Kingdom Hearts 3 came out near the tail end of January. However, it was lacking a critical feature that fans were eager to play. That feature is none other than the Critical Mode difficulty level. This would be the fourth difficulty for the game, joining the base game's Beginner Mode, Standard Mode, and Proud Mode.
The details about Critical Mode are rather light right now. Kingdom Hearts designer Tetsuya Nomura said only that the team has "changed things up from the previous games." Though it should be noted that Critical Mode differed quite a bit in some of the previous games.
For instance, here is what Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix included in its Critical Mode (via KHWiki)
- Compared to Standard, enemies inflict twice the damage.
- Except for the Mushroom XIII, damage dealt to enemies is 1.25× compared to Standard Mode.
- Roxas learns Reaction Boost, Finishing Plus, Draw, 2x Lucky Lucky, MP Hastera and EXP Zero on the Third Day.
- Roxas begins the game with 50 AP.
- AP increases by increments of 3 instead of 2.
- Compared to Standard and Proud, HP and MP quantities from Bonus Levels are cut by a half. For instance, Sora gains a maximum of 60 HP instead of 120.
- Compared to Standard and Proud, EXP gained is three-quarters of the normal amount.
- Save file displays "Critical Mode".
- Unlocking the "Birth by sleep" video just requires you to win the Gold Crown.
- In the PlayStation 2 Browser screen, there is a symbol attached to the save data file on the memory card.
- Compared to Standard and Proud mode, the player deals half the damage.
- Compared to Standard and Proud mode, enemies inflict twice the damage.
- Compared to Standard and Proud mode, HP quantities from Bonus Levels are halved.
- Game begins with five command slots.
- EXP Zero is available as an ability.
- Unlocking the Blank Points video requires you to complete the Final Episode.
- In the PSP XMB, there is a cross symbol attached to the save data file on the memory stick.
