Kingdom Hearts II Difficulty Modes

I just had a question about the difficulty settings in Final Mix. Are they all available from the start, or do you have to unlock the harder ones by playing on the easier ones first? I've poked around various places, but I can't seem to find a definite answer on this.

 

They're all opened at the start. Just like the other 3 for the Playstation 2. I don't think it'd be nice to make us have to do something just so we can play on a 4th difficulty xD​

 

Okay, thanks!
That's what I thought, but then I read somewhere that you had to beat Normal to unlock Proud, and then beat Proud to unlock Critical. And I thought that was unusual, so I just wanted to check. :)

And on a side note, what makes Critical so much harder than Proud?

 

Everything. Critical is really hard to me anyway. The enemies are stronger, and you are weaker.

 

First of all, you get half as much health upgrades I believe. And I think the enemys have more health or deal more damage or something. I don't have the game, I'm just going by what I've heard.

 

Hmm... okay thanks.
I'm not sure if I want to do Proud or Critical yet... Critical might be a bit too intense for me.

Do you learn different/less abilities on Critical?

 

no u get the same abilities, but the vantage is that at the beginning (when u play as roxas) u have many abilities, and 50 AP bonus to use !!!!!:D:D
but it's very very difficult!!

 

No, you get the same abilities. Though I can't really say that you get them all but...you get one item at the start that will keep your level at one though. So, I wouldn't use that on a first play through on critical ^^;​

 

Hmm... okay.
Thanks guys, it seems I still have some thinking to do before starting. :)

 

yeah it's the best thing u can do!:D:D i reccommend u don't use critical mode, it doesn't serve. u can do the same things in normal mode (also fight with terra)

 

Can I get the secret ending on all the modes as well?