This could be the ultimate Kingdom Hearts experience.

The original Kingdom Hearts was built on the legacy of Disney and the massive fan following of Final Fantasy. Before it came out, no one cared about the original characters as most gamers were only interested in seeing who or what would be around the next corner. Few people could have predicted how fans would latch onto Sora, Riku, Kairi, or any of the other original chracters created for the game. With the release of Birth by Sleep, the fifth game in the series, I can safely say that these characters could support the games on their own. It's always neat to see new Disney worlds and Final Fantasy characters but even without them, Birth by Sleep would still be a fantastic gaming experience in its own right.

The latest Kingdom Hearts is actually a prequel, set ten years before the original game, and focuses on three young keyblade wielders. Terra, Aqua, and Ventus all dream of becoming Masters but after the test to determine if they are ready, only one of them is able to achieve that dream. This creates immediate friction among the friends but before they can deal with these problems, the threat of a new enemy known as the Unversed are revealed. The three are sent in different directions to find the source of the new enemy and put a stop to them. From there the story splits into three paths, each following a different character and giving their perspective on what happens. While all three visit the same worlds, the characters they meet, the things they do, and the stories that are told are all uniquely different. In many ways, I preferred this method of storytelling over the traditional linear path. Each character's arc offered its own mysteries that would be answered in another character's. By the end, everything is revealed and everything comes to a satisfying conclusion that will still leave Kingdom Hearts fans impatient for the next game. The other strength of the story is that it can mostly stand on its own while at the same time answering many of the lingering questions that have built up over the course of the series. Simply put, this is one story that no Kingdom Hearts fan should miss.

A good plot can only do so much though without the gameplay to support it. Fortunately, Birth by Sleep has one of the best battle systems in the entire series. The backbone of the entire system is the Command Deck where special attacks and magic can be equipped for use. Using one in battle can often turn the tides in your favor, but they can't be used again until after a short cooldown period. Every command can be leveled up in power then melded together in different combinations for newer and much more potent abilities. Melding commands also has the added benefit of attaching various persistent abilities such as resistance to magic, increased health, greater chances for items, and even earning experience with each step taken. It's a versatile system that allows each player to fight according to their own style.

Connected to the Command Deck are the Command Finishes and Command States. As players fight the Unversed, a meter is filled above the Deck that unlocks a finishing move that does double the damage. The more these moves are used, the more likely that new, more powerful ones are unlocked. In the same vein, a Command State can achieved by using specific commands to fill the meter. Once it's filled, a State is activated that is similar in function to a Limit Break and can deal massive damage to both enemies and bosses. Much of the difficulty from certain boss battles is attempting to fill the meter and unlock that extra power. That alone makes for some fun battles but Birth by Sleep adds Shotlock Commands and the D-Link system to provide further options in combat. Shotlock Commands bring up a reticule that can be focused on enemies for a devastating attack while D-Links temporarily grant the abilities of characters you've met along the way. Together, all of these abilities create one of the most varied battle systems in a Kingdom Hearts game to date.

But the game is more than just combat. There are ten different worlds to explore, six of which are brand new to the series, and almost all of them have areas that can't be accessed until a later ability is obtained. The Journal helps encourage this exploration as it lists how many items still need to be found. Completionists  will constantly be checking it to make sure they've found every single treasure chest and sticker in each world. While each of the three main characters all explore the same worlds, all of them explore different sections of that world and encounter different obstacles. For example, in Cinderella's world Ventus must help Jaq the mouse make Cinderella's dress while Terra protects the heroine on her way to the ball and Aqua helps the Prince discover who the glass slipper belongs to. There are areas that overlap but for the most part, each character's exploration of a world is unique.

Rounding out the game is the Mirage Arena. This world doesn't have any story significance and is available to visit soon after the beginning of the game, but it is the place where most of the mini-games and special arenas can be found. It is also the access point of the game's multiplayer modes. Unfortunately I was unable to try out the multiplayer for myself but all of the multiplayer options are available in single player with the exception of the VS mode. Perhaps the best part about it is that every battle you take part in earns you experience and items rather than being completely separate. Most of the mini-games are fun on some level but the controls in Rumble Racing feel too loose and the Command Board gets dull after a while. Still, the Mirage Arena is worth visiting for the rare items and hidden bosses tucked away within. Even without the Mirage Arena, the game will take most gamers between ten and fifteen hours to complete per character for a total of fifty hours. There's a lot to find and do in the game.

I haven't played many PSP games but Birth by Sleep has to be one of the most gorgeous games on the system. The graphics are just as good as anything in the PS2 games and the detail in the character models made my jaw drop. Each character has little details to them that just make them pop and the worlds are just as vibrant. When you enter the world of Snow White, it feels like you're there. Unfortunately, like previous games, the worlds still feel empty. The landmark locations of the movies are there but they are so unpopulated that you feel like beyond the main characters, nothing else exists. It doesn't drag things down too much as Unversed are always ready to challenge you in moments like these, but it's difficult to not notice at times. The amount of Unversed and size of some of the bosses though are amazing to see.

The developers have squeezed everything they could have out of the PSP and it's readily apparent in the load times. They're not too much of a problem if you do the max install option, but anything less could leave players waiting for quite a long time. The other problem is that the camera doesn't always provide the best angle. Many times, mostly in tight spaces, it struggled to follow what was going on and ended up jerking back and forth. It never became too much of a problem as the game favors larger areas, but it is still worth noting. Finally, the sound design is just as good as the rest of the package. Classic songs from the series as well as new ones for the new worlds and characters fit right in and provide the perfect atmosphere. Then there is the voice acting which is terrific as always. The girls playing the princesses mimic the classic actresses perfectly and Mark Hamill is spot-on in the role of teacher. The main characters are also well voiced, but Leonard Nimoy steals every scene he's in as the main villain. There's a genuine threat to every line which makes players immediately wary of the character.

I don't think I'm risking hyperbole by calling Birth by Sleep the ultimate Kingdom Hearts experience to date. It's great for both newcomers and fans with its intriguing story and smooth gameplay. There's a great challenge to it for those who seek it, and it easily give players their money's worth with its hours of gameplay. I readily admit my love for the series, but I think anyone can get into this game.