I played this as part of the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 HD Collection that was released on the PS4 on March 28th 2017!
To see my Review of Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, click here!
To see my Review of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX, click here!
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My journey through re-experiencing the Kingdom Hearts franchise comes to a close with 2.5 HD ReMix on the PS4. Much like its previous compilation, 2.5 consists of full remasters of Kingdom Hearts 2, the PSP spin off Birth By Sleep, and another movie comprising of cutscenes to the DS port of Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded. What's even better, is that the former 2 parts are the Japanese re-releases that have the Final Mix tagline. That basically means a slew of new features and enhancements which I'll happily get into with each analysis. For starters, the Re:Coded movie is the only brand new KH story I've never experienced. The original game itself didn't interest me and the story in itself wasn't special. More so it was setting the stage for what Dream Drop Distance would begin to unravel and the greater story/plot that'll be explored in KH3.
Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Jiminy Cricket are trying to solve the mystery of hidden messages in Jiminy's Journal. This involves going into the journal using a Data Version of Sora to crush through the so called bugs in order to figure out what these messages mean. In addition to having his memories restored which were lost at the end of Chain of Memories. So to me it sounds like Sora now has recollection of every adventure he's been on up to this point! The real treats of this collection are the full game ports. Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix opens up with you playing as new character Roxas who's enjoying his last week of summer vacation. Living in Twilight Town with his friends, he goes about his routine until odd things start happening. Items pop in and out, time freezing and Axel of Organization XIII is trying to bring him back. Course Roxas has no idea as to what he's talking about. Story progresses and you eventually gain control of Sora, Donald and Goofy. Setting out on another quest to find your friends and defeat the Organization and their army of Nobodies.
Gameplay wise, it's a favorable step up from KH1. You attack and dodge pretty much the same with abilities gained after you level up. Additions include Reaction Commands and Drive Forms. The Reaction Commands are moves that can be initiated with the Triangle button and are very situational. Some include move combos with your party members, others include interactions with enemies and bosses to give you an advantage. Drive Forms involve you fusing with one or both party members for a costume change, and brand new move-set. For example, the first one you receive is known as Valor Form and involves fusing with Goofy. The main change is you become more offensive along with dual wielding keyblades. You can make shortcuts for certain spells and items which you can access by using the shoulder buttons. The Command Panel can be swapped by using the directional pad to get a new set of actions including summons, limits, items and Drive Forms. Your MP is represented by a singular bar which is always used up full by using a Limit Break or Cure.
Using the many abilities (with brand new ones due to the Final Mix version) you can customize Sora however you please. The keyblade variation is also very diverse this time around. Item synthesis through Moogles and tons of new hidden areas and bosses are for you to explore. As of this writing, I'm just about ready to take on the remaining 2 extras added in which are basically secret bosses. Through replaying this game after so long, I've fallen much more in love with this entry, and it also stands as my favorite game in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The remaining piece to 2.5 HD takes you on a huge trip to the past before the first game takes place. It also settles in the true antagonist of this entire series and follows 3 new (maybe?) keyblade wielders who hope on becoming true masters. Under the guidance of Master Eraqus (complete homage to both Yen Sid's name and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakuguchi), Terra, Aqua and Ven are soon thrusted into a mission to take out these new creatures called Unversed. In addition to stopping the mysterious boy in the mask and finding Master Xehanort.
In Birth By Sleep, you're required to play through the story several times seeing the tale unravel through the eyes of the 3 figures above you. Like KH2, it had been quite some time since I played the original and man did I not realize how difficult this could be. Such that the difficulty pushed down whatever original love I had for this game. Each character has a distinct gimmick which can definitely make you think of the kind of move-set deck you want to have for them. Terra relies on brute strength whereas Aqua is a gifted mage for example. The gameplay consists of you creating a deck with certain moves that are activated by the Triangle button. Magic spells and items also take up slots in the deck. As you use these moves you can level them up and even fuse them (2 at a time) with other moves to create brand new ones.
Each move has a reload timer which varies depending on the move type. Combining these with your regular attacks can result in a finishing move (which you can also level up and change as the game progresses) and change forms. Similar to Drive Forms in KH2, these can enhance certain properties and mainly change how your regular attacks work. You can even change forms again to an even better move-set. Each form has a distinct finisher move when the bar at the top of the command pane is full. Another technique you have is what's known as a Shotlock. You switch to first person view and move the reticle around to mark enemies as much as you can. When you reach the max amount, you go on an all out blitz towards the enemies you marked. This can lead to massive damage and has a solid finisher which depends on what Shotlock you have equipped.
Another gauge you have is what's known as the D-Link gauge. Throughout Birth by Sleep, Aqua, Terra, and Ven meet new friends and familiar Disney characters. Bonds are formed which then lead you to call on them for an entirely different deck based around the friend. As you clear enemies with this active, you may also have the opportunity to level it up and gain new passive abilities and moves to the deck. To be honest, I never used this when I played it before but was surprised at how useful it can be! At the start of the Birth by Sleep section, I mentioned how unnaturally hard this was. Prepare to die several times on bosses and even mobs if you're not careful. What's also odd is how the levels work. You pretty much level up same as any KH game, but where in the main games you get to the end areas in your 50's+, I was clearing the game with each character in their late 20's. Final Mix additions include what's known as Stickers which you can use to decorate a given image, earn points which can lead to rewards such as powerful moves. Hidden bosses can also be sought out I imagine.
Common things I can point out with each of these entries include fantastic music, colorful scenery and epic story moments. Having played the 2.8 collection I had a solid idea as to what the forthcoming Kingdom Hearts 3 would entail, now though I have a clear mindset as to what the plot will revolve around. It really was fun playing through all of these games again and of course experiencing new things for the first time. With 2.5 cleared (and in effect the massive compilation) I can readily say I'm ready for what the 3rd mainline game will bring. If only though they'd release it of course! For now I'm set on playing through KH2 a bunch more in maxing out my team's levels. Along with attempting to clear the extra Final Mix additions!
Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX gives off a much more fun filled experience imo compared to 1.5. Frustration will be had with some bosses, but those who are fans new and old won't want to miss out on this collection providing some defining spots in the Kingdom Hearts franchise.
Should you Play this Game?
Yes! Again, I played this as part of the massive PS4 bundle so if you missed out on the PS3 release, this will greatly get you up to speed for the incoming chapter. If you've played through it before but not this Japanese re-release, you're missing out on some crazy additions that makes the main games here more fun. The Re:Coded movie while not completely jaw-dropping, does have some cool moments and really brings things together.
