Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Review (PS3)

0) Introduction

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX is a HD remastered games compilation comprised of Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD, Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded HD (cutscenes only).

1) Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD Review

Sora is back, along with his good friends Donald and Goofy.

This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix for the PS2 version. This game boasts the most game additions to the original Kingdom Hearts II games, such as numerous optional boss fights such as the addition of Critical Mode, Absent Silhouettes, Data Rematch of Organisation XIII members, a new superboss fight, new cutscenes, addition of Mushroom XIII sidequest, new abilities, new weapons, and others. Full review can be read here: http://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2015/01/kingdom-hearts-ii-final-mix-hd-review.html

2) Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD Review

Control three different Keyblade wielders with their own stories and abilities.

This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix for the PSP version. There are some substantial additions, such as the addition of Critical Mode, new playable Episode, new Commands. new superboss fights, and others. Full review can be read here: http://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2015/01/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-final-mix.html

3) Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded HD Review

Enjoy Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded HD cutscenes.

Like Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days HD, this game's cutscenes are remastered in HD and is available as a cutscenes viewer in this game. Again, there is no gameplay, but only cutscenes.

Again, the remastered cutscenes of this game is great. In fact, much better than Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days HD remastered cutscenes. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said with the storyline. This game takes place after Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix events, where the trio Mickey, Donald, and Goofy trying to discover the secret meaning of Namine's message in Jiminy's Journal. With the help of someone from the journal, they asked the person to find the cause of the bugs appearing in the journal.

The story is simply mediocre, and personally, I do not think this game's story very intriguing and I also feel that it is unnecessary. The ties to previous other Kingdom Hearts games feel forced, and there is not much mysteries explained in this HD movie. Fortunately, the pacing of this HD movie feels much better than Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days HD's story pacing, but Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days HD's story is still better.

4) Bonus Content

As both Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD have new game content. You will also unlock bonus PS3 themes that can be installed upon completing the respective games. Also, each game has their own Trophies list where you can unlock them by fulfilling certain criteria. I dare say that you will take a lot of time to achieve all Trophies for both Kingdom Heart II: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD, but you can obtain all Trophies in one playthrough for Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD, and five playthroughs for Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD. However, I do not recommend that if you are not familiar with both games, as both games should be played with your own pleasure first before attempting to get all of the Trophies.

5) Conclusion

A worthy purchase of HD collection.

Undoubtedly, this HD collection is a great HD remastered games collection, packing two amazing action RPG games that have great stories, likable characters, and amazing gameplay that surpass Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix's games. I highly recommend everyone to get this HD collection if you are a Kingdom Hearts fan or action RPG fan.

Final Score: 9.5/10.0

Pros and Cons

Pros

- Well-written stories for Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD.
- Great gameplay systems for Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD.
- Many likable original, Final Fantasy, and Disney characters.
- Excellent remastered soundtrack Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD.
- Overall great voice acting quality for all three games.
- Great HD remastered graphics for all three games.

Cons

- Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded's story is uninteresting and unnecessary to the Kingdom Hearts series.
- Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep: Final Mix HD do not have fully remastered soundtrack.