Do You Miss Content Playing on Easy Kingdom Hearts

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• #1

So I am trying to get into Kingdom Hearts again since the full series is on game pass.

Last time I stopped playing during Traverse town in 1 (2 hours in.) and return the game but I want to give the series another chance.

Some people suggested ignoring the story because it's a mess but I am a story first kinda person so I want to try to really understand and enjoy the story. I will focus on enjoying the Original characters this time instead of expecting lots of disney like the first time.

1. what order to play in?

2. What difficulty to play on each game. (I usually play one difficulty above normal in most games don't like cakewalks don't like throwing controller at wall either.)

3. gameplay/ build tips.

4. Tips to enjoy story (minor spoiler fine but no major spoilers.)

5. Do the Movies of unplayable games cover enough or should I watch a lets play?

Last edited: Oct 14, 2020

• #2

Oh gee where do you start with Kingdom Hearts.
I would personally say play them in release order.

Don't worry about "builds" it's not that complex.
Enjoy.

• #3

1. Release order

2. Normal on all, easy on KH1 (KH1's gameplay is, imo, insanely dated. Go with easy if you want a smooth experience, but that's just my opinion)

3. I've beaten all the games on critical except KH3, but I still don't know the ins and outs of builds so I can't help you here.

4. Just enjoy the ride. The story's not as complicated as the internet makes it to be at all.

• #4

Play them in release order but skip Chain of Memories.

Also turn your brain off after KH1.

• #5

I got stuck on the fight against a guy that looks like chernobog in smite so I stopped. Game was impossible for me at that fight

• #6

Just play them in release order and there's no real "build" tips but I do recommend picking the staff at the beginning of the first game to have more magic power. Play the second game on critical mode, that game is at its best on that difficulty.

• #7

Kingdom Hearts
Re:Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts 2
358/2 Days
Birth By Sleep
Re: Coded
Dream Drop Distance
Birth by Sleep .02
Back Cover
Kingdom Hearts 3

The game is very simple for an RPG unless you want to play on critical and do all the optional fights. The story is the highlight of the series for me so I don't recommend skipping anycutscenes.

• #8

there is no reason to "ignore the story" - just make your mind up about wether you care about it or not. and tbh KH1's story is completely fine and doesn't suffer from some of the issues that later games get critiqued for.

KH1 may be a little hard to really appreciate today because of the gameplay - the camera controls, in particular, but it's worth getting through it IMO. KH2 will feel like a huge upgrade in terms of controls and combat.

Order is...

KH1
Chain of Memories (many skip this, due to being card based combat, but its important story wise so at least read a summary of it)
KH2
358/2 days (the collection lists before KH2 IIRC, but it works better post-KH2 imo and most people suggest it this way)
Birth by Sleep
Re:Coded (this is probably the worst story of the franchise, and its largely useless save for the last 10 minutes)
Dream Drop Distance
Back Cover
0.2
KH3
reMind

As for gameplay tips, I guess don't shy away from grinding if you are finding it too difficult, especially in the first game. I recently went through it again and there are some really annoying bosses. Grinding encounters for 30-40 mins at these difficult spots can go a long way in making the game more enjoyable, rather than frustrating.

• #9

Order + Difficulty

KH1: Proud
Chain of Memories: Standard
KH2: Critical
358 Days: It's just a movie in the collection
Birth By Sleep; Proud
Coded: It's just a movie in the collection
Dream Drop Distance: Standard
0.2: Standard
Back Cover: It's another movie
KH3: Critical

• #10

Kingdom Hearts was designed as a standalone entry so it feels the most disconnected out of all the games with only Sora, Riku, Kairi and a mystery character as the original characters.

From Chain of Memories onwards, you're going to be introduced to a slew of new original characters and you're bound to have personal favourites.

• #11

Yeah, don't ignore the story. It's a fun, crazy ride and can be heartwarming.

1. You can pretty much just play in the order the games are listed in each collection. 1.5 first, 2.5 second, 2.8 third, then 3. For Birth By Sleep, you can choose several characters, you should also just play those in the order they're listed.

2. Proud for KH1, Critical for KH2 and KH3. The rest, probably Proud mode. Playing on higher difficulties makes it easier to unlock the secret endings/content in each game. Maybe play Dream Drop Distance on normal, never found that game fun on harder difficulties.

3. Magic is really OP in KH1. Choose the staff at the beginning. No shame in grinding a few levels at any point if you need more health or magic casts, or are close to a new skill you want.

4. Just enjoy the ride. It's crazy, but not hard to understand if you're going through all the entries. Don't over analyze it.

• #12

I don't recommend skipping anycutscenes.

I would never skip a cut-scene in a video game.

• #13

1. Release order

2. Normal on all, easy on KH1 (KH1's gameplay is, imo, insanely dated. Go with easy if you want a smooth experience, but that's just my opinion)

3. I've beaten all the games on critical except KH3, but I still don't know the ins and outs of builds so I can't help you here.

4. Just enjoy the ride. The story's not as complicated as the internet makes it to be at all.

I am in support of this answer, although I just played them all on normal :).

However, I just watched cutscenes of Chain of Memories on YouTube - that really wasn't my thing.

• #14

release order

which means 23489720394832 days after 2, despite the collections telling you otherwise

in my opinion chain of memories and birth by sleep are great, but dream drop distance is trash that completely overstays its welcome

• #15

KH1 - Normal mode
KHRe:Com - Watch the cutscenes on youtube or play on easy
KH Days - Just watch the "movie"

• #16

Start with the first, but not gonna lie, it's hard to push through these days. I played the series for the first time in 2019.

KH1, Chain of Memories, KH2, 358 movie, Birth by Sleep, ReCoded movie, DDD, 0.2, UX baxk cover movie, KH3, Remind.

honestly the spinoffs are all nothing special gameplay wise. I put them on easy and just blasted through for the story and button mashing fun. BBS story in particular I like.

KH2 still plays really great though

and 3's remind bosses are some of the best of all time

• #18

Narratively you'll be a bit lost in II without it.

• #19

Narratively you'll be a bit lost in II without it.

Lost? Not at all.

I'd just skip straight to 2 or 3 if you are a new player. You can always go back later if you want.

• #20

dude best advice just play the mainlines and birth by sleep dream drop distance and come back to all the inbetween series if you need that clarity kingdom hearts is a bit of a clusterfuck so its your first time work from there then fill in the gaps with what i suggested

• #21

1. Play in release order:
1
Re:Chain of memories(I'd consider watching a cutscene compilation for this one.)
2
358/2 days (Movie)
Birth by Sleep (My personal play order is Terra, Ventus, Aqua)
Re Coded (Movie)
Dream drop Distance
Back Cover(Movie)
0.2
Union Cross (Mobile)
3
Remind(DLC for 3)
Melody of Memory (A Rhythm Game, if you don't like rhythm games, watch a cutscene compilation)
Dark Road (Mobile)
Here is a link to some story playlists for the mobile games:
KHUX: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPCJnwphQDQcJOkD9OsmxxMHX7YHE4WP2
KHDR: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPCJnwphQDQf7grfevVUEddbfKe521SL9
Note these games are ongoing and are still being updated with more story, so these playlists are going to be updated.

2. These difficulties are chosen based on how fun they are, and how much work is needed to get the secret endings. On lower difficulties you will need to do more optional content.

• 1 = Proud
• Chain of Memories = Standard
• 2 = Critical
• BBS = Proud
• 3D = Proud
• 0.2 = Standard or Proud
• 3 = Critical (Be aware the start is really punishing, but it levels out)

3.
For KH1 Pick Shield Drop Sword. For the Tidus Wakka Selphie Questions Pick Dawn if you don't plan on doing side content, Dusk if you do plan on doing side content)

For kh2 pick shield twice

For KH3 pick Vitality and Guardian

4. Try to go in with an open mind and without preconceptions about the story, watch every cutscene, and read the secret reports.

Last edited: Oct 14, 2020

• #22

I'm glad I played all these games when they first came out, I'm not sure I'd be able to go through them as a new player.

I just finished KH3 for the first time and it's incredible how little it's evolved since the first game, in fact it's gone backwards in some ways. The complexity of the story has spiralled out of control but the game itself is more or less the same as it was on the PS2.

• #23

Lost? Not at all.

I'd just skip straight to 2 or 3 if you are a new player. You can always go back later if you want.

Skipping to 3 sounds like the worst idea ever for a newcomer to the series.

• #24

Skipping to 3 sounds like the worst idea ever for a newcomer to the series.

Suggesting a newcomer slog through KH1 or Chain of Memories in 2020 is an even worse idea.

• #25

So I am trying to get into Kingdom Hearts again since the full series is on game pass.

Last time I stopped playing during Traverse town in 1 (2 hours in.) and return the game but I want to give the series another chance.

Some people suggested ignoring the story because it's a mess but I am a story first kinda person so I want to try to really understand and enjoy the story. I will focus on enjoying the Original characters this time instead of expecting lots of disney like the first time.

1. what order to play in?

2. What difficulty to play on each game. (I usually play one difficulty above normal in most games don't like cakewalks don't like throwing controller at wall either.)

3. gameplay/ build tips.

4. Tips to enjoy story (minor spoiler fine but no major spoilers.)

1. Release order, for sure, but you can skip Chain of Memories if the gameplay doesn't interest you, since it's a card-combat game. Read a summary and you'll be fine.
HUGE CAVEAT THOUGH: The order of 1.5-2.5 is NOT release order, after Chain of Memories comes 358/2 Days according to that, and that's chronological order, I'd recommend after Chain of Memories you go straight to 2, and then check 358/2, then move to Birth by Sleep and then Coded. 2.8 you can play fine in release order (Dream Drop Distance, then Birth by Sleep 0.2)

2. All games on proud, buuut I'd echo, KH 1 can be annoying, you can easily go Normal on that one.

3. I don't think there's many build tips until you get to 2.5, where you'll play Birth by Sleep, that game is where you'll choose abilities. Keep in mind though that while this is an RPG, there's really not a lot of "build building" if you will, it is pretty normal.

4. Don't skip cutscenes, learn to appreciate the cringe, and also before you play KH 3 watch a summary of KH: Unchained X, since that matters right about there.

Suggesting a newcomer slog through KH1 or Chain of Memories in 2020 is an even worse idea.

No lies detected, skip Chain of Memories OP. You can try KH1 on normal or easy if you'd like to, but KH2 is where the gameplay gets much better

• #26

I'll just re-iterate as others have, OP, in the collection 358/2 Days movie is going to be listed before Kingdom Hearts 2, however, DO NOT watch 358/2 before playing 2. No idea why they listed it like that, as 2 came out before 358. Also, don't skip Chain of Memories.

Play Birth by Sleep in this order: Terra --> Ventus --> Aqua.

Also, out of all the secret endings, the one you're really going to want to try and obtain and not just watch online is Birth by Sleep, so don't be afraid to look up requirements for it before playing.

• #27

Honestly, 1 is a real slog and I can't recommend actually playing it unless you grew up with it. Some of the map design is just horrendous and ages really, really, REALLY badly. You will tear your hair out trying to navigate around and actually figure out what to do. It controls like crap too. I recommend just watching the youtube "movie" version of it as well as the other games in 1.5. KH 2 is the first game in the series I actually felt any sort of gameplay enjoyment out and recommend playing like a traditional game. I think it's the only one other than 3 I actually managed to not get completely bored and frustrated with and not skip to the "movie" version of it for the story.

Honestly you aren't missing much by just watching the story versions of the titles you don't enjoy playing.

• #28

I'll just re-iterate as others have, OP, in the collection 358/2 Days movie is going to be listed before Kingdom Hearts 2, however, DO NOT watch 358/2 before playing 2. No idea why they listed it like that, as 2 came out before 358. Also, don't skip Chain of Memories. Also, out of all the secret endings, the one you're really going to want to try and obtain and not just watch online is Birth by Sleep, so don't be afraid to look up requirements for it before playing.

Noted.

Can I get a list of which games are playable and which are cut-scenes. I appreciate the help.

• #29

Do the Movies of unplayable games cover enough or should I watch a lets play?

• #30

Suggesting a newcomer slog through KH1 or Chain of Memories in 2020 is an even worse idea.

Kingdom Hearts 1 holds up pretty okay. It's not Incredible in 2020 but I play through it at least once a year.

• #31

Just play them in release order. Don't worry about story, yes it can get nonsensical but you will understand everything if you play from beginning to end. It's not that deep.

Also, and this may be controversial, but I'd tell you to skip CoM, and if you're not enjoying KH 1 (if you think the gameplay is slow or platforming sucks), I'd say jump to KH2 and give it a go. I never played CoM and started the series with 2 and it's my fav series of games.

• #32

Do the Movies of unplayable games cover enough or should I watch a lets play?

The unplayable games are 358/2 Days, Re: Coded and X Back Cover. Your best option is to watch the movies like they're movies.

• #33

If you don't want to lose your sanity while playing KH1, do not skip sidequests or skip leveling up. Find all the freaking Dalmatians. Grind at least just a little bit. You will have a much easier time and won't be pulling your hair out by the end of the game, because it gets HARD if you're low level. I know this from experience, playing the game for the first time last year.

• #34

Kingdom Hearts 1 holds up pretty okay. It's not Incredible in 2020 but I play through it at least once a year.

If you are completing it once a year I think you may have lost perspective a little bit. I liked it on PS2 and have never been able to get through the whole thing again. It's not awful, but it's not good.

• #35

If you are completing it once a year I think you may have lost perspective a little bit. I liked it on PS2 and have never been able to get through the whole thing again. It's not awful, but it's not good.

The platforming is clunky as hell and the camera needs to back up a bit but if OP is playing for the story, it's important to play the game that introduces all the characters and lore.

• #36

Order + Difficulty

KH1: Proud
Chain of Memories: Standard
KH2: Critical
358 Days: It's just a movie in the collection
Birth By Sleep; Proud
Coded: It's just a movie in the collection
Dream Drop Distance: Standard
0.2: Standard
Back Cover: It's another movie
KH3: Critical

This, but I'd say DDD Proud, KH3 Proud.
I think KH3 critical is the best way to play it, but I think critical is a bit too awkward for a first playthrough/the difficulty really shines when you go in with all the keyblades from the start.

• #37

The platforming is clunky as hell and the camera needs to back up a bit but if OP is playing for the story, it's important to play the game that introduces all the characters and lore.

For a newcomer I'd suggest playing one of the better games first to see if they have any interest in the series and they can always go back after.

I think that's an easier entry point than slogging through the early games for a story you don't know you are gonna like.

• #38

I believe KH is one of those series that you grow up with and it's extremely difficult to get into it if you are a newcomer.

My tip would be to play the games in release order BUT watch the 358/2 Days movie AFTER you play KH2. Also, if you are not enjoying the Disney world cutscenes, it's ok to skip them. You won't miss much.

• #39

For a newcomer I'd suggest playing one of the better games first to see if they have any interest in the series and they can always go back after.

I think that's an easier entry point than slogging through the early games for a story you don't know you are gonna like.

wouldn't a older game be harder to get into after experiencing better combat.

• #40

wouldn't a older game be harder to get into after experiencing better combat.

Yes? That's why I wouldn't recommend it to newcomers. Then that person can play the game later if they really want to, or just catch up on YouTube etc.

• #41

Yes? That's why I wouldn't recommend it to newcomers. Then that person can play the game later if they really want to, or just catch up on YouTube etc.

I'm trying to say if I play kingdom hearts 2 or 3 first it will be harder to play kingdom hearts 1. plus o would experience the story out of order.

• #42

Do the Movies of unplayable games cover enough or should I watch a lets play?

They probably cover enough for you to get the general plot. However, I strongly, strongly advise against watching them. They basically represent all the worst traits of Kingdom Hearts' story (the stilled dialogue and voice acting, boring cutscene direction, endless melodramatic monologues) without any of the fun gameplay to distract you or break up the pace. If you want to experience 358/2 Days story, than I would recommend reading the manga adaptation, because it is by far the best thing to come from that game and is probably the most well-written piece of media in the entire franchise. For Re:Coded, just read the Wikipedia synopsis.

• #43

wouldn't a older game be harder to get into after experiencing better combat.

Don't listen to people telling you to skip games, it's not a good idea. The clunkiness of kh1 is over exaggerated, and it's story is needed for the future games( I assume Lemony1984 is talking about starting with 2, don't do that, you'll be lost)

• #44

Don't listen to people telling you to skip games, it's not a good idea. The clunkiness of kh1 is over exaggerated, and it's story is needed for the future games( I assume Lemony1984 is talking about starting with 2, don't do that, you'll be lost)

What really over exaggerated is how "lost" you will be if you skip a single game in the KH series. You'll be fine and you can always catch up with YouTube etc. if you really want to.

• #45

I'm trying to say if I play kingdom hearts 2 or 3 first it will be harder to play kingdom hearts 1. plus o would experience the story out of order.

Ignore them and just play in release order. KH1 plays just fine, it's just that the combat improves as the series goes on.

• #46

Play them in release order

Go through KH1 as fast as possible and never look back. When you get to KH2, you can now take your time

• #47

Playing KH1 lets you appreciate how much better the gameplay gets as time goes on, but honestly some of the QoL changes that the HD collections made softens the jank a bit.

And honestly the story of KH1 is great. It's no worse than your typical 2000s JRPG.

Chain of Memories though is kind of rough. It was a card based action RPG on the GBA. The translation to 3d space did not serve that game well.

• #48

What really over exaggerated is how "lost" you will be if you skip a single game in the KH series. You'll be fine and you can always catch up with YouTube etc. if you really want to.

It's skipping two games(1 and chain of memories), and It's always best to play games in release order for both the story and to see how the mechanics improve overtime.

• #49

It's skipping two games(1 and chain of memories), and It's always best to play games in release order for both the story and to see how the mechanics improve overtime.

No it's always best to play a game you are likely to enjoy today.

• #50

No it's always best to play a game you are likely to enjoy today.

For some people, but OP specifically mentioned being a story first guy, so he should start with the first game.

scottclereatifich.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.resetera.com/threads/jumping-into-kingdom-hearts-1-5-help-me-enjoy-this-series.306362/

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