With just a few months left until the Japanese release of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix and the expectation of a short localization time, my hype as a fan of the Kingdom Hearts series is at an all-time high. I have not felt this was in a very long time. While it is indeed true that I have played all these games before, some multiple times even, this all in one package, wrapped in HD goodness, might just be the game that reels me back into the series.
Hit read more to check out my top reasons to be excited for Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix, and see if they match up with yours!
Kingdom Hearts Perfected
For most longtime fans of the series, the original Kingdom Hearts title will always be the best, and why not? It introduced the magical combination of Disney and Square Enix RPG’s, with a very interesting game play system and a story that was cherished for its simplicity and family friendliness, all while maintaining the mystery and plot devices of a Japanese role playing game. And certainly, being the pilot game of this now lengthy saga, most of us are probably looking back on the game fondly through nostalgia-tinted goggles.
But let’s be honest, the game is horribly dated due to its very clunky controls. Which is why the changes made to the game in this HD rendition do enough to certainly justify a retread. The most welcome addition is undoubtedly the mapping of the camera controls to the right analog stick [1], a feature heavily demanded and introduced in its sequel. It really does bring the game from an uncontrollable, annoying mess to a more modern 3D game.
This alongside simpler additions such as mapping certain actions to the triangle button should hopefully make the game feel fresh. The art style that has become synonymous with the series - and to a lesser extent all Nomura led titles - already lends itself to looking fantastic in high definition. It was just a matter of bringing the gameplay up to par. Thankfully, there’s no reason to worry.
For the Addict in Me: Trophies
This one is certainly not for everyone. And for the longest time, I never considered that it was for me. In fact, when achievements were first announced for Xbox Live, I never really got the point. Playing games should be about the experience, and hitting significant milestones in games should evoke a feeling of accomplishment all on its own. The enjoyment one derives from completing all the content should already be valuable enough if the game is good.
Ah, what an idealist I was, and then trophies arrived on the PlayStation 3. All it took was one game I was just a little interested in, and I was hooked. Now I can’t seem to set a game aside without at least attempting to Platinum it. Yes, my previous thoughts were certainly true, but even so, it does feel good to get rewarded for one’s feats outside the game itself and to carry these rewards with pride.
While the specifics of the trophies have not been revealed, basic ones for completing the story are a given. But how nice would it be to get trophies for beating the likes of Kurt Zisa, Phantom, Ice Titan, and Sephiroth? My fingers are crossed that we will get a separate Platinum for Re: Chain of Memories, similar to another HD remake, The Sly Collection[2], which contained separate Platinum’s for each game.
Re: Chain of Memories – Two for the Price of One!
Which brings me to my next favorite aspect, the inclusion of Re: Chain of Memories. I am sure most will disagree, but I am happy that this is the title included in the final package, even over Kingdom Hearts II or Birth by Sleep. Why? Chain of Memories is the one title that deviates the most from the others in the series in terms of game play. It is even hard to qualify it with a genre: while it maintains the platforming and action-RPG movements of its predecessor, it incorporates cards and strategy into the mix!
If I am going to be playing two Kingdom Hearts games back to back, I would like the game play to be as diverse and varied as possible, and Re: Chain of Memories definitely fits that bill. And let’s not forget that it was Chain of Memories that introduced all the complications and confusing story threads to the series, so it will be good to experience all of that again to get a refresher. While I purchased Re: Chain of Memories when it was released in the states, I never got a chance to play it; this will be my first time returning to the title since the GBA version (which seems like ages ago now). I can’t wait!
Experience Days without the Filler
Let’s get one thing straight: I’m a fan of Roxas. He has been one of the few characters added to the cast over time that I genuinely like. And Days makes some effort at making itself relevant to the plot of the series as a whole: Chain of Memories never completely fleshes out the time that passes between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, and a lot of mystery remained surrounding the creation of Sora’s nobody, as well as the Organization’s plans in general and just what Riku and Ansem the Wise were up to.
All of these reasons make Days a compelling experience. But the game itself certainly was not a treat for me. In fact, it’s easily the worst Kingdom Hearts title out there – the series just is not built for the hardware (the DS does not even have a single analog stick!) And the important plot points were thinly spread out between filler missions in bland, recycled worlds.
This is where Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix gets it right. Instead of forcing me to trudge through this mess once again, the game will simply take all the important moments and compile them into two hours of cutscenes [3], supplemented by Roxas’ in-game journal. Remaking it all from the ground up would honestly have been a wasted effort. Now I can spend time focusing on what matters: the story. It will be great to have access to these scenes as I play Re: Chain of Memories (in the series timeline, the two games take place simultaneously). It will only enhance my understanding of the story, as opposed to playing these two ridiculously intertwined games years apart.
So, let’s hear it! Agree, disagree? I swear I don’t bite! I would also like to hear what others are looking forward to, or even genuinely concerned about. Comments below!
