Who's Preparing For Kingdom Hearts III with a series Playthrough?

Vivi-Gamer

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Hi Ladies & Gents,

Kingdom Hearts III is upon us, with TGS giving us an extended trailer (I've personally decided not to watch this one as I'm already sold and want it to be as a surprise.) & We even have the boxart:
Which I am quite fond of, it seems to have the whole gang there and leads up to what should be an epic conclusion!

With the upcoming title I have the full intention of playing through the series again in prep for the release. With the PS4 HD Remasters of 1.5, 2.5 & 2.8 it makes the whole series accessible to PS4 players - Xbox One Players sadly miss out... unless we get an announcement @ TGS this week!

So I'm curious to who will be re-playing the games in time for the release? I have already started, I beat Birth By Sleep and saw all it's Final Mix content to the end - I then went ahead and played the 2.8 Prologue game too set after that, which I enjoyed very much! I next intend to play KH1, Chain of Memories, Watch 358/2 Days, KH2, Watch RE:Coded & Then play Dream Drop Distance, Which I have never played before! Really looking forward to getting involved in it more - fully intend to do all of KH2's extras this time too.

But curious about your thoughts on the series and to here comments upon your playthroughs building up to January :)
 
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I'm pretty sure this is going to be fantastic! I'm currently still catching up with the series before playing 3 (I'm on BBS now, with only spin offs left to play). I'm not actually sure if all of the spin offs are necessary to understand 3's story but I might as well give them a go anyways :s.
 
I do have KH 1.5 and 2.5 HD and I wish I could replay them, but sadly I don't have enough time at the moment. Also, as I would like to play them in chronological release date order, I'd have to get through KH1's clunky controls and camera movement first, which is quite a slog. That camera did not age well, and I don't remember it being this bad.
 
I do have KH 1.5 and 2.5 HD and I wish I could replay them, but sadly I don't have enough time at the moment. Also, as I would like to play them in chronological release date order, I'd have to get through KH1's clunky controls and camera movement first, which is quite a slog. That camera did not age well, and I don't remember it being this bad.

It was arguably worse originally, because the only way to move the camera in the original version of KH1 was to use L1 and R1 (might be L2 and R2?). My main problem with it other than that the environments are often too cramped for it, is that it has some horrible acceleration applied to it. So it responds way too slowly. If you can believe it, it's a bit better on the PS4 version, because -thanks to the framerate now being 60fps- it moves and responds faster.

Anyway, I might play through all the games again, if I can fit reviews of them into my channel schedule. I was planning on it, but so many roadblocks have shown up in the last few months that I'm now way behind. I've beat all of the games (other than DDD) multiple times in the past two years (on PS3, then I got the PS4 version), and I'm pretty tired of all of them but KH2. Especially since I don't like games like BBS to begin with. So I'll only play through them again before KH3 if I'm making videos for them.
 
I won't have time to replay even the numbered titles again before KH3. My backlog of games is huuuugee.

I will, however, watch a rundown of the games to familiarise myself with the lore as best as I can.

I missed out on all of the non-numbered games with the really unusual, esoteric titles. Most of the characters who are now main characters in the franchise (Aqua, etc) are completely alien to me. I haven't a clue who they are, because they didn't exist in KH2. Even some of the characters who were included in KH2 were characters I didn't really know much about at the time because I hadn't played the spin-offs which had been released by that time... This does concern me.

For a game themed around Disney, they've certainly made things a little bit complicated. Just a little bit.
 
I won't have time to replay even the numbered titles again before KH3. My backlog of games is huuuugee.

I will, however, watch a rundown of the games to familiarise myself with the lore as best as I can.

I missed out on all of the non-numbered games with the really unusual, esoteric titles. Most of the characters who are now main characters in the franchise (Aqua, etc) are completely alien to me. I haven't a clue who they are, because they didn't exist in KH2. Even some of the characters who were included in KH2 were characters I didn't really know much about at the time because I hadn't played the spin-offs which had been released by that time... This does concern me.

For a game themed around Disney, they've certainly made things a little bit complicated. Just a little bit.

Gooooood luuuuuuck. Hahahahahahahahahaha! :P
 
I'm up to RE: Chain of Memories, enjoying it but I still feel the original GBA game was better to play - The more battle arenas along with the card mechanics can lead me to missing attacks. Also, the Rooms just look weird when you pan the camera back and see a blank space. But the presentation is worth the setbacks, though admittedly the cutscenes on the PS4 version don't seem to have been upscaled as well as KH1. Another problem is the Disney worlds are generic, all the compelling CoM story content happens around them Disney worlds, It's a shame they couldn't make them a bit more relevant/interesting. But still enjoying it :) Hoping to beat it soon as I really want to explore Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix & all it's extras!
 
Does it count as "preparing" to KH3 if I just finally started playing the first game after hearing all those super positive reviews for long years?xD
I play the PS2 version (yeah, I know about the PS4 version but playing a PS2 game on a real PS2 is the best experience ever <3) and I really love it. After finally realising how I can move the camera, it is a totally smooth and enjoyable experience. :D I guess I am really used to PS2 games and the controls which others find irritating don't really affect me(?). As I checked I will be able to play almost all KH games on their original platforms, so it is only a matter of time to play the whole series. But I'm not in a hurry or anything, I will enjoy KH1 the fullest for sure. <3
 
Oh I still recommend playing the REMIX Versions, they're some of the best REmasters of any games I've played! You're not missing out on THAT much regarding Final Mix content, an extra boss and some extra enemies post game. If you have a good PS2 set-up all respect to you though, it's something I have never been content with ever since my Backwards compatible PS3 tanked. I have recently bought a PS2 HDMI cable from POUND, but I've heard mixed thins about it...

As for my playthrough, I've completed RE:Chain of Memories fully and intend to sit down and watch the 3-Movie version of 358/2 Days - I have the game on DS but I remember it dragging and not being the best example of the franchise... After that it's all hands on deck for Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix!!
 
I've beat Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, I've still got a few of the Data Battles to do but I just can't dwell on them any longer.

Had a great experience with the game though. My favourite world was definitely Tron's who I loved as a character in this! He was just very earnest and sweet and I enjoyed hanging out with him. I also loved how it wasn't a simple task of just visiting the world, but who you actually got sucked into the system via Hollow Bastion! It just made for a bigger surprise!

Beyond that I loved the introduction of Forms and experimented with them through out, though I must admit Summons took a back seat this time around as I never used them. One thing that did frustrate me with the gameplay is that Bosses wouldn't Die at 0 HP until you got a critical hit. Why I don't know. Also, Anti-Form I wish there was a way to turn that off as it often spoilt my tactical plans as it would randomly replace my Form during tough fights - You can't even revert back to your normal Form either it just sucks.

but the game was fantastic, I loved how Donald & Goofy's characters shined through the many indulgent cutscenes, there were many funny moments that I just loved. Also the pure diversity and scale of locations was just very impressive, some very big surprises.

As for the story, it was good, thought it does start to get a bit complex for its own good with the Heartless, Nobodies and who is extracted from whom... it's just very busy & after watching Re:Coded I feel it's only going to get more complicated...

Onto Dream Drop Distance now :) Never played it so this shall be very exciting!
 
@Vivi-Gamer bosses only die to finishers! removing combo pluses definitely helps with that (or just use magic like Thunder)
enjoy DDD! it's not a game I would play again but I enjoyed it a lot :yay:
 
I don't think I'll be completely replaying them, but there's definitely a lot of missed content I want to go back for in some of the games (especially KHII Final Mix and BBS).

I hope you have fun with DDD! The PS4 version is so much nicer with the extra breathing room so it's good to hear you have 2.8! I got about halfway through a DS playthrough before just getting the remaster (and actually beating that) because the camera just threw me off a lot
 
Oh I am! I must say what has impressed me so far is the pure diversity set within the worlds:
Especially the Tron Legacy world! I was at one moment taking down enemies in a corridor and then took out a turret gun using the Hack mechanic, which then shattered a whole walls worth of glass! Which I then was able to jump through and fall into another location - The fluidity of the action and pacing really Wowed me! Also at the purse scale of this world is massive, in a good way I genuinely got lost a few times.

I'm not really taken with the Monster team mechanic though, I like using them as a way to learn skills like in World of Final Fantasy, but having to look after and bond with them is a little too time consuming and takes me out of the moment. I also, miss having guest characters, which was part of the charm of visiting Worlds + It's sort of odd when your character is clearly indicated by the story to be travelling with said character but they're not there during the gameplay portions. But I am enjoying it a lot more now I know how to delay the Drop Transfers, I was getting fed up of randomly being taking out of battle to switch, but now I end up going through the world with each character one after the other.

But I'm in the thick of DDD now & I'm pretty confident that I'll have it wrapped up before KH3 :)
 
I won’t have time to play all the KH games, but I do want to grab KH3. Just not at its full price, so I’ll have to wait a bit more until the price drops to $20-$30.

Hmm, maybe I’ll replay KH2 though and actually finish it.

Actually here’s a question for you guys. Out of all the games released which one would you folks recommend to play? I’ve beaten the first game so that’s out of the picture, and I can see myself playing one more before jumping into KH3 (realistically speaking), but I don’t know the series well enough like many others do. Any insight and direction from here helps because the series is a little confusing to me at the moment.
 
Honestly, I'd recommend not skipping the 'Spin-Offs' they're integral to the story overall. I think just getting the PS4 HD Remaster Collections is the best way to go, which includes:

Birth By Sleep - Prequel
Kingdom Hearts 1
Chain of Memories - Set between KH 1 & 2
Kingdom Hearts 2
Dream Drop Distance - Set after KH2 & KH RE:Coded.

The HD Collections include 3 Hour movie versions of 358/2 Days & RE:Coded - Which are by far the best way to experience them!
358/2 Days - Set between KH1 & KH2 as well, I recommend experiencing it after Chain of Memories.
RE:Coded - After KH2, before Dream Drop Distance

There is also a horrible Mobile game they've included into the lore Kingdom Hearts X Chi which I recommend watching a summary video on YouTube about - Sadly it still is getting updates until KH3. Then there is also a Movie Kingdom Hearts X Chi BACKCOVER which covers parts of this mobile game, which does seem valid as content looks to resurface in KH3.
 
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I won’t have time to play all the KH games, but I do want to grab KH3. Just not at its full price, so I’ll have to wait a bit more until the price drops to $20-$30.

Hmm, maybe I’ll replay KH2 though and actually finish it.

Actually here’s a question for you guys. Out of all the games released which one would you folks recommend to play? I’ve beaten the first game so that’s out of the picture, and I can see myself playing one more before jumping into KH3 (realistically speaking), but I don’t know the series well enough like many others do. Any insight and direction from here helps because the series is a little confusing to me at the moment.
I would recommend you to play Kingdom Hearts II if you haven't played that one yet. If you want to understand the whole story then you should play the games in chronological order.
 
If you're looking for a good time, KHII is the best option. Most of the rest of them can be fun for sure, but KHII is the only one that provides a truly balanced experience that tests all of the mechanics it throws at you... if you play on Critical anyway. It becomes much more technical than your usual button masher.
 
Well, I've beat Dream Drop Distance in time! :)

Cracking game overall, I still think the highlight for me was the Tron Legacy world in just how diverse it was. I did find a significant difficulty spike in the last area - which also went on much longer than I initially thought after beating a series of bosses, couldn't even imagine playing this on a portable device!

Having beat the game it seems like there isn't that much in the lines of extra content, there are trophies for getting all the Journal Entries 100% but training up all the different Dream Eaters is not something I'm willing to commit to. Getting all the component pieces you need is a tremendous chore! As is using the Drop Bonus within the World Map to get access to the Moogle sales - I just don't see why all the content isn't readily available at the post game status. Also getting certain components from killing off your Dream Eaters is another reason I CBA, having to raise new Dream Eaters, to kill them to get components, to get a new DE' only to get 2 more of them and kill them to get another set of components is just immensely tedious. Also, Dream Eaters have skills love upon the Affinity Level, I've been using the Mini-Game trick to by pass it a bit but it's still just a laborious grind for no real end objective. Even to do the Munny Exploit you have to have the Drop Bonus set to the specific world where it is at, which seems to be randomly generated each Drop - Arrrghh! It's just no fun, so I am done with it!

While the post game is a grind, I will say I had fun with the game in general, a brilliant set of worlds being the highlight. The game does set the stage for Kingdom Hearts III even though I still have no real clue about the antagonists really objective, just their methods to said objective... I feel I have a certain Idea on what is going on but Gee is it not a lot to get you're head around - I've watched a few videos covering the Mobile game, but from my understanding hasn't this still been updated? It is important as it covers a lot of content that will re-surface in KH3 & covers the events of the Keyblade War set before Birth By Sleep even...

Here are some videos which others who aren't clued up on them might wanna check out (This guy seems genuinely to get it):
 
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