I'm completely new to Kingdom Hearts. Where do I start?

[Hebrux]

Do I need to play Kingdom Hearts 1 first?

[jesuqr10]

i'll copy paste what i said in another discussion i made.

Okay, we have three things on steam, two collections and a game with a dlc included.

Kingdom hearts 1.5 + 2.5 is the first, the best order to understand everything and not spoil anything is this:

- Kingdom hearts 1
- Kingdom hearts chain of memories
- Kingdom hearts 2
- Kingdom hearts 358/2 days (movie)
- Kingdom hearts birth by sleep
- Kingdom hearts coded (movie)

Next we have the 2.8 collection, in order you are going to play:

- Kingdom hearts dream drop distance
- Kingdom hearts X (movie)

Now, leave the collection for a moment and go to this link:

https://youtu.be/68lZEYUjtRU?si=eg5Fo5Csk2DzGx8E

Watch this scenes (all cutscenes without filler of the mobile game union cross)

- And now return to the collection to finish it with kingdom hearts 0.2, direct prequel of 3.

Now play kingdom hearts 3 + remind DLC.

Now you have to play or see the kingdom hearts melody of memories cutscenes on youtube (this games is the only not on steam, idk why)

To finish you have to see this on youtube (all cutscenes from dark road mobile game):

https://youtu.be/qFOwEM8bygM?si=_fTK81dYxuRZI5ih

if there's something you don't understand let me know and i'll help you.

[Mustachious]

The stories of these games are massive and convoluted; it can be quite hard to understand them even if you play in order. I've seen people suggest playing in timeline order, but IMO the games expect you to know things from previously-released titles so that is a BAD idea. The order jesuqr presented is perfect. Plus you'll get to see the evolution of the gameplay as you go, too.

Enjoy the series!

[KaosReigns]

Originally posted by Mustachious:

Plus you'll get to see the evolution of the gameplay as you go, too.

Enjoy the series!

This here is another problem that most wont even realize, until they try it in chronological order.

Flying is probably the one that would trigger players the most. You get it fairly early on in every title, except the first game. I believe you dont get flight until close to the end if I recall. Oh I was so very wrong about this part... So very very wrong.

Also, BBS combat is slightly different from regular KH combat. So if people started on that, they may end up preferring a combat system that only exists in that one game.

[Pronounce]

Play 1 first, if you like the game then continue playing in release order

[FauxEars]

Originally posted by jesuqr10:

Now, leave the collection for a moment and go to this link:

https://youtu.be/68lZEYUjtRU?si=eg5Fo5Csk2DzGx8E

Watch this scenes (all cutscenes without filler of the mobile game union cross)

This should be considered extra credit for those who are REALLY into the story at this point. If you're mainly just looking forward to KH3, I'd say you can skip this youtube video. But please give it a watch if you're really into the story XD

[⑨ ChocolateMystia]

Originally posted by Wilford111:

Originally posted by jesuqr10:

Now, leave the collection for a moment and go to this link:

https://youtu.be/68lZEYUjtRU?si=eg5Fo5Csk2DzGx8E

Watch this scenes (all cutscenes without filler of the mobile game union cross)

This should be considered extra credit for those who are REALLY into the story at this point. If you're mainly just looking forward to KH3, I'd say you can skip this youtube video. But please give it a watch if you're really into the story XD

There's one scene in KH3 that's a direct payoff to KHX/Union Cross, so I'd say it's worth it if you've played/watched everything up to that point. There's also damo's excellent fandub of the games, which makes it a lot more palatable than 6 hours of cutscene reading.

[Hebrux]

thanks everyone!

[Hebrux]

Originally posted by jesuqr10:

i'll copy paste what i said in another discussion i made.

Okay, we have three things on steam, two collections and a game with a dlc included.

Kingdom hearts 1.5 + 2.5 is the first, the best order to understand everything and not spoil anything is this:

- Kingdom hearts 1
- Kingdom hearts chain of memories
- Kingdom hearts 2
- Kingdom hearts 358/2 days (movie)
- Kingdom hearts birth by sleep
- Kingdom hearts coded (movie)

Next we have the 2.8 collection, in order you are going to play:

- Kingdom hearts dream drop distance
- Kingdom hearts X (movie)

Now, leave the collection for a moment and go to this link:

https://youtu.be/68lZEYUjtRU?si=eg5Fo5Csk2DzGx8E

Watch this scenes (all cutscenes without filler of the mobile game union cross)

- And now return to the collection to finish it with kingdom hearts 0.2, direct prequel of 3.

Now play kingdom hearts 3 + remind DLC.

Now you have to play or see the kingdom hearts melody of memories cutscenes on youtube (this games is the only not on steam, idk why)

To finish you have to see this on youtube (all cutscenes from dark road mobile game):

https://youtu.be/qFOwEM8bygM?si=_fTK81dYxuRZI5ih

if there's something you don't understand let me know and i'll help you.

Where does the 1.5,2.5 remix lie on this timeline?

[jesuqr10]

Originally posted by Hebrux:

Originally posted by jesuqr10:

i'll copy paste what i said in another discussion i made.

Okay, we have three things on steam, two collections and a game with a dlc included.

Kingdom hearts 1.5 + 2.5 is the first, the best order to understand everything and not spoil anything is this:

- Kingdom hearts 1
- Kingdom hearts chain of memories
- Kingdom hearts 2
- Kingdom hearts 358/2 days (movie)
- Kingdom hearts birth by sleep
- Kingdom hearts coded (movie)

Next we have the 2.8 collection, in order you are going to play:

- Kingdom hearts dream drop distance
- Kingdom hearts X (movie)

Now, leave the collection for a moment and go to this link:

https://youtu.be/68lZEYUjtRU?si=eg5Fo5Csk2DzGx8E

Watch this scenes (all cutscenes without filler of the mobile game union cross)

- And now return to the collection to finish it with kingdom hearts 0.2, direct prequel of 3.

Now play kingdom hearts 3 + remind DLC.

Now you have to play or see the kingdom hearts melody of memories cutscenes on youtube (this games is the only not on steam, idk why)

To finish you have to see this on youtube (all cutscenes from dark road mobile game):

https://youtu.be/qFOwEM8bygM?si=_fTK81dYxuRZI5ih

if there's something you don't understand let me know and i'll help you.

Where does the 1.5,2.5 remix lie on this timeline?

if you're asking where 1.5 + 2.5 is chronollogically, then i'll tell you the chronollogical order, BUT DON'T PLAY LIKE THIS, PLAY LIKE I SAID FIRST.

kh x (2.8 collection)
kh union cross (mobile game)
kh dark road (mobile game)
kh birth by sleep (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh 0.2 (2.8 collection)
kh 1 (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh chain of memories (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh 358/2 days (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh 2 (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh coded (1.5 + 2.5 collection)
kh dream drop distance (2.8 collection)
kh 3
kh 3 remind (dlc)
kh melody of memories

I'm gonna say it again, don't play like this, just use this so you know where you are in the timeline, play in the first order i mentioned (release order).

[⑨ ChocolateMystia]

Originally posted by Hebrux:

Where does the 1.5,2.5 remix lie on this timeline?

1.5+2.5 is just the collection with the first 6 games (KH1, Chains, 2, Days, BBS, Coded). It's the definitive version of all those titles. When you boot it, you get a menu with all of them.

[REhorror]

Just play them in release order, so KH1FM would be first.
Muh sequel prequel always have newer information that assume you played the previous game in release order.

In fact, this is true pretty much every times when it comes to franchise.

[Hebrux]

Originally posted by ⑨ ChocolateMystia:

Originally posted by Hebrux:

Where does the 1.5,2.5 remix lie on this timeline?

1.5+2.5 is just the collection with the first 6 games (KH1, Chains, 2, Days, BBS, Coded). It's the definitive version of all those titles. When you boot it, you get a menu with all of them.

Thanks you! This was the answer I was looking for! Gave you an award, appreciate it

[⑨ ChocolateMystia]

Originally posted by Hebrux:

Originally posted by ⑨ ChocolateMystia:

1.5+2.5 is just the collection with the first 6 games (KH1, Chains, 2, Days, BBS, Coded). It's the definitive version of all those titles. When you boot it, you get a menu with all of them.

Thanks you! This was the answer I was looking for! Gave you an award, appreciate it

Thanks!
One detail I forgot to mention however: Birth by Sleep has 3 playable characters, all with different stories. Best play order is Terra, Ventus, Aqua (you can arguably swap the first 2, but Aqua should definitely be last). Also play all 3 on the same save file to unlock the true end.