Is Kingdom Hearts II an Open-World Game? Unraveling the Myths
Often mistaken for a fully open-world adventure, Kingdom Hearts II has its unique approach to world exploration. This article will dive into the nature of this game's design and offer a comparison with other open-world classics such as Mass Effect 1, helping gamers come to terms with what makes a true open-world game.
The Myths About Open-World Games
Open-world games are frequently seen as panoramic photos where the player can freely explore a vast, connected world. However, there are games that break this stereotype, much like how Kingdom Hearts II diverges from the typical open-world formula.
In a panoramic photo, the areas are stitched together to create a seamless, expansive world. The player can explore all regions in one go, integrating the journey across different ecosystems and levels of detail. However, Kingdom Hearts II is more akin to a series of interconnected photos that, while vast, are not stitched seamlessly. This means that while the game's world—including the Pride Lands—is sizable, it is not a contiguous open world.
Kingdom Hearts II's Design Philosophy
Despite the game's impressive scale, the Pride Lands in Kingdom Hearts II maintain a distinct, modular structure. The areas are designed as distinct zones, each with its own unique themes, challenges, and narrative threads. These zones have clear boundaries, and the player's experience is segmented into these defined regions.
For example, the Pride Lands are a complex, diverse landscape that includes plains, forests, and even a castle. Each area serves a purpose and fits into a broader storyline, rather than being part of a single, unbroken world. As a result, the exploration feels more like a journey through a series of distinct but interconnected locations, rather than a seamless, open world.
Mass Effect 1: A Closer Step to Open-World
Comparing Kingdom Hearts II to Mass Effect 1 provides a clearer understanding of what an open-world game can be. Mass Effect 1, often hailed for its expansive galaxy exploration, still falls short of a fully contiguous open world. The game's environments are more like a series of large, interconnected hubs and progression-based missions, rather than a continuous, seamless world.
Mass Effect 1's core mechanic revolves around creating a custom character and navigating various potential storylines. While the game offers a significant amount of freedom, the open spaces are often used for key narrative and mission development, rather than unrestricted exploration. The player's journey is more linear, with the character's growth and interactions shaping the world.
What Makes a True Open-World Game?
A true open-world game typically offers the player the freedom to explore, experience, and engage with the world in a wide array of ways. The best examples of this genre provide endless possibilities, allowing the player to approach each region with different strategies and objectives. Classic open-world games like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim excel in this area, offering a vast, interconnected world that challenges the player in various ways.
In contrast, Kingdom Hearts II and Mass Effect 1 present a more curated exploration experience. The Pride Lands, while expansive, are more like sets for specific story arcs and challenges. Similarly, Mass Effect 1's environments are hubs interconnected by narrative progression, rather than an endless, seamless world.
Conclusion: Crafting a New Troika for Mass Effect
While Kingdom Hearts II and Mass Effect 1 don't fit the traditional definition of an open-world game, they are brilliant examples of well-crafted, immersive gaming experiences. If BioWare were to create a new trilogy, they would have the opportunity to correct some of the design oversights of Mass Effect 1.
Consider allowing players to customize a female character and telling a story in the same style as the original trilogy, but with a fresh perspective. This approach could recreate the canonical Sheppard from Mass Effect 1, effectively doubling the narrative potential and offering a new generation of players a fresh take on a beloved universe.
In summary, while Japan Final Fantasy might be fun, a well-crafted trilogy that explores a new cast and maintains the rich narrative style of the original games could offer a richer, more engaging experience.