Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 HD Remix (PS4) | Official Thread

[Scruffington]

https://static-ca.ebgames.ca/images/products/727791/3max.jpg

Release Date
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NA: March 28, 2017
EU: March 31, 2017






Anyone else picking up these games on PS4? I've never really been interested in the series, and I've only played a little bit of KH1. Looking to pick this collection up and play them.

[Formalhaut]

I got them... on PS3. It is funny joking about 1.5s, 2.5, 2.8s, 2.9s, 2.95s, and the like, but it is very comical there now being a 1.5/2.5 again. It's like a remaster of a remaster.

Though apparently the PS4 really boosts performance and loading times, which is nice. Still, I'm very content with my PS3 editions, especially seeing how I got them for very cheap. I'm definitely not buying them again!

[Scruffington]

I got them... on PS3. It is funny joking about 1.5s, 2.5, 2.8s, 2.9s, 2.95s, and the like, but it is very comical there now being a 1.5/2.5 again. It's like a remaster of a remaster.

Though apparently the PS4 really boosts performance and loading times, which is nice. Still, I'm very content with my PS3 editions, especially seeing how I got them for very cheap. I'm definitely not buying them again!

I actually have the PS3 editions. However, I'm thinking of getting them on PS4. The upgrade to 1080p and 60fps seems really huge. Especially since it would be my first time experiencing the games completely.

[Formalhaut]

Yeah, the main performance improvements are very pleasing. Load times are a big draw. If you don't have them on PS3, get them on PS4. If you can afford them. If you do have them on PS3, personally I wouldn't bother getting them again, but if you want to, then that's fair enough.

I mean, I'll get 2.8 on the PS4 when I get around to completing all of 1.5 and 2.5 (still need to complete BBS, for example).

[Fynn]

Once I get a PS4, I really need to get this. KH is probably my favorite series of all time and I've been really hooked on it lately

[Scruffington]

I only plan on playing KH1, KH2 and Birth By Sleep. Will I be missing anything worthwhile if I skip out on the rest?

I really don't like having the idea of having to play a bunch of spin-offs or side stories.

[Fynn]

There is no such thing as a "spin-off" in Kingdom Hearts. Aside from maybe coded, every part has important story details. 358/2 Days is just cutscenes format in the collection, so it won't be hard to catch up, but Chain of Memories needs to be played to get the whole picture. Play it between I and II for the best experience, and watch 358/2 Days between II and BBS. The card battle system may take some getting used to, but I found it really cool and rewarding, and COM's writing is pretty much the best in the entire series (and it's one of only two games where you get to play as Riku and it's glorious), so you won't be doing yourself any favors by skipping it. 358/2 Days is just incredibly tear-jerky, so I still recommend it.


Also, don't forget to pick up 2.8 as well. 3D puts the entire series' plot on its head by throwing a wrench into every established plot point so far (also, Riku really gets to shine here). Back Cover has the Master of Masters who is probably the greatest character ever (also setting up some important plot points), and 0.2 is basically a prologue to III.


So yeah. No such thing as a KH spin-off - they all have crucial plot points. Except for coded.

[Sephiroth]

Coded has a crucial plot point, The secret ending.

[Fynn]

Which you will still know if you just play 3D since it's pretty much quoted word for word there

Unless you're talking about the new secret scene in the movie version. That's just foreshadowing for Back Cover, though, so again, it's skippable.

The only thing coded really has going for it is the fun gameplay and relative lighthearted atmosphere, but other than that, it is completely skippable.

[Sephiroth]

All games are skippable if you just look it up in a proper summary that is not just written on a mere trashypedia site. And going by how Xemnas and Ansem's true plan was a part of the one from KHIII instead of just their mere KHI and KHII plan, oh my god - not even KHI and KHII is all that necessary except for knowing "yeah there was that one guy who became a Heartless and produced a Nobody in the process".

[Scruffington]

That honestly just seems too overwhelming, tbh. I really only have interest in the core games: the original (KH1), the sequel (KH2), the prequel (BBS) and the eventual sequel (KH3).

[Fynn]

Except in coded, both scenes are just post-credit stingers, instead of actual in-game events that carry a number of textual and metatextual information that can't really be replaced by just reading a summary. Coded's "important scenes" are basically just blurbs saying "X game is coming up". Nothing within the story of coded itself is relevant to the overarching plot, coded just hints at games that are already out at this point.

[Sephiroth]

Except in coded, both scenes are just post-credit stingers, instead of actual in-game events that carry a number of textual and metatextual information that can't really be replaced by just reading a summary. Coded's "important scenes" are basically just blurbs saying "X game is coming up". Nothing within the story of coded itself is relevant to the overarching plot, coded just hints at games that are already out at this point.

At this point. Not when Coded was made.

[Fynn]

That honestly just seems too overwhelming, tbh. I really only have interest in the core games: the original (KH1), the sequel (KH2), the prequel (BBS) and the eventual sequel (KH3).

Except they're all designed as "core games" as you call them.

Look, if you get into the story, it's really awesome that you have so many games since you get to play around with it more. And the gameplay is always great.

Sure, you can jump into II without Chain of Memories, but know that most people that did so complained about II's story of making sense, while it made sense for those of us that played CoM beforehand. If you're just interested in the gameplay and not the story, cool, but you won't get a clear, cohesive story experience by opting not to play a specific game in the series. It's like watching an anime or tv show and choosing to just watch every other season.

[Fynn]

Except in coded, both scenes are just post-credit stingers, instead of actual in-game events that carry a number of textual and metatextual information that can't really be replaced by just reading a summary. Coded's "important scenes" are basically just blurbs saying "X game is coming up". Nothing within the story of coded itself is relevant to the overarching plot, coded just hints at games that are already out at this point.

At this point. Not when Coded was made.

That's my point. New layers of plot points from CoM, BBS, and Days are constantly being explored in ever new entry, with the emotional impact of the original being a key part of player participation. You'll lose nothing to that degree by skipping coded.

[Formalhaut]

I can sympathise with the 'side-game' position because I held it for quite a long time as well, but Fynn is right. Pretty much all the games are a sizeable piece of the puzzle in the overall KH arc. Though if I had to judge which games were utterly essential to understand III, at a bare minimum I'd go I > CoM? > II > BBS > All of 2.8 > III. Though you might as well get the collections and play/watch all of them.

I played II before CoM, and the main thing that gets fleshed out is Riku. The core stuff with Sora, Namine and the Organisation is picked up in II well enough, but much of the Riku plot is confusing without CoM, so I do see that now. I still struggle with CoM's card system (especially with card duels), but you know. I just play on Beginner.

358/2 Days is also very important in fleshing out the relationships seen in II. You don't have to play 358/2 Days, but it really aids understanding for II and as a stand-alone entry, it is very good story. you lose nothing watching the movie version on 1.5. From what I hear, the actual gameplay of Days isn't that great.

BBS is probably more essential to the main arc. It is surprisingly long though. I kinda got fatigued part-way through Ventus's story (having completed Terra) and I kinda gave up. I'll get back to it. It can get slightly repetitive going through the worlds with another character (who you have to build from scratch again).

I also haven't played DDD either, but from what I hear that's also tied strongly to the main arc and sets up III. Pretty much all of the 2.8 set is set-up for III. When the price gets down, I'll grab 2.8 after completing BBS. It isn't as if III is getting anywhere fast :p

[Fynn]

Honestly, though, I get how this was a problem before since you had to have all the different platforms to play them all, but now everything is here in one place, so it's easier now to get into this series than ever before.

[Aulayna]

Plus 358/2 Days is purely cinematic based in HD 1.5 ReMIX. Much like Coded is in HD 2.5 ReMIX. So those are easy to digest now (which is great as they were arguably the weakest of the handheld installments too).

[Fynn]

To be fair, though, I think coded's gameplay is its sole worthwhile feature. And I'm also one of the few people that actually really enjoyed Days' gameplay

[Scruffington]

Hm..well, if I'm really into Kingdom Hearts by the time I finish the first game I'll definitely consider playing the rest. Although I still only have interest in three games currently.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

I'm replaying Days right now and am enjoying it so far, but I do wish it could have been tweaked a little and still playable on the remaster. Most of my issues are just due to it being a DS game I think. I don't mind the cinematic on the collection, but I don't think you get the full effect of the story as you do from actually getting to play through the bosses and such.

Knowing me I'll get the collection again on PS4 despite owning each game individually and owning each collection on PS3.

[Psychotic]

I've read this thread on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/5z8zic/kingdom_hearts_15_25_on_ps4_have_some_pretty/)about there being some major glaring technical issues in the Japanese version. I really hope it's all patched up for the western release.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

If my understanding is correct, they didn't do much to fix any issues with the PS3 release, so it doesn't look good for the pa4 release. It's disappointing though.

[Fynn]

But II.5 had patches didn't it?

The only issues I heard about was that some sections are too fast because of the 60fps. I'd imagine it's possible to fix it

[Scotty_ffgamer]

First play through of kingdom hearts 1 for me on PS3 had all sorts of sound issues where the sound would just cut out or act like it was skipping kind of. This time thankfully it only happened once to me where the sound completely disappeared. I never personally ran into issues on 2.5 I don't think, but I never really beat any of the games on it yet. I don't think the US ever got any patches for those games but I could be wrong

[DMKA]

I've played through the PS3 remasters a few times now and have yet to experience any glitches or technical issues. The only problem (if you want to call it that ) is in KH2 when you shift drive forms and the game has to load for a few seconds, rather than it being instantaneous like the original PS2 version. Other than that, they've all been perfect.

Speaking of which, if the gameplay videos I've seen are anything to go by, that's actually been fixed in the PS4 version. I did see a video where Sephiroth's meteor attack was doubled in speed though, but honestly that doesn't sound like a bad thing to me. It makes the battle sound more cruhrazay and fun. :p