Kingdom Hearts is probably the only series I follow religiously (in that I play every single game that comes out regardless of main game or spin-off). So I thought I would list how each installment ranks in my mind.
2 reasons this is the best game. 1. I am amazed they could get away with how dark the story is when this has the Disney name on it. 2. This game strikes the right balance between making you feel powerful but not overpowered.
I love this game for the kitchen sink approach to the battle system. Improves everything wrong with the first game. You maybe are a little overpowered by the end (but the first game had that problem too). I don't like the huge emphasis on later Disney and I don't like how there is a guest character in every world.
When I heard card battle as the follow-up to the first game, I was concerned. However, it ended up working really well. The card based battles add a great level of strategy. Though this does make the combat a little slower then other games.
I don't hate Kingdom Hearts 1, it is just that 2 is a much better game. It improves on everything mechanically (especially the camera) and the story is way better. But Kingdom Hearts 1 is fine.
There are some interesting moments in this game, but some of the missions got a little old after a while. The story felt artificially lengthened. The panel system was a neat concept but felt to limiting in the end.
The only real terrible entry in the series. The story is yet another re-hash of 1 and the revelation is completely predictable. They also tried to do different kinds of gameplay in this (side-scroller, turn-based RPG, and Space Harrier style shooter) but it was a case of them trying to do too much. Look up this game's secret ending on the internet, because that is all you need to see of this game. Completely unnecessary game.
