Full Review for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix by caitytrina

Introduction

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix is a previously exclusive to Japan version of Kingdom Hearts (1), with additional content never seen before in PAL/NA zones (unless you imported/& patched), and with this remaster that additional content has been brought world wide in higher definition.

Graphics

The graphics definitely have been up-scaled from the original PS2 version and look much brighter and sharper, which makes it easier to spot things like trinities and treasure chests than it was in the original (often the colour was so dark at times you could easily walk past the aforementioned collectables). However the graphics that were displayed in the advertisements, were altered and didn't match the true quality of the remaster, which is why I'm rating it an 8.

The graphics are good for the purpose of the game, being a remaster, there are several things that would have made it better like removing the ridiculous expression on default faces (a static expression used in the likes of text scenes, it's like a creepy clown smile) but they were time restricted so I think it's good for what it was just being a remaster.

Sound

The music had been re-orchestrated and recorded to match the new quality of the graphics. It sounds great and adds ambiance to each different tone of emotion and atmosphere in the game, from battle sound (which I honestly think is the best battle music out there personally), the characteristically fitting world themes that just reek of nostalgia for anyone who watched the Disney movies they're set in and not forgetting the soul soothing opening numbers performed by Utada Hikaru. Each song in this game fits perfectly into the gameplay and storywise.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Kingdom Hearts is very child friendly first of all. There is no blood or gore, and even the slightest bit of "gore" involved in the original Japanese releases gets censored by the time it makes it out in English. Instead of blood, depending on the keyblade you use different animations come out when you attack a non-human enemy called the "Heartless".

There are a range of both offensive and defensive attacks including physical, magical and summons (summons are Disney characters just in this game, they can be called into battle to aid you with a different range of skills). The abilities you can equip to improve your physical attack are at times useful and other times flashy, but most of the time a good combination of both. Magic spells range from single shot to AoE and can be equipped to a shortcut menu to access the ones you find most important for whatever you are doing whether it's an upcoming boss battle or simply grinding you can change your shortcuts any time outside of a fight (main menu is disabled in battles). A lot of people tend to find summons useless, I personally have found myself using them more and more to deal with the new heartless introduced in Final Mix (e.g. Dumbo with Gigas Shadow), there's a range of advantages from using them such as invincibility or MP/HP ball drops. Overall I would say the battles and fighting style in itself is fun to engage in.

In terms of new content to the PS3 edition, the triangle reaction command that was featured in KH2 was added to KH1FM in 1.5, giving the empty slot to the summons menu which makes it a lot easier to access. The camera controls were also changed to the now more standard use of the right analogue to turn it (I would say this feature however, needs more tweaking, it's not as fine tuned as it was when first implemented in KH sequels). There is also Trophy support now ranging from easy to achieve to difficult and time consuming, for collectors this will help keep them playing for that extra while longer.

I wouldn't rate the gameplay 10, simply because the additional content really doesn't feel like a lot compared to the original, also it would have been easier to collect treasure chests in the game if they introduced the treasure log in this game (included in most of the games after).

Lastability

I think Kingdom Hearts is a game that can really last through time. The conglomeration of Final Fantasy and Disney was an odd sounding proposal that surprisingly works perfectly together in so many ways. There are so many things in the game to do outside of the story including mini-games, 101 dalmations to collect, treasure chests, trinities, gummi ship missions, chronicles, powering up spells, optional bosses, collecting summons, synthesizing items etc... There is a vast amount of things to do that will keep you playing this game for hours (if you are trying to 100%). The game isn't on par with it's numbered sequel Kingdom Hearts 2(FM), but it's where it all began.

Overall

I would give Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (PS3 remaster) a score of 8/10 overall. I think it's an enjoyable game to play with an abundant of activity, characters and stories; but it isn't the best in it's series so to rate it a 10, would mean increasing the score counter to show how much more awesome games like Birth By Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 2FM are. It's a good solid introduction to the series.

Final Score: 82%