Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

[Nate]

Yep, they made it, and we're not getting it. Hooray for American fans always getting the short end of the stick! Here's a preview, in the middle of the page:

http://img44.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=60462_uporg514051_122_451lo.jpg

Looks like they're showing off more of the character from the secret ending, and is that a CoM based mini-game of some sort?

[SorasOathkeeper]

Yay for us...=_=;;;;; Yeah, I really want a Japanese PS2.

[everdred12a]

Jeez, how long are they gonna milk this franchise...?

[Myoti]

Three games and they're 'milking' it? O_o

And whoa, that DS game looks mighty nifty.

[uc pseudonym]

Three games and they're 'milking' it? O_o

Well, the Final Mix games are somewhat exploitative...

On that subject, I'm rather surprised that these haven't come over to western shores. People spend lots of money on special editions of DVDs]Looks like they're showing off more of the character from the secret ending, and is that a CoM based mini-game of some sort?[/quote]
I realize that this ad may be all that is known, but just in case it's not, I'll ask: what information do we have about the Final Mix version? If I can't play it I at least want to know what hints were given.

[Tommy]

I don't care.

A game is a game, I don't don't mind not having the little flashy stuff. I mean sure I PREFER the flashy, extra stuff but I'm not going to sulk if I can't since I have beaten KH2 on every mode anyway. I'm sorta sick of the game, so this news means next to nothing to me.

[Rocketshipper]

darn it!! *kicks Squenix* They even SAID they weren't going to do it with this version, since there wasn't any new boss battles added to the American version like with KH 1.

And...O_O. That screenshot! Is KH 2 Final Mix going to have... Chain of Memories with Playsation 2 graphics? Now that would really be interesting.

[KBMaster]

Oohhhh, I don't have a Japanese PS2, but if there's more info on the characters in the secret video, I'm happy.

Does anyone else notice the pirate that is on every magazine scan with KH or KH II? He's a scary pirate.

[everdred12a]

Three games and they're 'milking' it? O_o

Well, the Final Mix games are somewhat exploitative...

Exactly what I was going to say. If they made, say, a KH 3, they wouldn't necessarily be milking the franchise, but be releasing another re-hashed version of a game *is* milking it, IMO. This is pretty clearly going to be a CoM-style game, which will probably just provide another deviation from the plot which will basically play through the same events as KH2.

[Tommy]

In my personal opinion, I think that character in the secret ending IS Sora.
The CoM thing looks cool though.
Is that FFXII thing tied in with Kh2 FM?

[Nate]

In my personal opinion, I think that character in the secret ending IS Sora.

Too bad, Nomura, the guy who created it, says you're wrong. Hmm...who to believe, a random teenager on the internet, or THE GUY MAKING THE GAME? Tough choice.

[Azier the Swordsman]

Hmm... it's a good thing I didn't get my import copy of KH2 yet. Would have had to shelled out more money for the new version.

*feels sorry for non Japanese speakers*

[Tommy]

Too bad, Nomura, the guy who created it, says you're wrong. Hmm...who to believe, a random teenager on the internet, or THE GUY MAKING THE GAME? Tough choice.

Hey, don't make it sound like I heard Nomura say it wasn't Sora. I made a theory, plus I don't spend all my life doing research on video games anyways so give me a break.

[uc pseudonym]

Let's discontinue that conversation, actually, and return to the subject of the thread. Just to get in the last word and end things on a random note...

Hmm...who to believe, a random teenager on the internet, or THE GUY MAKING THE GAME?

Random teenager, totally. Which is why I believe that the secret character is actually the reincarnation of Walt Disney.

[Nate]

OH SNAP.

http://www.kh2.co.uk/?subaction=showcomments&id=1158887914&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&

Chain of Memories remake for PS2.

"The last trailer from Square-Enix's was Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix, which is a remixed version of Kingdom Hearts II (a.k.a the US version) as well as a title called Kingdom Hearts: Re:chain of Memories. As the title suggests, this is a remake of the GBA game of a similar name, but it's been completely redone in 3D. Not only that, but the game will include areas that weren't found in Chain of Memories before. Using an engine based on Kingdom Hearts II, the same card-based combat still applies, but it also includes the button-based combat found in Kingdom Hearts II. Interestingly enough, all of the cutscenes shown during the trailer featured only short appearances from the Disney characters."

[uc pseudonym]

At least they're releasing them bundled. If they released a KH2:Final Mix, then a Final Mix+ that would be absolutely ridiculous.

Unfortunately, due to that very fact it seems likely that it won't come to America. That is a shame, as I wouldn't mind playing Chain of Memories if it was for the PS2. I don't really have access to a Gameboy, so I haven't had the opportunity to see that portion of the storyline.

[MasterDias]

I will hope that they will make a number of improvements on the CoM system. I felt certain aspects of the GBA game's gameplay were implemented poorly.

[Tenshi no Ai]

Bring up a kinda old topic here^^ But I have a newly released video to add for those who haven't seen it yet: http://www.kh2.co.uk/ (should be on the top of the news still).

Well, looks really neat^^ And the one character sure does look like Sora... But if Nomura has said otherwise, maybe it's his kid or something *shrugs* And maybe that Riku looking guy is just Riku's kid or something *shrugs*. Oh maybe Nomura was just pulling our leg the whole time? *shrugs*

...can't wait for the story to continue in yet another sequel^^ Still wish that at the least we might get Re-Chain of Memories :/ ...one day.

[Nate]

I thought Nomura said that the secret video was the past, not the future.

If so, I'm thinking they're members of the Organization. Backstory on who they were and stuff. That one guy DID kinda look like Lexaeus. As for the blue-haired guy...I'll say Zexion (possibly Saix, but I doubt it). And the blonde...that's a tough one...maybe Larxene, but since it's probably a guy, and in keeping with it revolving around being in the past (maybe around the time Xehanort came about?) I'll say Vexen.

Like I said, the reason I pick those three is they were part of Xehanort's original assistants. Of course, they may just be entirely new characters and not have anything to do with the Organization, because Nomura DID say they were new characters...then again, considering that a Nobody isn't EXACTLY the same person as their former selves...they could still be pre-Nobody Organization members and they'd still TECHNICALLY qualify as new characters... XP

[Tenshi no Ai]

I thought Nomura said that the secret video was the past, not the future.

Oh, well in THAT case... Ummm I just hope a new game is in development that might care to explain what exactly is going on there^^ Maybe the 3rd one will be a sort of prequel to it all? I could see that happening^^ "Kingdom Hearts 3: The Beginning" or something like that... Yes, I can see it now... Maybe it's about how the organization began and so forth?

[uc pseudonym]

Thanks for sharing that. It's kind of cool that it's just an action sequence, yet it does rouse a great deal of curiosity.

If so, I'm thinking they're members of the Organization.

That theory makes a lot of sense, but I hope it isn't correct. While the Organization worked for me in KHII, I'm not that curious about them. I'd much rather see something even longer ago that explains things about Keyblades, perhaps even the origins of Heartless and Nobodies. Given that Nomamura has said he has the end of the series in mind, a fact that is encouraging to me, I hope that he will start to reveal an overall plot with the next games.

Also, the ending reminded me yet again that while some think mixing Disney and serious plots together works... I don't.

[Tenshi no Ai]

Also, the ending reminded me yet again that while some think mixing Disney and serious plots together works... I don't.

It is an odd concept^^ Really, I think in KH 2, that the Disney characters were almost... not needed in the plot :/ Like yeah, the story went along and all, but when the princess thing in the first game, they were actually needed. *shrugs* I dunno...

One thing I was thinking thinking though, was how it's interesting in the Japanese trailer of Final Mix/Re-Chain of Memories: one was done in english with Japanese subs. *shrugs* Just sort of interesting with why they did that...

[Fish and Chips]

Square soft are some of zee most interesting peoples, ya?

We've got a new villain, folks. And the identity of the three knights. Don't ask, just watch.

[uc pseudonym]

Post #18 of this thread may be of interest to you...

It is an odd concept^^ Really, I think in KH 2, that the Disney characters were almost... not needed in the plot :/ Like yeah, the story went along and all, but when the princess thing in the first game, they were actually needed. *shrugs* I dunno...

For me, it is always Mickey that throws me off. In the first game I was interested in the ending until he abruptly pops up and I can't take it seriously. At least in KH2 they tried to make him look cool (a dubious venture). Really, as much as I enjoy the series I think it would be far stronger without the Disney elements. Or, to put it more accurately, nothing I like about it has anything to do with the Disney parts.

[Fish and Chips]

As long as it doesn't detract from your enjoyment, then it's nothing but background noise. Don't worry about it.

Trailer in that last link, by the way.

[Bobtheduck]

Post #18 of this thread may be of interest to you...


For me, it is always Mickey that throws me off. In the first game I was interested in the ending until he abruptly pops up and I can't take it seriously. At least in KH2 they tried to make him look cool (a dubious venture). Really, as much as I enjoy the series I think it would be far stronger without the Disney elements. Or, to put it more accurately, nothing I like about it has anything to do with the Disney parts.

Without the Disney Elements, it wouldn't have sold as well as it did... Disney is a hook, really... That trailer looked pretty bad-a, though, until Mickey, like you said... Wow...

[KBMaster]

Wow, that video is awesome! I think the whole Mickey being there thing blows the whole prequel-set-way-before-Sora's-time theory. I think they blended Disney well in the first one. In the second, it would have done MUCH better without it.

[Fish and Chips]

Wow, that video is awesome! I think the whole Mickey being there thing blows the whole prequel-set-way-before-Sora's-time theory.

Mickey's a lot older than Sora, KB. And he went off before Sora ever left Destiny Islands.

Disney elements aside, what I think the series really needs is a compelling antagonist, which both the first game and its sequel lacked. In the first game, Ansem was slowly hinted at, until suddenly BAM! he appears, and he's evil, so you defeat him. When KHII came around, I liked the idea of Organization XIII, because to me that naturally prescribed a more hands-on approach to villainy. But even then, they failed to deliver, XIII merely taunting you from a great distance, occasionally dirtying their hands with a boss battle or two, but by in large not doing or developing all that much till you get to the final world, and even then most appear only long enough to get killed off in a boss battle.

This is a case where I actually prefer Chain of Memories, wherein between levels there were cutscenes of what the Organization was up to, and you could see them interacting. Or even better when you played as Rikku, who was struggling with Ansem's soul within his own. Much better.

Never actually gotten around to beating either of the official Playstation games (read up on it and seen other people do it), and frankly that sated curiousity enough to make me pass on actually finishing the game. So here's hoping the next installment gives me ample reason to fight for myself.

[KBMaster]

Yes, but HOW much older, is the question. I think Mickey being in a prequel wouldn't make much sense and have much purpose.

[uc pseudonym]

Mickey could potentially be a lot older. It wouldn't be out of the question for him to be immortal, in my mind.

Without the Disney Elements, it wouldn't have sold as well as it did... Disney is a hook, really...

That's true. It doesn't change my opinion, but I'm willing to accept it. After all, it only reduces my enjoyment of the game occasionally.

That trailer looked pretty bad-a, though, until Mickey, like you said... Wow...

Heh. I had the same experience with the KH2 trailer where he saves Sora and the others. When I saw the figure in black leaping around wiping out the Nobodies it was somewhat cool until he landed and turned slightly, revealing the massive nose.

Disney elements aside, what I think the series really needs is a compelling antagonist, which both the first game and its sequel lacked.

I agree. The first game kept me interested enough because I was wondering what was going on (and I assumed the cloaked guy, who turned out to be Ansem, was the villain from the beginning). But once basic questions were answered, things weren't as involving.

What bothers me more is how un-integrated the plot elements in KH2 were. Like you said, Organization XIII almost never interferes, just appearing on occasion to remind you they exist. Even if the villains aren't exceptional, I'd like them much better if they got heavily involved in the Disney worlds and actually altered the plot lines (instead of just backing up the movie villain).