'Kingdom Hearts' was released in Europe on November 28, 2002. This new title is presented as an RPG that had real-time combat and one of the largest and most interesting crossover seen to date in the world of video games: the Disney universe and some of the most famous 'Final Fantasy' . Over ten years later, Square Enix has a HD collection that includes some of the best moments in the series. Is it worth it to secure it? We'll tell you.
A Kingdom hearts full of nostalgic
Getting back to an ancient title that marked an era in PS2 is always a pleasure, especially if this time comes with a higher definition graphics without losing the original essence. This is what must have thought when Square Enix introduced just a year ago 'Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX' at the Tokyo Game Show 2012 and to mark the tenth anniversary of the saga. A compilation that, as its name suggests, come adapted to the current generation but in HD exclusively made for PS3.Aside 'Birth by Sleep' PSP, both games as the material in this compilation respect the chronology plot of the series rather than the departure of each title. Following this logic, the games chosen and shape this compilation are 'Kingdom Hearts Final Mix', 'Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories' and 'Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days', so it would not be unreasonable to think that Square Enix is preparing a new HD pack led by the second installment appeared on PlayStation 2. This hypothetical 2.5 Remix would most accessible deliveries appeared in portable and pave the ground for the emergence of 'Kingdom Hearts III' One Xbox and PS4. But let's focus on the present.
Since the game menu breathes nostalgic. A classic piano melody feature three images accompanying saga, one of each game, to choose and start with it. However, adjustment before the resolution of the image on our TV to avoid black borders during the game or, on the contrary, that part of each scene menus is lost or be cut off. To do this, with the L and R increase or decrease a blue frame until it sticks to the edges of the screen, a process that will take ten seconds and that can be the difference between a good and a great gaming experience.
Official Trailer of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX
Experience? What's up, Doc?
The 'Kingdom Hearts' which is included in this compilation is not the original European fans could enjoy more than ten years ago. This is the version of 'Final Mix',which was released in Japan in late 2002 to include certain developments European and American editions already included because they came out a few months later. The novelty was that this new 'Kingdom Hearts' Japanese turn brought new extras in the form of conversations, videos, enemies, batons, shields and swords keys, skills, able to control the camera with the right stick instead of the LR and Above all, a different ending that never came to our country ... until now. We also available from early in the possibility of playing in expert difficulty,and for lovers of trophies, each game has its own.For those who could enjoy their day of 'Kingdom Hearts' original, maybe this 'Final Mix' alone does not pose a compelling reason to buy the collection. The title by which itself is worth undoubtedly this compilation HD is 'Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'.This game is situated chronologically between the two released on PS2, originally came to Europe for the Game Boy Advance in May 2005 and only two years later received a remake that never left Japan and North America. Was performed with the graphics engine 'Kingdom Hearts II' and made public according to their 'Final Mix', and neither reached Europe. Fortunately, Square Enix has translated all the texts for this ReMIX, with the original English voices with which we enjoyed in the first film, and for the first time we can enjoy in our continent.
In 'Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories' changes by full combat system that works by letters, and also has smaller scenarios we discover advancing through rooms. Needless to say, it is essential to complete first 'Kingdom Hearts Final Mix' to avoid spoilers, because the introductory video of the second game is a complete summary of the highlights of the previous release and have not played to the end, can you bring some unpleasant surprises.
Visit some of the worlds most famous Disney is priceless
The third of the titles included in this Collection HD is 'Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days', which originally came to Nintendo DS 2009 but unfortunately we can not play at this time, so only you can access the Journal of Roxas and remastered and up scaled video the original game. While it is true that they are especially well because the engine reused for other 'Kingdom Hearts' and the HD looks great on them, the fact is that Square Enix could have worked a bit more about the title and given the possibility of return to play this classic notebook with HD graphics. It is one of the major weaknesses of this collection and doing nothing but give a bad image about the time that he has been able to devote to carry it out. Return to Destiny Islands
From the introductory video the first 'Kingdom Hearts' is palpable visual improvement, emphasizing among other things the lighting. Although the series has aged well and which once had some great graphics, just take a look at this 1.5 ReMIX see that the visual aspect is very different. The first thing that stands out is that all the saw teeth have been reduced to their minimum expression,and we only find some very specific situations or in case you have a quite-inch television. However, are not at all annoying and both videos as once you're in game everything looks usually quite colorful and well defined.
So we were to learn that '358 / 2 Days' was not available for Playable version
In the finish of the characters themselves that Square Enix could have done more, for we find certain parts in costumes Japanese company seems to have forgotten to change and remain as in the original version. A detail Sora gloves here, another element from another character there and, ultimately, provide the image that the product has not been working all that deserves the opportunity. The same goes for certain movements that result unnatural, something that is very clear in the mouths of the characters as they speak, and they also could have been easily corrected. All landscapes and environments have also been adapted to high definition with great success, and in most of them the difference from the PS2 version is remarkable. As before, we see that there are certain parts of each stage that have brusque movements and could have worked harder, and not to go anywhere to check distant world: in their own Destiny Islands just take a look at the movement of sea to realize that everything can be improved and there are many details that Square Enix has been overlooked.
before the visual end point should be noted that usually the major unresolved reissues of many of the emerging HD lately. This is the "peaks in HD" that arise because most companies focus much on ending the saw teeth and forget to soften the edges. 'Kindgom Hearts ReMIX HD 1.5 is no exception and is full of them. In PS2 games are not so noticeable, but in the time that passes high definition too obvious. It may be that then we are demanding a remake instead of a HD conversion, which no doubt would have been better to eliminate this type of detail.
A handy menu but something simple. Perhaps too?
Besides all the visual, Square Enix has also been working on the musical. The soundtrack has been remastered in full, featuring instruments that were harder to hear or even replacing them with other very similar. Maybe a lot of people seem imperceptible some new details on some tunes, especially if you are not very recent having played a 'Kingdom Hearts' on PlayStation 2 to serve as a comparison, but the truth is that if we hear two pieces (the old and new) row and the difference is noticeable and a lot of it, which is appreciated.
Scenarios have also been improved. Keep an eye on the wall of stones!
Conclusions
After return to play in high definition at some of the games that defined an era, we have the feeling that this' Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX "is a half-product, not just by graphic finish that can be improved in many aspects, but because presenting the title of Nintendo DS in a menu filled simpleton videos and writings of Roxas is insufficient for both fans of the series and for those who want to start it.Currently, we find the collection in its basic version in store (there is a special edition with an art book). For the amount of hours of fun it offers and the quality of the two games that includes there is no doubt that it is a must buy for the unusual to 'Kingdom Hearts', but if instead you are in love and have played the two parts in their original platforms, the novelty that you are getting is in the extras 'Final Mix' and the HD remake of 'Chain of Memories'. For many it may be more than enough, others see in this ReMIX a collection incomplete.
Recall that this analysis has focused on the recently launched HD collection and original titles individually.
Positive parts
Two grand PS2 and GBA, now in high definition
premastered soundtrack is quite rightly
very competent price for the hours of fun that offers
few manage to get so nostalgic sagas to play again
Negative parts
- 'Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days' is only available in the form of videos and texts
- The transition to HD is not as well worked as the game deserve
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