KH2 My Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix Review

[FerroAxel7 237]

   This game really is beautiful from the get go. Every character and world is detailed and crisp. Type-A cutscenes are pretty spot on but Type-B cutscenes I always had a problem with. It's just kind of lazy to me. It's not so much as a nitpick because A and B are about 60%-40% respectively. All the worlds are looking great, even if I prefer the worlds in KH1 more, but that's more of a preference and less of a negative. Timeless River and Space Paranoids are especially stunning IMO. TR with its retro look and SP with it's flamboyant, bright colors and textures.

 

   The re-mastered soundtracks are a lovely touch to such a visually stunning game. I especially love the music from Beast's Castle. "Waltz of the Damned" and the other I can't quite place my finger on. But I just love going through the dark castle and seeing all these Gothic style elements ; it's my favorite KH2 world. 

 

  The boss fights are very challenging. Not so much the story battles as the optional ones. Each data battle is difficult especially at level 99. However, Proud mode was never a pushover mode. I have yet to battle Data Xemnas or Lingering Will, but I can assume I will get my ass handed to me by just watching the Youtube videos. Sephiroth actually comes easy to me because I spend my whole KH2 lifetime figuring out his pattern and coming up with different skills I could use to beat him. And this was in 2005-06 when I didn't discover Youtube quite yet. 

 

   The new abilities, forms, and cutscenes were worth the price of the game alone (I have the Collector's edition). For years I've been watching the new cutscenes that had no dialogue and it killed me because I was dying to know. Each cutscene (mostly inside the Organization stronghold) had me at the edge of my seat. I never knew when the new scenes would pop up, so I really enjoyed watching each scene eagerly waiting to be blessed with a new one. 

 

  I'd give the game a solid 9/10. It's a beautiful game with a great combat system. The new content alone is worth the price of this game IMO. I forgot how good KH2 really is, especially FInal Mix. One of the only few gripes I have is the delayed form time. While entering a form, there's an unhealthy delay that might cause you to take damage or miss an opportune moment. I just press start and let it load, but it can be pretty annoying. Also, Atlantica is the worst world in the KH console series. It's just so lame and out of place. If I didn't have to play it, I wouldn't. But overall, a great game. I will do a review on Birth By Sleep once I finish up the game. 

   Hope you guys liked it!

[Kaweebo 3,617]

Solid review, Ferro. Though, I've always felt that the complaints about Type-B cutscenes were unfounded, though. Given just how much they put in the games, you can't expect every cutscene to be fully animated and voice-acted. Plus, that just elevates the Type-A cutscenes to me.

 

Absolutely agree about the OST. Love every song, they did fantastic with it.

 

Also, yes, Atlantica is dumb. 

Edited December 9, 2014 by Kaweebo

[King_Graham 135]

Reasonable review, though a little harsh on Atlantica.

 

The type B cutscenes are easier on the hardware, I bet. Plus they are easier to localiser without worrying about timing.

[FerroAxel7 237]

Solid review, Ferro. Though, I've always felt that the complaints about Type-B cutscenes were unfounded, though. Given just how much they put in the games, you can't expect every cutscene to be fully animated and voice-acted. Plus, that just elevates the Type-A cutscenes to me.

 

Absolutely agree about the OST. Love every song, they did fantastic with it.

 

Also, yes, Atlantica is dumb. 

I'm glad you agree for the most part. There was hardly anything I could find that I had a problem with; it was an unbiased opinion. I am for from a gaming journalist so I'm sure I missed a few cons with the game I didn't catch. 

Reasonable review, though a little harsh on Atlantica.The type B cutscenes are easier on the hardware, I bet. Plus they are easier to localiser without worrying about timing.

To each their own. I'm sure some fans appreciate Atlantica. 

Yeah I'm sure it is a lot easier for a developer to include Type B cutscenes, most games have them anyway. 

[Kaweebo 3,617]

I'm glad you agree for the most part. There was hardly anything I could find that I had a problem with; it was an unbiased opinion. I am for from a gaming journalist so I'm sure I missed a few cons with the game I didn't catch. 

Well, the lack of characters populating the worlds is still a valid complaint, if still a nitpick. Not like the Square team can do anything about it now, but when Aladdin goes 'That's why I come here, to the town. All the people, all the action. There's always something going on!" and the camera pans on a dirt road with nobody in it, that kind of says something. 

 

Also, it's only slightly jarring, but because the Final Mix cutscenes are being dubbed 8 years later than they were made, the voice quality and even the actors' performances themselves are a little bit different. Actually, BBSFM's Final Episode cutscene has a later scene with young Sora and Riku that they clearly got new kids to have to play the two characters, since obviously, the kids who voiced them in the first place are a couple years older. Not KHII, but thought I'd mention it.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Kaweebo

[Hearts Creed 142]

I'm in complete agreement with your review. I too found it slightly annoying how long the delay would be to get into a drive form. Like, I'd just be sitting there for a good 10 seconds, especially if I was grinding the form I was using (it especially irked me when I'd go into Valor mode because while it was taking forever, the other party member would be taking away some of my experience because you know, Valor levels up depending on how many hits you land). 

[FerroAxel7 237]

Well, the lack of characters populating the worlds is still a valid complaint, if still a nitpick. Not like the Square team can do anything about it now, but when Aladdin goes 'That's why I come here, to the town. All the people, all the action. There's always something going on!" and the camera pans on a dirt road with nobody in it, that kind of says something. 

 

Also, it's only slightly jarring, but because the Final Mix cutscenes are being dubbed 8 years later than they were made, the voice quality and even the actors' performances themselves are a little bit different. Actually, BBSFM's Final Episode cutscene has a later scene with young Sora and Riku that they clearly got new kids to have to play the two characters, since obviously, the kids who voiced them in the first place are a couple years older. Not KHII, but thought I'd mention it.

   I'm really glad you did mention it because when Zack says "Listen to that crowd! You're their hero, whether you like it or not." And it pans to empty stands...I was perplexed no doubt. I'm actually kind of glad there's not a lot NPCs because I like the feeling of having the world to myself? Call me strange but it's me. 

   It would be hilarious if the two voices for Riku and Sora were both spanish. "Eyyy Senor Sora! Are you going to the main islands, ese?" 

I'm in complete agreement with your review. I too found it slightly annoying how long the delay would be to get into a drive form. Like, I'd just be sitting there for a good 10 seconds, especially if I was grinding the form I was using (it especially irked me when I'd go into Valor mode because while it was taking forever, the other party member would be taking away some of my experience because you know, Valor levels up depending on how many hits you land). 

   Thanks for agreeing with me! Valor form was the easiest to level up, and this delay made it sooo difficult if you didn't change then pause. Btw I love your picture Hahahaha! 

[King_Graham 135]

Well, the lack of characters populating the worlds is still a valid complaint, if still a nitpick. Not like the Square team can do anything about it now, but when Aladdin goes 'That's why I come here, to the town. All the people, all the action. There's always something going on!" and the camera pans on a dirt road with nobody in it, that kind of says something.  Also, it's only slightly jarring, but because the Final Mix cutscenes are being dubbed 8 years later than they were made, the voice quality and even the actors' performances themselves are a little bit different. Actually, BBSFM's Final Episode cutscene has a later scene with young Sora and Riku that they clearly got new kids to have to play the two characters, since obviously, the kids who voiced them in the first place are a couple years older. Not KHII, but thought I'd mention it.

That scene in Final.Episode is from the original BBS.

[Kaweebo 3,617]

That scene in Final.Episode is from the original BBS.

It is? Huh. I could have sworn it was FM-exclusive. Must've been my imagination, then. I wasn't able to unlock the final episode in time on my PSP since it broke before I was able to.