Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue Reviews
While both Dream Drop Distance and Fragmentary Passage are good stuff, this is a much more niche product than the previous compilation, and far more difficult to recommend. It's essential if you're a fan, but... let's face it, if you're a fan, you've already played these games. And on a system on which they run natively, rather than this (again!) erratic, temperamental Cloud Version. We feel like it's our destiny to repeat ourselves on the matter, but if you can buy this package for another system we'd earnestly implore you to do so - it may not be handheld, but at least it would be yours to keep and it would run reliably and consistently. As it stands, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue on Nintendo Switch is yet another compromise. If your internet connection is consistent and strong, it runs great... when it's running great. But, you know, stuff happens. Using Ethernet while docked helps, but it's still putting a sticking plaster on a glaring wound. So, once again, another good package but presented in the worst way. And slightly less good than the last one.
This is the most disappointed that I’ve been with Square Enix for quite some time. I appreciate that the publisher wanted to make sure that fans had access to everything they needed ahead of the release of the big game (Kingdom Hearts 3), but the overall package feels like it’s a collection of Z-list content thrown together.
Birth by Sleep 0.2 is the the best part of this package, with great visuals, music and combat system, and as a teaser for the third part it largely succeeds despite its length, and is an overall great bite-sized entry, while Dream Drop Distance HD is an entertaining albeit flawed entry. This package is aimed more at series veterans than newcomers, and is better experienced after the upcoming 1.5+2.5 bundle in March.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It is tough to recommend this collection to even the biggest KH fan at its current price tag, because what Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 consists of is one of the weakest games in the series, a glorified demo and extremely short teaser of what to expect in Kingdom Hearts III, and a movie that many may find difficult to care about its characters. At a much lower price, however, this will be worth the investment, as the small story pieces in KH 0.2 alone set the stage and clear some things up. It is visually beautiful, and whilst the controls and combat need work, there is still a solid foundation there for fun and flashy gameplay. Anyone yet to dive into the franchise, wait for the PS4 combined bundle of 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, then pick 2.8 up after it has reduced.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a meaty and highly distinctive package which should delight cartoon-obsessed youngsters and those who live to play Japanese RPGs. But, despite the Disney involvement, it doesn’t feel likely to challenge the mainstream. In certain respects – albeit in the grand tradition of Japanese RPGs – it’s so complex as to be baffling.
In conclusion the game is okay, it’s not for me specifically as I’ve never been a huge fan of Kingdom Hearts but I can see why it is as popular as it has become, thus as a result fans will enjoy it, I don’t know if they’ll love it though as the content level is minimal, one revamp of a full game, one short extra game lasting barely a couple hours and an hour long cinematic to fill the gaps for the cost of $69 AUD? Not the best value if you ask me. But no doubt many will pay for the small amount of content to fill their void until the release of Kingdom Hearts III the twelfth instalment of the series as a whole, and HD remakes are always a welcome addition giving a fresh new take on games that players can sometimes miss after replaying the originals as many times as I have playing mine. So in the end, Kingdom Hearts fans will feel their money was well spent.
Kingdom Hearts is great but this collection isn’t good. There is a serious lack of content in this collection.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is an adequate collection of what's left over from the series, with what also acts as an exquisite demo for the upcoming Kindom Hearts 3. This isn't to say that hard work hasn't gone into the remaster, but for a premium price point the game just isn't worth what it's asking, and the core component shows its age and origins a little more than could be hoped for.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is an expensive package (priced above the 1.5 + 2.5 collection) and difficult to recommend to anyone who hasn't plunged into the franchise. For fans who haven't had the opportunity to play it yet, there is a small, yet interesting, exclusive content to explore. Unfortunately, the PC version specifically has few graphical configuration options, weakening the appeal of having access to this version.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Regardless, Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance HD is an enjoyable romp that'll last you a good number of hours. If this is your first Kingdom Hearts game, then for the love of God almighty PLAY ALL THE OTHERS PREVIOUSLY. You won't understand a single thing otherwise! The combat can be clunky at times, and can be a bit annoying to control, but once you get a knack for it, you'll be hooked.
Overall, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue isn't as strong as the previous package, even if you separate that into the original PS3 configurations. As it stands now, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is fine for existing longtime fans - but not at its current price.
Dream Drop Distance is a fine HD remaster, and the game is solid, if not the best of the series. 0.2 Birth By Sleep, on the other hand, should not be missed, and has got me incredibly excited for where the series is going to go next.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is for the hardcore fans only, and that too, not at full price. And if you’re a series newbie, you’re best of waiting for the remasters of the first couple of games, which are going to be out in March.
This collection gathers together a good game, an exciting demo and a movie that's strictly for hardcore fans. It's a decent package, but certainly isn't for newcomers.
I’d heartily recommend this for KH fans, although I caution that perhaps they should wait for the price to drop. Newcomers to the franchise entirely should avoid this title until the first two anthologies are under the belt. This is definitely not an installment that is easy to jump into.
The best parts of this new Kingdom Hearts collection — the remaster of Dream Drop Distance and Aqua's miniature adventure — offer plenty of fun and a tantalizing taste of what Kingdom Hearts III will be like. The series' narrative absurdity is ever-present, but so is the addictive fun of its hack-and-slash gameplay.
It should be an easier purchase to make if you haven’t played DDD before, but other than that, it’s hard to recommend this collection if you’re only getting it for 0.2, however awesome it may be. I do also understand just how starved Kingdom Hearts fans are however, so do know what you’re getting yourself into, but take solace in the fact that even though 0.2 is short, it’s a thrilling ride.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a strong but unnecessarily pricey collection for die-hard fans, especially for those who don't intend to play Dream Drop Distance. For those who do, it most certainly is a wonderful game that has undergone an admirable transition between platforms. With a fair film and enticing episode in tow, there's only so much more our hearts can bear in anticipating Kingdom Hearts III.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a great opportunity to look at what players can expect in Kingdom Hearts III due to A Fragmentary Passage and partly χ Back Cover.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue may be saddled with a ridiculous title, but the package offers plenty to enjoy. It may not be the most welcoming of games, thanks to Kingdom Hearts being amongst the worst offenders for convoluted narratives, but the HD remaster of Dream Drop Distance combined with a glimpse of what is to come for the franchise makes this more or less essential for fans.