Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 Remix Review (PS4)
1) Introduction
This is a collection of four playable Kingdom Hearts games and two cinematic versions of two Kingdom Hearts remastered cutscenes.
Playable Games
1) Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD
2) Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories HD
3) Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD
4) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD
Cinematic Versions with Remastered Cutscenes.
1) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days HD
2) Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded HD
Each playable game also has it's own Trophy Lists, where both Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD aand Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories HD on PS4 have adjusted trophy requirements compared to the PS3 versions.
This game also has a huge game update file, and it should be downloaded to play the KH games without any major issues.
2) Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD
This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix for the PS2 version, where it has some new abilities to be used, new cutscenes, and most of all, a powerful new superboss. Full review can be read here: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-final-mix-hd-review-ps4.html
3) Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories HD
This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories for PS2 version. This was also originally a remake version from the GBA version, featuring many changes to the cutscenes and some of the gameplay features. Full review can be read here: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-rechain-of-memories-hd.html
4) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days HD
Unlike other two games, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is comprised of HD remastered cutscenes. There is no gameplay, but simply cutscenes viewer.
The story takes place between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II events, which focus on Roxas's time in the Organisation XIII. Various story aspects of the mysterious members of the Organisation are also shown here, such as Axel's and Saix's mysterious friendship, the mysterious fourteenth member Xion, and many more.
Although the game is not playable, Square Enix did a good job on at least including the cutscenes to allow players who have not played the game to get updated on the Kingdom Hearts series storyline. The story is generally decent, but I do not find it to be particularly interesting or well-developed to make it stand out than Kingdom Hearts', Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories', and Kingdom Hearts II' stories. With some weird story inclusions of Xion, I do not find her inclusion to the series to be particularly strong or good. What makes the cutscenes watchable and make me watch the story till the end is the particular friendship aspect between Roxas, Xion and Axel in the game. Other Organisation members are also have their own tales told in the cutscenes, but their roles are very brief compared to their roles on Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.
The HD remastered cutscenes quality are good, but viewers can see some minor visual downgrades when certain cutscenes are changing views, especially during the final battle of Roxas. All in all, this is a neat addition for those players who have not played the game on Nintendo DS.
5) Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD
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: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-ii-final-mix-hd-review.html
6) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD
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: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-final-mix.html
7) Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded HD
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.
8) Conclusion
So far, this is the definitive collection of the remastered Kingdom Hearts games from the two collections on PS3. However, it is highly suggested that you download the latest update for this game collection to have the best gaming experience as possible.
In terms of the order of playing, it is highly suggested that you start from the games' release order, as some of games may give you unwarranted spoilers early on, such as watching Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days remastered cutscenes before playing kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD.
Highly recommended for action RPG fans as well as to who are looking for games with crazy mix of Disney characters and Square Enix characters.
Final Score: 9.0/10
9) Pros and Cons
Pros
- Four playable games and two remastered Kingdom Hearts games cinematics available in one package.
- 1080p and 60fps support.
- Tweaked trophy requirements for Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories HD.
Cons
- Bugs and glitches. Recommended to download the latest update file.
**Images are from Square Enix press site.
This is a collection of four playable Kingdom Hearts games and two cinematic versions of two Kingdom Hearts remastered cutscenes.
Playable Games
1) Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD
2) Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories HD
3) Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD
4) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD
Cinematic Versions with Remastered Cutscenes.
1) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days HD
2) Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded HD
Each playable game also has it's own Trophy Lists, where both Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD aand Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories HD on PS4 have adjusted trophy requirements compared to the PS3 versions.
This game also has a huge game update file, and it should be downloaded to play the KH games without any major issues.
2) Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD
This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix for the PS2 version, where it has some new abilities to be used, new cutscenes, and most of all, a powerful new superboss. Full review can be read here: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-final-mix-hd-review-ps4.html
This is the updated release of the original Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories for PS2 version. This was also originally a remake version from the GBA version, featuring many changes to the cutscenes and some of the gameplay features. Full review can be read here: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-rechain-of-memories-hd.html
4) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days HD
Unlike other two games, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is comprised of HD remastered cutscenes. There is no gameplay, but simply cutscenes viewer.
The story takes place between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II events, which focus on Roxas's time in the Organisation XIII. Various story aspects of the mysterious members of the Organisation are also shown here, such as Axel's and Saix's mysterious friendship, the mysterious fourteenth member Xion, and many more.
Although the game is not playable, Square Enix did a good job on at least including the cutscenes to allow players who have not played the game to get updated on the Kingdom Hearts series storyline. The story is generally decent, but I do not find it to be particularly interesting or well-developed to make it stand out than Kingdom Hearts', Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories', and Kingdom Hearts II' stories. With some weird story inclusions of Xion, I do not find her inclusion to the series to be particularly strong or good. What makes the cutscenes watchable and make me watch the story till the end is the particular friendship aspect between Roxas, Xion and Axel in the game. Other Organisation members are also have their own tales told in the cutscenes, but their roles are very brief compared to their roles on Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.
The HD remastered cutscenes quality are good, but viewers can see some minor visual downgrades when certain cutscenes are changing views, especially during the final battle of Roxas. All in all, this is a neat addition for those players who have not played the game on Nintendo DS.
5) Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD
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: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-ii-final-mix-hd-review.html
6) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix HD
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: https://chaosdotgaming.blogspot.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-final-mix.html
7) Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded HD
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.
8) Conclusion
Excellent collection with lots of content.
In terms of the order of playing, it is highly suggested that you start from the games' release order, as some of games may give you unwarranted spoilers early on, such as watching Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days remastered cutscenes before playing kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix HD.
Highly recommended for action RPG fans as well as to who are looking for games with crazy mix of Disney characters and Square Enix characters.
Final Score: 9.0/10
9) Pros and Cons
Pros
- Four playable games and two remastered Kingdom Hearts games cinematics available in one package.
- 1080p and 60fps support.
- Tweaked trophy requirements for Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix HD and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories HD.
Cons
- Bugs and glitches. Recommended to download the latest update file.
**Images are from Square Enix press site.
Comments
Post a Comment