Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix
- October 2, 2014
- Square Enix 1st Production Department
- 300h median play time
"Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix: Collector's Edition" is a single-player fantasy fighting game with good graphics, encompassing three games: Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix, and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. This edition marks the first time Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix is released on the PlayStation 3, and features new content, improved graphics, and HD remastered cinematics for Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. It is a comprehensive collection for both new and returning Kingdom Hearts fans.
Reviews
- The remastering of Kingdom Hearts 2 and Birth By Sleep offers excellent value, with added content and improved graphics and sound.
- The gameplay is engaging and nostalgic, with new challenges and features that enhance the overall experience.
- The inclusion of the Final Mix versions and additional collectibles provides a richer experience for both new players and returning fans.
- Load times are significantly longer than the original versions, which can be frustrating for players, especially during speed runs.
- The Coded movie included in the collection is considered unnecessary and detracts from the overall package.
- Some players experienced issues with damaged packaging or incorrect versions being sent, which affected their overall satisfaction.
- graphics12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many praising the smooth visuals and attention to detail, particularly in character design. While some reviewers note that the graphics may not be groundbreaking, the updated visuals and sound quality significantly enhance the overall experience, making it appealing for both newcomers and veterans of the series. Overall, the graphics reflect a strong effort and love from the developers, contributing positively to the game's charm.
“The visuals are updated and the sound quality is much better; the graphics seem so much sharper... look at the character's hair and you can see every little bit of detail!”
“I will break down the positives: the graphics look really good and it was clear there was a lot of love put into them.”
“The graphics may not blow you away, but it is possible to forget that this was originally released on a second-gen console!”
“Although it is graphically a poor game, it does allow newcomers to understand the events of previous games as well as revisiting it for veteran players of Kingdom Hearts.”
“The updated graphics really do polish this diamond game.”
- story11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story of the Kingdom Hearts series is a mix of compelling and convoluted narratives, featuring Sora's quest to save various worlds from the Heartless and Nobodies, often praised for its unique blend of Final Fantasy and Disney characters. While some players find the plot engaging and emotionally resonant, others criticize its lack of coherence and the inclusion of unnecessary gameplay elements like the Gummi ship segments. Overall, the series is noted for its rich storytelling and character development, despite some frustrations with pacing and clarity.
“The story is about a boy named Sora tasked to save all of the worlds and defeat the Heartless and Nobodies.”
“With such lovable characters and a beautiful philosophy embedded into the game's story, in addition to the action-packed enjoyable gameplay, I gotta give this a 10/10.”
“As always, the story is compelling and inquisitive.”
“However, after playing the second game, I cannot do the same thing. The storyline is still stupid. Why are the gummi stages still there when they add nothing to the game? It feels like they just slapped the Final Fantasy and Disney brand on it and thought that would be enough to sell this lazy game, which unfortunately it will.”
“I had never played the original versions on PS2, so I checked the first remix out. Despite the storyline making little sense and the pointless gummi ship parts, it was fun to travel around the different worlds while combining Final Fantasy and Disney characters. Since it was the first outing I had played, I gave it a pass.”
“One of my all-time favorite games; my only complaint is that there are too many cut scenes. I still don't know the storyline because I have no patience!”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is highly praised for its nostalgic appeal and engaging mechanics, offering 200-300 hours for completionists and around 60+ hours for casual players. The HD remake enhances the visuals without compromising the fun, and the inclusion of the final mix version adds significant content, making it a great value for players. Overall, the gameplay remains enjoyable and well-suited for the controller, earning high marks from users.
“With such lovable characters and a beautiful philosophy embedded into the game's story, in addition to the action-packed enjoyable gameplay, I gotta give this a 10/10.”
“The game just echoes nostalgia and for the price of £24 (the intelligent people pre-ordered), you simply cannot go wrong with a game that can give almost 60+ hours of gameplay and a cinematic thrown in as well.”
“If you're determined to complete every aspect of both KHII and KH BBS, you're looking at some 200-300 hours of gameplay.”
“The gameplay, although significantly untouched, is still as fun as it ever was.”
“One again Square Enix has included the Final Mix version which really does expand on the game, adding at least 10+ hours of gameplay which most people would pay a premium for in DLC these days.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding in certain games can lead to significant waiting times due to frequent loading screens, particularly when transitioning between areas or utilizing special abilities. This can detract from the overall experience, making the repetitive nature of grinding feel more tedious.
“The constant loading between rooms, along with the time spent loading drive forms, summons in KH2FM, and d-links in BBSFM, makes grinding feel like an endless wait.”
“He found the repetitive violence and similar storylines in many games to be tedious, leading him to seek a different approach.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game exhibits exceptional stability, with no glitches or faults noted, making it a reliable choice for players. The detailed craftsmanship of the included pin adds to the overall positive experience.
“The pin you get with this game is so detailed, down to a chain attached to it with Mickey Mouse ears on the end. It is very well crafted. The game is flawless, absolutely no faults or glitches. This is definitely the one to buy for Christmas. Kingdom Hearts is amazing, and I love it; it's my second best game, with Final Fantasy being my first.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its excellent arrangements, with many tracks being re-composed to the point where they often surpass the quality of the originals.
“The musical arrangement is great, with many tracks re-composed and, in some cases, sounding better than the original.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
“Each track is carefully crafted, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws you into the game.”