Hand down peak of combat for the series. Balance changes alone were enough to solve most complaints about the base game's combat, and the extra challenges really sold the cake here.
For starters, we play through the end once again. But now through a new perspective. It feels a bit repetitive, especially if you start it as soon as you finish the base game. But it does wonders to your general understanding of the end. And having lasting consequences in the end was a good change of pace for the series.
Getting to play as so many beloved characters throughout these fights helps mitigate the repetitiveness factor. Nothing comes closer to finally seeing multiple Keyblade masters fighting in unison against a real threat, as the base game unfortunately failed to deliver. And Mickey finally beat the fraud allegations! But I can't express how much I loved everything related to Kairi here. God, I wanted to play as her for so long and, to my wonderful surprise, she's awesome! She steals the spotlight (as I always wished for her to do so) with a satisfying moveset and it feels so deserving.
And once you're done with replaying the story, things start getting really interesting. Limit Cut episode introduces 13 new bosses that put you through fire and flames in some of the best fights ever designed in the series. Team Osaka outdid themselves here by bringing elements from all other games (yeah, all of them) into each of the battles, making this an ultimate challenge for longtime fans.
Marluxia starts with a very CoM-inspired moveset, but seeing him suddenly whispering his silent doom words into Sora's ears is enthralling, nostalgic and chilling, all at the same time. All of that while we get a banger remix of his original theme playing in the background.
And that's only one example out of thirteen. Xemnas puts you through his iconic laser dome once again. Vanitas incorporates moves from his Remnant secret boss in BBS. Riku is once again dashing through the arena while mocking you just like in Hollow Bastion.Xion's moveset is a mix of her own moves, Sora's, Roxas' and even Kairi's(!). You just can't ask for more fanservice than that.
It could take hours to master each fight, especially when doing self-imposed challenges. But man it feels rewarding. It also gives you more reason to revisit older Keyblades, unlock some endgame content and learn more about the game's combat in a deeper level.
And if you did beat them all, you also get the true ultimate challenge. Following the series' tradition of introducing a to-be-important character as a superboss, Yozora enters the scene as a final enemy in your way. Fighting him is insane. More than insane. He breaks the game's systems just because he can, and may possibly make you break your controller in the process. And it's an entirely original fight, so while you may be prepared for things like unblockable attacks, a lot of time will be just you trying to figure out what killed you this time. Learning his dance takes time, but it never feels like a chore, incredibly.
All in all, this was the perfect update to the game, being able to turn people's opinions about the title in general. While base KH III is not a perfect game, its expansion unveils its true potential and refreshes my hopes for a bright future for the series. They don't necessarily need to top these fights, but I'm sure they can deliver us the same rush. And I'll take it any time.
For starters, we play through the end once again. But now through a new perspective. It feels a bit repetitive, especially if you start it as soon as you finish the base game. But it does wonders to your general understanding of the end. And having lasting consequences in the end was a good change of pace for the series.
Getting to play as so many beloved characters throughout these fights helps mitigate the repetitiveness factor. Nothing comes closer to finally seeing multiple Keyblade masters fighting in unison against a real threat, as the base game unfortunately failed to deliver. And Mickey finally beat the fraud allegations! But I can't express how much I loved everything related to Kairi here. God, I wanted to play as her for so long and, to my wonderful surprise, she's awesome! She steals the spotlight (as I always wished for her to do so) with a satisfying moveset and it feels so deserving.
And once you're done with replaying the story, things start getting really interesting. Limit Cut episode introduces 13 new bosses that put you through fire and flames in some of the best fights ever designed in the series. Team Osaka outdid themselves here by bringing elements from all other games (yeah, all of them) into each of the battles, making this an ultimate challenge for longtime fans.
Marluxia starts with a very CoM-inspired moveset, but seeing him suddenly whispering his silent doom words into Sora's ears is enthralling, nostalgic and chilling, all at the same time. All of that while we get a banger remix of his original theme playing in the background.
And that's only one example out of thirteen. Xemnas puts you through his iconic laser dome once again. Vanitas incorporates moves from his Remnant secret boss in BBS. Riku is once again dashing through the arena while mocking you just like in Hollow Bastion.Xion's moveset is a mix of her own moves, Sora's, Roxas' and even Kairi's(!). You just can't ask for more fanservice than that.
It could take hours to master each fight, especially when doing self-imposed challenges. But man it feels rewarding. It also gives you more reason to revisit older Keyblades, unlock some endgame content and learn more about the game's combat in a deeper level.
And if you did beat them all, you also get the true ultimate challenge. Following the series' tradition of introducing a to-be-important character as a superboss, Yozora enters the scene as a final enemy in your way. Fighting him is insane. More than insane. He breaks the game's systems just because he can, and may possibly make you break your controller in the process. And it's an entirely original fight, so while you may be prepared for things like unblockable attacks, a lot of time will be just you trying to figure out what killed you this time. Learning his dance takes time, but it never feels like a chore, incredibly.
All in all, this was the perfect update to the game, being able to turn people's opinions about the title in general. While base KH III is not a perfect game, its expansion unveils its true potential and refreshes my hopes for a bright future for the series. They don't necessarily need to top these fights, but I'm sure they can deliver us the same rush. And I'll take it any time.