Wikipedia

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix[a]is anHD remastered collectionof three games inSquare Enix'sKingdom Heartsseries:Kingdom Hearts II,Birth by SleepandRe:coded.A successor to the series'HD 1.5 Remixcollection, it was released for thePlayStation 3in Japan in October 2014 and internationally two months later.

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix
Developer(s)Square Enix 1st Production Department
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Director(s)
Producer(s)Rie Nishi
Designer(s)Tetsuya Nomura
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura
SeriesKingdom Hearts
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 3
  • JP:October 2, 2014
  • NA:December 2, 2014
  • AU:December 4, 2014
  • EU:December 5, 2014
HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix
PlayStation 4
  • JP:March 9, 2017
  • NA:March 28, 2017
  • PAL:March 31, 2017
Xbox One
  • WW:February 18, 2020
Windows
  • WW:March 30, 2021
Nintendo Switch
  • WW:February 10, 2022
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 RemixincludesKingdom Hearts II Final Mix[b](2007) andKingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix(2011) in high definition and with trophy support. Additionally, the collection features a cinematic remake ofKingdom Hearts Re:codedthat features remastered cutscenes from the original game as well as new content. A third collection,Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue,was released on January 24, 2017.2.5 Remixwas released in a single, combined collection with1.5 Remixon thePlayStation 4on March 28, 2017, on theXbox Oneon February 18, 2020, and onWindowsviaEpic Games StoreandSteamon March 30, 2021, and June 13, 2024, respectively. Acloudversion of the collection was released for theNintendo Switchon February 10, 2022.

Development

edit

In the credits ofKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix,clips of the games featured in this collection were shown, hinting at the collection. Additionally, whenIGNinterviewed Shinji Hashimoto aboutKingdom Hearts III,he stated that the studio would consider another HD collection if the reaction to the first one was positive enough. The collection was announced on October 14, 2013, exclusively for thePlayStation 3.[2]As withHD 1.5 Remix,the collection was developed mainly by the Square Enix1st Production Departmentin Osaka, along with some help from Square Enix's Tokyo team.[3]In July 2017, Nomura spoke on bringing the collection to theXbox One,saying he did not believe there was much demand for it outside of North America, but felt it could be a possibility after Square Enix completed development onKingdom Hearts III.[4]At the X019 event in November 2019, Shinji Hashimoto and Ichiro Hazama announced that this collection along with1.5and2.8would be released on the Xbox One in 2020; the collection was released for the platform on February 18, 2020.[5][6]The game was also released onWindowsexclusively viaEpic Games Storeon March 30, 2021,[7]and later onSteamon June 13, 2024, following the expiration of the exclusivity.[8]

In October 2021, it was announced that acloudversion of the game was in development forNintendo Switch.[9][10]

Games

edit

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

edit
Main article:Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

Kingdom Hearts IIpicks up one year after the events ofKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.Sora,the protagonist of the first two games, returns to search for his lost friends. Like the previous games,Kingdom Hearts IIfeatures a large cast of characters from Disney films andFinal Fantasygames.Organization XIII,a group introduced inChain of Memories,also reappears to impede Sora's progress.

The backgrounds and textures of the game had to be adjusted in order to change from the game's original4:3aspect ratio to the HD16:9.Additional imagery was added to the menu screens and Gummi Ship area to compensate for areas that were lacking from the ratio shift. According to co-director Tai Yasue, approximately 80% of the original audio was remixed, as well as additional orchestral elements added to the songs. Yasue said, "Yoko Shimomura's music is an undeniable trait of theKingdom Heartsseries, I feel like without the atmosphere she creates, it isn'tKingdom Hearts,so the mix of the final audio was carefully controlled but also provides a new depth to the familiar sound. "[3]Kingdom Hearts II Final Mixwas released outside Japan for the first time as part of the collection.[2]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix

edit
Main article:Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix

Birth by Sleepis a prequel to the originalKingdom Hearts,taking place ten years before the title's events. The game centers on the journeys ofTerra,AquaandVentus,characters briefly featured inKingdom Hearts II,and their quest to both locate the missing Master Xehanort and protect the worlds from creatures known as the Unversed.

Moving from thePlayStation Portableto the PlayStation 3 allowed the development team to add more details to the character designs, additional atmospheric sounds, as well as slightly tweak the gameplay system, now allowing camera control with the right analog stick. In addition, the Mirage Arena (a multiplayer component from the original game) has been reworked to only be a single-player experience. Yasue said enemy strengths and AI in the arena were adjusted to account for this.[3]The inclusion of theFinal Mixversion in the collection marked the first time for this version to be released outside Japan.[2]

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

edit
Main article:Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

Kingdom Hearts Re:codedwas also included in the collection, featuring theNintendo DSgame adapted into a cinematic retelling, similar to howKingdom Hearts 358/2 Dayswas included inKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix.[2]The title is set afterKingdom Hearts IIand follows the discovery of Jiminy Cricket's journal, which chronicles Sora's fight against the Heartless and Organization XIII, which is found to have two secret messages written by persons unknown. Once the journal is digitized for further analysis, the contents become corrupted. This leads king Mickey and his friends to make a digital Sora to enter and repair the journal so that the meaning of the hidden messages can be deciphered.

For theRe:codedcinematics, additional events occur that were not seen in the original. Tetsuya Nomura added that new voice acting had been recorded and hinted at the inclusion of a new battle scene and a scene that tiesRe:codedandKingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distancetogether.[11]Yasue revealed that approximately 2 hours of the total 3 hour cinematic would be newly created content and subsequently recorded with voice acting, as well as featuring additional scenes that flesh out the backstories of otherKingdom Heartstitles.[3]

Release

edit

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remixwas released in Japan on October 2, 2014,[12]in North America on December 2,[13]in Australia on December 4[14]and in Europe on December 5.[13]Preorders for the game in North America and Australia included an officialDisney Collector's Pinfor the game.[14][15]Square Enix also released the collection in two bundles in Japan, with both featuringKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remixand a code to get an Anniversary Set forKingdom Hearts χ [chi].The first, titledKingdom Hearts Starter Pack: HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix,features the previously mentioned material and limited edition casing, while the second,Kingdom Hearts Collector's Pack: HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remixfeatures limited edition casing, a promo soundtrack and a booklet with art from the series in addition to the previous material.[12]A collector's edition for North America and Europe was also released, featuring both HD collections, a steelbook case, art book, Disney Kingdom Hearts pin and a Heartless plush doll.[16][17]

In October 2016, Square Enix announced a single-disc compilation release ofKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 RemixandKingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remixfor thePlayStation 4.It was released on March 9, 2017, in Japan, March 28, 2017, in North America, and March 31, 2017, in Europe and Australia.[18]An additional bundle,Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far,includes theKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 RemixPlayStation 4 collection andKingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologueand was released in North America on October 30, 2018 for the PlayStation 4.[19]

Reception

edit

The collection sold 84,935 units during its first week of release in Japan[26]and since sales figures were last reported for the game on November 9, 2014, 129,660 units have been sold in Japan.[27]

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remixreceived "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game review aggregatorMetacritic.[20]Game Informerpraised the collection, praising the upgrades toKingdom Hearts II,the transition ofBirth By Sleepfrom thePlayStation Portableto the PlayStation 3 and criticizing theRe:codedmovie as just being "there for completionists and easy to ignore for everyone else."[22]Electronic Gaming Monthlycalled the collection a great deal for fans of the series, praising the combat system and series charming characters, but noting the questionable overall narrative quality.[21]GameTrailersnoted the improved selection of games over the 1.5 Remix, extolling the inclusion of two of theKingdom Heartsseries best games in the collection, as well as previously Japan-only content such as special boss battles. They also praised the new music arrangements and the cinematic retelling ofRe:coded,though this was not a universally shared opinion.[23]IGNpropounded the same points, noting the improved music, graphics, and "high-level challenges", but criticized the aging controls fromKingdom Hearts IIand the camera system inBirth by Sleep.[25]Hardcore Gamerhad more mixed views of the collection, noting that the games were not cutting edge graphically, particularlyKingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Final Mix,but was still a major improvement.[24]

HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

edit
Main article:Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

In the credits ofHD 2.5 Remix,clips ofKingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distancewere shown as well as the inclusion of a secret ending related to the game, hinting at a possible additional collection.[28]In September 2015, Square Enix announcedKingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.The collection features an HD remaster ofDream Drop Distanceas well asKingdom Hearts χ Back Cover,a cinematic retelling ofKingdom Hearts χandKingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage,a new game taking place after the events of the originalBirth by Sleep,told from the perspective of Aqua.[29]It was released on January 12, 2017 in Japan and January 24, 2017 for other countries.[30]

Notes

edit
  1. ^Kingudamu Hātsu HD 2.5 Rimikkusu(Japanese:キングダム ハーツ HD 2.5 リミックス,stylized asKingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX)
  2. ^"Final Mix"is a term often used for versions ofKingdom Heartswith remade graphics, gameplay tweaks, expanded and clarified story elements and bonuses features

References

edit
  1. ^Kaori (June 6, 2014)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX Release Date".Square Enix. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-01-02.RetrievedJune 6,2014.
  2. ^abcdKarmali, Luke (October 14, 2013)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix coming to PS3 in 2014".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2013.RetrievedOctober 14,2013.
  3. ^abcdキングダム ハーツ HD 2.5 リミックス』 an giang thái thị インタビュー. HD hóa にまつわる khai phát bí thoại の tha, tối tân tác 『KHIII』の thoại đề も【E3 2014】(in Japanese). Dengeki Online. June 11, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2019.RetrievedJune 11,2014.(TranslationArchived2014-07-13 at theWayback Machine)
  4. ^Goldfarb, Andrew; Schwartz, Terri (July 15, 2017)."Kingdom Hearts 3 Director: Switch Version 'Maybe' Possible After Xbox One, PS4 Versions Are Released".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2017.RetrievedJuly 16,2017.
  5. ^McWhertor, Mike (February 18, 2020)."Classic Kingdom Hearts games come to Xbox One in two big collections".Polygon.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  6. ^Heaney, Duncan (November 14, 2019)."X019: Classic Games in Kingdom Hearts Saga Come to Xbox One".Xbox.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 14,2019.
  7. ^Mason, Damien (April 19, 2021)."Kingdom Hearts PC system requirements might be low enough to see Goofy in 4K".PCGamesN.RetrievedJune 27,2021.
  8. ^Parrish, Ash (May 21, 2024)."Square Enix will let Kingdom Hearts cook on Steam".The Verge.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2024.RetrievedMay 23,2024.
  9. ^Makuch, Eddie (October 5, 2021)."More Kingdom Hearts Games Are Coming To Nintendo Switch".GameSpot.RetrievedOctober 5,2021.
  10. ^Purslow, Matt (October 5, 2021)."Kingdom Hearts Series Coming to Switch as Cloud Games".IGN.RetrievedOctober 5,2021.
  11. ^Spencer (December 24, 2013)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Will Have New Scenes For Re:coded".Siliconera.Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 13,2014.
  12. ^abRomano, Sal (June 17, 2014)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Japanese box art and limited editions revealed".Gematsu.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2014.RetrievedJune 17,2014.
  13. ^abMoriarty, Colin (June 5, 2014)."PS3's Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX Gets A Release Date".IGN. Archived fromthe originalon June 6, 2014.RetrievedJune 5,2014.
  14. ^abKozanitis, James (November 26, 2014)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX Gets Two New Trailers".Hardcore Gamer.Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2019.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
  15. ^Karmali, Luke (July 24, 2014)."KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 REMIX LIMITED EDITION REVEALED".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on July 26, 2014.RetrievedJuly 24,2014.
  16. ^Futter, Mike (November 5, 2014)."Almost Every Kingdom Hearts Game Available In New HD Collector's Edition".Game Informer.GameStop.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2014.RetrievedNovember 5,2014.
  17. ^Blake, Vikki (November 5, 2014)."KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 REMIX COLLECTOR'S EDITION ANNOUNCED".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2014.RetrievedNovember 7,2014.
  18. ^Nunneley, Stephany (October 27, 2016)."Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix announced for March release on PlayStation 4".VG 24/7.Archivedfrom the original on November 1, 2016.RetrievedOctober 27,2016.
  19. ^Khan, Imran (October 5, 2018)."Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far Bundle Includes Every Game You Need To Get Caught Up".Game Informer.GameStop.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2018.RetrievedOctober 11,2018.
  20. ^ab"Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX for PlayStation 3 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 6,2018.
  21. ^abHolzworth, Chris (December 1, 2014)."EGM Review: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix".EGM.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2014.RetrievedDecember 4,2014.
  22. ^abVore, Bryan (December 1, 2014)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix - Lock Yourself Away For The Winter".Game Informer.GameStop. Archived fromthe originalon December 3, 2014.RetrievedDecember 4,2014.
  23. ^abDamiani, Michael (December 4, 2014)."Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix - Review".GameTraliers. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-06-25.RetrievedDecember 4,2014.
  24. ^abDunsmore, Kevin (December 2, 2014)."Review: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix".Hardcore Gamer.Archivedfrom the original on December 31, 2014.RetrievedDecember 14,2014.
  25. ^abSilva, Marty (December 8, 2014)."Simple and Clean".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2014.RetrievedDecember 16,2014.
  26. ^"This Week In Sales: Kingdom Hearts Gets Remixed Again".Siliconera. October 8, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2015.RetrievedOctober 8,2014.
  27. ^"This Week In Sales: The LEGO Movie Videogame".Siliconera. November 12, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2014.RetrievedDecember 3,2014.
  28. ^Dunsmore, Kevin (January 14, 2015)."Get Ready to Play a New Kingdom Hearts Game in 2015".Hardcore Gamer.Archivedfrom the original on September 26, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 15,2015.
  29. ^Wallace, Kimberly (September 15, 2015)."[Update] Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Revealed For PS4".Game Informer.GameStop. Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 15,2015.
  30. ^Donaldson, Alex (September 13, 2016)."Kingdom Hearts 2.8 to miss December, now out January 24th".VG247.Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 13,2016.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kingdom_Hearts_HD_2.5_Remix&oldid=1264704185"