Kingdom Hearts III

About Kingdom Hearts III

Kingdom Hearts III landed on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in January 2019 as the third main entry from Square Enix Creative Business Unit I. This title picks up after Dream Drop Distance where Sora returns as a young man ready to face Master Xehanort again. The story follows the Keyblade wielder alongside Donald Duck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, and Riku across worlds pulled straight from Disney and Pixar films. Players hunt for seven guardians of light while battling the Organization XIII in this action RPG that spans multiple platforms.

Gameplay

Combat feels like a high-octane hack and slash experience where you control Sora alongside two companions at all times. You cycle through up to three equipped Keyblades to switch abilities instantly rather than relying on a single weapon. The Formchange mechanic lets your blade morph into different shapes granting new attacks based on the current world. Occasionally you pilot vehicles inspired by Disney theme park rides using the Attractions system. The game allows you to control other party members during specific story beats. These moments break up the standard flow of slashing Heartless while exploring large, open environments filled with side quests and hidden collectibles.

What Players Think

Critics and players agree this is a strong finish to the trilogy. Metacritic holds an 82 out of 100 score while IGDB rates it 82.4 based on 243 user ratings. The community generally views the game as a massive payoff for long-time fans who have followed Sora since the original release. Average playtime hovers around 45 hours for a standard run but jumps to 60+ if you chase all collectibles and the Re Mind expansion content. User reviews frequently praise the visual fidelity of the Disney worlds compared to earlier entries. Some players note the difficulty spikes during boss fights against Xehanort variants remain frustrating even on higher settings.

PlayPile's Take

This is a must-play for anyone who finished Dream Drop Distance or wants to see the conclusion of the Keyblade War saga. The price reflects the massive scope with two main games worth of content in one package. You earn over 40 achievements that range from simple story milestones to punishing combat challenges. The hack and slash system works best when you master the three-weapon switching mechanic. Skip this title only if you hate cutscenes or dislike Disney IP entirely. The final boss battle alone justifies the download for most fans of the series.

Storyline

Through countless adventures across many worlds in his long battle against the darkness, Sora, once a little boy who only dreamed worlds beyond his island even existed, has grown up to a dashing young man. Now he is realizing that that battle has played out exactly as Master Xehanort had planned, and the second Keyblade War, the final struggle between light and dark, looms ahead. To counter the overwhelming darkness, Sora and his friends must gather the seven guardians of light. His best friend Riku and King Mickey seek out a battle-scarred Keyblade wielder, while Sora, Donald, and Goofy set off on a journey to find “the Key to Return Hearts.” Never-before-featured Disney worlds set the stage for another daring adventure to save the universe! Chosen by the Keyblade, he is the one whose heart’s light never fails to shine as a beacon of hope. Sora, the brave hero chosen by the Keyblade, has always had a strong sense of justice. Through his many battles against darkness, he has grown and learned about the world immensely. Drawn to his light, many friends have lent him their support and granted him their powers to counter the darkness: Riku, the childhood friend he grew up with on Destiny Islands; Donald and Goofy, the two brave comrades with whom he has shared his adventures from the very beginning; and King Mickey, who gives Sora his unfailing support. As the world becomes enveloped in another battle against darkness, the Keyblade wielder and his friends must rise up against Master Xehanort and thwart his plot to incite another Keyblade War.