Finally beat the entirety of the Remind, Limit Cut and the Secret Episode on Critical Mode.
I can safely say that this felt like money well spent. Granted, I can understand people who feel the price tag is a bit steep for content mostly coming from the final part of the game before, but I really do believe it enhanced the ending of KH3 to a level fitting for the franchise. Now granted, one could reasonably argue it all should've been that way in the first place and they'd be for the most part correct
However, the other part that's included are the Data Greeting, the Data Battles and the Secret Episode. Which I feel
more than justify their price.
I cannot emphasize how well done these fights are. I almost feel like an entirely new dev team designed these bosses. Because they feel like nothing similar to the main game's battle mechanics. For anyone not used to the combat mechanics of KH2 and dealing with memorizing the combat mechanics of bosses to understand guard timing and when safe openings occur, the Data Battles are a rude awakening. You cannot go in half-cocked, angrily flailing your Keyblade around and just situation-command your way to victory. The data battles refuse to let that happen. You need to guard, counter, react, dodge, and take advantage of the proper openings provided. Enemies don't just tank every move you make, nor do they just sit there and take you beating the crap out of them either.
The data fights that gave me the absolute most trouble were Xemnas and surprisingly Luxord. Xemnas because his openings are extremely tricky, not timed where you'd expect, and his limit break is the final DBZ-esque laser move from KH2's final battle
without the luxury of Reaction Commands
And Luxord because I fucking didn't understand the rules for his limit break until hours later
Xion was challenging as hell too but it surprisingly didn't take as long to master her fight. I might have gotten lucky.
The secret boss
is without a doubt, the most challenging, rewarding and well done secret boss of Kingdom Hearts, to date. And by challenging, I don't mean stupidly difficult, broke and mind-numbingly random and crap like Young Xehanort or Vanitas' Remnant in Birth By Sleep. I mean, there is a level of skill necessary that requires a challenging knowledge and understanding of KH's combat, their moveset, and well-timed reactions that push the limits of your experience with this game.
doesn't feel cheap or unfair even when they're stealing your Keyblade, your Kupo Coin, and beating the crap out of you to save you
It took me 4 hours to finally beat them but it was a satisfying and exhilarating fight.
Ridiculous design choice aside, they programmed and created a very creative and well-done boss fight, and it was well worth the purchase.
As for Data Greeting, it's... Far more fun and hilarious than I thought it would be. I've been making crack photos and I regret nothing.
Overall I'd still rate KH2 Final Mix as the best KH game to date, but at least KH3 and its DLC is now no longer like... Bottom of the list. The new content helps the game feel whole and something worthy of a main entry. The Guardians of Light don't feel like useless set pieces, Kairi has at least a semblance of dignity, and we finally get to tear ass with Roxas. Even that useless kid Ventus got to show off being useful. That's a miracle right there!
Here's to hoping KH4 or whatever-the-fuck comes next can do something great and not be terrible or hollow. Maybe they should just have whoever did these Data Battles and shit do the combat from this point on forever and save the players the trouble?
