unicornsforall

I was 13 when Kingdom Hearts II came out, it was my introduction to the franchise. My fondest memory (out of many) would probably be the day I first played the game. In Christmas 2006, I received Kingdom Hearts II as a present. I already knew I was getting it, I had asked for it months earlier. I had seen the game at the back of a videogame store in town, and knew nothing about Kingdom Hearts. The only reason I was interested at the time was because there was a tiny screenshot of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch in a cutscene on the back. Stitch was my favourite Disney character, but I honestly didn't know what to expect. The first time I booted the game up on my PS2 my sister was sat next to me, wanting to see what this game was all about. I didn't play many RPGs at that point, most of my experience was with Pokemon. I wasn't a huge gamer. That one day in Christmas 2006 changed everything, I played it for 10 hours straight. At the start in Twilight Town, when they've lost the word _____, I thought it would be some kind of strange educational find-the-word game. After completing Roxas's story, I thought the game was over and couldn't believe I'd finished it so quickly. But then it just kept going, and it felt like my world was opening up in front of me. I have never played a game with so much story depth. I got all the way to Olympus Coliseum before it was time for bed. And I completely forgot that I wanted the game just because of a Stitch cameo. I think this is my favourite memory because it sparked the start of who I would become. I don't remember my other presents from that day, I don't remember the food. But I remember Kingdom Hearts II so vividly. It had such a huge impact on the person I am now, that almost every facet of my values and interests trace back to that day. Even now I know I can put on Kingdom Hearts II especially if I want that cosy feeling. I still have my original copy from Christmas 2006. It feels like coming home.