Opening

Before the game starts you are asked which difficulty level you’d like to have. Unless you’ve played the game before and want a big challenge DO NOT select Expert. The first time round the game is difficult enough on Normal setting. Once you’ve chosen this just sit back and enjoy the opening cinema.

You end up on a stained glass platform featuring Snow White. You are given three choices of what you want to keep; you then choose one thing you want to give up. These choices affect your stats as follows:

The next platform is Cinderella where you’ll learn basic fighting skills.

Then you’ll be on a platform without a character, but with a large transparent door - here you’ll learn basic world manipulation. Each task you complete helps to solidify the door. When it’s solid enter the door. You’ll find yourself in a part of Destiny Island. You’ll need to talk to Selphie, Wakka, and Tidus. The answers you give to these questions will determine how quickly you level up in the game. To level up fast (dawn) choose the first response to every question. For normal leveling up (noon) choose the second response to every question. To level up slowly (dusk) and make the game more challenging select the third response to every question.

When you end up on Sleeping Beauty’s platform fight off the shadows and save your game. Then head up the stairs for your first boss battle.

The easiest way to win this battle is to lock on to one of Darkside’s fists and start whacking away at it. When you get low on HP take out a few shadows and pick up the HP balls. You should be able to win but if you do die, don’t worry. The game will continue whether you win or not.