There are levels in video games that make you cry in frustration, there are others that are boring and that are easily forgotten.  Then there are places that are so majestic and filled with such excellent story telling, that they create unforgettable memories and in even more extreme cases, create the means for even greater inspiration.

 

Hollow Bastion in the original Kingdom Hearts is one of these incredible experiences.  Once one is greeted by the Majestic Rising Falls and floating bubble puzzles, the player is greeted by friend turned rival Riku.  After some powerful dialogue and some game changing plot twists, many players (such as myself) rejoiced.  Finally the moment where Sora realized just how useless he was at hand.  sadly, he remained the main character. (I was disappointed when Riku failed to kill him a few cut scenes later)

 

After exploring the outer castle, the player enters the entrance hall, fights Riku and another plot twist happens.  This leads to more scenes, lots of fighting with many of the most powerful (and annoying, I’m looking at you Wizards) enemies in the game, and eventually more views of majestic landscapes pitched under a beautiful twilight sunset.

 

After a tough fight with my favorite Disney character of all time followed by said character scaling up and attacking again, the player finally meets the actual villain and the plot becomes much darker.  Incredible music, both battle and overworld, ensure that Hollow Bastion is an unforgettable experience.

 

The legacy of which can be seen in the final chapters of The End of Utopia.  As I write the ending to the book (at long last) readers will see just how much of an influence this dungeon had on my writing.  

 

If you have not already, I would recommend playing the original Kingdom Hearts.  The ending of my first novel will be even more incredible when you understand where its inspiration lies.