Square Enix is giving Kingdom Hearts fans one more chance to play catch up with a brand new collection packing 9 of Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s adventures into one big package. Containing Kingdom Hearts 1.5, 2.5, and 2.8 fans can replay or experience the most recent entries in the series for the first time including 0.2 Fragmentary Passage & Dream Drop Distance.

Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far is a 2018 HD remaster compilation game, it is developed and published by Square Enix. It is available exclusively on Playstation 4.

Editor’s Note: Near complete to complete spoilers for Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far may be present within this review. An Amazon Affiliates link is present in this review.

Having debuted in the sixth generation of gaming back in 2002, Kingdom Hearts has made it’s way into the hearts (no pun intended) of millions across the globe. Whether it was through a personal purchase, a rental on a whim, or due to word of mouth chances are you’ve heard of & played at least one Kingdom Hearts title within your life from it’s initial debut onward. The strange crossover mash-up of Disney & Final Fantasy characters was unheard of at the time, but it oddly works in an eye-popping way that likely will never be replicated again.

Donald, Sora, and Goofy in Kingdom Hearts.

THE GOOD: If you missed out on picking up Kingdom Hearts’ first three compilation packages when they were released solo then Square Enix has you covered in a brand new pack including all three for a new low price. These days there’s really no excuse to be so far behind on a Kingdom Hearts catch up or replay run with so many options out there, and “The Story So Far” brings the ultimate convenience just in time for the impending release of the long-desired third main entry of the series “Kingdom Hearts III” which is releasing in less than two and a half months from now. In Kingdom Hearts you play as Sora, a young man who discovers that he is the wielder of a Keyblade; a mysterious sword which can unlock the doors to new worlds and the hearts of people. After encountering Donald and Goofy he travels many worlds throughout the Disney Universe to find his friends Kairi & Riku the latter of which choosing to turn to the darkness.

Sora’s Nobody Roxas with Xion.

After reuniting with Kairi & Riku, Sora must once again leave his friends to close more doors. With Riku coming back to the light, he begins investigating a dangerous group known as Organization XIII alongside King Mickey who’s been working in the shadows with him. Organization XIII’s goal is to create thirteen Hearts of Darkness for an ancient Keyblade wielder named Xehanort who wants to use the power of Kingdom Hearts to control the dark and light. The Organization plans on utilizing Sora as the thirteenth Heart of Darkness to complete their plan and creates his Nobody Roxas as a result. Nobodies are the remains of those who have lost their hearts to Darkness. With the current incarnation of Organization XIII being made up of Nobodies, Sora, Donald, and Goofy who just recently awoke from a magic induced sleep battle the group to stop Xehanort from completing Kingdom Hearts. With the help of Riku and King Mickey they defeat Organization XIII and Sora & Riku begin their Mark of Mastery Exams.

Riku, Sora, and King Mickey work together to stop the completion of Kingdom Hearts.

Back in the past, in Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep we’re introduced to three new playable characters; Aqua, Ventus, and Terra who were present during the previous Keyblade War. Of the three Aqua is named Keyblade Master, but we learn that each have their own threats of being corrupted by darkness. The trio learn of their former Master Xehanort’s betrayal and each have several battles with his creation Vanitas who was created with darkness extracted from Ventus’ heart. Terra ultimately falls to darkness and Ventus’ slips into a coma, leaving Aqua as the only remaining member of the trio with the light to her side, she however sacrifices herself to the darkness in order to protect Ventus’ heart with her final act being to aide King Mickey & Riku in helping Sora, Donald, and Goofy close the doors to Kingdom Hearts in the first game. Returning to the present, Riku & Sora drop into the Dream Universe where their Mark of Mastery exams begin. Both Riku & Sora face off against what exploits their hearts to darkness, which Riku manages to conquer but Sora fails to do so. Meanwhile, we learn that Axel (or Lea as he prefers) has had his heart returned to him and is no longer a Nobody and thus has his Keyblade returned to him. And Kairi will undergo Keyblade training to fight in the upcoming Keyblade War.

Aqua, Terra, and Ventus.

Something I’ll always appreciate about the Kingdom Hearts franchise is that director Tetsuya Nomura is never afraid of changing things up whether it’s small in scale or nearly from top to bottom. This attention to innovation is present in nearly all of his titles and every entry of Kingdom Hearts is no different. Each title in the series takes on a new approach to the story complete with new mechanics and worlds to match. Character and plot building are world class which is quite a surprise given that it’s premise initially sounds like a one off gag. When you’re able to finally make sense of it all & connect everything together it just becomes that much more appreciative as a fan.

Aqua makes a great sacrifice for the future.

THE BAD: Not every title is playable with about three being limited to HD cinematics. While this isn’t that big of a deal when you consider two of the three were in a playable state upon initial release it is a bit annoying not being able to enjoy a remade version of Coded & 358/2 Days.

Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far is a fantastic final step to Kingdom Hearts III.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far is an ultimate comp for newcomers or replayers who have yet to already experience 1.5, 2.5, and 2.8. Though some titles are missing in playable form, what is there is more than enough to sink hundreds of hours into this beloved RPG franchise.