This is my review of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX. I am going to keep it as spoiler free as possible, but be warned: there may be some spoilers. 

 

 

   So, I received my copy of 2.5 ReMIX in the mail the other day. I don't speak a word of Japanese, but I wanted the game more or less for the early Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Experience. Upon taking the game out of the package, I gotta say that the artwork is incredible. Square took in consideration that some may want to package both of their games together, so thankfully the game disc has been drawn up to look similar to 1.5.

   I first began with KH2:FM. When I began the game, I instantly realized that the textures look incredible. They aren't indistinguishable anymore, and the music is beautifully orchestrated. Square even added certain crescendos and extra notes into the songs for extra flair. Trust me, it's all noticeable. This is coming from a person that, honestly, didn't see much of a graphical change with 1.5. They really outdid themselves this time.

   When I first entered Hollow Bastion, I saw this weird looking crown sticker and immediately realized that this was something new added in KH2: FM. Honestly, up until then I had sort of forgotten that I was playing the Final Mix version. But I only noticed "Extra content" from there. For example, I am now in the Land of Dragons and I'm still seeing Crown Stickers! 

   One last thing to mention for KH2:FM 2.5 is that the character's faces were completely overhauled. For example, there are less blank, fish faces and the faces look a bit more cartoonish. This is a good thing. In better terms, it really looks like only a year has passed between KH1 and 2. Sora looks more like a kid, but still a bit older.

 

   I haven't played much of Birth by Sleep, honestly, but I can tell you that the textures look beautiful in it as well. I'm glad to see that Square put more work into KH 2.5 than 1.5 (It's totally noticeable) because 2 and BBS are my favorite KH games. 

 

   My only issue with the game is that, apparently, the english files were found in the game's code. I really want this game to be released in English already because then I can fully enjoy it. Like I said, I don't understand anything that they are saying, lol.

Great review, but I have one defense for Square in regards to the astounding upgrade of the visuals between both remixes.

 

KH1.5 had to, essentially, be remade from the ground up. (the original KHI, anyway) Most of the files were apparently lost and they essentially had to redo a lot of what they'd done already, leaving them less time to actually improve everything as much as they would have liked to. Not to mention 358's 2-hour long movie and this being the first time they'd done this with the KH series, and you can forgive them for the relative sameness of the game to the original.

 

By contrast, it seems they had most of KHII and BBS' files and, this being their second outing, had a much easier time enhancing everything. Even the music is more beautifully handled than in 1.5. It's an improvement in every way, from what I've seen and heard here and other sources. 

What I'm seeing and hearing from the game so far, it looks more or less like what I was hoping this game would be, given what they've been hinting to us in the interviews and trailers. The only flaw that I have managed to notice so far is that in the beginning scenario for Birth by Sleep (the tutorial), when Ven's heart is first fixed by Sora, the art on the pillar is different. Whereas the original depicted Ven without his Keyblade or his armor (as well as lacked the Wayfinders) in the beginning of the game, the HD version seems to have mapped the pillar from the end of Ven's story where he has his armor, Keyblade, and Wayfinders. Essentially, they gave away the final appearance of his Station of Awakening before it was even supposed to show up. This has to be a goof up, because as a decision it doesn't make too much sense. Ven hadn't gotten the rest of his armor yet and he certainly didn't have a Wayfinder yet, let alone knew what one looked like. Although I doubt that they would take the time to do it, I really hope that issue get's fixed in the English version, because that's kind of a glaring issue for me, considering how it's kind of a plot device that they just messed up here.

The "crowns" are Puzzle Pieces that you complete during your travels. They're just one of the new features in Final Mix.

Other than the Mushroom XIII, Lingering Sentiment, Organization XIII Data Battles, Cavern of Remembrance, and the new synthesis items.

There's tons of new content in Final Mix+ and it's easily the best final rendition of a Kingdom Hearts title.

I like the game so far except for a few problems. Drive forms take forever to load sometimes which can both hurt and benefit you, Load times are longer but they did that to save money and it was unavoidable, Final Xemnas 2's reaction command at the beginning of the fight is broken and does not work well. Haven't played BBS at all. Other than that the game is just fine. 

Edited October 9, 201411 yr by Skhyatze

I like the game so far except for a few problems. Drive forms take forever to load sometimes which can both hurt and benefit you, Load times are longer but they did that to save money an it was unavoidable, Final Xemnas 2"s reaction command at the beginning of the fight is broken and does not work well. Haven't played BBS at all. Other than that the game is just fine. 

I have noticed that the game freezes a bit on Drive Forms. Also, in the beginning the text reads "A far off dream that's like a scatt red memory." Lol.