Guide Review - Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide
Console: 5
publisher: BradyGames
Author: Dan Birlew
Reviewed by
Wade Monnig on 2003-08-08
Overall Rating:
9
BradyGames has once again been given the distinction of creating an official strategy guide for Squaresoft. Not surprising considering the Final Fantasy X strategy guide is viewed by some as BradyGame’s best effort. Also not surprising is that Dan Birlew is once again at the helm. Mr. Birlew has headed up the previously mentioned Final Fantasy X Guide while also penning guides for other Squaresoft releases such as Chrono Cross and Parasite Eve II.
Kingdom Hearts is a game build for strategy guides. From the puzzling opening moments that affect the entire game to the backtracking nature of many of the dungeons, if you want to get everything out of this release, a guide is the way to go.
One of the key bonus features included with this guide is a poster/map (called a sticker activity journal, for reasons that will become evident), with each world represented on it. This is for use with the included stickers for each Trinity symbol and Dalmatian location within the game. Since Kingdom Hearts requires you to learn new skills (Gliding, enhanced leaps) in order to reach otherwise inaccessible areas, a fair amount of backtracking is required if you hope to recover each lost Dalmatian. This simple to use poster allows you to slam a sticker on for each Dalmatian recovered and lets you know at a glance where you need to venture in order to save all the stranded puppies. In similar fashion, Trinity Powers are earned as well and returning to each area once you have mastered them and unlocking their hidden powers is also traceable with the included Trinity stickers.
The walkthrough portion of the guide is done is excellent fashion and only has a few moments of confusing text. Nothing is overlooked and, if you wish to follow the book page by page, it will lead you through the entire game without a hitch. If you prefer to use the guide only when stuck or searching for a secret, then it becomes a little less useful. The included Item Synthesis and accessory list are fantastic, providing invaluable information that would otherwise be a mystery to KH players. However, if you aren’t following the book page by page, you will notice that it is lacking some quick glance guides on the location of all the torn pages needed to unlock the 100 Acre Wood and that, while the spell list gives an explanation of each spell, it does not explain where or how they can be acquired. It also fails to mention that making a return trip to visit the “land” of Monstro is somewhat random, with the massive creature only appearing at the location one out of ten times. Still, all the hidden objectives are well addressed and the backtracking “secrets” has an entire chapter dedicated to it.
The maps are well done and will probably get constant attention from any owner of this guide due to some of the levels mazelike designs. Treasure chests and secret areas are all expertly marked on each map.
The highlight to this guide is the Boss Strategies. Each boss battle is handed with easy to understand tactics that walk you though the entire battle. Even if you choose to fight the battles with different tactics, it is an expert starting point that explains each bosses tendencies and weaknesses.
The layout of the book itself includes plenty of side art and background information for each character. Each boss battle stands out in the book with easy to see black backgrounds. The only thing missing is the developer interviews that BradyGames spoiled us with in the Final Fantasy X guide.
Kingdom Heart’s begs for a strategy guide and BradyGames has given it one of its best releases. This guide is great for both the casual gamer and hardcore completist.
