How Long Does It Really Take to 100% Kingdom Hearts 3?
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So, you’re thinking about diving into the vibrant, emotional, and sometimes downright bizarre world of Kingdom Hearts 3 and aiming for that sweet, sweet 100% completion? Buckle up, Keyblade wielder, because you’re in for a ride. Realistically, achieving a full completion of Kingdom Hearts 3 will take you anywhere from 50 to 75 hours, possibly even more depending on your play style, prior experience with the series, and how efficiently you tackle each task. This encompasses not only the main story and side quests but also the meticulous collection of every item, the defeat of every challenging boss, and the mastering of every ability.
The Completionist’s Journey: A Breakdown
Reaching 100% completion in Kingdom Hearts 3 isn’t just about beating the final boss; it’s a multifaceted endeavor that requires patience, dedication, and a completionist’s spirit. Here’s a breakdown of what contributes to that playtime:
Main Story Completion
While the main story can be completed in around 26 to 29 hours, rushing through it will leave you woefully unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead. You’ll miss out on valuable experience, essential items, and crucial character development.
Side Quests and Collectibles
This is where the bulk of your time will be spent. Kingdom Hearts 3 is packed with side quests, mini-games, and a staggering number of collectibles. Hunting down every Lucky Emblem, crafting every item, completing every Gummi Ship mission, and mastering every cooking recipe are all significant time investments. Expect to spend at least another 20-30 hours here.
Critical Mode and Boss Battles
Once you’ve conquered the main game, the real challenge begins. Critical Mode, added as a post-launch update, significantly ramps up the difficulty, requiring strategic gameplay and masterful execution. Defeating every boss on Critical Mode, including the optional and data battles, will test your skills and push you to your limits. This can add another 5-10 hours to your playtime, depending on your skill level.
ReMind DLC Content
The ReMind DLC is essential for true 100% completion. It adds a significant amount of content, including new story chapters, challenging boss battles (like Yozora), and the Limitcut Episode, featuring data battles against Organization XIII members. Completing everything in ReMind can easily add another 10-15 hours to your playthrough.
Grinding
Let’s be honest: some aspects of 100% completion involve grinding. Leveling up your characters, synthesizing specific items, and achieving high scores in mini-games can be repetitive and time-consuming. The amount of grinding required will vary depending on your efficiency and luck, but it’s a factor to consider.
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes you to reach 100% completion:
- Difficulty Level: Playing on Beginner or Standard difficulty will naturally be faster than tackling the game on Proud or Critical Mode.
- Experience with the Series: Veterans of the Kingdom Hearts series will likely have a better understanding of the gameplay mechanics and strategies, allowing them to progress more efficiently.
- Use of Guides: Consulting online guides and walkthroughs can significantly speed up the process of finding collectibles and completing challenging tasks.
- Play Style: Some players prefer to meticulously explore every nook and cranny, while others prefer a more streamlined approach. Your play style will impact your overall playtime.
Is It Worth It?
Achieving 100% completion in Kingdom Hearts 3 is a significant time commitment, but for dedicated fans of the series, it’s a rewarding experience. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the world, master the gameplay mechanics, and uncover every secret the game has to offer. Whether it’s worth it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and goals as a gamer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kingdom Hearts 3 Completion
How long is the average playtime for Kingdom Hearts 3 if I only focus on the story?
The average playtime for Kingdom Hearts 3 if you focus solely on the main story is approximately 26-29 hours.
What’s the best way to efficiently collect Lucky Emblems?
Using a guide is highly recommended. There are numerous online resources and videos that show the exact locations of all the Lucky Emblems. Patience and a keen eye are also essential.
Is Critical Mode significantly harder than Proud Mode?
Yes, Critical Mode is noticeably more challenging. Enemies deal significantly more damage, Sora has reduced maximum HP and MP, and you need to be much more strategic in your combat approach. It’s a great way to test your skills and master the game’s mechanics.
Do I need to play the previous Kingdom Hearts games to understand Kingdom Hearts 3?
While Kingdom Hearts 3 does a decent job of summarizing the previous events, playing at least the main entries in the series (Kingdom Hearts 1, 2, Birth By Sleep, and Dream Drop Distance) is highly recommended for a full understanding of the story and characters. You can also watch cutscene compilations.
How many endings are there in Kingdom Hearts 3?
There are essentially two main endings to the base game, plus a secret ending (also known as the Epilogue). The ending you see depends on whether you meet certain criteria during the game. The ReMind DLC adds even more to the ending.
What is the secret ending in Kingdom Hearts 3 about?
The secret ending of Kingdom Hearts 3 hints at the future direction of the series, teasing new characters and locations, including the world of Quadratum. It’s intentionally ambiguous and leaves players with many questions.
Who is Yozora, and why is he so difficult to defeat?
Yozora is a mysterious character who appears in the ReMind DLC. He is incredibly difficult to defeat due to his aggressive attack patterns, high damage output, and multiple phases. He is considered one of the hardest bosses in the entire Kingdom Hearts series.
What is the best strategy for defeating Yozora?
There is no single “best” strategy, as it depends on your play style and build. However, some general tips include learning his attack patterns, using guard and counter to your advantage, and equipping gear that boosts your strength and defense. Leveling up is also key.
What does the ReMind DLC add to Kingdom Hearts 3?
The ReMind DLC adds a significant amount of content, including new story chapters, the Limitcut Episode (featuring data battles against Organization XIII), the Secret Episode (with the Yozora boss fight), new abilities, and expanded exploration options.
How old is Sora in Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts 4?
Sora is 16 years old throughout most of Kingdom Hearts 3, turning 17 during the ReMind DLC. It’s presumed that Sora will be 17 years old in Kingdom Hearts 4.
Why did Kingdom Hearts 3 take so long to develop?
Kingdom Hearts 3‘s development was lengthy due to several factors, including a change in game engines mid-development and the ambitious scope of the project, which involved creating numerous detailed worlds and implementing new gameplay systems.
Is Kingdom Hearts 3 easier than previous games in the series?
Many players find Kingdom Hearts 3 to be easier than previous entries, particularly on the standard difficulty settings. However, Critical Mode offers a significant challenge for experienced players.
Which Kingdom Hearts game is the shortest?
Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth By Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage is the shortest game in the series, acting as both an epilogue to Birth by Sleep and a prologue to Kingdom Hearts 3.
What Kingdom Hearts games do I absolutely need to play before Kingdom Hearts 3?
The essential games to play before Kingdom Hearts 3 are: Kingdom Hearts 1, Kingdom Hearts 2, Birth By Sleep, and Dream Drop Distance. Watching the cutscenes for 358/2 Days is also highly recommended.
Where can I learn more about the educational applications of video games?
You can explore the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org, to discover more about how video games are used in educational settings and the research being conducted in this field. The Games Learning Society promotes the understanding and use of games for learning, innovation, and social change.
Completing Kingdom Hearts 3 to 100% is a test of dedication, skill, and patience. Enjoy the journey!