Was going to start this a week ago, but my vacation made that not smart, as I would have had to update on my iPhone, a real pain.
Anyway, let's begin. I am going to go through every single major (meaning it does something storywise) cutscene in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. And talk about them in game release order, and at the end, try to rank them.
Let's begin.
First off, from here on out, it should be pretty damn obvious there will be ALOT of spoilers.
First off, it was so surreal the first time I did this seeing DIsney Interactive and then Squaresoft in a row like that. Still sorta a culture shock when I watch the first one. I just can't believe this series exists....
For starters, it is easily one of the best intros in gaming history period (might as well get used to hearing that one, it does it alot). Simple and Clean PlanEt B remix goes along perfect with what is being conveyed here (as does Hikari PlanEt B remix in the Japanese version).
We meet our hero waking up to his "Awakening". (Though we don't know that yet I guess). And my god is he quintessential Square. Spiky hair, deep blue eyes, enormous shoes, lots of chains, colorful 4 layer outfits that make no god damn sense on a Tropical island. You know, that stuff. We then meet Riku, brooding, in the water. He turns toward Sora (I'm just going to go under the assumption we all know the names from here on out) and sticks his arm out as if to say "come with me". So, in case anyone was wondering, Square just made it clear we met an antagonist. Also, Riku is Sephiroth style. Long flowing white hair, it's Japan, just go with ti. After the wave knocks Sora away from Riku, he resurfaces and sees a Reddish brunette on the beach. Square makes it obvious from her coy smile, the way she looks him up and down, and cute short girl laugh that yes, we have in fact met the semi romantic interest of the hero (to their credit, not near as cliched as it is in their other games, we'll get to that about 30 scenes down the line though) Sora and Kairi then look up to see a meteor shower, as well as Sora falling (yes, Sora on the beach watches Sora in the sky fall) As Sora in the sky descends, Sora on the beach begins to fall through the air (though below Kairii, who I think is still on the beach). After falling through the air, he drops into the ocean. After falling through the ocean, he lands on a platform, he takes a step, and thousands of birds fly off the platform revealing Snow White (on the platform). We have arrived at the first Station of Awakening as well as the start of the game....
This awesome intro is not exactly subtle, in painting the trio as fast friends, as well as Hero, Antagonist, Love interest right at the start, but it does it well, while also being cryptic and mysterious and ***** for the hell of it.
From: StifledSeagulls | #002 The scene where Lebron James passes the Mark of Mastery exam because the refs gave it to him was the best.
This will be the only time I respond to trolling in this topic, I have plenty of other LeB**** threads, go use one of them. That said LOL at Queen James passing the Mark of Mastery exam. That is a FINAL/CHAMPIONSHIP. He doesn't do so hot in those, you may have noticed.
Short, to the point. This series is going to revolve ALOT around light and darkness, and many times your worst enemy will in fact be your own darkness.
The first real introduction to our characters, and some early hints for their character development and the game itself. There really is not much to say here except HJO is not the greatest Voice actor yet, Hayden Panatierre is all ready pretty good at Kairi, and David Ghalagher is fantastic as Riku.
This is a good foreshadowing. Kairi laughs at Riku because of how stupid this idea is, and Riku is smart enough to know that this will never work, hence him talking about they'll find another way. But it also shows how desperate he is to get off the island and to other worlds. It also shows that Riku definitely has an inkling of an idea how Sora feels about Kairi (even if Sora himself really doesn't know)...
Something has gone wrong at Disney Castle, we just don't exactly know what. This is our meeting of most of the main Disney characters, we still don't see King Mickey, but we probably know what he looks like all ready.
Short, sweet, to the point. The boys have a little rivalry brewing between the 2 of them for Kairi, again, even if Sora is not aware of this yet (He is about to be).
Sora remembers when Kairi had just arrived at the island, them making face drawings of one another in their secret place. As he sees the carvings, he draws himself giving a paupu fruit to Kairi. So this is the moment that Sora realizes that yes, he in fact does care for Kairi more than just a friend. And then of course, the second part.
The first of the mega ultra cryptic scenes to follow. Yeah, so this world has been connected to the darkness (blame Riku). But anyway, we see that in fact Sora does want to leave this world as well, but so he can learn what is beyond, not just to leave. A more noble reason than Riku's to be certain. Unfortunately, as pointed out, Sora knows nothing, and can therefore understand nothing.
Kairi sees the changes that have come over Riku, but she can't really put them in to words. However, our first time seeing Kairi has some feelings for Sora beyond is here too. As she suggests taking the raft themselves, just the two of them, and leaving Riku. She plays it off as a joke once Sora is confused, but you can tell had Sora been good with it, they totally WOULD have taken the raft alone the next day.....about the next day though....
the letter from King Mickey saying why he left, what he suspects is wrong, etc. It is also the leaving scene for Donald and Goofy (and Jimminy) as they go to find the Key the King was talking about, as well as the King himself. Pluto also goes with them, and finally, Chip and Dale get them on their way. Funny little launch scene for the Kingdom....
Probably the most important scene to date. Riku is not afraid of the dark portals currently destroying their world, and is ok with never seeing his parents again to have a chance to leave. As he is absorbed by the darkness, Sora reaches out for him and is dragged in as well, when all of a sudden a keylike sword appears in his hand, and a mysterious voice says the name Keyblade twice
Let's just say alot, and I mean ALOT of people were altered, affected, or created by this short 22 second scene (by my count 6, Sora, Kairi, Namine, Ven, Roxas, Xion, and there is potential for Vanitas depending if he is really back in KH3D)
Anyway, Kairi is blown away by the darkness opening in to their world and literally vanishes as she goes through Sora.
It's Squall Freaking Leonhart. (Leon in these games)
He wants your keyblade, and he fights because of it. He tells you they will keep coming for you, and they will keep coming. Even after you win, Sora faints, cause he is not ready for someone like Leon yet. Yuffie than shows up and we learn how bad things are.
There is really not much to say here. It is a 4 minute download session from Yuffie, Aeris, and Leon that just gives you a quick jist of the story. Needed, yes, but boring, undoubtably, and it will not place high if I ever do rank all these.