I think the handhelds ruined the series a bit for me, though. They add nothing to the story, but only serve to make money and keep their fans busy as we wait for a new game. I seriously hope they do a good job with KH3, as I almost worry that after all these years, they might forget how to make a good KH game. The first two main games were fantastic, and I sure hope this game lives up to my expectations.

As for the plot, I actually didn’t mind it when I could follow it. However once Kindom Hearts II hit, the plot disappeared into Square’s Void of Insanity and took everything but the gameplay with it so…yeah, story stinks now.

I do have agree with Mr. Detrick above — KH does have a stellar and fun battle system, which is definitely one of its biggest strengths, but its story is pretty lackluster. (If it didn’t have the Disney or FF ties, it would probably just be another mediocre RPG.) Speaking primarily to the original KH, it also has solid controls and is a very pretty game with interesting environments. And it was one of the better, more unique RPG offerings on the PS2.

What the game does excel at is its battle system, over the top fights, playing on nostalgia, making the players feel increasingly powerful, and exploration. Everything else I feel everyone is just convincing themselves is good (or great even).