LogFAQs > #976683377

TheSavageDragon posted...

Later on you unlock something called Drive Forms which are transformations specializing in a certain combat style. Like one for physical attacks, one for magic,... Each of these Forms has a movement ability you can unlock for base form when levelling them. They basically replace Dodge Roll. So there are alternatives later on. But each of these forms gains EXP in a different manner and can be a bitch to grind though.

Final Mix adds quite a bit to the game

* Lots of new cutscenes that flesh out the story and expand on some characters.
* 14 new optional post-game boss fights. One of the optional boss fight plays into the next entry in the series.
* A new story related boss.
* 5 new optional bosses in some worlds. These are weaker versions of the post-game ones.
* A new post-game dungeon to explore.
* New abilities.
* New enemies.
* A new drive form.
* New collectibles in the form of puzzle pieces.
* Updated character models for some characters.
* New Keyblades, weapons, equipment, and accessories.
* Mushroom XIII enemies that act is minigame-type challenges to overcome.
* Various tweaking to the gameplay.
* A fourth harder difficulty. Critical Mode.
* A theatre mode to rewatch any cutscene you've seen.
* A second Secret Ending.
* Bronze, Silver, and Golden crowns that Sora wears. Defeating the 14 new optional bosses and the Mushroom XIII unlocks them.
* New gummi ship missions.

It also has a few balance changes and tweaks, as well as a bit of a reshuffle of abilities.

ViewtifulJoe posted...

No idea what's mandatory in this game.

Off the top of my head, Atlantica, and Pride Lands are completely optional, as well as Olympus 2, Space Paranoids 2 and one of Agrabah/Halloween Town is optional. 100 Acre Wood also forces you to do the beginning bits of it during the story but the majority of it is optional.