Kingdom Hearts 2's Final Act is Brilliant

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  • čas přidán 23. 01. 2023
  • Kingdom Hearts II has an ending that is basically perfect! Few games have been able to wrap up in such an epic and satisfying manner. In this video I break down the entire final boss sequence and discuss what exactly made it so epic and impactful. Since the last thing you experience with a game is the ending and final boss I think those leave the biggest impression on people. That's why nailing it is SO important in having your game remembered fondly. Kingdom Hearts 2 is a great game in its entirety. However, its ending is the icing on the cake that takes it to masterpiece status. Despite anything that came after it, KH2 will always have a special place in my heart.
    #kingdomhearts2 #kh2 #kingdomhearts
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Komentáře • 296

  • @TheApple176
    @TheApple176 Před rokem +114

    It’s not just the final boss sequence, the whole final dungeon of the world that never was has yet to be topped as a final act for me.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +21

      I didn't really talk about it in this video but I agree! The whole World That Never Was is way too hype.

    • @sasaki999pro
      @sasaki999pro Před rokem +5

      I think it might just be the best world kingdom hearts has ever had.
      Kicking off with Axel's Death, you have Sora vs Roxas, and unlock the potential for final form.
      Then you infiltrate the castle and fight Xigbar, probably the aesthetically coolest member of the organization, sniping you through pocket rifts.
      Then BAM Kairi gets a keyblade and riku is back
      You fight two org. members BACK-TO-BACK.
      Then DiZ ansem reveal.
      RIKU. JOINS. THE PARTY.
      Xemnas rematch, plays the KH1 secret boss theme, and you recreate the fight scene from the secret ending.
      And THEN you have the final boss fight.
      ITS LOADED Front to Back with amazing content.

  • @shadowmaster452
    @shadowmaster452 Před rokem +169

    Bro kh2 was pinnacle of kh in general, I'll never forget Sora slicing through buildings, doing gainers on floating buildings and finally literally flying to dodge those orbital level lasers, can't even forget that epic shot of him looking at the castle and then doing a moon jump and flying towards it. ALL OF THIS IS JUST FROM THE FIRST PHASE.
    Literally one of the most climatic endings in gaming, I can't blame kh3 for not going beyond that, it's an almost impossible task.

    • @emanchi8403
      @emanchi8403 Před rokem +14

      Imagine if Kh3 had Sora, Riku AND Kairi fighting Xehanort for the last climactic battle. Scala had so much potential for a final area.

    • @fonnySavant
      @fonnySavant Před rokem

      YESS EXACTLY MY FAVORITE MOMENTS TO THE T ! 💯

    • @AGGSab
      @AGGSab Před rokem +5

      @@emanchi8403 yeah but they just had to make kairi a damsel in distress yet again.

  • @XionXIV243
    @XionXIV243 Před rokem +177

    Still after all this time Roxas and Namine reuniting through Sora and Kairi makes me want to cry and gives me the best kind of chills, the pause in the music so perfectly placed, the soft piano as all 4 of them see one another once again making me feel joy... but also the pain of knowing that both Namine and Roxas were doomed to never be their own self (at the time), the soft piano also managing to hit the bitter sweetness of it all, so many emotions mixing into the most perfect final cutscene for a game I have ever seen

    • @Angrenost02
      @Angrenost02 Před rokem +9

      It felt like the perfect ending for them. I get that people wanted to see more of them but as for me I didn't think it was necessary to bring them back in KH3

    • @treymykel
      @treymykel Před rokem +7

      You're right and honestly I think Kingdom Hearts 3 ruined the ending that Roxas and Namine had because of how powerful it was and how it was them accepting their other halves to whole and be with each other once again. Now it's just kinda meh with Roxas and Namine having their own bodies it took away from the build up to what Kingdom Hearts 2 was stating with Nobodies and Unity

    • @treymykel
      @treymykel Před rokem +1

      @@Angrenost02 Agreed like wtf it just was ruined smh

    • @desiredignorance35
      @desiredignorance35 Před rokem +1

      My turn... I think Terra should have sacrificed himself to give the finale of KH3 a bit more weight. He wouldn't be dead for long. 🤷

    • @Ria588
      @Ria588 Před rokem +1

      Literally, seeing the ending for the first time really made me sob and cry like a baby

  • @boxcar9407
    @boxcar9407 Před rokem +58

    Sora and Riku's heartfelt friendship and ability to essentially be okay with suffering in hell because he has his closest friend is the only thing in this series that rips tears away from me.

    • @boxcar9407
      @boxcar9407 Před rokem +11

      The way Riku's pride is softly rebuttled by Sora as he helps his friend get to the beach to hear the waves is so beautiful. How they both confess their insecuritites and are so kind to eachother. It really is beautiful.

  • @boxcar9407
    @boxcar9407 Před rokem +33

    I will absolutely replay the entirety of Kingdom Hearts 2 just to get the proper buildup to the final battle. Absolute masterpiece.

  • @Angrenost02
    @Angrenost02 Před rokem +259

    KH2 had the perfect ending imo. I really really wish that it was the true end to the Darkseeker saga and what followed was a new story.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +40

      Yeah, things definitely got a little bit out there after this. I still enjoyed it, but it hasn't hit the same since.

    • @xMojaveDream
      @xMojaveDream Před rokem +21

      @@TheAshenDragoon Definitely this. I definitely enjoyed the most of the games that came after 2, but part of what made Kingdom Hearts 3 such a let-down for me was the fact that it ended open-ended and without clarity. It didn't feel like the conclusion to a book, it felt more like the author trying to sequel bait. Although KH2 still ends with King Mickey giving the Destiny Trio that bottle, the cinematography implies a sort of "and they live happily ever after, going on adventures". Compare this to KH3, where everyone also ends happily in that game, but Sora just kind of peaces out without explanation (that was, until the DLC was released).
      In my eyes, especially after Melody of Memories (personally I find it insulting that I'd have to play a rhythm game just to understand the story. Yes, there were gameplay shakeups throughout the franchise, but they all stuck to a sort of ARPG), KH1, CoM, and KH2 will be where the franchise rests. BBS, KH3, etc. fail to wrap up the "Darkseeker Saga" in any sort of meaningful way.

    • @alvarosanchez8470
      @alvarosanchez8470 Před rokem +1

      @@TheAshenDragoon Agree, I still see some merit in BBS and Days, it's nice to see the origin of some important characters, and they are good form a "world building" perspective.
      Yet again building more narrative form those titles was a mistake imho.
      It also bothers me how the whole point of Roxas arc in KH2 was accepting that merging back with Sora wasn't something but, he wasn't disappearing, just becoming whole again. Roxas was an incomplete being without Sora, and Sora was incomplete aswell without him, and coming in terms with that fact would make both of them happy again.
      Then in 3D they where like: "Screw it, Roxas was suffering all along, we need to save him!"

    • @tempest2789
      @tempest2789 Před rokem +9

      @@alvarosanchez8470 KH2 never implied that Roxas was going to be happy when he merged back with Sora. Quite the opposite, he never wanted to, he just accepted his fate. Hell, he even fought Sora in the Dive To The Heart just to see why Sora deserved to exist, but not him.
      I also think it's very much in character for Sora to say "You gave your life for me, but I can't accept that. You deserve to live too". Sora wanting to repay the kindess Roxas showed him is a very Sora thing to do.

    • @dytgyfgyffuh243
      @dytgyfgyffuh243 Před rokem

      It really should have ended with kingdom hearts 2

  • @goodfella3952
    @goodfella3952 Před rokem +28

    Perfect ending to a perfect game

    • @Loner098
      @Loner098 Před rokem +1

      So...like Chrono Trigger levels of a perfect ending?

  • @migicalmerwee9018
    @migicalmerwee9018 Před rokem +36

    I love how during the event of KH1, CoM, and KH2, there's been this ongoing question of if Sora is better than Riku(mostly in 1, but there are hints of in in the other 2). But for this final battle, it doesn't matter. They are up against an opponent that neither of them could bean on their own, and all their past conflict of replaced with trust.
    That being said, while kingdom Hearts 2 in definitely top 5, my favorite game ending is MGS3: Snake Eater.

  • @bryantdiaz-torres5761
    @bryantdiaz-torres5761 Před rokem +28

    I’ve been playing games for almost 3 decades. I’ve played amazing masterpieces, average yet memorable adventures, and horrible time wasters. I’ve probably played about 700 games, or more. One thing I can tell you is the KH2 is the best game ever. I can play that game in my sleep, blind folded, or with one hand. I live, eat and breath KH2. It’s a game that has taught me multiple lessons in life. I love everything from playing as Roxas in the tutorial, to the final boss, and the data org battles.

  • @BrotherShield
    @BrotherShield Před rokem +84

    The Beginning was also brilliant as well, we did not know who Roxes is (for those who did not play chain of memories) then he became a fan fav after we see his story, very few games has matched raw emotional feels of Kingdom hearts 2, that's why its the best in the series.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +8

      It was funny to see how many people initially were confused with why the game started with Roxas, then become attached to him.

    • @BrotherShield
      @BrotherShield Před rokem +1

      @@TheAshenDragoon Something they need to do with Yozora

    • @MegaSpideyman
      @MegaSpideyman Před rokem

      @Brother Shield Well, I don't know if Chain of Memories even explains it.

    • @BrotherShield
      @BrotherShield Před rokem +2

      @@MegaSpideyman We still see him in the end of the game but your not wrong

    • @alejandroserrano7755
      @alejandroserrano7755 Před rokem +8

      In my opinion, it was such a smart move. Everybody was waiting to finally play as Sora again and bam they give you Roxas.
      Heck I still remember a lot of my friends thinking it was a new protagonist. It also makes the game feel new and memorable right of the jump.

  • @pascalcasimier7748
    @pascalcasimier7748 Před rokem +5

    KH2 has my favorite ending in a video game. I got teary eyed with how satisfying it is on a character and thematic level. And oml The After the Battle version of Sanctuary is just the cherry on top. This is ART

  • @quangotango8061
    @quangotango8061 Před rokem +4

    as a kid i made a bunch of different save files for each boss in the game, but my very first save file right before xemnas was the one i played the most

  • @snowarmth
    @snowarmth Před rokem +52

    I have watched so many Kingdom Hearts analyses, and this one didn't disappoint! It put me in the mindset enough for me to realize that the segment at 6:11 is probably meant to be reminiscent of the Gummi Ship, where the goal was to justify all those earlier Gummi Ship segments by making the skills earned there valuable in the final battle. Anyway, great video! I hope it gets some publicity!

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +17

      I didn't even think about the parallels to the gummi ship segments! That does put some things into perspective.

  • @TLiebCNV
    @TLiebCNV Před rokem +13

    I’ll never forget playing this when I was in the 5th grade. Being so young I couldn’t fully understand the feelings being explained towards the end with riku and sora. But replaying KH2 on critical back in 2021, I appreciated that final boss fight so much more. The music was SO DAMN GOOD, it gives me chills to this day, it’s psychedelic and has a lot of spiritual significance to it. You nailed it with this video man.

  • @Nyzer_
    @Nyzer_ Před rokem +8

    For all the flaws that the story of this game has, the ending is one of the reasons that it's hard to actually feel like the story was bad, to feel like the experience was subpar. The ending is done so well, on so many levels, that even if you felt dissatisfied by some of the story elements leading up to that point, you're still one hundred percent on board once those credits roll.

  • @alejandroserrano7755
    @alejandroserrano7755 Před rokem +11

    KH 1 will forever be my favorite game of all times. Every single thing of that game is ingraned in my mind. Such an unique game.
    KH 2 was everything I liked about the first game just amped up. More epic, more enemies, just amazing.

  • @acquire8658
    @acquire8658 Před rokem +6

    I finished this game so many times and I can still cry when reaching that ending.
    Even after playing KH3.

  • @Riwul
    @Riwul Před rokem +9

    Even after all these years that ive kinda forgotten about the end of kh2 the wind up for sanctuary just brought me back to the first time finishing the game after struggling with it as a kid and almost crying watching this final cutscene. Ive personally experienced kh 358/2 days before playing 2 to the finish and the glimps of namine and roxas reuniting just as the other 3 do just hits me in a softspot every time. especially the first 2 titles with the surrounding background titles like 358/2 days really are some of the best stories told in video gaming to this day for me.

  • @DowntownTasty
    @DowntownTasty Před rokem +6

    And yeah it’s absolutely perfect that sora and Riku are the only ones fighting xemnas. It’s fantastic.

  • @down2earth485
    @down2earth485 Před rokem +4

    Definitely what got me in KH2 was just Soras maturity. By the end of KH2 Soras' power was at its peak, and his confidence was obvious like you said. In KH3 he was just kinda.. jokey and weak? KH2 Sora foreward into KH3 would be a completely different game.

  • @caseydavis4335
    @caseydavis4335 Před rokem +4

    This game is perfect and will always be my top 1. I watched my brother finish the first game and played it myself to see what it was about and I was just amazed at everything the game offered. When I heard there was a second Kingdom Hearts I wasn't sure if it would be as good as the first but it was an experience I'll never forget.

  • @lomein7770
    @lomein7770 Před rokem +7

    Grateful that kh2 was one of those games I used to play all the time as a kid, one of the greatest games of all time imo

  • @Dontmentionmebro
    @Dontmentionmebro Před rokem +5

    KH2 undoubtedly has the best final boss. It has yet to be even closely matched. I literally can’t think of a final act that compares to it KH2

  • @TheMicroNinja
    @TheMicroNinja Před rokem +20

    You've got a sick channel name! Nothing will ever be cooler than Sora slicing through multiple buildings, or the absolute INSANITY that is the final laser deflection, absolute masterpiece of an ending for sure. The closing of so many story beats, and the dichotomy between the two strongest Nobodies we know of.
    The music in the Xemnas fight is some of the best in the SERIES, the way it transitions from the beginning, to the dragon fight, to the solo 2v1, its soooo good. If you haven't already, I would listen to the 2.5 remix of his theme, I think it's way, way better than the original, as it's fully orchestrated and just feels so much more grand.
    "Well there is one advantage to being me.. something you could never imitate. Having you for a friend." It is cheesy, in my opinion, but it's one of my favorite lines in the entire series. Kingdom Hearts thrives when it's unapologetically passionate. It shows that maybe it *isn't* so cheesy to "show your heart", so to speak.
    Sorry for the long comment. I just love the series a bunch and caught your video, and really enjoyed it.
    Great video, keep up the good work! You've earned my sub. Looking forward to your next vid.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +6

      I appreciate the comment! When I was younger, I never really understood it, but I really like how KH isn't afraid to tackle the male friendship head on. In society, often boys and men are told to not show emotion, to not let their loved ones know how important they are. This particularly applies to the friendship between two males. While we may not have known it, Kingdom Hearts shows us why it's not only okay, but extremely important to express ourselves to our loved ones.

  • @JapanFreak2595
    @JapanFreak2595 Před rokem +3

    The way I view the first three games (KH1, CoM, 2 respectively) is that it’s the Journey Home saga. As in the main goal was to search for your friends and return home. In that vain, KH2’s ending will forever be timeless. So much so that I consider it a good jumping off point for anyone who doesn’t want to get in too deep with series.
    Though the Journey saga falls in the middle of the Dark Seeker saga, the latter doesn’t truly begin until Birth by Sleep, since that feels like a new journey being taken by choice instead circumstances outside of the Destiny Trios control. Especially since KH is an allegory for growing up in some regards, going home doesn’t always mean things will be the same as they were, and the different responses to that reality.

  • @buffruddy297
    @buffruddy297 Před rokem +5

    Everything about the final act is perfect. I consider the final act to be as soon as you step into Twilight Town for the last time. The death of Axel sets the tone for the World That Never Was. The final conflict with Roxas and the organization. And that final boss is sooooo good. The part where sora slices the building into pieces was the most hype moment for me when I was a kid. The third part of Darkness of the Unknown (where Yoko is going ham on the evil sounding piano) is my favorite boss theme in any game. The lazer dome is easily one of the most iconic final moves in gaming. It’s easy but as a kid I was afraid I would mess up or drop my controller. It’s a tense moment even though all you’re doing is just hammering two buttons. Also the ending with Sanctuary playing never fails to make me tear up. It’s such a solid ending. Kh2 is still the best one and probably always will be.

  • @ILL-BANJO
    @ILL-BANJO Před rokem +4

    I remember the day when I finished this game, I was eleven. I've never played anything else that powerful again!

  • @FriendofFantasy
    @FriendofFantasy Před rokem +7

    Kingdom Hearts has always and will always be my favorite video game franchise. I just love these characters

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +3

      I always go back and forth between KH & FF. I think kingdom hearts are my favorite games while final fantasy is my favorite franchise. Everybody can be winners today.

  • @proletaariat
    @proletaariat Před rokem +3

    Good take. That final boss run is epic. The music is perfection, and KH2'e end game left the biggest impact in my life that no other game has matched.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +3

      Yoko is so good at setting the stage for epic finales! Her music is incredible.

  • @mintman325
    @mintman325 Před 28 dny +1

    This game has never lost its shine now nearly 20 years later I come back to it constantly.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před 24 dny

      It's insane how well it holds up to the modern landscape of gaming!

  • @Dalinzir
    @Dalinzir Před rokem +4

    Ahh I can't help but shed a tear whenever I revisit this game. It's just so nostalgic and emotional. The ending cutscene with Sora and Riku, and then the reunion with all their friends is just too much to handle. I'll make sure my future kids play these games lol

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +2

      The older I get the more emotional this series makes me. Feels like the games gain a different meaning or perspective as I age.

  • @HopeEsleim1101
    @HopeEsleim1101 Před rokem +2

    For me, this is the best ending sequence for any video game ever. KH2 is legendary

  • @user-ls3zk8mr6j
    @user-ls3zk8mr6j Před rokem +3

    This analysis did exactly what it was supposed to. It made me go back into my initial thoughts as a child playing the final act. Everything you’ve says was 100 percent on point. This is truly the best ending in all of gaming. I have yet to encounter a better final boss. Thanks for the vid 🙏🏼

  • @corys3400
    @corys3400 Před rokem +1

    Fantastic video. Thank you for the fresh perspective.

  • @kiyasuihito
    @kiyasuihito Před rokem +1

    Awesome. Well said. This was my all time favorite KH sequence as well, possibly my all time in all of gaming. I remember crying as a pubescent preteen. I love how games can tell such powerful and impactful stories.

  • @isaacarmstrong8295
    @isaacarmstrong8295 Před rokem +1

    Yeah KH2 is my all time fav game. The story, characters, pacing, and gameplay were all just top notch. Great video man!

  • @ReaperShackal
    @ReaperShackal Před rokem +2

    Kingdom Hearts 2 is gaming perfected. There is nothing else like it. There will never be anything else like it.

  • @KMsandwich
    @KMsandwich Před rokem +1

    When I was a kid, I never played Kingdom Hearts 2. I played the original 1, 358, re:coded and DDD and I loved them all-but I never got that closure for roxas and namine as characters until I played KH2 two years ago. The years of build up and tragedies that happened to some of my favorite characters, finally resolved in the one game I missed in their timeline...
    I cried until the credits stopped rolling.
    I don't think I'll ever forget Kingdom Hearts. These characters and this story and the music have all touched my life permanently and that will never go away.

  • @koopakingjr87
    @koopakingjr87 Před rokem +1

    Playing it back when I was 14/15, it was one of the first times I felt I played a game that was worthy of being a sequel. It kept what made 1 great and improved on it I’m every way. Such a fantastic game, even to this day. I wish 3 would of stuck the landing the same way.

  • @jordanboesch18
    @jordanboesch18 Před rokem +1

    Great video I’m glad this came up on my recommendations, genuinely a professional made video

  • @187btokes
    @187btokes Před rokem +1

    The slowed down Hikaru Utada tracks at the end of both games are so super emotional. I remember I was 9 years old when I beat KH1 and I cried so hard lol.

  • @jayden9766
    @jayden9766 Před 10 měsíci +1

    7:42 I also noticed he says later on "Riku... are you certain you aren't jealous of Sora?" Trying to turn them against each other is such a cool villain thing

    • @trick2jee
      @trick2jee Před 7 měsíci

      I believe Riku actually says straight up he was jealous of Sora after the fight when they are on the beach. Just made me appreciate Riku that much more, I think he’s the best written character in the whole series.

  • @ImmaniGregory
    @ImmaniGregory Před rokem +2

    Watching this video makes want to fly home, dig through my old basement for my OG PS2, dust this game off and beat it again. This video slaps!

  • @ItsYaBoyMrSatan
    @ItsYaBoyMrSatan Před rokem +1

    Great Video, man. Feels like I'm starved for good KH content and then this video pops up on my recommended. Hell yeah

  • @juanescalante6572
    @juanescalante6572 Před rokem +1

    Great Video!

  • @JordanGordon8
    @JordanGordon8 Před rokem

    Great video maaaaan, really good stuff

  • @strikerwott1222
    @strikerwott1222 Před rokem +1

    ONE OF MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAME FINAL BOSS FIGHTS AND ENDINGS OF ALL TIME!!! I love everything about this final boss fight and the ending, just so many feelings and emotions, Sanctuary playing in the background, and the nostalgia as well, it makes me feel so many things!
    KH2 is my fav ever in the series next to Birth by Sleep, and it’ll always be not just my fav KH game, but one of my favorite video games of all time!
    Amazing analysis btw!!!

  • @sacr3dseeker
    @sacr3dseeker Před rokem +1

    Great video!

  • @Thomaskh7
    @Thomaskh7 Před rokem +1

    Thanks man. Im not very good at talking and i rant a lot but you perfectly put into words why the ending of this game is my favorite of any other

  • @zack.ry.mo02
    @zack.ry.mo02 Před rokem +1

    Beautiful video, KH2 is my personal favorite game of all time with Xemnas as my most liked character, and his theme as the best score in the franchise. Great job putting this together.

  • @matthewcarino7353
    @matthewcarino7353 Před rokem +2

    This was an exceptional video and KH2 has always been my favorite game ever since I was like 5 or 6. I honestly thought you had thousands of subscribers with how professional this was!

  • @Dragon_Mastr1
    @Dragon_Mastr1 Před rokem +2

    Kingdom Hearts 2 is the best in the series, and it did everything right. I was basically raised on this franchise and I absolutely love it. Kingdom Hearts will always hold a special place in my heart.

  • @TheNumberThirteenxiii
    @TheNumberThirteenxiii Před měsícem

    There really is something special about this game. The gameplay is amazing, top tier, but the music is also amazing, the story is amazing and the character design is top notch. I don’t think the world is ever gonna see a game THIS good ever again.
    This was a beautiful summation of this games legacy. You definitely have a new subscriber.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před měsícem +1

      I'm glad that you enjoyed the video, Thanks for watching!

  • @joyconboyz4525
    @joyconboyz4525 Před rokem +1

    This just reinforces that Kingdom Hearts 2 is a masterpiece despite its flaws

  • @dijonpsalm6938
    @dijonpsalm6938 Před rokem +1

    Was telling my friends the other day, that Kingdom hearts 2 had the best final sequence and ending of any game I could really remember. Especially any PS2 game. They really went all out. When I think of amazing/masterclass video game endings. I can't think of anything really other than kh2. Also a big fan of kh1 because of simple and clean.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem

      The rush of nostalgia and emotions I get from simple & clean is unreal!

  • @michealdeshawn8061
    @michealdeshawn8061 Před rokem +3

    For all the convoluted storylines and weird fighting mechanics and overpowered abilities and broken magic and all that shit, Kingdom Hearts is so freaking good. It has it problems and its confusing almost needlessly but god damn it I love this game. I'm so glad I got to play KH1 and KH2 as a big part of my gaming development early in my life. Early 2000s was such a unique time for gaming. No need for ridiculous high graphics or cutting edge gameplay or eye gouging DLC and season passes for profit. A good heartwarming story and a little craziness gave us the most unique franchise I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying.

  • @ixpra
    @ixpra Před rokem +1

    best video game series ever and it’s just so peak, I love it

  • @comboreset
    @comboreset Před rokem +1

    just recently saw a tweet where someone asked what was the best ending for a game and i immediately thought of kh2 as well. not a single game in the series has touched this ending, although if 358/2 days was remade it MIGHT come close 😭
    darkness of the unknown is an almost, if not flawless final boss song, the final phase where you fight xemnas is a song that i could never forget. then after the final boss battle having sanctuary send off everything with the happy ending was just a cherry on top! the fact that it was able to stick with you enough to make a video like this just shows how impactful it was to people, it's truly a masterpiece

  • @EhllEvans
    @EhllEvans Před 11 dny

    KH2 came out around the same time I found out my mom had cancer and my sister had passed away. As a kid I didn’t know how to process it, so I just kinda buried myself into this game to escape. A story about a boy that would do anything to not be seen as a “nobody”. A boy fighting to be happy with his loved ones again… just like me. I can’t really describe how important this series, especially this game, is to me. Thank you for making this video & reminding me I have somebody special waiting for me on Destiny Island. 💜

  • @solseamoss
    @solseamoss Před rokem +2

    I played most PS2 games, most PS3 games and most PS4 games "KH3 included". Out of all of these games, KH2 was the only that made me cry when I beat it.

  • @kh123
    @kh123 Před rokem +1

    Fire video bro

  • @ilovechy1212
    @ilovechy1212 Před rokem +1

    This was a pretty good video

  • @JimmyMcGinger
    @JimmyMcGinger Před rokem +1

    Thanks Algorithm for finding me something good!
    Great video! I try not to put too much stock into endings as I find that people will let a bad ending ruin a fantastic journey, but KH2s is wonderful and you really captured why.

  • @sonofbelz
    @sonofbelz Před rokem +2

    Xemnas really doesn't get nearly enough credit in the "all time best final bosses" category.

  • @MythicalWombat
    @MythicalWombat Před rokem +1

    3:23 "Continuous Rising Tension" I see what you did there

  • @heartofawolf88
    @heartofawolf88 Před rokem +1

    There was also a part where Xemnas asked Riku, "Are you sure you're not jealous of Sora?" something that was implied in the original Kingdom Hearts and after that battle, the very thing that Riku confessed to while on the Beach of Nothingness.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem

      YESSSS, I didn't mention that in this video but that totally does happen. These two lines really make the ending on the beach hit that much harder!

  • @deathoftheoldme8645
    @deathoftheoldme8645 Před rokem +3

    I still remember finishing the game for the first time and enjoying it so much like it’s the perfect finale 😭

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +2

      The memories of the first time beating this game for the first time are for sure burned into my head.

  • @nightcaller92
    @nightcaller92 Před 2 měsíci

    One very minor thing that I really like about KH2's finale is that, because of the Eternal Session limit, and specifically the way it opens with Riku making the first strike, you can effectively give Riku the killing blow on the final boss, and I love that

  • @zurao
    @zurao Před rokem +1

    I finished kh2 for the 3rd time just today cuz i'm building up to kh3 and it was as good of an experience as i remember it being

  • @chozochiefxiii3298
    @chozochiefxiii3298 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Considering kh2 was planned to originally be the ending of kingdom hearts, it makes sense that it feels so complete. It was supposed to be the end of the story.

  • @gravityjedi
    @gravityjedi Před rokem

    Thats a good point. Its the "but one more" final boss trope where it's actually tye villain you know as the final final boss.

  • @mightbeanerd
    @mightbeanerd Před rokem +1

    Later games kinda make xemnas a worse villain, but when I replay kh2 I just forget the later games ever happened. It still makes me feel the same feelings I had the first time I played it, I replay both kingdom hearts 1 and 2 at least once a year and they're both always a blast, and the endings in both leave me tearing up.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem

      I totally agree that the later games definitely ruin Xemnas for me!

  • @ItsJesMe
    @ItsJesMe Před rokem

    God I love the end version of Sanctuary.... Even it being in the bg gives me goosebumps.

  • @michaelhubbard4301
    @michaelhubbard4301 Před rokem +1

    Kh2 is my favorite, but I do have to say I love the keyblade bonuses and designs in the third one

  • @SunsetJam
    @SunsetJam Před rokem +1

    Honestly, the funniest part of this analysis, for me, is just how similar Dragoon's and (English) Xemnas' voices are.
    It's like he's reviewing his own boss battle. lol

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +2

      Yooo multiple people have said this XD. Maybe I am Xemnas!

    • @SunsetJam
      @SunsetJam Před rokem +1

      @@TheAshenDragoon
      Yeah. Just lower the voice pitch a bit more, speak a bit slower, and you can start building the True (Totally For Real This Time) Organization XIII. lmao

  • @Loner098
    @Loner098 Před rokem +1

    When it comes to the most satisfying endings, the best I've seen were Chrono Trigger, Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Super Mario RPG, Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling, and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +2

      Chrono Trigger did wrap up nicely though I suppose it somewhat depends on which ending that you got.

    • @Loner098
      @Loner098 Před rokem +1

      @@TheAshenDragoon Obviously the best ending was the "Beyond Time" ending (Too Far Away Times), where end up riding the Epoch to see what the others are doing after you saved the future but saddening knowing that an "Epoch" adventure like this one can never happen again. It's quite a shame an ending like this can never truly be concluded in Chrono Cross. The thing with Chrono Cross is that it is a very bold choice for a sequel to such an awesome game. This game didn't seem to revolve so much around time travel and instead focused on alternate dimensions while still taking place in the same world as Chrono Trigger. The pacing is also said to be strange too, but didn't *exactly* seem like an ending. Something important to note is that there was originally gonna be a THIRD entry into the Chrono series called Chrono Break but that game got cancelled when most of its development team had to leave to go work on Final Fantasy 11 or leave in favor of freelance work of some kind. So in the end, the Chrono series seemingly just ends on a *permanent* cliffhanger.

  • @ClouderSavage
    @ClouderSavage Před rokem +3

    "Sora's gamer instincts are tingling" 😂

  • @Kidkinsey
    @Kidkinsey Před rokem

    Amazing video fam. If u add in the roxas cutscene right before u enter the tower it makes the final act even better

  • @tenjiechin
    @tenjiechin Před rokem +1

    My 2nd favorite final act in a game is mgs 4. That kicked ass and pulled on every string the previous games strung up

  • @SSJRadioBluth
    @SSJRadioBluth Před rokem +3

    Excellent breakdown. Liked. Subscribed.
    Will forever be the greatest game in my life.
    As someone who lost their best friend in front of my eyes the year this game came out. Nothing ever hit so hard. As when Sora bent down and said: I looked for you. I looked everywhere for you. I didn't even finish the game that year because I went down s dark path that had me in jail at age 14. So I wouldn't see this scene until almost two years later, after which I cried for hours. Without this game I can't even imagine where I'd be. I'm sure I wouldn't be here without it. From the Invasion of Radiant Garden until Fantasia Alla Marcia (the for Piano, chorus, and orchestra version being my favorite piece of music ever).
    No game takes it's audience as serious.
    No matter what kind of life you live there's something for everyone. Like Axel's dark redemption. When he died saying: I just wanted to see my friend again. Then him realizing he made a new friend too late to enjoy time with. How dare they make us fall in love with someone they just ripped from our lives.
    Riku carries all the weight of his actions from the last game, and then he accepts his fate with a smile. The Assault of the Dreadnought made me feel like I'm Like Skywalker trying to prevent the destruction of Alderaan as you know that thing is headed straight for Radiant Garden, and then you fight a dragon the size of a city.
    (Which you know exactly where it came from as you killed the heartless dragon they worked so hard to create earlier). It never slows down and treats it's audience with full respect.
    Roxas' and Namine's acceptance, Maleficent and Xemnas spitting at each other to control Radiant Garden only for both sides to fail. While hinting she invaded and beat Xemnas' controlled Radiant Garden once before. But this time she's not relying on darkness and even she stakes her control of the universe on Sora and Riku. So many satisfying character arcs.
    Then you get to the credits and the tenth time you watch you realize that it's not actually credits but it's a POV of Sora introducing his two best friends to his other friends that heard so much about them. (Aladdin, Jasmine and genie even look directly at the camera as they try to keep up with what is clearly the gummi ship).
    I always joke to my girlfriend that Sora and Kairi are probably the second people out on the dance floor in Beast's Castle. Since you know Sora was thinking about it twice. The final walk through the secret place confirms it was Kairi's perspective and not his since he finally appears.
    There's a reason that it starts with Mickey, Donald and Goofy being dropped off. We all know who captains that ship. And HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO SAIL TO NEW WORLDS WITH HIS BEST FRIENDS. Literal perfection. Can't be topped just equaled.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +2

      Wow thank you for sharing your story. Though many people see them as temporary distraction and "a waste of time", I am always in awe of how much video games can impact our lives. I also had zero idea about the credits. I'm going to have to rewatch them now with a different perspective!

    • @SSJRadioBluth
      @SSJRadioBluth Před rokem +1

      @@TheAshenDragoon Honestly. I'm proud to share how much an impact this beautiful story had on me. I play it way more often than I care to admit. I think my longest save file was 193 hours. 😂😂
      Once I noticed that wait.... Genie, Mickey, Donald, Pluto and Goofy were just on Destiny Islands... And Scrooge, Huey, Dewey and Louie were on Radiant Garden.
      Then remember the lanes between are closed and the literal first scene is The Disney trio along with Pluto and the triplets appearing in front of the Queen. Only one person could have made that journey since RIKU can't open a portal to the dark realm anymore.
      I won't change the rest of the scenes because the third game proves that the final ending scenes were Riku flying world to world to bring everybody together and I just started balling there too. As the Twilight Town group made it to the beach finally, you don't know it's Riku until he picks up Namine and you don't know it's Kairi until you see Sora. 😭😭😭😭 Love. It's the best part of the series. Best believe Riku smashed right there in the cockpit. 😂(I was getting too emotional).

  • @KingDues
    @KingDues Před rokem

    Your 188 sub 💪🏼 road to a million 🙏🏽

  • @chrisash9809
    @chrisash9809 Před rokem +1

    KH2 has been my favorite game since I was a kid. In my opinion it is a perfect game

  • @patrickmcknight2394
    @patrickmcknight2394 Před rokem

    YESSS !! “ WE SHALL GO TOGETHER THEN!”

  • @Duncadinca
    @Duncadinca Před rokem

    It's funny, being in the KH fanbase for so long, I've seen poll after poll on which final boss in the series is the best and Xemnas wins so consistently that it's brutal. As much as some people dislike the pacing of this game, I never felt the finale was rushed, instead I felt all the build up up to this point. I mention this in my own vid a little, but the final boss of 3 felt so unlike a final boss that I couldn't help but feel a little jarred by it. Good video, particularly like the comment on Sora's increased confidence.

  • @BladedArrowTBGamer
    @BladedArrowTBGamer Před rokem +1

    When they inveitably remake the original 2 (maybe even CoM) KH games I believe this will be the most epic battle ever using modern technology.

  • @tyletonic
    @tyletonic Před rokem

    you have a great narration voice

  • @chrisavila5561
    @chrisavila5561 Před rokem

    Not me tearing up watching this vid 🥲🥹

  • @MegaSpideyman
    @MegaSpideyman Před rokem +1

    Pretty good video. Good analysis of the climax.
    Do you think you might do the same for the other games, like the 1st, BBS, Days or 3?

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +1

      Yeah, I'm definitely planning on doing some similar stuff in the future! My next video I'm planning in a video analyzing the opening sequence of Nier Automata and why it does such a good job of sucking the player in.

  • @polyman6859
    @polyman6859 Před rokem +1

    Cold take incoming, this was the peak of the series.

  • @HeartlessSlayer
    @HeartlessSlayer Před rokem +2

    I'm gonna have to burst the bubble here and say I was always mixed about this final act as I have been with the entire game. Certainly wouldn't say terrible, but this was left to be desired imo. I get thematically how it was built up on a grand scale, but after the wonky execution of everything else from the misuage of Disney worlds retelling movies, slow pacing, awkward dialogues and acting, floaty combat that relies more on flash than substance that can be compared to God of War, I didn't get anything from this even though I could tell what it was leading up to. I got more emotionally invested with KH1's and KH3's final bosses since I actually felt the tension in those. Not to mention that unless have a lot of time, the length of this whole boss battle can leave a LOT of players irritated.
    And I know people will say that KH3 retconned this happy ending, but I hate to say it but KH2 was just as guilty for building up future stories as what KH3 was doing its job for with setting up the next arc. But then again, KH2 is somehow this "holy grail" that to say otherwise makes one a heretic.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +1

      I can respect your opinion. I definitely think the dragon section in particular takes FOREVER. But to me it just worked. I'm glad you shared your perspective!

  • @joeendres2764
    @joeendres2764 Před rokem

    I hope this blows up

  • @shadenchaser746
    @shadenchaser746 Před rokem +2

    KH2 is a comedy, while all the other games are tragedies.
    It is the only one where you feel like everything is tied up. Sora, Riku, and Kairi are back home. Roxas and Naminé have returned to their original forms. They could go back to “normal”.
    KH1: Sora, Donald, Goofy are separated from their friends and must continue his journey.
    CoM: Sora sacrifices his memory of Naminé to get his other memories back, and Riku chooses to maintain his connection to darkness in order to protect him.
    358/2 Days: Roxas had to leave and fight his best friends in order to live, only to be captured and forced to return to Sora.
    BBS: They tell you it’s a Tragedy right in the Tutorial.
    Coded: The event that caused Micky to send the letter to Sora, Riku, and Kairi, and ask them to give up their well earned “normal lives”.
    DDD: Sora loses his powers (again). The person that uprooted their lives in the first place is back.
    BBS 0.2: Aqua’s internal struggles made reality
    KH3: The heroes win. But at a cost.
    Re:Mind: The hero wins. But at a cost
    MoM: Recap of the past, and setup for the future.
    UX and DR: War, Betrayal, and Tragedy

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem +1

      That is wild. I've never actually stopped to think that this is the only game in the series that has an ending with a neat "bow tie" on it.

  • @michaelbrent1536
    @michaelbrent1536 Před rokem +1

    Yep, kingdom hearts 2 was the first game I ever played and I got to say I really wish they ended there

  • @Nicholas_Lee25
    @Nicholas_Lee25 Před rokem

    the ending of kingdom hearts 2 is not only the best ending in the kingdom Hearst series but one of the best video game endings of all time in my opinion

  • @kingdanett4043
    @kingdanett4043 Před 2 měsíci

    I think KH2 is also the best example of a mid game too.
    A ton of characters are coming out to fight an ongoing threat of endless heartless, the organization starts to even tick off Sora, goofy dies (for 2 minutes), mickey saying "youll pay for this", you get to fight with cloud, which then brings you to the infamous for a reason 1000 heartless battle that in combination with everything else is the most epic 30min-1hour of gameplay ever.
    And then it gets better from there as you finally see the main bad and he tells you that all those 1000 heartless and all the other ones you've killed before are all fueling his goal. Then you're sent off to go to the previous worlds with your current knowledge and fight the organization members while also trying to grasp whether you should be killing heartless still while there are a toooon more and Kairi is still captured and Riku might be here? And it's sooooo gooood!

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před 2 měsíci

      At first I thought you were saying that the game was "mid" bahaha... Had me scared for a second! Honestly the more I think about it after reading your comment, the more I really agree with you. In general KH2 was just so good. They don't make many games like that anymore 🥲

  • @leelewis445
    @leelewis445 Před rokem +1

    KH2's third act recompletes me 🥲

  • @geoffreygoncalves931
    @geoffreygoncalves931 Před rokem

    At the very least, this final act and the prologue are one of the extremely rare things this game does even midly right.

  • @Daichi82
    @Daichi82 Před rokem +1

    KH III ending had a similar feeling until that particular moment.

    • @TheAshenDragoon
      @TheAshenDragoon  Před rokem

      I feel like the fact that there was extreme exposition and plot dumps right before the KH3 sequence brings it down a bit for me. A ton of cool stuff happened but I couldn't catch my breath through that whirlwind.

    • @Daichi82
      @Daichi82 Před rokem

      @@TheAshenDragoon I died inside with KH III ending until the secret trailer ruined it.

  • @getampt22
    @getampt22 Před rokem

    This video encapsulated everything I feel about the final act. KH2 has the perfect ending. In my head it's the end of KH.

  • @donniedollarz4537
    @donniedollarz4537 Před rokem +1

    Literally just beat this game last week my son is 7 years old and the whole world 😭 my son cried lmfao