The beloved Square Enix and Disney crossover series Kingdom Hearts is coming to PC for the first time. On March 30th, PC players will be able to experience nearly every game in the Kingdom Hearts series, exclusively through the Epic Games Store.
This bombshell was announced as part of Epic Games' Spring Showcase. The four titles coming to PC are Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re Mind, and the recently released Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
While this may not seem like many games to an outsider, to a fan, this is a treasure trove of content. 1.5 + 2.5 and 2.8 are collections that feature multiple mainlines titles, including critically-acclaimed darlings Kingdom Hearts 2 and Birth by Sleep. Additionally, 3 + Re Mind includes the series' most recent mainline title as well as its content-packed DLC. Melody of Memory is a rhythm game spinoff that released last November, compiling the series' stellar soundtracks from composer Yoko Shimomura. These combined titles contain most of series' story so far, a perfect way for players to get caught up before the next major release.
This bunch does not include the mobile game, Union X [Cross], or a handful of previous spinoff titles, but overall, PC players will still have plenty of the essentials to try out. Each title will be priced at $59.99, except for 1.5 + 2.5, which will cost $49.99. This is quite the price increase from the PlayStation and Xbox releases, which are regularly discounted. The Kingdom Hearts All-in-One Package on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One often sells for $29.99, including all prior games minus the Re Mind DLC and Melody of Memory. Purchasing those games on PC will make much more of a dent in one's wallet.
This reveal is both exciting and deflating for fans. Kingdom Hearts coming to PC in any capacity is excellent news, as an entirely new audience of players will be able to try the series out. However, the Epic Games Store exclusivity will likely deflate those who prefer other launchers, and the pricing is significantly higher than other consoles. If one has a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One already, there's really no reason to go for the PC release.
However, players who don't own those consoles and don't mind the Epic Games Store exclusivity are in for a real treat. The Kingdom Hearts series is known for its incredible action RPG combat, lovely music, and likeable characters. While the circumstances of the release may not be ideal, it is still exciting that more people will be able to check out this one-of-a-kind series.
The Kingdom Hearts series is currently available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and will release for PC on March 30th.