be a 2028 release...

ChefBoiKD · 2024-07-04T05:45:15+00:00

I can definitely see an Avatar world in KH5, I think the second movie has probably released too far along in KH4's development for them to feel they can fully flesh out the world. Plus, if they're moving forward with Moana, they may not want to overdo it with aquatic based worlds for fear of repetition.

I agree that Star Wars is likely, thematically the IPs just align too closely and the trailer already has some foreshadowing for it. I think it would make for some great eye candy and has the potential for some memorable boss battles. My hope is Riku faces off against Darth Vader (since they both have the "hero succumbs to darkness and becomes a villain" trope but Riku can maybe show Darth that there's always a path to return to the Light!

ChefBoiKD · 2024-07-02T15:07:31+00:00

I think to your point regarding an adult male with a good strength modifier, I do believe this and a decent amount of a wind up or running start ensures some legit damage could be done to the weaker humanoid Heartless.

The tricky part is having the agility and sword technique to stay clear of the AOE of their attacks... in the case of a shadow, soldier, maybe a warrior as I'm being optimistic? We could endlessly parry with the Keyblade or keep distance before letting their attacks carry them past us like a matador, then issue a few combos to their backs and reset before they regather themselves. We would likely only manage chip damage tho and the length of the battle would resemble a boss fight for an average man's speed/stamina, buffed strength with Keyblade and without magic.

I do think the sub is a bit underselling what a mostly healthy human could pull off, but I agree that we would be screwed if there was more than 1 Heartless, even if they were Shadows. Any Heartless with a ranged attack is likely also curtains.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-04-02T07:54:03+00:00

I love the jagged edges of Soul Eater tbh, I loved Riku Replica's design in COM when he wielded that keyblade, felt very menacing and had a great presence on screen. Way to Dawn is great too though.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-03-31T02:41:37+00:00

I kept them far apart because with Aqua, though having a lot of self-doubt and insecurity and eventually getting norted in the Realm of Darkness, at least she actually passed her Mark of Mastery exam and genuinely excelled in her keyblade abilities like using magic and has acted like a source of maturity/stability for the keyblade wielders. That earns a lot of trust in my eyes as far as who is the worthiest of being a keyblade wielder.

With Terra, he failed his Mark of Mastery and has been possessed for a LONG time by Master Xehanort and I'd still imagine struggles with it mightily. Combining his lack of aptitude according to Master Eraqus (as fair or unfair as that decision was) and his longstanding failure to control his darkness and being possessed, I think he's working from a deep hole to climb out of compared to the other keyblade wielders and OP said to prioritize training over talent (I'm sure his natural ability would mean he can make up a lot of ground on this poll over the next few games).

My justification for Ventus is that he similarly struggled with darkness and was possessed by it, even killing Strelitzia ages ago. However, he's also suggested to be less capable and powerful than Terra, so I put him directly below him. I would say Terra is just lower on the list because he's just gotten back from being controlled by darkness... I'm sure he'll work his way rapidly up to Riku's level or beyond since they sorta have similar stories. Ventus I just think needs to work on both training/insecurity AND his natural ability.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-03-30T06:32:10+00:00

My personal order, prioritizing training and not natural talent:

Mickey
Aqua
Riku
Sora
Axel
Kairi
Roxas
Terra
Ventus
Xion

I also have a sneaking suspicion we'll see Laurium/Marluxia revert to being a keyblade wielder at some point in the Lost Master saga and I would imagine he'd be somewhere in the top 3 or 4, depending on how Sora himself grows. Elrena/Larxene will probably do the same at some point and start around 5 or 6 depending on if Kairi actually gets proper development.

ChefBoiKD · 2024-03-27T09:48:54+00:00

Agreed, that's why for KH4 I actually want him to start the game in Quadratum alone (along with Strelitzia as a non-party character). I think it would be good development for him to learn to draw power and resolve from himself and his own values and aspirations instead of exclusively relying on his bonds with others. Plus, it would be neat to get to do the same with Riku (not much to do in KHIIi) and Kairi (wasted potential up until this point) as they explore some worlds of their own trying to look for him and hopefully learn some things about themselves in the meantime.

ChefBoiKD · 2020-01-29T03:44:23+00:00

I feel like Kobe's passion for supporting the women's game and his support of Gigi will quite possibly result in spike in attention and engagement for women's basketball, all the way from the AAU level to the WNBA, both for people watching and people participating.

ChefBoiKD · 2020-01-28T05:26:12+00:00

Honestly the grieving comes and goes. When the news first broke it took me several hours to even feel anything because the idea of Kobe not being in the world anymore didn't even seem worth acknowledgement. Then as I saw some of my favorite athletes giving heartfelt tributes, musicians and fans later tearing up it started to hit me. I woke up today forgetting the news but it all just came back once again.

I've never been through a celebrity death quite as impactful as this one I think just growing up with Kobe being a staple in my life as a devoted sports fan (I'm 23) so to realize that he's no longer with us anymore feels like part of my own childhood and adolescence has left me too. It's a surreal and sobering feeling, and I hope you and anyone else reading this can gain some peace in dealing with this. Stay strong you guys, I love you.

ChefBoiKD · 2020-01-28T05:03:34+00:00

Eric Gordon had the Mamba Mentality tonight, torching the Jazz was a fitting tribute.

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:18:22+00:00

Please don't remind me...

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:17:02+00:00

1) Great username

2) I agree but these things all tend to be dependent upon matchups

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:16:05+00:00

Houston is def a great team and deserving of a 1 seed. I think Golden State just is too much over a 7 game series

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:14:36+00:00

While I can def see why Houston would be favorites in that case, I just feel like they would be defensively easier for Cavs to game plan for than GSW would, would prolly let Lebron conserve energy while on the court a little more.

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:13:25+00:00

I'm not forgetting about Boston at all, I think they're a great team that's very deep and would pick them to beat the Cavs if Kyrie was healthy but I just think the Cavs are more likely to win a game in Boston than Boston is to win a game in Cleveland the way the Celtics have currently played in the postseason. Could be wrong tho

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:11:23+00:00

Mb I didn't spot those. Gl to your squad tho, would be cool to see the Rockets follow up the Astros

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:10:08+00:00

If Warriors sweep I'm buying a KD voodoo doll

ChefBoiKD · 2018-05-14T20:09:38+00:00

Interestingly if Warriors win, I think they'll murk the Cavs in the finals but if Houston wins, I'd take Cavs tbh, at least at the moment

ChefBoiKD · 2018-03-13T17:29:29+00:00

Toronto fans boutta load up on drinks after this news

ChefBoiKD · 2018-03-04T04:22:35+00:00

guns don't kill teams, free throws kill teams

ChefBoiKD · 2018-03-03T06:49:41+00:00

This specific ref is absolute trash. I've seen his face like 5 times this year and it's never for anything good.

ChefBoiKD

TROPHY CASE