KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8
Time to Reconnect. with this fan-friendly collection
Hold up: we know you’re not here to read about Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. You’re here to hunt for the skinny on Kingdom Hearts III – its plot, its release date, its deepest, darkest secrets. Well, about that… spoiler alert! JRPG Kingdom Hearts 2.8 isn’t exactly a glistening treasure trove of new information. So, it looks like you’re going to read about 2.8 after all. If you’re new to the series, just imagine a world where Square Enix and Disney characters co-exist, add in some kids fighting to save said world from darkness using key-sword-thingies and you’re there. As well as two games, 2.8 also contains a short film, but I’ll get to that later. First, let’s cover Dream Drop Distance HD, 2.8’s biggest block of content, a remastered version of a 2012 release for Nintendo 3DS.
The portable title’s eye-wateringly bright colour scheme pops like a paint-filled balloon away from 3DS’s Minnie-Mouse-size screen. Using Flowmotion (a parkour-like movement mechanic) for the first time on console, combat is more dynamic than in previous PlayStation entries, with heroes Sora and Riku bouncing off walls, gliding over rooftops and swirling around piñata-style enemies with effortless ease.
It’s fun if you’re new to it, but if you’ve already played it, the second time around the game’s convoluted storyline really starts to drag its heels – take a keyblade exam, save the princess, find Pinocchio. And the little things that were once so endearing on 3DS’s cosy touchscreen? Well, they’ve lost their charm somewhat in translation, with your fingertips made to feel like clumsy sausages navigating your DualShock 4’s touchpad.
MIRROR, MIRROR
Thankfully there’s more to 2.8 than that, and the fairest offering of them all is 0.2 Birth By Sleep. This episode is completely new (despite the title, it takes place after the 2010 PSP game Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep), and links things to Kingdom Hearts III. Possessing magic mirrors that will force main girl Aqua to confront her innermost demons, an unlockable Critical Mode and a theme song by Utada Hikaru that you will catch yourself humming on and off for days after your first listen, it easily outshines its compilation co-stars… despite a total play time of just three to four short hours.
At this point you’re probably wondering: if 2.8’s best bit is that brief, is 2.8 even worth it? Honestly, you’ll have to follow your heart on that one. For fans, 0.2 is the best pre-III appetiser available right now. For new players looking to buy their first ticket for the KH hype train, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, scheduled to drop in March with a more palatable price tag than this hotchpotch, should make for a much sweeter starting point. Oh, and that film, Back Cover? It’s a cute apéritif, at least.
VERDICT
A collection of highs and lows, Dream Drop Distance is fluid but flawed. It’s Aqua’s heart-stirring tale that will make seasoned keyblade wielders rejoice. Jenny Baker