Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece Reviews
The Switch version of Kingdom Hearts only manages to bring an inferior experience to a new console, without giving players access to the portable and casual benefits of that console. So, there's really nothing that makes the Switch version a preferable option over the others that are currently available. For players where the Switch is the only option available, it will work to get through to the end credits, but it won't allow those players to experience this incredible series at its best.
Many players will undoubtedly grab these versions to replay some classics from their childhood, and I already feel for them when that wave of disappointment hits. But truth be told, I feel worse for people hoping to finally give the series a try now that the entire collection is on a mobile, family-first platform. If that describes you, and you’ve been waiting for this moment to finally dive into Kingdom Hearts: Keep waiting.
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece brings together all the Kingdom Hearts offerings you could ever want, and runs great on Steam Deck.
Ultimately, there are a ton of potential issues you may or may not run into, and seemingly no real advantages to running Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece on Switch - unless you simply have no other choice but to play these games on this console. As a fan, and as a player who just wants a consistent gameplay experience, it's incredibly disappointing. If you can buy this package for another system we'd earnestly implore you to do so - it may not be handheld, but at least it would be yours to keep and it would run reliably and consistently. As it stands, Kingdom Hearts on Nintendo Switch is defined by compromise.
Kingdom Hearts on Switch could have been excellent, but instead of actually giving at the very least 1.5 + 2.5 the love and care they deserve they've all been shoved into the cloud. On top of dealing with input lag, dips in visual quality, and the occasional stutter many of these games look and run a lot worse compared to their PS4 or even PS3 counterparts. But hey…it's portable. Kinda.
The Kingdom Hearts series is at its best on Steam. With Deck support and (mostly) improved textures, each game looks and plays amazingly. There are still a few hitches, namely in frame pacing on Deck, the 30fps cutscene cap in ReMIX, and some mistakes in upscaled textures, but it's still a great way to experience the story up until Melody of Memory.
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece for cloud probably isn’t the best way to experience these classic titles, and with its hefty price tag, I would opt for the other versions which aren’t plagued with these needless issues.
"Though the worlds may seem far apart and out of reach, they nonetheless remain connected by invisible ties. As do our hearts."
Birth By Sleep Final Mix was a game I really wanted to enjoy, but with huge shifts in the gameplay, a nonsensical story at times, and a trio of main characters that I didn't care much for, the game barely held my interest, and it was a relief to be done with it.
The Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece collection for Steam offers an outstanding portable experience, combining the beloved series' magic with modern hardware's flexibility and performance. The collection's performance is impressive, with smooth gameplay and extensive customization options that enhance the overall experience. I highly recommend playing on the Steam Deck and feel that it is the ideal platform to enjoy the series, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer.
Overall, the Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece is a fantastic port of the games to Steam's ecosystem. Everything runs as well - if not better than - the Epic version, and the Steam Deck releases are some of the most fun I've had on the handheld. There's no reason to rush and purchase the Steam version if you already have the Epic Games Store version, since they're otherwise mostly identical, but otherwise, this is some of the biggest RPG bang for the buck on a PC. If you're unsure or hesitant, it's probably best to start with just the 1.5+2.5 collection to see if the franchise grabs you, but Kingdom Hearts remains one of the weirdest and most fun action-RPGs on the market.
Unfortunately, even with all the virtues of the Kingdom Hearts saga, this version of Cloud makes it impossible to enjoy it as it should be.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Kingdom Hearts series is one of the gems of the games industry, and absolutely worth playing through by any means necessary – even cloud streaming. However, if you have a platform that allows you to play these classics off a local install, then I’d recommend playing through the series on said platform over the Switch version without hesitation.
Even though an average thesis by a graduated quantum scientist is easier to understand than the story of Kingdom Hearts, I can do nothing but recommend this collection without any problems. Yes, part one and Chain of Memories feel a bit dated. Yes, Dream Drop Distance will make you swear several times. However, the other parts more than make up for that. This is the ideal way to prepare for part four. Whenever that may come.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece brings together the wonderful action RPG collection in an ultimate collection that any Steam user should aim for if they’ve yet to touch it on any other platform.
The release of Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece on Steam is a significant improvement, especially for Steam Deck users, offering better compatibility and performance without the need for extensive tweaks.