Since it’s initial release back in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, Kingdom Hearts is a uniquely charming crossover RPG which is fondly remembered by Disney and Square Enix fans in equal measure. From the initial meeting of Sora, Donald and Goofy, to the epic conclusion at the End of the World, the debut entry in the Kingdom Hearts series is an enthralling adventure from start to finish. It was re-released with various visual and gameplay alterations in Japan a few months after the international release, under the name of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. This enhanced version of the game was used as the template for the HD remaster, which was included as a part of  Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 HD Remix on PlayStation 3.

To celebrate the release of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix for the PlayStation 4, we have decided to offer you a short guide which explains the benefits and consequences of the initial choices that you will make during Kingdom Hearts Final Mix HD. As an added bonus, this short guide can be also be used for the PlayStation 3 version of the game, as well as the original and enhanced versions of the PS2 release.

1. Choosing Your Weapon

After the beautiful intro sequence, follow the voice’s instructions until three podiums rise out of the ground. Each of them has a weapon on top of it, which will determine how many item slots you will have at the beginning of the game, as well as the abilities you will gain through levelling up.

  • If you choose the Sword on the left podium:
    • Your maximum amount of item slots will be 7.
    • You will mainly learn offence focused abilities, such as Hurricane Blast, Ripple Drive and Aerial Sweep.
    • You will learn the Scan ability, which allows you to see an enemy’s health bar at Level 9.
  • If you choose the Staff on the middle podium:
    • Your maximum amount of item slots will be 6.
    • You will mainly learn support focused abilities, such as Treasure Magnet, MP Haste and Jackpot.
    • You will learn Leaf Bracer, which allows you to keep healing whilst being attacked at Level 39.
  • If you choose the Shield on the right podium:
    • Your maximum amount of item slots will be 8.
    • You will mainly learn defence focused abilities, such as Guard, Berserk and Lucky Strike.
    • You will learn Second Chance, which allows you to keep 1 HP after an attack that would make you lose all your health at Level 36.

2. Choose Your Sacrifice

When you have made your choice, you will then be instructed to choose one of the items to give up in exchange for your new power. Understandably, this decision has greater effects than your first choice.

Sword Path

  • If you choose to give up the Shield:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 6.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 1.
    • You will start with 2 MP.
    • You will start with 3 ability points.
  • If you choose to give up the Staff:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 6.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 2.
    • You will start with 2 MP.
    • You will start with 1 ability point.

Staff Path

  • If you choose to give up the Shield:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 3.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 1.
    • You will start with 3 MP.
    • You will start with 3 ability points.
  • If you choose to give up the Sword:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 5.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 3.
    • You will start with 3 MP.
    • You will start with 3 ability points.

Shield Path

  • If you choose to give up the Staff:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 5.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 4.
    • You will start with 2 MP.
    • You will start with 1 ability point.
  • If you choose to give up the Sword:
    • Your base Strength attribute will be 4.
    • Your base Defence attribute will be 4.
    • You will start with 2 MP.
    • You will start with 3 ability points.

3. Answer The Questions

When you walk through the door that you have to reform by completing two objectives, you will arrive on the Destiny Islands. Whilst there, you will need to speak with the younger versions of Selphie from Final Fantasy VII, and Tidus and Wakka from Final Fantasy X. Each question you answer will shape how you will gain experience from this point onward.

The Questions

  1. What Are You So Afraid Of? – Tidus
    1. Getting Old
    2. Being Different
    3. Being Indecisive
  1. What Do You Want Outta Life? – Wakka
    1. To See Rare Sights
    2. To Broaden My Horizons
    3. To Be Strong
  1. What’s Most Important To You? –  Selphie
    1. Being Number One
    2. Friendship
    3. My Prize Possessions

Choosing Your Answers

  • You Will Begin Your Journey At Sunrise:
    • (1.1), (2,1), (3,1)
    • (1.1), (2,1), (3,2)
    • (1.1), (2,1), (3,3)
    • (1.1), (2,3), (3,1)
    • (1.2), (2,1), (3,1)
    • (1.3), (2,1), (3,1)
  • You Will Begin Your Journey At Midday:
    • (1.1), (2,2), (3,2)
    • (1.1), (2,2), (3,3)
    • (1.1), (2,3), (3,2)
    • (1.2), (2,1), (3,2)
    • (1.2), (2,2), (3,1)
    • (1.2), (2,2), (3,2)
    • (1.2), (2,2), (3,3)
    • (1.2), (2,3), (3,2)
    • (1.2), (2,3), (3,3)
    • (1.3), (2,1), (3,1)
    • (1.3), (2,2), (3,1)
    • (1.3), (2,2), (3,1)
  • You Will Begin Your Journey In The Dead Of Night:
    • (1.1), (2,3), (3,3)
    • (1.2), (2,1), (3,3)
    • (1.3), (2,1), (3,3)
    • (1.3), (2,2), (3,3)
    • (1.3), (2,3), (3,1)
    • (1.3), (2,3), (3,2)
    • (1.3), (2,3), (3,3)

The Consequences Of Your Choices

  • If You Begin Your Journey At Sunrise:
    • You will level up at a fast pace for the first fifty levels.
    • After that, your progress will be slower.
  • If You Begin Your Journey At Midday:
    • You will level up at an even pace throughout the game.
  • If You Begin Your Journey In The Dead Of Night:
    • You will level up at a slow pace for the first fifty levels.
    • After that, your progress will be much faster.

With that, your initial choices for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix HD have been made. If you enjoyed this guide, stay tuned to VGU for more Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix content, including our review of the game, and several guides to help you along your quest to save the worlds from darkness.