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Nomura Talks Unchained χ[chi], 2.8 FCP, and KH3 with Famitsu

Posted by Meilin Lee : Jun 19, 2016 at 12:37 PM ( 2 , 4,173 )

In addition to speaking with Dengeki, KH director, Tetsuya Nomura, also got to speak with Famitsu, discussing various topics, such as the three entries in '2.8 Final Chapter Prologue', how big he feels KH3 will be, and a future expansion to Unchained χ[chi] he dubs "Season 2". The fully translated interview (translations courtesy of goldpanner from KHInsider) can be read below:

We were able to play the 0.2 demo, and what a wonderful workmanship! First, the graphics dazzled our eyes. It doesn't look simply realistic, it's a new kind of KH-ness.

Nomura: I'm so glad. 0.2 BBS is the first title in the series that adopts lighting, and we adjust things from start to finish since the way it looks changes considerably depending on the light, but I still wondered whether the direction we'd taken would show. We are also working very closely with the developers of Unreal Engine 4.

That's reassuring. Is what we were able to see in the demo the opening part of the full title?

Nomura: Yes. We isolated the playable section of the opening. It's set in the town around Cinderella's castle

We really enjoyed the sense of actual exploration we got from the complicated high and low platforms.

Nomura: They're maps with gimmicks to find, and those who get lost easily in complicated parts can go to a high place to get a view of the whole thing and understand the connections between points. We're also making the movement work so that you automatically climb small levels and such, so just like KH3, it's possible to parkour around.

It seemed a though time had stopped in that town. Is the whole Realm of Darkness like that?

Nomura: It's only on that map. If you continue to different areas, there are different things to play with. I know so far you have had no idea what sort of adventures Aqua had in the Realm of Darkness, but here, many worlds… worlds that had been swallowed by the darkness are fused together. After the part you played in the demo, you enter Cinderella's castle and find yourself in a different world, and leaving that brings you to yet another world, that's how it is.

So we aren't going to just explore Cinderella's castle, then. At the end of the demo, Terra appeared. Was that some sort of illusion?

Nomura: I wonder (laughs). When it comes to that sort of thing, I'd like you to play the full game.

In the town around the castle we went along rewinding time by operating gear gimmicks. More and more abilities unlocked every time we set off a mechanism, and we thought it was quite high tempo. Will this be the same in the full game, too?

Nomura: Yes, that's right. 0.2 is not the full sized of other titles in the series so far, which means you can unlock various gameplay elements in the early stages. Battles don't use the deck commands from BBS, but a system based on KH3.

There are also elements from BBS like Style Changes (Command Style) and Shotlocks.

Nomura: Those two will also be adopted in KH3, but 0.2 is actually a little different from both KH3 and BBS. In KH3, too, triggering them will be optional, but Style Changes will be fundamentally dependent on the Keyblade. In 0.2 they are dependent on Aqua herself, so it's like a BBS hybrid. With Shotlocks, there are more things you can do with them in KH3, and in 0.2 they're closer to BBS.

I see. One more element that has evolved remarkably is magic. It's more flashy and, moreover, more useful.

Nomura: It does not just simply deal damage, with blizzard you can freeze enemies and the field and slide on it, with thunder you can make things stiff from the shock, and such. The trait is that you can use it tactically.

There are also original small-fry enemies now, about three new types in addition to Shadows. The enemy made of a mass of Shadows left a particularly strong impression. The slippery way it moved… it was pretty gross (laughs).

Nomura: When Shadows do that, it's called a Devil's Wave, the thing that appeared in the first trailer for KH3. It wasn't at full power yet, though.

"Yet"?

Nomura: That was just the beginning, in the demo. They're amazing at full power (laughs).

That doesn't sound very good (laughs). In order for Aqua to stand up to those, will she be able to get stronger or be enhanced?

Nomura: The growth system works by leveling up, which brings up stats.

What about new Keyblades?

Nomura: The only Keyblade she will have is the Master's Defender that she inherited from Eraqus.

So that means battle variation will be brought out through changes in style, rather than Keyblades, in 0.2. By the way, will there be any features for completionists?

Nomura: There's a collecting element, or perhaps I should say a customizing element separate from the progression of the game.

I see. I get the impression that there are way more things to do than expected. Volume-wise, how big would you say this game is?

Nomura: At first I was saying it will be the length of one world, but when I did a playthrough from start to finish to check it, I thought, this is actually pretty substantial (laughs). I know there are some out there expecting it to be over in 30 minutes like a demo, but that's absolutely not the case. There's story advancement and lots of cutscenes, so even though there aren't that many words, I believe you will be able to fully enjoy the new KH.

So it's that much like a regular title!

Nomura: Story-wise, this title is situated at rather an important point. The scenarios of KH3D and 0.2 can essentially be thought of as the prologue to KH3, you see. When considering the titles to be included in 2.8, I wanted people to play previous-gen-console KH before KH3, and I decided to work on 0.2. The story connects from KH3D to 0.2 to KH3. In my own head, KH3 begins at KH3D. That's why I put that subtitle on 2.8.

Does spreading the story from not only KH3D but also 0.2 mean that KH3 will be smaller in size?

Nomura: It's not that I've spread the story out, perhaps it's more that I've separated the parts that would have ruined KH3's tempo if they were told then. In fact, KH3 is overwhelmingly big, so it's not that content has been shaved off, and it's something I've worried over how to handle. And then, to me, I've made a lot of RPGs so far, and I think rather than listening to long explanations at the start of the game, we want to enjoy the adventure right away, so I decided to try and keep the opening exposition part of KH3 as short as possible. Because of that, maybe people will be like, "why is Sora here?", feeling like KH3 begins comparatively abruptly. Of course, if you keep playing, you'll work out the minimum about the situation.

Hm? So if you think we will have questions about where Sora is in KH3, does Sora appear in the story directly before it, 0.2…?

Nomura: Yeah (laughs). By the way, KH3's intro is short, and it begins straight away, but I am thinking very precisely about how to make sure both those who have been with the series for a long time and those for whom this will be the first KH title will be able to follow along. However, the details and particulars will be told in KH3D and 0.2, so please play 2.8 while you are waiting for KH3, it will make the flow of the story easy to grasp. For those who want to know everything in detail as they have up until now before the journey begins, I think it is best to play 2.8 in preparation.

We were also able to play the HD version of KH3D, which is intimately connected to KH3, and… there was a tanuki-looking Meow Wow-type Dream Eater!

Nomura: That's Catnuki (laughs). We had the actual Osaka team and everything, so I had them add it in for me. There are more new Dream Eaters, and you'll be able to get in-game all the friends you made through AR cards in KH3D.

You've said that it will support the PS4 trophy feature, and there are even more additional features, aren't there?

Nomura: Yes. In addition to PS4 trophies, the trophies from the original game are also there as a separate feature. Other than that, drop times have been extended, and some enemy reactions are currently undergoing adjustment. And, as a series-first experiment, KH3D will be in 60fps. There, it differs fundamentally from the original.

The movements were certainly smooth, and it was refreshing to play on a big screen. And then, our interest was piqued by the fact that the original KH3D made use of the lower screen. Have you adjusted completely for that?

Nomura: Yes. Reality Shift is now triggered through the buttons, as you were able to try in the demo, and everything can now be achieved on one screen. Flick Rush, where Dream Eaters can battle, has also been condensed to one screen, and it now takes the form of selecting cards to use with a cursor.

I see.

Nomura: With Spirit Training, there are now several completely new minigames, and we have added adjustments that make it work on PS4 controls.

Changing Spirits and link attacks are now executed through changing commands with a cursor key, too. It felt a little difficult, since I wasn't used to it.

Nomura: It wasn't included in the demo version, but in the full version we plan to make it possible to select Spirits with a shortcut. In battle you don't control just one character like in 0.2, you manage the Dream Eaters fighting alongside you to some extent, which can get a little complex on occasion. But, that's an important part of the feel of the battle gameplay in KH3D, and I think having it be a little tough is what makes it so exhilarating when you get the hang of it.

It was extremely fresh seeing Ephemera and the Foretellers in CG with voice acting in 'Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] Back Cover'.

Nomura: Just like 0.2, it uses techniques from KH3. You can go ahead and think of KH3's cutscenes as looking pretty much like that.

Was the black coated figure the Master of the Foretellers?

Nomura: Yes, that's right. He's a figure with a characteristic mood, and he calls Master Ira of Unicornis "Iracchi*", and Master Aced of Ursus "Acedon*" (laughs).

[*Translator note: very cutesy suffixes, something like Iwa and Acie]

Iracchi and Acedon... goodbye, Foreteller image (laughs). The other day, the smartphone version Unchained χ[chi] hit four million downloads across Japan and North America, didn't it

Nomura: It is especially popular overseas, it seems. When the North American version was released, there was a huge response from Europeans wanting a supported release in Europe, so I'm as happy as can be.

That's because there are KH fans all over the world, isn't it? On the other hand, you announced termination of the PC version of 'Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]'.

Nomura: I've just finished writing the scenario. After a mad scramble every day (dry laugh). Up until now, what amounts to one scenario has been being released divided into two.The final chapter will be composed of two separate installments, a first and second half, and has been from the start. The split with Unchained χ[chi] is coming soon, too.

A distinct split...!?

Nomura: I expect the servers will close in September, about a month after the final story update has been released. It's fairly easy to play χ[chi] now, so I'd like you to take this chance to push forward in the story.

What's going to happen with Unchained χ[chi], I wonder.

Nomura: We are focusing on managing it for a long time, so we are considering new worlds, and a story plan is coming along. The story of χ[chi] will conclude, but in Unchained χ[chi] there will be new developments… the beginning of the story of 'season two', so to speak.

Does that mean that Unchained χ[chi], the one that will continue longer, will be the more 'official' history?

Nomura: The nature of the connection between the two worlds is something I can't talk about in specifics yet.

We are interested in what will happen to the characters Ephemera and Skuld, and whether they will appear in future titles in the series.

Nomura: I wonder (laughs). First of all, as for χ[chi] and Unchained χ[chi] Season 1, the actions of the Foretellers are important. I really hope you see it for yourself.

In the trailer, you announced a December worldwide simultaneous release, and that the next information on KH3 would be in winter.

Nomura: It's likely that Japan will get it a few days earlier, but it will be basically simultaneous. 2.8 is in the final stages of production, and as you may expect from the announcement of a worldwide simultaneous release, the English voicing has finished recording, and even though the timing of the deadline is a little tighter than usual, everything is progressing nicely. The reason we were able to prepare a demo version on such short notice was because we took it from the actual game. You will all be able to play in under half a year. Work on KH3 is progressing too, but as I said recently, I'd like you to first pay attention to 2.8, which has an important position, so I am going to update you all with information on KH3 around when 2.8 releases. Please look forward to both games.

By the way, next year is the KH series' 15th anniversary. You're starting concerts this year, will you be planning anything else?

Nomura: Let me see… Next year is also the 30th anniversary of Final Fantasy, but it does look as though there will be plenty of things happening for KH's fifteenth year.

That's all we can do! In any case, before FF7 Remake, we have KH2.8 this year, don't we? This is also your 25th anniversary as a creator, do you think it is a turning point for you?

Nomura: Actually, on the day of my 25th anniversary, I'd thought of having a big celebration with my friends, but I got so busy and forgot all about it until a few days had already passed (laughs). They say 25 years is special because it's a quarter of a century, but next year is KH's 15th anniversary and FF7's 20th anniversary, and I think I'll jazz things up for them. At the next information releases, which will be this coming August at the KH concert and the Dissidia Final Fantasy tournament, I plan to start bringing more to light little by little, so I thank you in advance for your continued support.
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New Kingdom Hearts II.8 Screenshots

Posted by libregkd : Jun 18, 2016 at 11:45 PM ( 6 , 2,557 )

The hustle and bustle of E3 may have subsided but Square Enix has released a new batch of screenshots for Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue. The screenshots focus on each game in the collection; Dream Drop Distance HD, Kingdom Hearts Unchained X [Chi], and Birth By Sleep 0.2 Fragmentary Passage. The collection is set to launch worldwide on Playstation 4 this December.

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II.8 Final Chapter Prologue

Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ Launches In Europe Tonight!

Posted by . : tale_wind : Jun 15, 2016 at 7:41 PM ( 2 , 3,403 )

This afternoon's Square Enix Presents stream has confirmed that Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ will finally launch on Android and iOS in Europe tonight at midnight Pacific Time!

To celebrate the game's launch, players in North America and Europe will all receive a free medal based on Aqua's appearance in 0.2 Birth By Sleep!

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Don't forget that you can still join our official KH-Vids parties for Unchained χ here!

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Unchained Key

Dengeki Interview w/ Tetsuya Nomura

Posted by Meilin Lee : Jun 15, 2016 at 5:40 PM ( 1 , 2,270 )

In a new interview with Dengeki, Kingdom Hearts series director, Tetsuya Nomura, discusses all three entries in 'Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue', plus a bit on 'Kingdom Hearts III'. Topics include the expected length of 0.2 BBS and χ[chi] Back Cover, porting Dream Drop Distance to the PS4, and the possibility of getting some new info on KH3 over the next few months despite what was stated in the recent 2.8 trailer. The fully translated interview (translations courtesy of goldpanner from KHInsider) can be read below:

With a demo out in addition to the latest trailer, eye-catching info on 'Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue' has been firing out lately, hasn't it?

Nomura: We've said for a while that we were planning it for 2016, and work is going according to that plan. As there was a little wait before this opportunity to release new information, I know some people were saying they were worried, but everyone can rest assured that we are not behind on the development schedule.

We got to experience firsthand the E3 version of the demo. 'Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-' in particular has a big impact, doesn't it?

Nomura: 0.2 BBS is, as I've said, a completely new title, and it does have a special feel, being the first new title on a non-handheld console in a while. The scene you saw in the new video was the opening of 0.2, and from there, a huge story development connecting the past and present is still waiting. The footage was from the demo version, so it will be possible for you to enjoy that quality of action in reality on the PS4.

How big are you planning to make 0.2?

Nomura: I believe I've said this in previous interviews, but we are imagining about the length of what in other titles in the series so far would be considered one world's worth. However, it does depend on how you perceive 'one world's worth'. The other day during work on KH3 I checked one world from start to finish, and it was longer than I expected. For the time being, I guarantee that 0.2 BBS will be of a size that you won't be done with so easily.

The castle in the latest footage released is the Castle of Dreams (Cinderella), right?

Nomura: Yes, that's right. In the E3 demo, you can play up to entering the castle. The Realm of Darkness Aqua is venturing through has melted together many worlds swallowed by darkness, and fragments of worlds other than Castle of Dreams will feature. There will be a quirk to each area, so I think it's considerably satisfying to play

Would we be correct in thinking of 0.2 to be basically the same as KH3 in make?

Nomura: Yes, you would. From the engine that serves as the base, to all of the rendering, it's the same as KH3. The battle gameplay is also based off KH3, so it's shaping up to be content in which you can feel a piece of KH3. Of course, the full-volume KH3 will involve lots of other gameplay.

The graphics in 0.2 look dramatically different compared to that of past titles, don't they?

Nomura: I think perhaps the biggest reason for that is that 0.2 BBS and KH3 utilize lighting in the rendering. In the titles in the series so far, we had been trying not to use lighting in our rendering. When we decided on the graphics of KH3, we took great pains to find a balance between the characters and the backgrounds.

As for the feel we got from our chance to play the E3 demo version of 0.2, our impression was that it was something like a mix between KH2 and BBS.

Nomura: The base of the battle gameplay is inherited from KH1 and KH2, with added components that were also in BBS. The character you control is Aqua, and you no longer use Deck Commands like in BBS, and magic works through the 'consume MP' system.

One thing that left an impression on us in the 0.2 demo was the magic, which sets off various added effects upon hitting the enemy.

Nomura: Blizzard freezes enemies, thunder shocks them. There are effects on the terrain, too. For example, upon being hit with blizzard, tracks of ice will remain on the ground, and you can ride them by sliding along. In the new title, magic is not an element that is done with once it has hit the enemy; there are several ways like this in which you can set off a chain reaction. I think it is one thing that will make the action carry more depth.

The maps had a lot of platforms of different heights, and it really felt worth exploring them.

Nomura: That's something we put a lot of thought into. In early footage of KH3, there's a scene where Sora jumps down from a cliff. Apparently that was particularly popular among fans overseas. In both 0.2 BBS and KH3, we have been putting a massive amount of thought into the platform heights on the maps overall. In the game, however, there are heights that unintentionally give me the shivers. The staff thought of so many elaborately structured maps for KH3D, too, so please look forward to the ones in the new title.

Now that we've played the 0.2 demo, our hopes for KH3 have gotten even higher, whether we want them to or not.

Nomura: For that exact reason, I would love for you to play '2.8 FCP'. At E3 this time we released comparatively new pieces of news, which is why I think perhaps the new-title-ness was so palpable for you. If you want to enjoy the last chapter to the fullest, KH2.8 is unmissable!

Putting Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, a game that was originally on two screens, onto one screen required input changes, didn't it?

Nomura: There was a lot of trial and error involved in that remake, for sure. Perfect examples are the Link System and Reality Shift, which required touch and drag controls on the bottom screen, but these have been changed to different controls, such as simultaneous button presses. At first, we had plans to use the Dualshock4 touchpad too, but after consideration, we settled with button controls.

Are the battle sections the same as the original version?

Nomura: As a series-first experiment, this time KH3D will be in 60fps. There, it differs fundamentally from the original. Also, we have tuned it somewhat. We are currently in the middle of adjusting drop times and enemy reactions etc. but it's mainly the same as the original. I think being able to play it on a stand-alone big screen really enhances the sensation of the spread-out space

When we played the E3 version of KH3D, Side Sora, we were accompanied by an unfamiliar dream eater…?

Nomura: That is Catnuki (Tanuki-style Meow Wow). One of the new elements we have added is several new types of dream eaters to be your friends.

There is one more title included in 2.8, Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] Back Cover. When we watched the latest trailer, we were surprised. We hadn't thought it'd be a title that showcased so many characters to that degree.

Nomura: As the clips we released in the early days focused on talking, maybe it made people think that the whole thing would be like that. In reality, just as you saw in the newest trailer we released recently, lots of characters appear, and there are battle scenes and the like. As you'll understand if you watch it, the graphics of Back Cover are made the same way as KH3.

Does Back Cover tell the story of the things happening behind the scenes in χ[chi] and Unchained χ[chi]?

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts χ[chi] and Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ[chi] tell the story from the viewpoint of the Player (a keyblade wielder), and Back Cover tells the corresponding story from the viewpoint of each Union's leader (Foreteller). While the Player was doing things in χ[chi] and Unchained χ[chi], what were the Foretellers thinking and doing behind the scenes…? If you've played χ[chi] or Unchained χ[chi], I am sure there will be scenes matching timeframes that make you think, wait, isn't this that scene…?

About how long is the Back Cover cinematic, in the end?

Nomura: It's about over one hour in total. Compared to the cinematic works included with past HD titles (358/2 Days and Re:coded) it's short, but Back Cover's story is a completely new episode, so there are plenty of highlights.

It's amazing that of the three titles included in 2.8, two are completely new, isn't it?

Nomura: From the production side of things, I want people to see 2.8 itself as a new title. Two thirds of it is new work, which is why we didn't call it 'HD 2.8 ReMIX' like the other titles so far. Content-wise, the game truly is the prologue to the final chapter (KH3), so I would love for those who want to enjoy KH3 to the fullest to play 2.8.

0.2 in particular has graphics and battle gameplay based on KH3, so it allows you to experience a game extremely close to KH3, right?

Nomura: To take that logic to its extreme, it means you can set out on the journey of KH3 within the year (laughs). The KH3 I had first envisioned got too big volume-wise, so I cut the details between the new journey and KH2, and KH3D and 0.2 BBS were born. Back Cover also contains setting-up that connects to KH3, so 2.8 truly is positioned as the prologue to KH3.

What developments will you be able to show us between E3 at the release date of KH2.8?

Nomura: Around autumn, as we head for the December release date, I think I will release information at fixed intervals. I also want to create an opportunity for Japanese gamers to try the demo. Also, in August, the KINGDOM HEARTS Concert -First Breath- tour will begin. Game information won't be coming out there, of course, but it's the first official concert of the series. I really hope fans will come. I am thinking of something elaborate and refined for the organization and production, with next year's world tour in mind.

By the way, in KH3D, characters from The World Ends With You appeared, right? I am sure the number of fans hoping for a next development of TWEWY isn't small, is it?

Nomura: TWEWY has many fans overseas, too, and with such high regard from so many of those who played, I've been asked many times by those overseas to make a direct sequel. It's not a simple matter just because it did so well in the past, but the staff are all looking for a solution, so I won't say it's impossible.

At the end of the latest trailer, we heard that a follow-up on KH3 will happen his winter.

I had them put that one sentence in there because I felt bad for all those who had high hopes for KH3 news, but right now I definitely do want people to pay attention to 2.8, whose release date has been announced. After I've gotten it across that the position of the content in 2.8 is important, I think I will report new information on KH3 along with the release of 2.8. With this announcement regarding 2.8, I hope you now understand that work on KH3 is progressing well, and please look forward to this winter.
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Tai Yasue Talks Possibility of 1.5 and 2.5 for PS4 + KH3

Posted by Meilin Lee : Jun 14, 2016 at 10:15 PM ( 9 , 3,238 )

Kingdom Hearts co-director Tai Yasue has spoken with GameSpot while attending E3, where he doesn't rule out the possibility of 1.5 and 2.5 HD ReMix being released for the PS4, stating:

On the subject of 'Kingdom Hearts III', Yasue mentions that development is "moving along fine," while also stating that the highly anticipated title, like every entry in the series before it, will not have a Final Fantasy world, saying:

Source: 1 / 2

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