Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 ReMIX - Looking Simpler and Cleaner Than Ever

[Tetsujin]

With the release only being one week away, I think it's time to open the official discussion thread as I'm sure I'm not the only who gets it at launch and will want to discuss playing through it again, getting trophies, fangasming at jaggy-free HD-ness etc.

Let's have an overview again of what is new:


Kingdom Hearts Final Mix

(HD-exclusive changes)

• updated character models
• higher res textures
• entire soundtrack re-recorded with an orchestra
• camera controls now on the right analog stick
• ZERO EXP ability available on Proud Mode
• Combo Master ability (do combos even when the first hit doesn't connect)
• Special attacks and actions like talking are now on the triangle button
• Cutscenes are skippable right away
• Final Mix finally available and localized for US and PAL regions

(Changes pertaining to the Final Mix version)

• New diffculty levels: Beginner, Final Mix and Proud (replacing Standard and Expert)
• Rebalanced stats and recoloration for the Heartless
• New Heartless enemies
• New optional boss "Unknown"
• Additional weapons, abilities and accessories
• Additional cutscenes
• New secret ending

More detailed explanation of the changes found here


Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

• Higher definition (albeit not using updated models like Final Mix HD)
• New attack cards added (bonus for watching 358/2 Days cutscenes)
• A few select tracks have been re-recorded with an orchestra
• Re: CoM finally available and localized for PAL regions

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

• Cutscene collection, no gameplay
• Almost 3 hours of remastered and remade cutscenes, all fully voiced
• Also includes Roxas Diary entries, Secret Reports and the Character Database
• A few select tracks have been re-recorded with an orchestra

General:

• Trophy support for all three titles
• Unlockable PS3 Themes
• Additional credit roll for the HD ReMIX, hints at the next one

 

[Alex Strife]

I've actually pre-ordered this. Should be getting it on release day.

 

[Tetsujin]

I recently upgraded to the Limited Edition. I didn't wanna get it because Square-Enix's LEs have a history of being quite lame. This isn't too exciting either but at least it's only 5€ more.

 

[Strangelove]

I just remembered I haven't used my KH chi code that came with this and it runs out this month. Are they running the browser game in English as well yet?

 

[Tetsujin]

I don't think so.

 

[Tetsujin]

So who's gonna try and get the platinums (meaning going through the games at least three times )?

At which difficulty are you gonna start?

What level progression are you gonna choose: dawn, day or dusk?
Also: Sword, staff or shield?

I think my first run on KH FM will be on Proud. I wanna get the hard stuff out of the way first and possibly 100% it on that difficulty. Although I heard Gummi ship missions on Proud will make you tear your hair out.

I might choose dusk for slow level progression first, and quick progression from lvl 50 onwards (apparently overall this requires the least EXP). I might just compensate for the initial difficulty by excessively levelling up in Traverse Town.

Also, choosing the shield for defense stats and getting stuff like Leaf Bracer and Second Chance relatively early.

 

[Alex Strife]

Sword for me! As for level progression... I'm not sure, to be honest. Either day or dusk, I'd guess...

 

[Strangelove]

I always go for sword, but I might try shield next time.

My planned order is Proud (finished) > Beginner (current) > Normal. I was planning on doing things like getting all the secret bosses and all the enemies on Beginner because it is easier :p For the Normal play through I was going to try for the no equipment change and no continues (if I don't get that on this play through).

 

[Kermitu Kleric Katie]

I don't have a PS3

I've always gone with sword. But now that I know I can get Leaf Bracer(my favorite ability in the game, because I fucking hate getting attacked whilst trying to heal) earlier if I choose the shield, I'll probably choose that one next time I play a KH game in which that would apply.

 

[Pixel]

Man, I miss Mandy Moore as Aerith.

 

[Strangelove]

Aerith, Leon, and Ansem all got downgraded as far as English voices in the sequels go. True fact.

 

[Tetsujin]

Indeed.

Although this is the first time I actually get to play the game in English.

KH1 was dubbed in multiple European languages...all of which were dropped for the HD version so everyone outside Japan gets English. :p

 

[Strangelove]

i kind of want to see how much i understand from the spanish version now

i bet it's 'very little'

 

[Carlie]

The dubbing is awful man, my cousin borrowed the Spanish version from a friend just to see how it would sound and we quickly put it away, a lot of mistranslations and a lot of the voices don't fit the characters.

 

[Pixel]

Im not really a fan of David Boreanaz's Leon. I see why they went with him, seeing his portrail of Angel, but just going off the voice, its a flat delivery. Same with Burton. He's not that great an actor in the soaps he does, and he gives the same flat delivery.

Mandy moore is a real voice actress, and makes the lines work.

 

[Marcus]

So this game arrived today, a whole day early and I have spent the last hour and a half grinding on Destiny Island, to the point where I am level 15. I haven't even gotten any provisions yet, I'm considering grinding all the way to 20 as I am playing on proud mode and want to be considerably O.Pd before progressing the story.

 

[Alex Strife]

I'm jelly.

 

[Strangelove]

I spent ages racing Riku and fighting so I had loads of potions and 99 pretty stones in Traverse Town when I was playing on Proud

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Eleven years and several much cooler fights between Cloud and Sephiroth later, we have an official English version of Shwodown of Fate:

 

[Ami]

I instantly watched 358/2 Days because I never finished the DS game (shame on me!) and I like how it turned out. I remember being up to just before where you learn who Xion really was and so pleased I could just watch as a movie instead of playing all the way through. Then to go onto the diaries and secret reports.

Not bad for three bronze and three gold trophies for mainly sitting on my arse.

I'm just under an hour into the game, I'm in love with the HD. So glad my copy came a day earlier because my 14-year-old self is jumping up and down with delight, along with too many fan girl squeals!

 

[Wolfhart]

...I've never played Kingdom Hearts... I think this is my chance

...Though I really should finish all the DMC games first...

 

[Pixel]

Just playing the ps2 version. I appreciate the gummi ships a bit more, especially on expert mode, and the fights are actually quite challenging. Ive only ever played on normal mode

 

[Tetsujin]

Got the game today. Goddamn does it look sharp. =o

I actually played a bit of the beginning of PS2 KH just to have the direct comparison.
The opening FMV does look upscaled, but still from a higher resolution source than the PS2 video.

Now for some leveling up on Destiny Islands.

Also, English KH Wakka sounds hilarious. "Show me your stuuuuuuuff."

 

[Akai Hana]

Bought kh1.5 yesterday but dont have time to play yet.. Busy with school stuff.

I've never played KH2 before because my ps2 is broken. I really wish SE would make KH2 HD for ps3 though so that I can play this game.

My fav kh games would be kh1 and especially bbs.. I really love Terra because he reminds me of Cloud.

Edit: Is it true there will be Kh2 HD in future?????!

 

[Tetsujin]

Edit: Is it true there will be Kh2 HD in future?????!

It's been all but officially confirmed.

They pretty much said it would be strange for them not to do a 2.5 compilation and the credit roll in the 1.5 game selection menu shows scenes from KH2, BBS and re: coded, so that seems to be what they'll include in the next one.

TGS is next week, I think? I hope that's when they'll announce it.

I'm also thinking KH3D might get a standalone HD release, kinda like RE Revelations or Castlevania LOS: Mirror of Fate.