The Kingdom Key is a staple to the Kingdom Hearts series. It's been with Sora since the very beginning in Kingdom Hearts I and has been useable in every game minus Birth by Sleep and Unchained x[chi]. The keyblade was shown back in 2013 in the reveal trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3 but for some reason it was absent from today's E3 trailer. This is probably because the trailer is showcasing many of the new additions and changes to the core gameplay, such as the new Heartless, team attacks, and attraction flow.
In this trailer two new Keyblades were shown off, one that Zephyr drew from the 2.5 Launch Event last year, and another from Olympus Coliseum. In case you didn't get quite a good look at them, we've collected some pictures of the Keyblades, various changes they go through, and some special abilities they activate.
This gorgeous Keyblade is the first thing we see Sora carry around when the gameplay segment starts. Sora is in his Kingdom Hearts II attire (for whatever reason that might be) and beats up the heartless in a pretty spectacular fashion. In fact, Sora even transforms the Keyblade into guns and then a cannon to pulverize the Heartless using a shotlock like attack!
It is currently unknown how Sora comes by this equipment. KHInsider admin Taochan theorises "im wondering if its an attraction flow keyblade??????".
The other Keyblade shown in this trailer is no doubt the Keyblade recieved from Olympus Coliseum. Yes, after taking a break from the series in Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], one of the most used worlds in the series returns. Except this time it has expanded beyond the intial Coliseum and the Underworld and into what looks to be Mount Olympus.
The tip of the Keyblade depicts Zeus, father of Hercules, holding a thunderbolt. Does this suggest that we will finally be meeting the Gods of Olympus?!
Another interesting thing to note is that the Keyblades react to magic being cast. Here's the Olympus Keyblade a second after casting fire and aero;
It's a nice little addition that helps increase the immersion of the game. The feeling that your magic is responsive and has more of an effect than just on the Heartless is a fantastic addition. In fact, it's more than just the Keyblade lighting up, it even affects the environment around you, such as the grass spinning when Sora casts aero!
Of course, like the previous Keyblade, the Olympus keyblade has the ability to transform. Keeping with the theme of Zeus and lightning magic, the Keyblade expands ...
... and electrifies ...
... then shrinks into a shield worthy of Goofy ...
... and becomes a chariot pulled by Pegasus (who made their debut in Kingdom Hearts II).
As Pegasus pulls Sora around, lightning flashes out and attacks the Heartless. This emphasis on lightning magic and Zeus surely should confirm that we will be seeing at least Zeus on Mount Olympus.
The Keyblades have had a tremendous advancement through the series, with the Re:coded system of Overclocking being one of the favourites, however the new abilities tied to the keyblade and a more responsive keyblade to magic and the environment personally make me very excited for future Keyblades to come.
