Editing Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

|developer={{w|Square Enix}}

|release=[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] March 29, 2007

|ratings={{w|CERO}}:A

|platforms={{w|PlayStation 2}}

'''''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''''' is a reissue of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' for the {{w|PlayStation 2}}. Most plot and gameplay elements are the same, and the game also includes the features added to the international version of the game. The game combines English voice-overs with Japanese text and controls.

The PlayStation 2 version is exclusive to Japan and was released as a part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+]]'' compilation, along with ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]''. The game was remastered in HD and released as part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]'' for the {{w|PlayStation 3}}. As opposed to the original ''Final Mix'', the remake features Japanese voice acting in the Japanese release. It was later released as part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX]]''.

 

 

In September 2006, ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' was finally announced, and released on March 29, 2007, hitting stores all across Japan. No release in the United States or other countries was announced, despite the topic being popular across ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|series}}''-related forums. There were rumors of a fall 2008 release in EGM magazine and 1up.com, although this did not pan out. The director of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series, Tetsuya Nomura, has quoted, "The ''Final Mix'' games are only Japanese exclusives. In due time, I may release a ''Final Mix'' into other countries, but ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' are not my choice."

 

''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' and ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'' are also notable for being the final games Tetsuya Nomura made for the PlayStation 2. They were initially bundled together as part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+]]''.

Scans of magazine articles and preview videos appeared on numerous websites in the weeks leading up to the game's release. They included additional scenes involving the three mysterious armored knights at the end of the ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' secret ending. Later screenshots showed one of these three knights in combat with [[Sora]], [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]]. [[Lingering Will|The being]] serves as a secret boss with incredible power and an enormous amount of HP, much like [[Xemnas|Unknown]] from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]''. The preview videos also showed that battling [[Roxas]] would be possible as opposed to the cutscene in the original game. Square also revealed that data replicas of each member of [[Organization XIII]] could be challenged in a secret area at [[Hollow Bastion]] and fought independently of the storyline.

Voice-acting on ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' was announced to be mostly in English, with Japanese subtitles, like ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix'', but the new scenes used Japanese voice-acting when viewed in Theater Mode and were voiceless in-game with Japanese subtitles. This is most likely due to the new scenes featuring Organization XIII members from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', who did not yet have English voice actors.

*New cutscenes based on the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' novels were added and are nearly 30 minutes combined;  

** On the end of Day 4, Axel pleads with the Organization to not have to defeat Roxas, but is threatened to comply.

** When Sora leaves the train at Twilight Town, Riku lets Axel and Naminé leave at Sunset Hill.

** When Sora seals the Keyhole in Twilight Town, Saïx talks about manipulating Sora to Xemnas.

** After the Hollow Bastion invasion is over, the Organization talks about Sora's progress.

** When Sora defeats Roxas, a flashback of Roxas being named by Xemnas is shown.

** After the cutscene above, there is a spiritual encounter between Roxas and Axel, discussing whether they have hearts before they say goodbye for the last time.

** When Saïx is defeated, when Riku talks about Roxas, there is a flashback fight scene where Riku takes on the form of Ansem, Seeker of Darkness.

** Riku and Sora talk about thanking Naminé before they battle 2nd Armored Xemnas

*All of the new cutscenes are fully voiced in Japanese. If viewed with English audio in Theater Mode, all characters are voiceless and dialogue is conveyed through subtitles.

*All members of the [[Organization XIII]] can now be fought throughout the story. [[Roxas]]'s battle with Sora at the [[Station of Awakening]] is now a playable, mandatory battle, while the remaining members can be fought through the optional [[Absent Silhouette]] sidequest, which also unlocks their journal entry. All thirteen members can be refought at any time at the [[Garden of Assemblage]] within the Cavern of Remembrance, where they are significantly stronger than before.

*The [[Lingering Will]] appears at [[Disney Castle]] after the game is completed as an optional boss battle.

*The [[Mushroom XIII]] appear across the worlds after certain episodes are completed as optional bosses similar to the various Mushroom Heartless in ''Kingdom Hearts''.

*"[[Theater Mode]]" - a menu where previously viewed cutscenes can be watched again with either English or Japanese voices by pressing {{button|L2}} and {{button|R2}}. A cleared ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]'' save file is required to view the scenes in Japanese.

*A new secret ending video titled "{{c|Birth by Sleep|video}}", a teaser for ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''.

*A [[Proof|Crown]], Bronze, Silver or Gold, can appear on Sora's head for defeating the following in any order:

**All [[Mushroom XIII]] Heartless

**[[Organization XIII's Replica Data|All Replica Data]]

===Changes in worlds===

*Many chests throughout the worlds which contained restorative items in the original game now hold synthesis materials.

*[[Twilight Town]] changes:

**Conditions to end the battle in front of the station have changed (either connect 100 hits, go below 30% HP, or battle for ninety seconds).

**Addition of Limit Form Mirror in the [[Mysterious Tower]].

*[[Hollow Bastion]] changes:

**After the event scene with Sephiroth, a scene with Yuna, Rikku and Paine flying out of a hole in the castle wall is shown. This hole leads to a new area called the [[Cavern of Remembrance]].

*[[The Land of Dragons]] changes:

**The morale gauge depletes at quicker intervals requiring Sora to finish the missions faster.

**Value of "surprise attack" spirit gauge has been reduced.

**Carts and rockets no longer reappear immediately after leaving the screen and returning.

*[[Beast's Castle]] changes:

**Conditions to end the battle in the Living Room have changed (either connect 100 hits, go below 30% HP, or battle for ninety seconds).

**Cogsworth's stamina depletes at a faster rate.

*[[Olympus Coliseum]] changes:

**The time limit for which Sora must defeat Pete while protecting Megara, has changed from 2 minutes to 1 minute and 30 seconds.

*[[Disney Castle]] changes:

**Enemies do not drop prize boxes while protecting Minnie.

*[[Timeless River]] changes:

**Changes have been made to the four time window battles.

*[[Agrabah]] changes:

**Conditions to end the battle in the street have changed (either connect 100 hits, go below 30% HP, or battle for ninety seconds).

**The battle at the Sandswept Ruins has changed (enemies do not drop prize boxes and the time to activate the switches after examining the monument has increased from thirty to forty-five seconds).

*[[Halloween Town]] changes:

**New costumes and music in Christmas Town.

*[[100 Acre Wood]] changes:

**Time for Episode 4 changed from three to five minutes.

**Episode 5 rules have been changed.

**Drive Forms are available in minigames.

*[[The World That Never Was]] changes:

**[[Xigbar]] changes his gun movement when attempting to snipe Sora from above.

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