Posted by Bob Muir on Jul 3, 2014 in
Videogames 
Just how much of a difference does an HD remaster make? Take a look at this video for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, the second of two compilations that collect all but one of the currently-released Kingdom Hearts games. While you won’t see much improvement in textures, everything looks very crisp in a higher, widescreen resolution, with some models having much more “pop.” One of the bigger draws is the additional content in the previous Japan-only “Final Mix” versions of Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. Note that Sora is wearing a Tim Burton-esque Santa outfit in The Nightmare Before Christmas‘s Christmas Town, as opposed to continuing to wear his Halloween Town outfit like he did in the original North American release. All in all, looking good, but it’s a shame the game’s not coming out until this fall. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 15, 2013 in
Videogames 
After Square Enix announced and released Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX (which includes the first game KH: Final Mix, its interquel KH: Re:Chain of Memories, and HD cutscenes of the second interquel KH: 358/2 Days), fans asked one major question: why wasn’t the sequel KHII included? While fans are split on whether they prefer the first or second games, they’re the only two numbered entries, with KHIII still on the horizon for PS4 and Xbox One. Now that the first HD collection is out globally, Square Enix has announced the sequel they hinted at in that collection’s credits: Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX! Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 12, 2013 in
Videogames 
With the way Square Enix struggles with any worthwhile HD endeavors, I’m always surprised to see them release a videogame, even when it’s an upgraded version of an older game. But putting my mild incredulity aside, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX is finally out in North America and PAL territories this week. The game collects the previously Japan-only “Final Mix” version of the first Kingdom Hearts, the PS2 remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, and completely redone cutscenes from Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days on DS. Re:Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days both happen at around the same time after the first game but before Kingdom Hearts II, hence the “1.5” in the collection’s title. Everything has been remastered in HD, with some characters getting updated models and Kingdom Hearts I having some gameplay improvements. Now to wait for the inevitable Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX down the line…oh, and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD, which was announced well before this collection! Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Jun 11, 2013 in
Videogames 
This was briefly covered in Sony’s press conference, but the footage has now surfaced online. After years of waiting and many empty promises, Square Enix has finally revealed a full trailer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII, with new cutscenes, new graphics, and lots of gameplay showing its completely revamped combat system. Furthermore, the game is now known as Final Fantasy XV; it’s no longer a spin-off, but the next installment of the long-running series. The online excitement right now is palpable, as people are practically cheering in the streets. The game has so far been revealed for PS4, with no word of an Xbox One or PC release. Read more…
Tags: Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, PS4, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on May 8, 2013 in
Videogames 
Kingdom Hearts fans may still be waiting for the perpetually undeveloped Kingdom Hearts III, but at least the wait will be over for an HD update soon. Square Enix has revealed that Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX will be releasing on PS3 this fall, on September 10, 2013. The game includes HD versions of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (a minor update to the game that was previously Japan-only) and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (a PS2 remake of the GBA original). Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has also been remade as almost three hours of HD cutscenes, so you get the story without any of the mediocre gameplay from the DS original. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 26, 2013 in
Videogames 
Consider me somewhat unduly excited, but I can’t help it: Square Enix has finally announced a Western release for Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX. It’s an HD collection consisting of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (the slightly improved original game, previously only released in Japan), Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (the PS2 remake of the GBA interquel), and redone, expanded cutscenes that tell the story of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (a DS spin-off set around the same time as Re:Chain of Memories). Naturally, trophies have been added as well. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 26, 2012 in
Videogames 
I was pretty thrilled when I first heard about Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix. The collection gathers Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, and the cutscenes from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and puts them all in HD on PS3 with trophy support. Now there’s a trailer to show off what the game looks like, and it definitely gets me pumped. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 20, 2012 in
Videogames 
When I heard that Square Enix was rereleasing Final Fantasy X in HD, my first thought was “I hope they do that for Kingdom Hearts.” We may still be waiting on that version of FFX, my dream looks like it’s coming true, as Famitsu is reporting on a new HD collection announced at this year’s Tokyo Game Show. The original Kingdom Hearts is back, but there’s more to it. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Kingdom Hearts, PS3, square enix
