The most hardcore fans of theKingdom Hearts series know thatCritical Mode is the ultimate challenge in any of the mainline titles. Unlike some of the other games, you don't have to wait, or pay, for a final mix version of Kingdom Hearts 3 to access this ultimate difficulty mode. While the mode itself is more accessible than ever, being released as a free update, playing it is anything but. Don't let this mode pull your heart into darkness by following ourguide.

How To Unlock Kingdom Hearts 3 Critical Mode

Unlocking Critical Mode is going to be the easiest step. As previously mentioned, Critical Modes have typically been included in the final mix re-releases of Kingdom Hearts titles, but that is not the case with Kingdom Hearts 3. Critical Mode was noticeably absent upon the game's release, only going up to Proud Mode. Thankfully the game's director announced that a Critical Mode would be released as part of a free update to the game just a few months after release.

This update will automatically download as long as you play Kingdom Hearts 3 with an internet connection. Once downloaded, you can select this mode on the main menu. You will need to start a new game to play, however, since you cannot change the difficulty of a game once it is started.

Kingdom Hearts 3 Critical Mode Changes

Critical Mode is more than just a simple buff to enemy health and damage like how some other RPGs might tweak the difficulty, and is even different from previous KH titles. This mode is designed to make you rely on all the game's mechanics, such as smart use of accessories, magic, summons, food, and everything else you can to give yourself just enough of an edge to make it through.

On the surface, you'll notice four main changes right away.

  • Sora's HP and MP are cut in half, and enemy damage is increased.
  • You will get fewer situation commands, including form changes, attraction flows, and grand magic.
  • The AI is much more aggressive and intelligent in their attacks.
  • Sora begins the game with a number of abilities he normally wouldn't, including three exclusive to Critical Mode.

That this all culminates in is a mode where you're looking at most enemies being able to take you down in just a couple hits, and because your HP can never reach more than half the maximum of other modes, you'll never be able to simply level yourself up into a tank.

Kingdom Hearts 3 Critical Mode Abilities

Critical Mode isn't completely one-sided in how it scales difficulty, however, and in exchange for all the negatives it is throwing at you gives you 15 abilities right at the beginning of the game. These abilities will become essential to your survival, especially the three Critical Mode Exclusive abilities. The abilities you might recognize are:

  • Aerial Recovery - When hit in the air, press O to recover so you can counter or evade.
  • Counter Slash - Tap X after blocking an attack to counter with a wide slash.
  • Counter Impact - Performed the same as Counter Slash, but instead launches enemies.
  • Counter Kick - Pressing O after a block will have Sora leap forward to kick an enemy.
  • Final Blow - After a successful reprisal, press X to immediately begin a combo on a new enemy.
  • Risk Dodge - If an enemy blocks your attack, press O to dodge their counter, and O again to counter-attack.
  • Rising Spiral - During a combo, press O to perform a launcher to extend your combo into the air.
  • Groundbreaker - While air comboing an enemy, press O to slam them into the ground.
  • Air Slide X3 - Press Square while holding in the direction of an enemy in the air to air dash in that direction. The more Air Slides equipped, the further you will go.
  • Superslide X3 - While in a flowmotion state, hold a direction and press Square to air dash great distances. Again, the more you have, the further you can go.
  • Combo Master - Even if an attack in your combo doesn't hit an enemy, the combo won't end until you either hit the finisher or stop attacking.
  • Damage Control - Reduces the damage Sora takes by half when your HP is at or below 25%.

The three new Critical Mode Skills are:

  • Critical Counter - Increases damage done by reprisals if you block at the last moment before an enemy attack lands.
  • Critical Recharge - Your situation command gauge will fill faster while your MP is recharging.
  • Critical Converter - Attraction commands no longer appear, and instead filling your command gauge will always result in a form change.

Importing Keyblades In Critical Mode

Because there's no real NG+ system in KH3, and no way to change the difficulty after starting a game, where does that leave all the Keyblades you've collected? Well, as long as you have an existing game clear data saved, you are able to import them all to your brand new Critical Mode playthrough.

Upon selecting new game, even if you don't intend on playing on Critical Mode, you will be asked if you want to carry over your Keyblades and Selfie Poses onto your new file. Just select Yes and you will have your full arsenal right from the start.

Critical Mode Tips & Tricks To Beat

The most important decision in Critical Mode, and to a lesser extent any other mode, is the choice of which attributes you want to prioritize in the Dive to the Heart. While you can absolutely get away with any combination in other difficulties, choosing anything but the powers of Wisdom and Mystic are going to be a major handicap.

The buffs to health from Balance and Vitality may seem good, but don't actually let you live any longer in this mode because of how much harder the enemies hit. On the other hand, having even one or two extra spells can make or break a close battle when used correctly.

Beyond that, there are a ton of little tricks you should keep in mind when attempting a Critical run.

  • Do not button mash. Standard, and even Proud to some extent, will let you get away with mashing the X button to win most fights, and even boss battles if you level yourself up enough. This won't work on Critical Mode. You'll need to focus on dodging, countering, and only striking when there's a safe opening.
  • Don't rush large groups. Again, you're way more fragile now than you might be used to, so even any group can be lethal if you run in Keyblade swinging. Rely on AOE magic and picking off isolated targets.
  • Get good at cooking. Cooking is an optional mini-game that many people disregarded, but you can't afford to ignore the buffs these meals can give you. The extra health and damage is going to make a world of difference on certain bosses, so actually pay attention to Donald for once when he says there are some ingredients around.
  • Change up your gear. Instead of just throwing on whatever new accessory you pick up and leaving it until the next one pops up, you need to constantly be swapping them around based on what you're going up against. Focus on building to buff your elemental resistances to really change the tide of boss fights. Additionally, keep your healing and MP items stocked up and mapped to your quick select. You might have to get used to stopping by Moogle shops more often to refill your stock because of how often you'll be relying on them.
  • Save everything for yourself. Forget your party members, they're not going to save you (insert useless Donald meme here). Equip all the best stuff on yourself, only use buffs on yourself, and don't waste money or resources upgrading or synthesizing their weapons. The only thing you should do is fill their pockets with extra healing items and setting their AI to only ever use them on you.

Next: Kingdom Hearts 3: Complete Gummi Ship Guide