This game is not a game: It's an adventure that's great for all ages.
You start the game not as Sora from the first Kingdom Hearts, but as Roxas, a boy that's having some strange dreams lately about a kid with a large key. . .
After a series of tutorials and little chores, you end up playing as Sora, who's now one year older than he was last we saw him. His deeper voice and ridiculously small clothes are proof of that.
In this game, Sora, Donald, and Goofy are absolutely confused as to where they are or how they got there. Sora has his good old Kingdom Keyblade, while Donald and Goofy have their own basic weapons.
After another series of tutorials, the trio embark on their next journey, which leads them to an old mentor of King Mickey. It is this man that gives Sora his cool new clothes, along with another nifty item. Then they learn that the Heartless have returned! But what's worse, an evil organization called Organization XIII is causing trouble among the various worlds, and is led by strange creatures called Nobodies.
In this game, Sora has forms. They are called drive forms, and each one has its own unique abilities. Once you earn these forms later in the game, you will be able to change for a limited time by combining powers with one or two of your partners. Most of these forms allow Sora to wield not one, but two Keyblades at the same time. These forms also open the way for Sora to learn some very fun abilities as well. . .
The drive forms are limited by a new gauge called the drive gauge. It slowly fills as you collect drive orbs, small yellow balls that enemies drop. When you use a drive form, the drive gauge slowly drops, until it runs out and you have to change back to normal. In various areas of the game, you will have the opportunity to increase your drive gauge, which will allow you to use your drive forms a little longer.
Just like in the last game, you travel on your Gummi ship to other worlds inspired by Disney movies. It is in these worlds that you will face large bosses, old and new Disney villains, and at times, Organization XIII villains. . .
Kingdom Hearts may seem a little too childish what with all the Disney, but I have good news for older players. Final Fantasy has a little hand in the game, too! There will be sword fighting and kung-fu and magic and all sorts of things that appeal to older audiences as well as younger ones!
Like in the first Kingdom Hearts, there is a secret movie at the end of the game that you can unlock if you complete Jiminy's Journal in standard mode. You can also unlock the secret ending by beating all the bosses in Proud mode (the hardest mode). It is VERY difficult, but well worth it.
The music of KH includes Disney music based on the world you're in, along with its own variety of music. It's not great in some areas, but it has a nice ring to it and fits KH perfectly.
All throughout the game there are mini-games and side-quests that are absolutely necessary to complete the journal, and they can score you some very helpful items, too!
The voice cast of the characters is awesome. All but a few Disney characters have their original voice actors, and the few that do not come pretty close to sounding like the original. This only adds to the wonderful nostalgia of watching those Disney movies when we were young.
The graphics of the game are okay, but I wouldn't go so far as to say realistic. They don't have jagged edges, however, so it is definitely not a visual blunder either!
The ending is kinda touching, and leaves you satisfied, but wondering what's gonna come next in KHIII.
In the end, Kingdom Hearts II is far better than the original in every way, and one of the best games ever to come out on any console. It's a game that you'll never want to give away.