Editing Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX

{{Game|HD2|Real|FA}}

|publisher=[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] Square Enix

|release=[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] October 2nd, 2014<br>[[File:Flag of the United States.png|20px]]/[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px]] December 2nd, 2014<ref name ="NA Blog">[http://na.square-enix.com/us/blog/kingdom-hearts-hd-25-remix-release-date Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX Release Date]</ref><br>[[File:Flag of European Union.png|20px|Europe]] December 5th, 2014<ref name="NA Blog"/><br>[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px]] December 4th, 2014

'''''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)|''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 a collection of HD cutscenes from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]''<ref name="psblog">

[http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/10/14/kingdom-hearts-hd-2-5-remix-coming-to-ps3-in-2014/ PSN Blog]</ref>. 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.

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]] support 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'' features improved graphics and a completely re-orchestrated soundtrack. All cutscenes, including those that were created for the original Japanese version of the game, are voiced in English. The [[Absent Silhouette]]s and their respective [[Organization XIII Data Rematch|Data Rematches]] now use English grunts, laughs, and battle cries, while Roxas's have received more drastic changes to incorporate those of his ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'' incarnation, and even some of Ventus's from ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''. In [[Jiminy's Journal]], the "Combo Attacks" section is renamed to "Limits".

''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix'' features improved graphics, and its controls have been adjusted for the game's transition from the PlayStation Portable to the PlayStation 3. For instance, the camera can now be controlled using the right analog stick, rather than {{button|shoulderl}} and {{button|shoulderr}}. The various environments the player visits over the course of the game are more detailed in appearance, and new sound effects have been added to these areas, as well.

 

In the final cutscene in Terra's scenario, the [[Lingering Will]] sprouts a cape to maintain continuity between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix'' and its later appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''. The Mirage Arena no longer has multiplayer capabilities, meaning that Mirage Arena D-Links cannot be used. The events and battles in the Arena have been tweaked, and additional challenges are present. The [[Taunt]] command has been removed, and all instances of this command's appearance are replaced with [[Victory Pose]].. While the entire soundtrack of ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' has been re-orchestrated, only the pieces "Keyblade Graveyard," "Dismiss," and "It's a Small World" have been re-orchestrated in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix''.

''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 Mouse|Mickey]]. Cutscenes have been added so players can better understand the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series, including one that connects to ''[[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, "The Other Promise" has been replaced with the track from the [[Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts|Piano Collections ''Kingdom Hearts'']] album. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7p_eglk_Q0</ref>

==Development==

''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 of 2013, Tetsuya Nomura said that ''Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX'' will contain more graphical improvements than ''Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX''.<ref>[http://sqex.info/nomura-discusses-new-kh3-trailer/ SQEX Info]</ref> In December of 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.<ref> [http://sqex.info/nomura-discusses-kh2-5-kh3-khx SQEX Info]</ref> As of March, 2014, all lines in ''Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX'' had been recorded.<ref>[http://blog.hokanko-alt.com/archives/37613547.html 速報＠保管庫]</ref> In an interview with ''Famitsu Weekly'' in April of 2014, Shinji Hashimoto stated that the additional cutscenes had also been completed and the game was nearing its final stage of development.<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2014/04/08/square-enix-final-fantasy-x-3-state-final-fantasy-xv-dissidia/ '''''Siliconera:''''' ''Square Enix On Final Fantasy X-3, The State Of Final Fantasy XV, And Dissidia'']</ref>  

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<ref>[http://store.jp.square-enix.com/detail/9784757543843 Kingdom Hearts Series Ultimania Memorial - Square Enix eStore]</ref>, and an official soundtrack was to be released, as well<ref>[http://store.jp.square-enix.com/special/khhd2 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX - Square Enix eStore]</ref>. 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.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMayL01TQWY Square Enix Presents: E3 2014 Live Day 1]</ref> 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''.{{fact}} 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.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/VGOOnline/posts/10152505255645761 Video Game Orchestra - Facebook]</ref>

 

In Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix, some bugs that are not present in the original have appeared. Some sound effects seem to not play when rapidly executed, such as Wisdom Form's [http://www.khwiki.com/Wisdom_Shot Wisdom Shot] ability. The Final Xemnas fight has a reaction command that does not function when needed, causing the player to get hit out of place.

 

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.{{fact}}<!--yo someone source this--> Purchasing the game from Amazon.co.jp grants a downloadable PlayStation 3 theme.

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