used to be self-conscious about liking this one so much, but we're all adults now. so earnest and breezy that it can do the absolute most stupid shit and i'll still give it a hell yeah as opposed to an eyeroll. insanely fun boss fights that weave between cinematic and playing a video game with the seamless and innovative 'press triangle' feature. probably also the story at its series best, as it does a good job of raising emotional stakes and mostly refrains from delving into the overwrought attempts at surprise the later entries bring. willing to briefly mess with the formula of what a shlocky action game is for the purpose of telling that story, too. definitely the most fun kh to replay