Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, stylized as Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX, is a compilation of various games from the Kingdom Hearts series that have been fully remastered in HD. It is a follow-up to Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and includes remastered versions of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix. It also features Kingdom Hearts Re:coded remade as a movie of HD cutscenes. The release of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX marks the first time Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix have been available outside of Japan. The ending credits feature scenes from Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and the E3 2013 announcement trailer for Kingdom Hearts III, teasing Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. The game was re-released with Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX as Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX for the PlayStation 4 in March 2017. ContentsDevelopment[edit]Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX was first hinted at during the ending credits of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, as they contain footage from Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. In October 2013, Tetsuya Nomura said that Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX will contain more graphical improvements than Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX.[1] In December 2013, Nomura also said that due to Kingdom Hearts Re:coded being shorter than Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, new scenes featuring events that took place in Disney worlds and during battles were added. In addition, new scenes connecting Kingdom Hearts Re:coded and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance have been included. Nomura lastly stated that development of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX was faster than that of its predecessor because the team that developed Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX had established a system for making games in HD.[2] As of March, 2014, all lines in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX had been recorded.[3] In an interview with Famitsu Weekly in April 2014, Shinji Hashimoto stated that the additional cutscenes had also been completed and the game was nearing its final stage of development.[4] On June 5, 2014, Square Enix announced the release dates for the Japanese, European, and North American versions of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX. Along with this announcement came a new trailer for the game compilation that was featured at E3 2014. Announcement of an Ultimania dealing with the entire Kingdom Hearts series would be sold with the game[5], and an official soundtrack was to be released, as well[6]. On June 6, 2014, Square Enix France released a ten-minute video featuring gameplay from both Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix from the HD compilation. In an interview during E3 2014 on June 10, 2014, Tai Yasue said that the development of the compilation was far easier than the development of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, that the Kingdom Hearts Re:coded cutscenes extended to three hours (two of which were completely new), and that the Mirage Arena in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix would not have multiplayer capabilities. Following this bit of news, Yasue said the Mirage Arena had been tweaked to be more enjoyable as a single-player arena.[7] On June 12, 2014, Tai Yasue confirmed in an interview with IGN that there would be new secret cutscenes in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded that would relate to the previous games in the Kingdom Hearts series, as well as to Kingdom Hearts III.[8] Yasue also mentioned during E3 2014 that over ninety instrumental tracks in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX had been reorchestrated in Boston. The Video Game Orchestra and its recording division, SoundtRec Boston, confirmed this on June 13, 2014 via Facebook.[9] Changes[edit]Changes to all three games in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX include support for various video outputs (480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p), as well as audio output supported by Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and DTS Digital Surround 5.1. There is now PlayStation 3 trophy and an unlockable PlayStation 3 theme for each title. In addition, English voice acting is available for all cutscenes in Theater Mode in the Japanese release. Textures have been updated. Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix[edit]
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix[edit]
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]Kingdom Hearts Re:coded is featured in the form of over three hours of fully voiced, high definition cutscenes. In addition, it includes character reports. Unlike Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded features cutscenes from the Disney worlds, as well as battle scenes, and narration by Mickey. Most of the characters who were silent in the original game now have new audio dialogue. A few exceptions to this include Tidus, Aladdin, Jasmine, and Phil, who only appeared in the text-based cutscenes. Cutscenes have been added so players can better understand the Kingdom Hearts series, including one that connects to the story of Kingdom Hearts χ. An additional secret ending, titled "Destiny," has been added to connect to the events of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. While the entire soundtrack of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and a few pieces from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix were re-orchestrated for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded does not feature the remade soundtracks from either game. However, "Roxas"[citation needed] and "The Other Promise" have been replaced with the tracks from the Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts album.[10] Reported Bugs[edit]Several new bugs are present in this collection, such as:
Special Editions[edit]Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX has special edition releases that differ from the retail edition of the game. Japanese releases of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX have two different Collector's Edition versions of the game that are only available through the Square Enix eshop. The first is "KINGDOM HEARTS Starter Pack HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX", which contains both Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX. The second is the "KINGDOM HEARTS Collectors Pack HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX", which contains both Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, a Blu-ray Music Disc containing tracks from the Kingdom Hearts series, and an artwork booklet. Both have the option to include a Play Arts Kai figurine of Sora in his Limit Form.[citation needed] Purchasing the game from Amazon.co.jp grants a downloadable PlayStation 3 theme. On July 24, Square Enix announced a pre-order bonus for the international release of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX via the Kingdom Hearts Facebook page. By pre-ordering, one receives a free, automatic upgrade to the Limited Edition that includes a Disney Parks Pin Trading collectible pin featuring Sora and Mickey.[16] On November 5, 2014, Square Enix announced a Collector's Edition of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX for the United States, United Kingdom, and France. The collector's edition includes a 9.4-inch Shadow plush toy, 30-page hardcover artbook with dust jacket, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, along with a special steelbook to house the two game discs, and the Disney collectors pin. The Collector's Edition is only available through Square Enix's online store.[17] External links[edit]Notes and references[edit]
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