Kingdom Hearts III

The story of Kingdom Hearts III has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Some reviewers, such as We Got This Covered and Gamer.nl, praised the game for providing a satisfying conclusion to the ongoing storyline, tying up loose ends, and delivering emotional moments that resonate with fans. The narrative is commended for focusing on themes of friendship, companionship, and the power of the heart, which adds depth to the character interactions and overall storytelling. Additionally, the game's incorporation of beloved Disney characters and worlds is highlighted as a strong point, appealing to both series enthusiasts and newcomers looking to immerse themselves in a magical universe. On the other hand, several critics, including GamingTrend and GameSpace, criticized the story for being convoluted, confusing, and overly complex. Issues such as too many characters, plot lines, and motives, as well as unresolved plot elements and pacing problems, were commonly mentioned. The narrative's heavy reliance on previous games in the series and the need for prior knowledge to fully grasp the storyline were noted as barriers for new players trying to engage with the game. Dialogue awkwardness, abrupt jumps between plot points, and a lack of reflection on the protagonist's experiences were also highlighted as weaknesses in the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards acknowledging the divisive nature of Kingdom Hearts III's story. While some reviewers appreciate the game's efforts to provide closure to long-time fans and deliver emotional payoffs, others point out the challenges posed by the convoluted narrative and the steep learning curve for newcomers. Despite the mixed opinions, there is a general recognition that the game succeeds in blending Disney's charm with Square Enix's drama, creating a unique and intricate narrative that, while flawed in execution, manages to captivate and engage players on an emotional level. Critics like Shacknews and Hardcore Gamer commend the game for making sense of the convoluted plot and offering a satisfying conclusion to the epic saga, showcasing the dedication and passion put into crafting the finale of the Dark Seeker saga.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts III, highlighting various positive aspects. Gameplanet described the combat as the best in the series, emphasizing diverse Keyblades and satisfying team attacks. Press Start Australia commended the over-the-top and extravagant combat system, featuring a variety of abilities, special attacks, and Disney-themed Attractions. Game Rant lauded the addictively simple combat system and the variety of Keyblades, adding an exciting layer of strategy to combat encounters. Additionally, The Digital Fix found the combat to be visually delightful, with over-the-top showpieces and the ability for Keyblades to change shape, making the moment-to-moment gameplay incredibly enjoyable. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives regarding the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts III. GameSpew criticized the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking in variety, with a heavy focus on pressing the same attack button, leading to monotonous combat. Forbes mentioned that the combat felt unwieldy and lacking finesse, clarity, and coherence, although the additional attacks and spectacle elements somewhat made up for it. Gameblog.fr highlighted some shortcomings in certain worlds like Frozen, pacing issues, and frustrating gameplay elements, despite the variety of combat options and new features available in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily towards the positive side, with many praising the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts III as a significant improvement in the series. The game's combat system, featuring diverse Keyblades, team attacks, and special moves, received widespread acclaim for its depth and entertainment value. While there were criticisms regarding repetition, lack of depth in some areas, and minor gameplay frustrations, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of critics considering the gameplay to be fantastic, engaging, and a visual delight. Kingdom Hearts III seems to have successfully delivered an enjoyable and varied gameplay experience that resonated well with fans and critics alike.

The majority of critics overwhelmingly praised the graphics and visual design of Kingdom Hearts III, with many highlighting the stunning visuals, diverse art styles, and faithful recreation of Disney and Pixar worlds. RPG Site commended the beautifully rendered introduction FMV and unique visual designs of Disney worlds, while Shacknews noted the complete upgrade in visuals from previous games in the series, with each world offering cool and unique sequences. Gamers Heroes and Game Over Online specifically praised the attractive visuals, animations, and level of detail that trounced previous entries in the series. However, some critics did point out certain drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Kingdom Hearts III. Softpedia mentioned that while the visuals were good, the Unreal Engine felt underused, and the graphics overall were simple. Gamer.nl highlighted issues with menu design, camera problems, and awkward voice acting that detracted from the overall experience. Guardian mentioned that some moments in the game could feel inconsequential despite the overall praise for the graphics and visual design. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Kingdom Hearts III. Critics such as GameSpace, Gameplanet, and We Got This Covered praised the game for its visually stunning environments, detailed character designs, and immersive worlds that captured the essence of the Disney franchises. Despite some minor criticisms mentioned by a few reviewers, the general sentiment is that Kingdom Hearts III excels in delivering a visually impressive and engaging experience that successfully brings the Disney and Pixar worlds to life. The game's visuals were widely regarded as a significant strength, contributing to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the players.

The majority of critics had overwhelmingly positive opinions about the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Hearts III. The standout aspect highlighted by many reviewers was the exceptional quality of the soundtrack. Critics such as DarkStation, GameGrin, and RPG Fan praised the game for featuring a diverse and emotionally impactful soundtrack, blending original compositions with remixes of older tracks to create a truly immersive experience for players. The orchestral arrangements, new songs by Utada Hikaru, and Disney-inspired tracks were particularly commended for enhancing the game's overall atmosphere and emotional depth. Additionally, the voice acting received high praise from several critics, with Impulsegamer noting the close approximations of the original voice artists and Press Start Australia highlighting the captivating audio quality of the long cutscenes. While the majority of critics lauded the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Hearts III, there were some minor criticisms raised by a few reviewers. Gameplanet and Shacknews pointed out issues with voice acting, noting that while the majority of performances were authentic and engaging, there were instances where lines came off as stilted or wooden, affecting the overall presentation. Additionally, GameCrate mentioned inconsistencies in voice actors for some characters, leading to disruptions in the immersive experience. Some critics, such as EGM and Shacknews, also highlighted concerns about repetitive dialogue and wooden voice acting in certain sequences, impacting the overall sound design and immersion for players. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Kingdom Hearts III were highly impressive and contributed significantly to the game's overall quality. The superb orchestral compositions, emotional tracks, and memorable themes were widely praised for enhancing the immersive experience and capturing the essence of the Kingdom Hearts series. Despite minor criticisms about voice acting inconsistencies and repetitive dialogue, the majority of reviewers, including CGMagazine, IGN, and Worth Playing, agreed that the game's sound design and music were top-notch, solidifying Kingdom Hearts III as a standout title in terms of audio presentation. The combination of a stellar soundtrack, exceptional voice acting, and immersive sound design left a lasting impact on players, making Kingdom Hearts III a truly memorable and engaging gaming experience.

The Voice Acting in Kingdom Hearts III has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers highlighted the positives, praising the authenticity and immersion brought by the voice actors. Impulsegamer commended the game for featuring close approximations of the original voice artists, which helped immerse players in the world of familiar Disney characters. Press Start Australia also noted that the voice acting was great across the board, with a mix of original voice actors and stand-ins for Disney characters, making it the most convincing the series has ever been. Additionally, TrueAchievements appreciated the proper voice casts from the films, which contributed to immersing players into the game world. On the other hand, some critics pointed out negatives regarding the Voice Acting in Kingdom Hearts III. App Trigger mentioned that the voice acting was a mixed bag, with some sound-alikes being jarring, which detracted from the overall experience. Gamer.nl expressed that awkward voice acting detracted from the overall experience, while God is a Geek felt that the voice acting was off-putting at times, feeling less like Disney and more like Final Fantasy. RPG Fan and RPGamer both highlighted issues with some Disney characters' voices sounding awkward or having noticeable differences in soundalikes, affecting the overall quality of the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Voice Acting in Kingdom Hearts III leans towards a mixed reception. While some critics, such as Press Start Australia and Impulsegamer, appreciated the authenticity and immersion brought by the voice actors, others, like App Trigger and Gamer.nl, found certain aspects of the voice acting to be jarring or detracting from the overall experience. The varying opinions suggest that while the main cast delivered strong performances and the inclusion of original Disney character voices added to the immersive experience, there were instances where the voice acting fell short, particularly with some Disney characters and sound-alikes. Despite the mixed feedback, the majority of critics acknowledged that the voice acting played a significant role in shaping the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4, several critics highlighted positive aspects. Easy Allies mentioned that the game runs fairly well, while Gamers Heroes praised its smooth performance without significant frame drops, bugs, or crashes. Twinfinite specifically noted that the game runs smoothly on PS4 Pro at 60 FPS with no hitches, which is impressive considering the effects and special attacks happening on screen. Wccftech also acknowledged an overall improvement in technical performance compared to previous titles, despite some issues with camera controls and contextual attacks. On the other hand, there were notable negatives mentioned by critics regarding the PS4 version of Kingdom Hearts III. Gaming Nexus pointed out inconsistent frame rate and frame pacing issues, even with the 'Stable Mode' setting, recommending checking Digital Foundry coverage for optimal play experience. Hardcore Gamer expressed disappointment in noticeable framerate drops and frame-pacing issues during intense action sequences, even on enhanced consoles. New Game Network highlighted performance issues like stuttering and frame rate fluctuations, especially on hardware configurations other than a PS4 Pro hooked up to a 1080p display. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Kingdom Hearts III on all platforms leans towards a mixed reception. While Press Start Australia appreciated the attention to detail and incidental flourishes, RPGamer noted improvements in camera control but highlighted some difficulty with the lock-on option. Gameblog.fr and MondoXbox mentioned minor technical issues that did not significantly impact the overall experience, while TrueAchievements and ZTGD pointed out specific issues such as awkwardly placed cameras and distracting frame rate dips on the Xbox One version. Despite these varied opinions, it is evident that the technical performance of Kingdom Hearts III has been a topic of discussion among critics, with a range of opinions on both the positives and negatives across different gaming platforms.

The opinions of several critics highlight the positive aspects of the replay value in Kingdom Hearts III. Critics like Cubed3, EGM, and God is a Geek praise the game for offering a plethora of side activities, minigames, and exploration elements that contribute to the replayability of the game. The diverse gameplay elements, such as combat mechanics and Gummi Ship customization, are also mentioned as factors that enhance the replay value. Additionally, the presence of collectibles like Lucky Emblems and hidden content adds an extra layer of incentive for players to revisit the worlds within the game. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the potential drawbacks that may impact the replay value of Kingdom Hearts III. Cultured Vultures and RPGamer mention issues such as imbalanced pacing, lack of varied gameplay elements, and repetitive combat that could potentially deter players from replaying the game. LevelUp and Shacknews also highlight shortcomings like lackluster postgame content and limited side activities, which may affect the overall longevity and enjoyment of revisiting the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards Kingdom Hearts III offering a decent amount of replay value, particularly for fans of the series. Critics like Digital Trends and Gameblog.fr appreciate the additional content, side quests, and challenges that extend the playtime and cater to completionists. While some critics point out flaws in certain aspects of the game that could impact replayability, the majority acknowledge the game's strengths in providing engaging gameplay, diverse activities, and hidden secrets that contribute to a rewarding replay experience. IGN and TrueAchievements emphasize the variety of combat options, collectibles, and side activities that add depth to the replay value of the game, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the franchise.