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The best Square Enix 1st Production Department games

The 7 best games from Square Enix 1st Production Department, ranked from 549 critic and player ratings.

The best Square Enix 1st Production Department game is Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix, with a critic score of 81/100. Updated October 2026.

  • Ranked releases span 2010 to 2013.
  • Average critic score across the 7 ranked games: 73/100.
  • 549 critic and player ratings behind this ranking.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
  • 7 games are listed on this page, carrying 549 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 11 October 2026.

Top 7

01 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix 2013 · 60 ratings Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix includes... Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix In the original and Final Mix versions of Kingdom Hearts, the command menu had four commands: Attack, Magic, Items, and a fourth context-sensitive slot that varied depending on what the player had targeted, where they were, etc. The command menu has been updated to include "Attack", "Magic", "Items", and "Summons" in the fourth slot, which was originally located as a sub-category beneath the "Magic" menu. The original fourth command has been replaced by the introduction of Reaction Commands from Kingdom Hearts II and are triggered by pressing the Triangle Button. The camera works more similarly to that of Kingdom Hearts II, utilizing the right thumb stick to move the camera and allowing the player to click the R3 button to reset the camera behind Sora, as opposed to the original game which made use of the shoulder triggers L2 and R2 to position the camera. Overall, the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix was modified so it would play more similarly to Kingdom Hearts II and Re:Chain of Memories, to create a more consistent play style throughout the series. Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories This version of Chain of Memories was released in Europe and Australia for the first time as part of the collection, as it was previously released in North America in December 2008. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days This game, originally released for the Nintendo DS, does not appear in playable form in this collection, and is instead adapted into 2 hours and 50 minutes worth of cinematic cutscenes, remastered in high definition. 81 /100
02 Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy 2011 · 37 ratings "DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY is the blockbuster follow-up to the smash hit DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY, offering a winning mix of Beat ‘Em Up action and RPG depth, starring the most memorable heroes and villains from the worlds of the FINAL FANTASY series. The title refers to the ‘12th battle’ (duodecim means 12 in Latin), a new war between Cosmos and Chaos, that forms the basis of the story. This war will require new allies both good and evil to join the battle. DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY also adds new game modes, story missions, items, alternate costumes and combat features, expanding upon the action and excitement of DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY in every way. Get ready for the return of the ultimate portable fighting experience." 75 /100
03 FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 2011 · 175 ratings Final Fantasy XIII‑2 is a story-driven JRPG that blends fast-paced, party-based combat with time-travel exploration. Lead a dynamic duo across branching timelines and varied environments, recruit and customize powerful allies, and refine strategies through real-time command combos, monster collection, and layered progression systems that reward experimentation and replay. 75 /100
04 Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance 2012 · 77 ratings Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is the seventh game in the Kingdom Hearts series. It was originally developed for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system. It is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts coded, and the epilogue of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. Utilizing the 3DS's high-spec graphics processing, the game's graphics are near on-par with those of the PS2 titles, and make use of the system's 3D technology to add immersion when falling from high places and flying far distances. The 3D effect is used more for "going into the screen" rather than things popping out. 74 /100
05 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII 2013 · 104 ratings As Lightning, it is your mission to save souls so they may be brought to a new world. However, with only thirteen days remaining, not everyone can be saved. Armed with all-new weapons, player customization and battle abilities, you are in a race against time to fully understand your destiny. It all ends here. 70 /100
06 KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded 2010 · 65 ratings Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded is a remake of Kingdom Hearts Coded that was released for Mobile, only in Japan. The game takes place after the events of Kingdom Hearts II, when Jiminy's Journal (where the events of Kingdom Hearts I & II are recorded) gets infested with bugs. In order to decode the information in the journal and debug it, King Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Jiminy Cricket digitalize it. With the help of a digital Sora, recreated from the Journal's code, they start exploring the Worlds in the journal to reveal what is missing. Leveling-up and gaining abilities in done by installing chips and unlocking Support Abilities and Command and Accessory expansions in the Stat Matrix. The Matrix also includes Cheat Tuners that are used to change gameplay elements such as game difficulty, item drop rates, etc. In addition to the regular Action RPG elements from the Kingdom Hearts series, the game includes gameplay elements from other genres. In some Worlds or Boss battles the game mechanics change completely. Some are Side-scrolling or third-person shooter levels, and even turn-based RPG. After reaching a certain point in the game, each World can be revisited to try and get higher scores, find new areas and do some side quests. 68 /100
07 Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories 2013 · 31 ratings Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories is a full remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, originally released on the Game Boy Advance. It was originally remade for the PS2, and eventually remastered in the collection "Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX". The game was also changed in that completing the "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days" cutscenes would unlock additional Enemy Cards that would have been unlocked in the original by having save data from "Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix" 65 /100
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Frequently asked questions

What is the best Square Enix 1st Production Department game?

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix currently tops the ranking with a score of 81/100 across 60 ratings. Ranking updated October 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.