Is the JP BBS harder?

[Sora The Key]

Although I do like that Critical Mode keeps dealing the same amount of damage to you regardless of level, I still don't find it hard in the slightest.
True they made Terra's last 2 bosses harder but honestly it really doesn't feel harder than the Japanese version to me.
That includes MF respectively, the game mechanics are more of a problem than he is (bad camera angles, random lock off, clip damage, i-frame lag, etc).

CM Lv1 he does the smallest damage ;-;.
I am doing Ventus right now on Lv 1, and it takes me like 1482842395 hits to beat a chili Unversed. ;-;.

 

[╬ProperArtist╬]

I meant the amount of damage they deal to you D:
I like the fact how even if you're high leveled your enemies (unversed and bosses) can still do decent damage to you.

 

[sora364]

From a combat standpoint only, discounting the extraneous mini-games that were broken to begin with, the North American/European versions are more difficult by default. It has been confirmed that bosses that were thought to be "Too weak" have been bolstered. Mega Flare is no longer the overpowered behemoth it was in the JPN version (this is only a meager downgrade, mind you.)

Yes, if you are a veteran of the franchise, some of this game's elements were flat out easy. If you have already experienced the Japanese version (which would have been your first BBS experience) then obviously the game would come much easier to you. You have broad leverage over the newbie who is battling the boss for the first time. Hell, if you spoiled yourself silly and watched all the boss battles via internet, it would still be easy to you. I only died twice in Kingdom Hearts II because I already had pre-determined strageties BEFORE I even fought them. I cannot possibly find anyone who's first experience with the JPN version to be valid. Having already completed the game once, you already have a steep advantage under your belt.

For example: The Wheel Master kicked my *** multiple times on Proud Mode on my first playthrough. On my second playthrough (ON CRITICAL) I almost made it through the fight completely unscathed and wondered WTF I found so hard about it in the first place. Prior experience makes ANYTHING easier.

As for the Iron Prisoner IV, yes, perhaps that particular part was easier. This is most probable part of the "Altered battle balance" Nomura spoke of. With that said, I'll concur that this one part was watered down. Still, the NA/EU versions, as a whole have been confirmed to be more challenging by the developers themselves.

 

[Sora The Key]

For example: The Wheel Master kicked my *** multiple times on Proud Mode on my first playthrough. On my second playthrough (ON CRITICAL) I almost made it through the fight completely unscathed and wondered WTF I found so hard about it in the first place. Prior experience makes ANYTHING easier.

Well one thing it was your first playthrough, you had a blind run of it, so you didnt know his moves, and what to block or what not, so of course you died. I did as well.
Critical I knew what happen since I beat the Japanese one about 3 times before getting BBS in the NA/EU version, and I beat him easily. Most people had trouble, cause they didnt play the Japanese one, and I've been browsing the forums, and alot of them say Wheelmaster is the hardest first boss they have played. So don't write off Critical and the NA version easier. Easier to you, cause you did know what to do.

 

[Sacred X]

I'm going to do a LVl1 CM run if that tells ya anything.

I'm probably going to do this too. I just played CM with Terra (after beating everyone's Proud Mode) and it was very, very easy. Granted this time around I knew more about bosses and melding and overall playstyle, but wow. The only thing slightly turning me off from that is I also want to defeat Vanitas's Sentiment and Mysterious Figure. And the Mirage Arena battles too I guess.
Meh, I might just skip to Level 1 CM for Aqua and Ventus, and just use my Proud save files for the secret bosses.

For those saying the Japanese version is much harder or whatever, despite the technicalities, make sure the overall easier difficulty isn't coming froma second playthrough; even if you started on Critical Mode. It really changes a lot once you actually know what you're doing.

 

[ajmrowland]

proud mode for terras final bosses was very dificult. but inever start breezing through these games until a couple playthroughs in.

 

[Jelai]

nah. I think the English version is harder due to all the additions such as secret bosses and critical mode.

 

[Birthday Thunder]

The JP version of BBS is not harder. Nomura specifically stated that he increased the difficulty for the NA version of BBS and that he didn't know if the JP players would be able to stand the difficulty. End of story.