New Arrivals and Kingdom Hearts II
Just received the ISWAK OST and Ranie's new album. That was seriously fast. I'm so surprised at how they package things in Asia compared to the US. It seems like they add a lot more fluff to their items than the US does. You definitely get more for your money. I think, in the end, those little fluff items are the reason why people break big bucks and are enticed to buy. It reminds me of buying cereal with a toy inside. You buy the ceral because of the toy and not buying the cereal that happens to have a toy inside. OR it could be that they add alot of fluff, because there is a lot more piracy they have to compete with and adding the little extra stickers, posters, and post cards pulls the customer to their favor. It's such a dog eat dog world in business, which is why I have shunned away from it.
March 28th is also the day Jun's special is released. I should be seeing it in a few days ^___^.
Breathes in...
Today also marks the release of the much anticipated and long awaited sequel to the Square-Enix (formerly Squaresoft)-- series, Kingdom Hearts (PS2) and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA).
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2) as I have heard, is much better than the original in all aspects. I am a bit aprehensive as I love the first very much. However, the very fortunate fans who have been able to play the Japanese release have stated their approval, so I will refrain from being the major skeptic that I am. Haley Joel Osmont (Sixth Sense) will revive his role of Sora in this series (I'm curious to know how his voice sounds after several years ^^). Another KH vet is Utada Hikaru. She will be gracing the soundtrack once again with a new theme song titled Passion. I didn't think she would be able to pull off something as beautiful or successful as Hikari (Japanese) aka Simple and Clean (English), but I think she succeeded. The song feels like an evolved form of Hikari, very warped, emphemeral, and euphoric. The track is laid with a lot of back beats and distortions that can initially be distracting, but as the song progresses it anticipation and grandeur to the score that leads to the main event. I have yet to hear the English version of this song, but I hope it stands well to its Japanese counter part. One thing to note about the music video for Hikari (Utada Hikaru PV), it was so much cheaper to film than her Passion video ^^;). There is no US released PV that I know of for Simple and Clean or Passion.
Here are other videos containing Simple and Clean, Hikari and Passion:
[Disclaimer: All videos listed, excludig Utada Hikaru's Simple and Clean UH Live Recording contains spoilers for Kingdom Hearts I and II. Do not watch if you have not seen these and do not want to spoil it for yourself. Watch at your own risk. Videos are under copywright UH, Sonymusic, Disney, Buenavista Games, Square-Enix and its respective owners. None of these files are hosted on this site.]
Utada HIkaru - Simple and Clean UH Live Recording
Official Kingdom Hearts Opening Sequence (Simple and Clean)
Official Kingdom Hearts Ending Sequence (Simple and Clean)
Official Kingdom Hearts Secret Ending Sequence
Official Kingdom Hearts Opening Sequence (Hikari)
Official Kingdom Hearts II Opening Sequence [Japan] (Passion)
Official Kingdom Hearts II Ending Sequence[Japan]
Kingdom Hearts II Secret Ending Sequence [Japan]
American fans have waited over two years for this release only to get disappointed by Square-Enix's decision to repeatedly push back the release date. Honestly, I nearly lost interest and anticipation. However Disney and Square have officially stated the date of its release. Now that day is finally here, I find it hard to believe. We'll see how it goes. Finally we'll see what the hype is all about. One thing is certain, the animation quality is spectacular and Sora's saga will end here.
-Edit- May 16, 2006
I forgot about posting a review about KH2 and well I'll be brief. It is a really good game. It is much easier to control...a little too easy if I may say. The graphics are what you would expect from a Disney-Square venture, but it is more than just eye candy. I have yet to finish the game. I think I've logged about 13 hrs total. Note that isn't much especially if you need about 40 to complete the whole thing. I barely broke the beginning stages. Nonetheless I have very little gripes about it. The story flows pretty smoothly and it leaves no gaps between the story of Kingdom Hearts I and Chain of Memories. I am not disappointed. Of course there is a great nostalgia factor, so if you did not play the first game and the Game Boy Advance continuation, it might be a little hard to grasp. This second installment for the PS2 is certainly a treat for the Kingdom's loyal fans. From music to character design, game play and story, this improves on what was already a greatly loved classic. Now, if only they'd get rid of that Chicken Little (don't worry, he's just a summon).
Shine's rating:
4.5/5 stars
March 28th is also the day Jun's special is released. I should be seeing it in a few days ^___^.
Breathes in...
Today also marks the release of the much anticipated and long awaited sequel to the Square-Enix (formerly Squaresoft)-- series, Kingdom Hearts (PS2) and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA).Kingdom Hearts II (PS2) as I have heard, is much better than the original in all aspects. I am a bit aprehensive as I love the first very much. However, the very fortunate fans who have been able to play the Japanese release have stated their approval, so I will refrain from being the major skeptic that I am. Haley Joel Osmont (Sixth Sense) will revive his role of Sora in this series (I'm curious to know how his voice sounds after several years ^^). Another KH vet is Utada Hikaru. She will be gracing the soundtrack once again with a new theme song titled Passion. I didn't think she would be able to pull off something as beautiful or successful as Hikari (Japanese) aka Simple and Clean (English), but I think she succeeded. The song feels like an evolved form of Hikari, very warped, emphemeral, and euphoric. The track is laid with a lot of back beats and distortions that can initially be distracting, but as the song progresses it anticipation and grandeur to the score that leads to the main event. I have yet to hear the English version of this song, but I hope it stands well to its Japanese counter part. One thing to note about the music video for Hikari (Utada Hikaru PV), it was so much cheaper to film than her Passion video ^^;). There is no US released PV that I know of for Simple and Clean or Passion.
Here are other videos containing Simple and Clean, Hikari and Passion:
[Disclaimer: All videos listed, excludig Utada Hikaru's Simple and Clean UH Live Recording contains spoilers for Kingdom Hearts I and II. Do not watch if you have not seen these and do not want to spoil it for yourself. Watch at your own risk. Videos are under copywright UH, Sonymusic, Disney, Buenavista Games, Square-Enix and its respective owners. None of these files are hosted on this site.]
Utada HIkaru - Simple and Clean UH Live Recording
Official Kingdom Hearts Opening Sequence (Simple and Clean)
Official Kingdom Hearts Ending Sequence (Simple and Clean)
Official Kingdom Hearts Secret Ending Sequence
Official Kingdom Hearts Opening Sequence (Hikari)
Official Kingdom Hearts II Opening Sequence [Japan] (Passion)
Official Kingdom Hearts II Ending Sequence[Japan]
Kingdom Hearts II Secret Ending Sequence [Japan]
American fans have waited over two years for this release only to get disappointed by Square-Enix's decision to repeatedly push back the release date. Honestly, I nearly lost interest and anticipation. However Disney and Square have officially stated the date of its release. Now that day is finally here, I find it hard to believe. We'll see how it goes. Finally we'll see what the hype is all about. One thing is certain, the animation quality is spectacular and Sora's saga will end here.
-Edit- May 16, 2006
I forgot about posting a review about KH2 and well I'll be brief. It is a really good game. It is much easier to control...a little too easy if I may say. The graphics are what you would expect from a Disney-Square venture, but it is more than just eye candy. I have yet to finish the game. I think I've logged about 13 hrs total. Note that isn't much especially if you need about 40 to complete the whole thing. I barely broke the beginning stages. Nonetheless I have very little gripes about it. The story flows pretty smoothly and it leaves no gaps between the story of Kingdom Hearts I and Chain of Memories. I am not disappointed. Of course there is a great nostalgia factor, so if you did not play the first game and the Game Boy Advance continuation, it might be a little hard to grasp. This second installment for the PS2 is certainly a treat for the Kingdom's loyal fans. From music to character design, game play and story, this improves on what was already a greatly loved classic. Now, if only they'd get rid of that Chicken Little (don't worry, he's just a summon).
Shine's rating:
4.5/5 stars
posted by shine
at
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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