Without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts 3 is one of the hottest, most anticipated titles launching this year. And after waiting so long, many will likely dive into it with certain expectations. After all, the game was first announced back in 2013 and the hype has continuously built ever since.

For the most part, it does appear that Kingdom Hearts 3 is living up to those expectations. It does seem newcomers will be confused by the overarching plot, but for veterans and those who just want a good action RPG, it fits the bill.

IGN (Jonathon Dornbush)

“I thoroughly enjoyed Square Enix’s evolution of Kingdom Hearts’ gameplay and fidelity to Disney’s beloved animated movies. While the storytelling could use some punching up, Square has done a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of these worlds while giving us a massive toolbox for battles and exploration."

Score: 8.7/10

Game Informer (Kimberly Wallace)

 “While not perfect, Kingdom Hearts III is the game I’ve been waiting for. After finishing it, I was delighted by how satisfied I was with the journey. I traversed worlds with some of my favorite Disney characters, persevered through challenging boss battles, and saw a triumphant finale that only makes me more excited for the future. The series still has a lot of heart, and that’s what makes it so endearing."

Score 9.5/10

Gamespot (Tamoor Hussain)

"At its broadest, the story of Kingdom Hearts 3 involves Sora, Donald, and Goofy preparing for an upcoming war against the forces of darkness by gathering the Guardians of Light. This is oversimplification to its most extreme, but to delve into the finer details would require lengthy explanations of numerous confounding concepts and characters. It is undoubtedly messy, but for fans who have committed to playing all the games and been studious enough to join the dots along the way, it makes sense. For those that aren't as well-versed in Kingdom Hearts, the essentials of the story aren't laid out nearly as clear as they need to be."

Score 8/10

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Games Radar (Rachel Weber)

"At its big, squidgy center, Kingdom Hearts 3 is a massive JRPG with multiple menus, stats, weapons, items and buffs, it just happens to be populated by characters from the world of Disney. Not in a cursory, cameo sort of way, you become fully immersed in different Disney worlds, and party is made up of you - heroic twink Sora - Goofy, Donald Duck and a roster of allies like Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Hercules."

Score 4/5

USGamer (Caty McCarthy)

“For all the new in Kingdom Hearts 3, there is plenty of the old too. The action combat is more satisfying than it's ever been, even if it's a tad easy to skate through the main storyline. For longtime fans of the series, all those emotional payoffs that have been building for 17 years await. For newcomers, buckle up: because you're in for a wild ride of bonkers Disney interactions and some exciting boss battles.”

Score 4.5/5

VentureBeat (Mike Minotti)

"The Disney side is still the best side of Kingdom Hearts, and Kingdom Hearts III nails that part. But even it’s story, as ridiculous as it is, gives fans emotional moments and satisfaction. I wouldn’t say it’s better than Kingdom Hearts or Kingdom Hearts II, but Kingdom Hearts III is magical enough to resonate with this big Disney geek."

Score 90/100

It is incredibly early to be talking about Game of the Year for 2019, but it seems like Kingdom Hearts 3 will be a plausible contender. After all, a lot of pressure has been building on the game for it to live up to the hype. But in the long run, it remains to be seen how this latest installment deals with some of its competition such as Resident Evil 2, not to mention other forthcoming titles such as Anthem, Rage 2, and more.

All in all, many fans will likely be trying this out for themselves once they manage to get their hands on a copy. It's worth mentioning for those slightly lost by the story that the game will contain a recap, though finding others online may be more beneficial. For example, this story recap does an excellent job of breaking it down simply enough for most to get before walking into Kingdom Hearts 3.

Kingdom Hearts 3 is scheduled for release on January 25 in Japan and January 29 in US for the PS4 and Xbox One.