KINGDOM HEARTS 20th anniversary trailer + event announced
- Details
- Published on October 5, 2021 @ 02:53 pm
- Written by Cecily
The Kingdom Hearts series will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, and Series Director Tetsuya Nomura has shared a video highlighting new releases leading up to it! Not only is Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5, 2.8 and Kingdom Hearts 3 finally arriving on Switch via Cloud, but a variety of new merchandise will also be making their debut. The previously delayed finale of Dark Road is also scheduled for a Winter release.
A 20th anniversary event will also be held. More details on that will be released at a later date.
COMMENTS
Well they really have put everything else on the table before the event.
You know, the stuff many organisations usually leave unannounced to pad the presentation out: Switch versions, Sora Smash, Dark Road.
They must have some sweet announcements lined up then.
What a day to be alive :D
Goldplanner also translated Nomura's brief accompanying statement, which confirms that there are more plans not revealed in the video:
Also, are we actually getting a canon POC original character in Dark Road?? I won't hold my breath expecting much from them but that is exciting.
Oh boy next year is going to be wild for us KH fans. Can't Wait :D
What a time to be alive :D.
Goldplanner also translated Nomura's brief accompanying statement, which confirms that there are more plans not revealed in the video:
Also, are we actually getting a canon POC original character in Dark Road?? I won't hold my breath expecting much from them but that is exciting.
As a POC myself that would make me so happy. Bonus if he is one of the missing classmates.
Wow, did not expect to hear something so early, but really exciting nonetheless. Is it March yet?
Oh boy next year is going to be wild for us KH fans. Can't Wait :D
As a POC myself that would make me so happy. Bonus if he is one of the missing classmates.
There are other PoC in this series, but I get your point. It's great to finally have a black Keyblade wielder, and way overdue too.
Also, are we actually getting a canon POC original character in Dark Road?? I won't hold my breath expecting much from them but that is exciting.
He's the first PoC debuting in DR but not the only one in the game as we also have Eraqus and Xehanort. Hopefully we'll get more!
So we get our first Keyblade wielder with glasses. Is that Baldr's sister?
The logo looks sick
I feel like 1.5+2.5 didn't need to be a Cloud version
I understand 2.8 because of 0.2 and 3 but I'm wondering how these will run.
It's nice to have multiple announcements in one day though and I can't wait till 2022 :)
Does anyone have a clear image of the chess set? It looks sick!
Oh boy next year is going to be wild for us KH fans. Can't Wait :D
pardon me whilst i brace myself for the hurricane we're gonna get next year. also i want that chess set and suitcase!
now this, this is what im excited for! not sure if it will be part of jump festa 2021 or its own separate event, but i cant wait! lets hope 2022 is a good year for KH
The previously delayed finale of Dark Road is also scheduled for a Winter release.
I just hope this is an actual winter release and not a "one day before spring" release.
The previously delayed finale of Dark Road is also scheduled for a Winter release.
? ?
This may not come out this year...
Wow! The announcements today are all so amazing! And now we get a teaser for a Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary event? What an incredible day!
??
This may not come out this year...
Yes, this is important to note. A winter release doesn't guarantee we'll actually get the rest of DR in 2021. Winter stretches from December to March.
The Great:
•Sora is in SMASH. All I ever wanted. And KH2 gets four costumes? Omg im screaming. That means Sora will fight Clout and Swaggeroth with mods.
•Series finally reaches the Switch in some capacity. Now I can show my Switch only friends why KH is a must play series, and I'll start them off with KH1.
•A new trailer!!
The Bad:
•Winter release means February lmao. KHUXDR is a disaster
•Cloud version for 1.5+2.5 is a let down, makes Critical Mode Lv1CM a nightmare tbh. But its better than nothing.
•vague release windows in general make me itch
Yes, this is important to note. A winter release doesn't not guarantee we'll actually get the rest of DR in 2021. Winter stretches from December to March.
Just in time for the 20th anniversary. 20th March 2022 let's go!!
[spoiler] ??? [/spoiler]
There are other PoC in this series, but I get your point. It's great to finally have a black Keyblade wielder, and way overdue too.
He's the first PoC debuting in DR but not the only one in the game as we also have Eraqus and Xehanort. Hopefully we'll get more!
Yeah I probably should have specified about him being black representation (I'm African American myself)
No way, another character of colour who isn't Xehanort?! well, better late than never.
Whoever the brown character is, I'm already a loyal fan. Let's hope he sticks around for Phase 2.
Just in time for the 20th anniversary. 20th March 2022 let's go!!
March 20 is the first day of spring in 2022. So if that's the planned release date they would be missing the deadline again.
OK, Square. Just 1 proper action RPG entry on Switch that's actually native. I've been waiting 5 years (since Switch's original reveal) for KH games on the damn thing & what I get is a rhythm game & cloud streaming nonsense. Take that Unity engine & all those assets you made for MoM & at least crap out another CoM/Coded-scale game with them or something.
EDIT: Or a Warriors game from Omega Force, I guess I could accept that as close enough.
If they were going to be so vague about it they could have said it sooner but I'm glad we have a new deadline for Dark Road. I'm very intrigued about those new characters.
I don't care about smash and I'm very disappointed about the cloud versions of the games for the switch. I can understand 0.2 and KH3 but 1.5+2.5 and Dream Drop Distance HD should have a normal release. The switch can handle those games, they're just being lazy... but I guess it's still a good thing for people who only own a switch and couldn't enjoy the games before. It's better than nothing.
I can't wait to know the new projects that will be announced next year!
If I were rich I'd totally buy that $600 chess board set even though I don't know how to play chess.
WHERE IS MY CHESS SET PRE-ORDER
edit: It's called Alba & Ater? I wonder if it'll actually have rules so we can play it
WHERE IS MY CHESS SET PRE-ORDER
edit: It's called Alba & Ater? I wonder if it'll actually have rules so we can play it
For those who didn’t know (like me until looking it up,) that translates to White & Black. Lol
Wonder if we could get the names of the new boy and girl before the DR update?
WHERE IS MY CHESS SET PRE-ORDER
edit: It's called Alba & Ater? I wonder if it'll actually have rules so we can play it
Is it going to be a replica of the set in KH3 or just a KH-themed chess set? Because I see eight pawn-like white pieces at the back which is already too many without considering the others.
I'd be disappointed if they make it a chess set where the tiles are diagonal and would be totally impractical to play. I'd rather an accurate replica of the game Eraqus and Xehanort are playing.
WHERE IS MY CHESS SET PRE-ORDER
edit: It's called Alba & Ater? I wonder if it'll actually have rules so we can play it
Here's the store listing. No rules included so it's just decorative, but you can always make up your own rules.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.jp.square-enix.com/item/MKH09253.html[/URL]
Is it going to be a replica of the set in KH3 or just a KH-themed chess set? Because I see eight pawn-like white pieces at the back which is already too many without considering the others.
I'd be disappointed if they make it a chess set where the tiles are diagonal and would be totally impractical to play. I'd rather an accurate replica of the game Eraqus and Xehanort are playing.
It's a replica of the one in the KH3. For what it's worth, SE always specified that it was a "chess-like" game; I think only DR localization mistakenly called it straight-up "chess".
I'm buying that chess board.
*sees its $600*
...I'm buying that chess board
WHERE IS MY CHESS SET PRE-ORDER
Here's the store listing. No rules included so it's just decorative, but you can always make up your own rules.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.jp.square-enix.com/item/MKH09253.html[/URL]
It's a replica of the one in the KH3. For what it's worth, SE always specified that it was a "chess-like" game; I think only DR localization mistakenly called it straight-up "chess".
Weren't there only seven light pieces in KH3?
There's sixteen in this set. Each side. Looks more like a themed regular chess set to me.
Also, I read back when it was announced last year that the pieces are metal. The site says that's now changed to a plastic polymer.
Weren't there only seven light pieces in KH3?
There's sixteen in this set. Each side. Looks like a themed regular chess set to me.
There were 11 light pieces shown during the initial game, with 7 unique designs representing SRK, Mickey, and TAV. Then the 7 star pieces that show up after the first round with the Demon Tide, giving us a total of 18.
There were 11 light pieces shown during the initial game, with 7 unique designs representing SRK, Mickey, and TAV. Then the 7 star pieces that show up after the first round with the Demon Tide, giving us a total of 18.
But there's 16 here, right? So mismatch either way.
I wanted that chess set more than anything, my buddy and I love to play chess together. Note "wanted" until I learned it's not actually chess and it's $700. Yikes.
My only other disappointment is all of the KH games being relegated to cloud versions. I understand with KH3, but man, 1.5+2.5, really? I'm not even disappointed for me, I'm disappointed because the same buddy I mentioned above that I play chess with, well I don't know anyone who wanted KH on Switch more than him. But he lives in the boonies with internet that's so slow he can't even watch Netflix on it, so people like him are being left in the dust when the Switch is more than capable of running those early collections outside of cloud streaming and it's a real shame.
If final DR update really comes in March, guess that's a... SIX MONTH WIAT?!?!?!
Yay, more diversity! *sees the yellow ('Norted) eyes* Plz god, don't be evil.
Yay, more diversity! *sees the yellow ('Norted) eyes* Plz god, don't be evil.
That was my first thought. I’m happy for another POC because yessssss but Nomura’s track record for KH doesn’t give me hope.
But there's 16 here, right? So mismatch either way.
Not sure what point you're trying to make. It's a game based on chess so obviously the setup has similarities, but the rules aren't known to us and this piece of merchandise isn't meant to be played.
Anyways, anyone have any guesses who that new piece is supposed to represent here? Third from the right:
[ATTACH type="full" width="418px" alt="1633478835572.png"]14347[/ATTACH]
Anyways, anyone have any guesses who that new piece is supposed to represent here? Third from the right:
I'm not entirely sure, but it reminds me of the hilt of the keyblade (melded with the teeth) from Riku!Ansem's Keyblade of People's Hearts.
[USER=63641]@Oracle Spockanort[/USER], let's hope for the best. ?
Anyways, anyone have any guesses who that new piece is supposed to represent here? Third from the right:
[ATTACH type="full" width="418px" alt="1633478835572.png"]14347[/ATTACH]
Have we learned for sure which ones represent which Darkness from the ones in the game? Some are pretty obvious, some I still have no idea. I feel like they should have used the chess pieces to represent the characters in the kh3 data battles instead of their weapons. I suppose Xion didn't have one in-game, but that symbol has been used to represent her for a while, and it IS in her data battle.
As to the new piece, no clue. There are 13 Seekers and 2 benched members, so how did they even get to 16?
I think this is the order from left to right:
1. Master Xehanort
2. Ansem
3. Xemnas
4. Xigbar
5. Saix
6. Young Xehanort
7. Marluxia
8. Vanitas
9. Larxene
10. Demyx
11. Vexen
12. Luxord
13. Maleficent
14. Riku Replica
15. Xion
16. Terra-Xehanort
Did they explain what the CLOUD version of KH III: ReMIND was? Is it going to be different from the PS4 version? If so, I guess I have to buy a SWITCH.
Did they explain what the CLOUD version of KH III: ReMIND was? Is it going to be different from the PS4 version? If so, I guess I have to buy a SWITCH.
??? It's KH3 through the cloud. Streaming. Cloud streaming. AKA You have to be connected to the internet.
Did they explain what the CLOUD version of KH III: ReMIND was? Is it going to be different from the PS4 version? If so, I guess I have to buy a SWITCH.
A cloud version of a game is one you have to stream and the entire series will be that way. Essentially, you can’t buy a physical copy or download it. You’ll need a good internet connection to play, which sucks since it won’t be portable without Wi-Fi.
so, uh, still no sign for the KH3 ending chess pieces, huh? The ones that represent the Foretellers?
Yay, more diversity! *sees the yellow ('Norted) eyes* Plz god, don't be evil.
Got a better image. Crisis averted, no yellow eyes:
[ATTACH type="full"]14349[/ATTACH]
Got a better image. Crisis averted, no yellow eyes:
[ATTACH type="full" alt="1633490633274.png"]14349[/ATTACH]
Green :love::love::love::love::love::love:
Oh good. Still, why'd they have to make us sweat with that shade of chartreuse? ?
Is this that Kingdom Hearts with Cloud gaming that the people are talking about[ATTACH type="full" width="547px"]14350[/ATTACH]
Got a better image. Crisis averted, no yellow eyes:
[ATTACH=full]14349[/ATTACH]
Nobody looks particularly happy to see him.
If the upperclassmen went "missing" then perhaps their being alive is not for good reasons
I'm so hyped!
They weren't kidding at TGS, when they said things were about to heat up for the Square Enix titles that had anniversaries coming soon.
And that 20th anniversary logo is too cute.
Oh, man!
I wonder what they have in store for us. Only good things, I'm sure:)
??? It's KH3 through the cloud. Streaming. Cloud streaming. AKA You have to be connected to the internet.
Oh... I feel so dumb. I thought it was like a version with CLOUD the character in the ReMIND portion of the game lol.
Got a better image. Crisis averted, no yellow eyes:
[ATTACH type="full" alt="1633490633274.png"]14349[/ATTACH]
Kinda hoping his Norse name is Tyr if they stick with that convention. It’s a shame if these characters don’t have a future outside this game as I really like his design and would love to see it fully realized.
Also, I wonder why Vor is missing from the group.
Not sure how to feel about the Switch cloud version of the game. It being online only defeats the purpose of it for me, but as my niece pointed out to me it does make the game more available to people that just have Switches, so I can see some value in that. Even if I suspect it'd be a lesser experience than had they ported the older games to the Switch.
The Chess set look amazing, though with a price point of $600, I think I'm going to pass. Even if I'd think it'd be rad to own.
I'm happy that we got our first glances at the upper classmen and that we've now finally got a canonical darker skinned keyblade wielder. It's just a shame that they'll probably be among the many that died. Something that surprised me about the DR trailer is the appearance of Snow White's step mom, I know time flows differently, but seeing her just feels wrong. Also that means heartless were kind of already a thing in her lifetime.
Not sure how to feel about the Switch cloud version of the game. It being online only defeats the purpose of it for me, but as my niece pointed out to me it does make the game more available to people that just have Switches, so I can see some value in that. Even if I suspect it'd be a lesser experience than had they ported the older games to the Switch.
The Chess set look amazing, though with a price point of $600, I think I'm going to pass. Even if I'd think it'd be rad to own.
I'm happy that we got our first glances at the upper classmen and that we've now finally got a canonical darker skinned keyblade wielder. It's just a shame that they'll probably be among the many that died. Something that surprised me about the DR trailer is the appearance of Snow White's step mom, I know time flows differently, but seeing her just feels wrong. Also that means heartless were kind of already a thing in her lifetime.
I thought the same thing about the Queen and the heartless. Maybe they explained it and I've forgotten, but emblem heartless shouldn't exist at the time of Dark Road because they were created by Xehanort sometime between BBS and KH1. What if they're being summoned from the future by someone using the book of prophecies?
We know Brain gave Ephemer his copy of the book before Daybreak Town's demise and Ephemer survived and founded Scala ad Caelum. I guess that copy of the book still existed at the time of Dark Road and it may be related to the plot of the game.
I thought the same thing about the Queen and the heartless. Maybe they explained it and I've forgotten, but emblem heartless shouldn't exist at the time of Dark Road because they were created by Xehanort sometime between BBS and KH1. What if they're being summoned from the future by someone using the book of prophecies?
We know Brain gave Ephemer his copy of the book before Daybreak Town's demise and Ephemer survived and founded Scala ad Caelum. I guess that copy of the book still existed at the time of Dark Road and it may be related to the plot of the game.
Them being summoned by the Book of Prophecies is likely, if I remember correctly Eraques, Xehanort and the others commented on how the Emblem Heartless shouldn't even exist yet. It's kinda hinted at them being projections from the Book of Prophecies.
Still there shouldn't have been too many heartless in the realm of light at this point in time and it just strikes me as odd that in Snow White's world they appeared twice within the older generation's lifespan.
Them being summoned by the Book of Prophecies is likely, if I remember correctly Eraques, Xehanort and the others commented on how the Emblem Heartless shouldn't even exist yet. It's kinda hinted at them being projections from the Book of Prophecies.
Still there shouldn't have been too many heartless in the realm of light at this point in time and it just strikes me as odd that in Snow White's world they appeared twice within the older generation's lifespan.
Thanks, I didn't remember Eraqus and Xehanort acknowledged the presence of heartless as something that shouldn't happen at that time. Good thing the game addressed it, that means they'll eventually give an explanation. I should rewatch the cutscenes but I'm waiting for the update so I can watch the whole story.
For the sake of getting this out of my system, I'm a doing a top ten predictions list for the event. Will all of these happen? Heck no, but ideas have been circulating in my head for a week+ now:
10. IDK, some sort of commemorative pin set, another Japan-only concert, tote bags, & other dumb crap no one cares about.
Just getting this out of the way first. This shit is everyone of these sorts of events.
9. Dark Road ending launching shortly after event
The most obvious predictable reveal, probably.
8. New mobile game
Look, it's gonna happen. Square isn't done making mobile games, therefore it's only a matter of time before there's another KH game. Especially after Genshin Impact became such a big deal I imagine S-E is chomping at the bit to roll out their own bigger budget phone titles.
7. Melody of Memory DLC expansion
Nomura said they planned on MoM being a "completed compedium" but let's face it, Nomura says lots of things that ended up not being true. MoM is just missing too much music to leave as is. To make a prediction list within the predictions list:
-More KH3 tracks, a lot more.
-Daybreak Town & WiR worlds/tracks
-More classic Disney songs
-Story expansion with Team Kairi as the playable team (Kairi, Lea, Pluto)
-2 new boss stages: either YX or Chernabog to give DDD belated representation & the final boss of new story expansion (of which I have no solid ideas for)
6. Kingdom Hearts III.5 collection for PS5/XBS
-A remastering of KH3+Remind with improved load times & whatever other upgrades they can fit in
-MoM with it's new DLC included
-UX/DR Theater Mode
5. Disney+ series reveal
One of the other safer bets, assuming the rumors were true.
4. "Project Oath"/Verum Rex game
Probably will be the big main event of the show, the long awaited next major console entry of the series. I'm also fully on board the theory that there'll be Disney worlds & they'll be based on live action remakes of past worlds. Somehow this will inexaplitably be how Jungle Book makes its KH debut.
3. Warriors game from Omega Force
And now I really start getting more out there with the predictions, because where's the fun in playing it safe? ;) OF's been making musou games with just about every other major property in Japan & KH has already dipped its toes in the waters of large scale battles before with the 1,000 heartless war, the rapidthrusters in Land of Dragons, & the knock-off Space Invaders in BBS. Why not do a whole darn game like that?
2. An "everyone is here" 20th anniversary multiplayer game made in Unity
Out there idea #2. It kind of astonishes me that the vast majority of worlds throughout the series history were recreated as faithfully as they were in MoM. It almost feels wasted all that work. Most worlds were only used for 2-3 songs & players are gonna be too focused on the enemies/notes to really pay attention to the environments. For that matter, MoM has a great deal many enemies from the series, from tons of heartless to nobodies, unversed, dream eaters, & even Maleficent's goons. It has me thinking that they could make a whole 'nother game out of all those assets.
And since it's the 20th anniversary, they could use the notion of a KH game featuring every past world returning as a way of celebrating the series history.
Past that I also think it's high time for Square to take another whack at the multiplayer driven game concept that was attempted before with Days. Except this time with the GoL as the playable roster instead of the org.
Plus it would give the Switch a proper KH action-RPG game that's not cloud streamed. That'd be a win right there.
1. Kingdom Hearts 4
Most likely not happening at the event itself as they'll wanna be focusing on VR as the next big entry for the time being. Unless of course VR is called KH4. Unlikely but who knows? I just don't wanna wait another 13 years for KH4, they should be working on it now instead of holding off until later like they did with KH3.
I think this is the order from left to right:
1. Master Xehanort
2. Ansem
3. Xemnas
4. Xigbar
5. Saix
6. Young Xehanort
7. Marluxia
8. Vanitas
9. Larxene
10. Demyx
11. Vexen
12. Luxord
13. Maleficent
14. Riku Replica
15. Xion
16. Terra-Xehanort
Actually, the "Maleficent" piece is apparently Xaldin.
Actually, the "Maleficent" piece is apparently Xaldin.
Yeah I saw where that was confirmed in the other thread last week. Maleficent would have made more sense in the game’s context though.
For the sake of getting this out of my system, I'm a doing a top ten predictions list for the event. Will all of these happen? Heck no, but ideas have been circulating in my head for a week+ now:
10. IDK, some sort of commemorative pin set, another Japan-only concert, tote bags, & other dumb crap no one cares about.
Just getting this out of the way first. This shit is everyone of these sorts of events.
9. Dark Road ending launching shortly after event
The most obvious predictable reveal, probably.
8. New mobile game
Look, it's gonna happen. Square isn't done making mobile games, therefore it's only a matter of time before there's another KH game. Especially after Genshin Impact became such a big deal I imagine S-E is chomping at the bit to roll out their own bigger budget phone titles.
7. Melody of Memory DLC expansion
Nomura said they planned on MoM being a "completed compedium" but let's face it, Nomura says lots of things that ended up not being true. MoM is just missing too much music to leave as is. To make a prediction list within the predictions list:
-More KH3 tracks, a lot more.
-Daybreak Town & WiR worlds/tracks
-More classic Disney songs
-Story expansion with Team Kairi as the playable team (Kairi, Lea, Pluto)
-2 new boss stages: either YX or Chernabog to give DDD belated representation & the final boss of new story expansion (of which I have no solid ideas for)
6. Kingdom Hearts III.5 collection for PS5/XBS
-A remastering of KH3+Remind with improved load times & whatever other upgrades they can fit in
-MoM with it's new DLC included
-UX/DR Theater Mode
5. Disney+ series reveal
One of the other safer bets, assuming the rumors were true.
4. "Project Oath"/Verum Rex game
Probably will be the big main event of the show, the long awaited next major console entry of the series. I'm also fully on board the theory that there'll be Disney worlds & they'll be based on live action remakes of past worlds. Somehow this will inexaplitably be how Jungle Book makes its KH debut.
3. Warriors game from Omega Force
And now I really start getting more out there with the predictions, because where's the fun in playing it safe? ;) OF's been making musou games with just about every other major property in Japan & KH has already dipped its toes in the waters of large scale battles before with the 1,000 heartless war, the rapidthrusters in Land of Dragons, & the knock-off Space Invaders in BBS. Why not do a whole darn game like that?
2. An "everyone is here" 20th anniversary multiplayer game made in Unity
Out there idea #2. It kind of astonishes me that the vast majority of worlds throughout the series history were recreated as faithfully as they were in MoM. It almost feels wasted all that work. Most worlds were only used for 2-3 songs & players are gonna be too focused on the enemies/notes to really pay attention to the environments. For that matter, MoM has a great deal many enemies from the series, from tons of heartless to nobodies, unversed, dream eaters, & even Maleficent's goons. It has me thinking that they could make a whole 'nother game out of all those assets.
And since it's the 20th anniversary, they could use the notion of a KH game featuring every past world returning as a way of celebrating the series history.
Past that I also think it's high time for Square to take another whack at the multiplayer driven game concept that was attempted before with Days. Except this time with the GoL as the playable roster instead of the org.
Plus it would give the Switch a proper KH action-RPG game that's not cloud streamed. That'd be a win right there.
1. Kingdom Hearts 4
Most likely not happening at the event itself as they'll wanna be focusing on VR as the next big entry for the time being. Unless of course VR is called KH4. Unlikely but who knows? I just don't wanna wait another 13 years for KH4, they should be working on it now instead of holding off until later like they did with KH3.
I was working on one of these myself, but since mine would have had a lot of the same stuff on it, I'll just mention my other ideas (only one of which is likely anyway, but the others are so outlandish that I just had to mention them).
1. Announcement of Melody of Memory Light Novel (maybe Dark Road as well but it's probably too soon for that)
2. Surprise soft launch of aforementioned Mobile Game (in Japan only of course)
3. Kingdom Hearts:The Ride (Tokyo Disneyland exclusive)
I’ve got a few to add as well.
1. Kingdom Hearts Dark Road The Novel - Nomura and Kanemaki will either flesh out the story there or Kanemaki will go barebones. But she’ll make Xehaqus absolutely and irrefutably canon in the way only a BL novelist could.
2. New series of KH novels not written by Kanemaki - Nomura and SE probably were the ones who pulled the cord on that Brooke Vitale middle grade novel series, but I can easily see Nomura seeing that as an opportunity to get the book publishing side of both SE and Disney to get a writer approved by him to get something he would like to see out there published.
3. Kingdom Hearts shorts - Short, animated side stories that are cute and lighthearted. CG most likely, with that style Nomura uses for tiny stuff
[ATTACH type="full"]14406[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH type="full"]14407[/ATTACH]
3. Disneyland + Disney World installations - there will be some sort of installation at the main parks featuring some sort of interactive game + revamped Disney Cast costumes for maybe a few months in coordination with whatever title releases that year
4. Super Bowl ad - WHY NOT I’m just throwing things at the wall right now
5. Kingdom Hearts: The Musical/Stage Play - instead of an orchestra concert, there will be a Japan-only stage play and/or musical. Honestly I don’t think Nomura is into the whole stage play + musical + audio drama thing that most franchises dive into, but I feel like there would be pressure to have a bunch of stuff to capitalize on the anniversary. Nomura will regret it all in about 5 years and buy another cat to cope.
6. Kingdom Hearts: The Audio Drama - I mentioned it above that I don’t think Nomura’s really into that sort of stuff in relation to his own properties, but I think he’d be intrigued by this as a low-cost expansion of the franchise’s story and lore without the need to create new visuals. He will thusly regret it and visuals will be made to accompany this down the line, but for now it’ll be Japanese audio only and fans in the west will complain until NFTs set the planet on fire.
7. KH NFTs - Dread it, run from it, destiny still arrives. There will be KH NFTs and we will weep that KH is killing the planet one stupid expensive jpg at a time.
Here are my wishful thinking predictions:
1. Rereleases optimized for next generation consoles.
2. Days and Coded remakes: Days is enough of a fan-favorite game that even a low-effort remake would sell, making it an easy anniversary cash-in. Coded has less demand, but it would be awkward for it to be the only game that's unplayable in future collections.
3. Kingdom Hearts III Final Mix. This would restore 0.2 as KH3's prologue and incorporate ReMind into the base game as much as possible.
4. KHUX: The Movie: A Back Cover-style movie that summarizes all the parts of KHUX that are important to future plotlines.
5. Kingdom Hearts Another χ: An offline version of KHX/KHUX/DR that includes everything from the previous games and a few new things to round it out.
6. Another phone game: We all know it's coming, let's just hope it's better than previous efforts.
Since we are doing wishful thinking lists here's my take
1. New mobile game- We all know SE isn't going to let the end of KHUX and DR stop them from making another mobile game
2. Proper 1.5+2.5 ports to the switch- KH3 will still be a cloud version but I don't see why they can't streamline 1.5/2.5 to have a physical release on the switch
3. KH3 Final Mix release for PS5/Xbox X- This would allow them to bundle KH3 and ReMind together and optimize it for the new gen consoles
4. KHUX Back Cover- Why make a console remake of a shut down gacha game when they can just make another back cover style movie?
5. KH cartoon on Disney+- They already have the scrapped KH1 pilot and the Disney+ rumors from last year
6. Verum Rex/Quadratrum game- 20th anniversary event is the perfect time to reveal the next game release, or at least a trailer. My bets are on it being another DDD style Sora/Riku game
Kingdom Hearts III Final Mix. This would restore 0.2 as KH3's prologue
Please no. 0.2 is the perfect standalone story.
Please no. 0.2 is the perfect standalone story.
0.2 might be fine as a standalone story, but KH3 is very much lesser for the decision to release it separately. For one, the decision to cut out 0.2 turned KH3 from a story with three acts to one with two acts. And I'm pretty sure that the Realm of Darkness was supposed to be KH3's big impressive original world but 0.2's omission meant that there was no longer a place for it in the game, which resulted in the remaining original worlds feeling half-hearted.
But I suppose that you're arguing that 0.2 is too good to be used as a band-aid for KH3's problems. I get that, but I'm ultimately prioritizing what's supposed to be a big epic numbered game over a glorified demo.
Mulholland Drive was shot as a TV series pilot but had to hastily get some extra footage filmed and be edited into a feature because the TV station rejected the pilot and refused to order the show.
It's widely considered one of the best films ever made. Yeah, the show turned out bad (and non-existient) but the film and game are their own things now. It doesn't exist to satisfy the narrative black holes in KH3.
And 0.2 isn't a "glorified demo". It has a beginning, middle, and end. It tells a complete story. It is what it is: a short game.
0.2 might be fine as a standalone story, but KH3 is very much lesser for the decision to release it separately. For one, the decision to cut out 0.2 turned KH3 from a story with three acts to one with two acts.
But 0.2's story is almost entirely separated from KHIII's. Unlike the Roxas prologue, it is not narratively nor thematically tied to KHIII. Using it as the prologue to KHIII wouldn't make KHIII a story in three acts, it'd be a game with two separate stories.
0.2 as the prologue would stick out like a sore thumb and not benefit the experience of KHIII, narratively or through gameplay, in any way.
It's fine as it is.
Here is the result of my boredom and what I want deep down
Kingdom Hearts 2nd Phase Prologue Collection:
Kingdom Hearts 3 Final Mix:
[LIST]
[*]integrates Remind content to be more accessible by having the new abilities appear naturally (Leveling up or certain points in game)
[*]Oblivion & Oathkeeper can be earned without proofs
[*]New battlegates that allow you to refight various bosses from the worlds like Davy Jones & Sköll
[*]Recolored enemies, can be toggleable
[*]Can choose between English or Japanese language
[*]Ray Tracing for Next-Gen
[*]New World - Mirage Arena (unlocks after you beat either Toy Box or Kingdom of Corona):
[LIST]
[*]Play as Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aqua, Roxas, Mickey, Sora (KH1) and Riku (KH1)
[*]Fight old enemies from the Series' past, alongside some surprises
[*]Unlock a new Keyblade & Skins for the playable characters such as: Armored Aqua or Dark Riku
[/LIST]
[*]New Scenario - Train as Kairi in the Land of Departure
[/LIST]
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory Final Mix:
[LIST]
[*]Contains the Final Mix DLC for Melody of Memory
[*]Team Destiny: KH3 Kairi (Leader) with KH3 Riku and KH3 Sora
[*]Invite your friends (LOL)
[*]Critical Mode Difficulty
[*]New tracks added including Face my Fears
[/LIST]
Kingdom Hearts Union X:
[LIST]
[*]Basically the mobile game as it is right now, includes theater mode
[*]New CGI Movie
[/LIST]
Mulholland Drive was shot as a TV series pilot but had to hastily get some extra footage filmed and be edited into a feature because the TV station rejected the pilot and refused to order the show.
It's widely considered one of the best films ever made. Yeah, the show turned out bad (and non-existient) but the film and game are their own things now. It doesn't exist to satisfy the narrative black holes in KH3.
And 0.2 isn't a "glorified demo". It has a beginning, middle, and end. It tells a complete story. It is what it is: a short game.
I don't know what Mulholland Drive is, but reworking a rejected pilot into a feature film is an entirely different scenario from what I'm talking about. A more analogous situation would be if there was an epic movie that had its first act or a subplot cut out and reworked into a short film, but that's not the example you provided.
The KH2 Roxas prologue is a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. Should it have been cut out and turned into into a separate short game?
But 0.2's story is almost entirely separated from KHIII's. Unlike the Roxas prologue, it is not narratively nor thematically tied to KHIII. Using it as the prologue to KHIII wouldn't make KHIII a story in three acts, it'd be a game with two separate stories.
When you get down and analyze KH2's story the Roxas prologue is surprisingly irrelevant to KH2's big picture. It probably could have been omitted while leaving the overall story intact, but that doesn't mean it would have been a good idea. They were able to link the Roxas prologue with the rest of KH2 because they existed in a single game. If 0.2 had remained a part of KH3 it probably would have been more closely tied to KH3's larger plot, even if it only resulted in Aqua having a more consistent and well-rounded character arc. I suppose the damage has already been done because they were released separately, but if it was restored they could at least do things like expanding Riku's playable segments to include more of the Dark World instead of just the Dark Margin.
But maybe I'm just bitter because KH3's story integrity was never a priority, so why should 0.2's be? First they cut out the first act of KH3's story and expanded it into into DDD. Then they cut out the new act one of the story and released it as 0.2. It's no wonder KH3 is so underwhelming narratively, its story is literally in pieces!
And 0.2 wasn't released separately because it was a masterpiece or because it wasn't tied closely enough to KH3's story. It was supposedly because KH3 was getting too big to fit on a disk, but given that it rounds out 2.8 just enough to justify a $60 price tag and KH3 when released was only about 40 GB I suspect there were ulterior motives. Regardless, it was not a creative decision.
But maybe I'm just bitter because KH3's story integrity was never a priority, so why should 0.2's be? First they cut out the first act of KH3's story and expanded it into into DDD. Then they cut out the new act one of the story and released it as 0.2. It's no wonder KH3 is so underwhelming narratively, its story is literally in pieces!
You're forgetting that 0.2 was always a separate story from KHIII. The story of Aqua's time in the RoD is a sequel to BbS, not a prologue to KHIII. It's called 0.2 because it's a fragment of the story that would have been "0.5" as teased in Blank Points.
We got a post-DDD frame story only so that its place in the release timeline felt more organic.
0.2 was never a part of KHIII's story. It was only going to be included because Nomura wanted the 0.2 story to be told before the end.
And 0.2 wasn't released separately because it was a masterpiece or because it wasn't tied closely enough to KH3's story. It was supposedly because KH3 was getting too big to fit on a disk, but given that it rounds out 2.8 just enough to justify a $60 price tag and KH3 when released was only about 40 GB I suspect there were ulterior motives. Regardless, it was not a creative decision.
As I recall Nomura said that he broke 0.2 off to give the fans something to chew on while KHIII was still in development.
Nomura was talking about storage issues after 2.8's release.
When it comes to 0.2, I say compromise and have it remastered and packaged with KH3 as an optional experience like Re:Mind. From a story perspective, I actually think it would be just fine as the opening of the game due to how it connects to Riku and Mickey’s subplot. I actually replayed it leading right up to KH3’s midnight release and thought it flowed together pretty well.
But from a gameplay perspective, I think they’d have to do too much reworking for things like tutorials and figuring out what to do about the side content like the Zodiac fights. I doubt people would want to linger around to do all that stuff before getting to KH3 proper.
So yeah, I think just bringing the graphics up to KH3’s standards, making other technical improvements, and including it as an optional experience to select from the main menu is the best option.
Seeing other's put together a list of things they're expecting made me want to put together my own. I'll start from what I think is most likely and move down to what I could imagine but don't see as likely.
1) Kingdom Hearts "3D vol. 2": A new Kingdom Hearts game (Project Oath?) in the vain of Dream Drop Distance, to celebrate the anniversary in 2022 or 2023. I personally am hoping for a 2022 release, but I'm not going to hold my breath on it, seeing I know with the pandemic things might have been delayed and SE kind of struggled with KH3's development it'd probably be similar here.
2) More Kingdom Hearts Merchandise: More anniversary figures, like the Thrown Sora and Kairi figures, and more merchandise, including pins and maybe a PS5 with KH theming. Most of the merchandise would most likely be exclusive to Japan or very slow to come to NA and EU.
3) Kingdom Hearts "New Mobile Game": Another Kingdom Hearts Mobile game, that no one asked for, with a decent story drawn out over years that could have been told in a fraction of the time. Probably continuing the more Chibi art style.
4) Kingdom Hearts 4: The next Kingdom Hearts "mainline/numbered" game announced to be released in two or three years. We know it's already in production, but with how long the development cycle takes I expect it not to come out until 2024 or 2205. I think 4 to 5 years should be long enough for the team that worked on KH3 to be able to be able to make another game, as long as they're sticking to the engine they used to make KH3.
5) Anniversary collections: Like the one announced for the Light Novels, just for the manga and games. This feels a bit more like a stretch seeing there's already so many collections and they just announced the Switch Cloud versions. A new Gen collection, just don't hit so hard, if you can just use the PS4 versions.
6) The Disney+ Animated show: The rumored Kingdom Hearts CGI show. Either part of the canon, progressing the story like the Star Wars and Marvel shows do or a retelling that's it's own separate canon like the Mangas and Light Novels.
With how Disney seems to be trying to expand on everything they own, I feel like Kingdom Hearts would be part of that attempt. It'd also work to help them expand the appeal of the service to people that like more anime-like stories.
7) Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory Final Mix: I'd imagine it'd include stuff like more songs, proper KH3 worlds, more teams, more skins and a bit more story maybe show casing what the other trios are doing. As much as I'd like it, the age of Final Mixes is kind of over and it's been a year with no signs of a DLC, which would make more sense for this era of gaming. Still I'd like to get more Melody of Memory content, hopefully a sequel isn't out of the question.
8) Kingdom Hearts Fragmentary Passages: 0.2 type episodes as games to fill out the year between KH3 ending and Limit Cut. Reusing assets from KH3 to give us Playable episodes as Aqua, Riku, Roxas and Kairi, either Filling out the year of expanding on stuff from Limit cut and Melody of Memory.
9) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Re:Coded Ports: A port of the DS games either on the consoles or mobile. With how retro games are having success as ports lately, I could see them porting the games, with minor graphical tweaks.
10) Kingdom Hearts re:358/2 Days: A remake of the DS game either as a Console game or a a mobile game. This seems extremely unlikely, though there is a fan demand to be able to play and experience the game. Ideally the remake would improve some of the issues and make it a bit less repetitive in game play, perhaps add a few more puzzles and mini games to make the missions a bit more varied.
I think 4 to 5 years should be long enough for the team that worked on KH3 to be able to be able to make another game, as long as they're sticking to the engine they used to make KH3.
It makes me so sad that there's such a defeatist sense of low expectations surrounding Square Enix's competence. How badly are they preforming for people to wish they stick to an obsolete old-gen game engine despite the developers of said engine doing everything possible to make the transition as smooth as can be.
It makes me so sad that there's such a defeatist sense of low expectations surrounding Square Enix's competence. How badly are they preforming for people to wish they stick to an obsolete old-gen game engine despite the developers of said engine doing everything possible to make the transition as smooth as can be.
Oh I think i worded that poorly. It's not that I want them to stick with Unreal 4 and dont think they should upgrade the underlying engine software. My point was more that I didnt want them to throw out the work they did in KH3 and try and make another in house engine. I rather the reuse what they can and build upon Kingdom Hearts 3 and Re:Mind.
Mainly because i think, if they try and develop an engine and game at the same time, it'll just lead to more delays.
Oh I think i worded that poorly. It's not that I want them to stick with Unreal 4 and dont think they should upgrade the underlying engine software. My point was more that I didnt want them to throw out the work they did in KH3 and try and make another in house engine. I rather the reuse what they can and build upon Kingdom Hearts 3 and Re:Mind.
Mainly because i think, if they try and develop an engine and game at the same time, it'll just lead to more delays.
I know, it wasn't a criticism of you. It's just a thing I've noticed a lot in discourse has Square Enix where they seem to be the only ones expected to struggle with stuff like this. Lots of people hoping they stay the old UE in case upgrading causes delays. Their fault for giving that impression.
We know it's already in production, but with how long the development cycle takes I expect it not to come out until 2024 or 2205.
Yep, 2205 sounds about right ???
I know, it wasn't a criticism of you. It's just a thing I've noticed a lot in discourse has Square Enix where they seem to be the only ones expected to struggle with stuff like this. Lots of people hoping they stay the old UE in case upgrading causes delays. Their fault for giving that impression.
Part of the reason game development takes so long nowadays is because they keep trying to jump up in graphics and engine every game instead of iterating on something that already exists. The sole reason Call of Duty games come out so often is the reuse of engines and the multi studio pattern they have.
It's getting to the point where some games might look good when they start development, in comparison to the industry standard, but they take so long that they end up being left behind a bit by release. I think the bar people set for minimum visual quality has risen so high that companies can't keep up with it anymore. For me, I keep that bar at the same spot forever, so more games make me happy than it seems for most people, who think the bar has to be raised to each new outlier every time and get disappointed when every single game doesn't reach that peak.
It's why I think the AAA industry is headed for another video game crash and Indies are going to become the only regularly released quality left.
Part of the reason game development takes so long nowadays is because they keep trying to jump up in graphics and engine every game instead of iterating on something that already exists. The sole reason Call of Duty games come out so often is the reuse of engines and the multi studio pattern they have.
It's getting to the point where some games might look good when they start development, in comparison to the industry standard, but they take so long that they end up being left behind a bit by release. I think the bar people set for minimum visual quality has risen so high that companies can't keep up with it anymore. For me, I keep that bar at the same spot forever, so more games make me happy than it seems for most people, who think the bar has to be raised to each new outlier every time and get disappointed when every single game doesn't reach that peak.
It's why I think the AAA industry is headed for another video game crash and Indies are going to become the only regularly released quality left.
Upgrading Unreal Engine isn't really the analogous, though. It isn't about graphical quality and I feel KH3 was already too photorealistic at times without justifying it artistically.
Systems change and get updated. The old UE was creaking and very limited for what modern games attempt to create. The new ones offers a lot more flexibility, efficiency, and headroom for game design. It does everything the previous one does but does it a lot quicker and more easily. That's before you factor in graphical upgrades and new features and expanded scope. And with the seamless migration process It's not like they have to discard anything previously developed.
In all industries, keeping up with the cutting edge applications is seen as desirable, especially for those at the forefront of said industry like SE is for gaming. It's odd to see such resistance (and misplaced resistance at that) among those who keep abreast of video game industry news.
Systems change and get updated. The old UE was creaking and very limited for what modern games attempt to create. The new ones offers a lot more flexibility, efficiency, and headroom for game design. It does everything the previous one does but does it a lot quicker and more easily. That's before you factor in graphical upgrades and new features and expanded scope. And with the seamless migration process It's not like they have to discard anything previously developed.
Yeah and I think most of us are okay with them upgrading the UE. I just dont want them to throw everything out again and try and make a new in-house engine. Over the last decade quite a few Square projects suffered because they were building an in-house engine and games at the same time.
Sure some of the stuff they made won't successfully transition and need to be reprogrammed, but most things should be upgradable. Overall I think continuing with their current Kingdom Hearts adapted UE makes the most sense, seeing Unreal is making upgrading easier and they can keep a lot of work from previous projects.
I want to make mine as well now:
The 20th anniversary main title will contain:
Kingdom Hearts Phase 1 Final ReMix.
It will contain all games in Final ReMix version. How is it better than Final Mix? Final ReMix adds a new graphical engine without touching the core game. The same way that they updated Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.
it basically doesn't alter the core game, but adds some realtime shadows, atmosphere, cell shading and everything that would make the game out from an old school motion picture. Disney Worlds would feel more alive than ever.
[ATTACH type="full" width="645px"]14420[/ATTACH]
Of course, this time, days and re:coded would be playable, remade by the indies Zero team in Unity (melody of memory).
And Kingdom Hears 3 Final Remix would contain:
- 0.2 as part of its intro
- Remind naturally integrated into the main story (no extra save and abilities received normally during the progression)
- Raytracing
- Coliseum
I want to make mine as well now:
The 20th anniversary main title will contain:
Kingdom Hearts Phase 1 Final ReMix.
It will contain all games in Final ReMix version. How is it better than Final Mix? Final ReMix adds a new graphical engine without touching the core game. The same way that they updated Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.
it basically doesn't alter the core game, but adds some realtime shadows, atmosphere, cell shading and everything that would make the game out from an old school motion picture. Disney Worlds would feel more alive than ever.
[ATTACH type="full" width="645px" alt="comparison.jpg"]14420[/ATTACH]
Of course, this time, days and re:coded would be playable, remade by the indies Zero team in Unity (melody of memory).
And Kingdom Hears 3 Final Remix would contain:
- 0.2 as part of its intro
- Remind naturally integrated into the main story (no extra save and abilities received normally during the progression)
- Raytracing
- Coliseum
i fully support this idea to the fullest!
I want to make mine as well now:
The 20th anniversary main title will contain:
Kingdom Hearts Phase 1 Final ReMix.
It will contain all games in Final ReMix version. How is it better than Final Mix? Final ReMix adds a new graphical engine without touching the core game. The same way that they updated Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.
it basically doesn't alter the core game, but adds some realtime shadows, atmosphere, cell shading and everything that would make the game out from an old school motion picture. Disney Worlds would feel more alive than ever.
[ATTACH=full]14420[/ATTACH]
Of course, this time, days and re:coded would be playable, remade by the indies Zero team in Unity (melody of memory).
And Kingdom Hears 3 Final Remix would contain:
- 0.2 as part of its intro
- Remind naturally integrated into the main story (no extra save and abilities received normally during the progression)
- Raytracing
- Coliseum
If we get a Final Remix of KH2, I hope they change some cutscenes to be more lively/true to the Disney movies.
Imagine fighting Scar and Pride Rock being surrounded by fire like in the movie or a crowd in the cutscene where Hercules fights the Hydra
And more form changes - imagine in Agrabah or Land of Dragons, SDG change outfits
9) Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Re:Coded Ports: A port of the DS games either on the consoles or mobile. With how retro games are having success as ports lately, I could see them porting the games, with minor graphical tweaks.
10) Kingdom Hearts re:358/2 Days: A remake of the DS game either as a Console game or a a mobile game. This seems extremely unlikely, though there is a fan demand to be able to play and experience the game. Ideally the remake would improve some of the issues and make it a bit less repetitive in game play, perhaps add a few more puzzles and mini games to make the missions a bit more varied.
It surprises me that they haven't at least gone the emulation route since these games don't look all that bad in HD:
A Days remake needs more than just a graphics update, there's a lot I find flawed with it that has nothing t do with DS imo. But if that's not a possibility, better emulation than a damned movie.
My gueeses:
1.KH UX (might include short dark road movie) remake. now that the story is done, they gotta make everyone fully ready for phase 2. UX has too much story to stay mobile only.
2.KH Verum rex/KH4 with short cgi trailer and logo reveal, like DQ12. likely 2023 release.
3.Disney+ tv show
4.Dark road ending will drop right after the event
5.KH3 ReMind + MoM bundle updated for PS5/Series X-S. KH3 might get new version of kingdom key, nothing else.
another option: they release a bundle of KH3 ReMind + MoM + UX movie instead of doing full on UX remake.
It surprises me that they haven't at least gone the emulation route since these games don't look all that bad in HD:
A Days remake needs more than just a graphics update, there's a lot I find flawed with it that has nothing t do with DS imo. But if that's not a possibility, better emulation than a damned movie.
I agree the games dont look too bad in HD though it still would benefit from models being swapped out for higher quality ones and teaks to the gameplay.
I'd be pretty happy, if we got a good emulation port. The game looks pretty good in the right emulator.
I feel a Re: Days could fix quite a few of the gameplay issues and maybe even allow some dropped ideas and concepts like having Samurai Nobodies join Roxas on missions.
I agree the games dont look too bad in HD though it still would benefit from models being swapped out for higher quality ones and teaks to the gameplay.
I'd be pretty happy, if we got a good emulation port. The game looks pretty good in the right emulator.
I feel a Re: Days could fix quite a few of the gameplay issues and maybe even allow some dropped ideas and concepts like having Samurai Nobodies join Roxas on missions.
It's the reason for my suggestion of a GoL multiplayer game, it's a spiritual successor to Days. A redo of some of those ideas.
5.KH3 ReMind + MoM bundle updated for PS5/Series X-S. KH3 might get new version of kingdom key, nothing else.
another option: they release a bundle of KH3 ReMind + MoM + UX movie instead of doing full on UX remake.
You mean: KH3.5? XD
I agree the games dont look too bad in HD though it still would benefit from models being swapped out for higher quality ones and teaks to the gameplay.
I'd be pretty happy, if we got a good emulation port. The game looks pretty good in the right emulator.
I feel a Re: Days could fix quite a few of the gameplay issues and maybe even allow some dropped ideas and concepts like having Samurai Nobodies join Roxas on missions.
Updating the models and the maps while keeping the core shouldn't be difficult. All of the assets already exist. But putting this ds game on console would require a bit more polishing in the gameplay as this title was mostly designed for very short sessions.
You mean: KH3.5? XD
3.8 : )
yeah it's probably 3.5
I wouldn't be opposed to a Days remake but I'm not sure how they could tweak the gameplay and the grid system to work on consoles without being annoying. It would be awesome if they expanded on the multiplayer Days introduced though.
Updating the models and the maps while keeping the core shouldn't be difficult. All of the assets already exist. But putting this ds game on console would require a bit more polishing in the gameplay as this title was mostly designed for very short sessions.
True, the mission structure makes it better suited for a mobile port than a console one.
Not really sure, if it's possible to change the mission structure in a way to make it better suited for the home console other than to make them more varied.
True, the mission structure makes it better suited for a mobile port than a console one.
Not really sure, if it's possible to change the mission structure in a way to make it better suited for the home console other than to make them more varied.
Just turn the missions into story flags, where more than one can open up at a time. Rather than single visits and a linear-ish world map like usual.
Mission objectives can be converted into an activity/challenge list for each world and maybe completing X amount of those advances the day/story.
Rather than a tedious and repetitive mission structure make it more open-ended and player-driven.
Just turn the missions into story flags, where more than one can open up at a time. Rather than single visits and a linear-ish world map like usual.
Mission objectives can be converted into an activity/challenge list for each world and maybe completing X amount of those advances the day/story.
Rather than a tedious and repetitive mission structure make it more open-ended and player-driven.
I've long contested that Crisis Core had the better template for how Days should've been done: chapter-based main story covering a stretch of time, with 300+ side missions being strictly bonus.
Does anyone know when the chess set will go on sale/preorder? Out of all the merch that they will have for this, I NEED TO GET THE CHESS SET.
Does anyone know when the chess set will go on sale/preorder? Out of all the merch that they will have for this, I NEED TO GET THE CHESS SET.
It’s been up for preorder for a while. Also not an actual chess set, in case you were hoping to use it for actual chess.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/687465/kingdom-hearts-iii-alba-ater-set[/URL]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://aitaikuji.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-square-enix-official-alba-and-ater-chess-inspired-board-set[/URL]
It’s been up for preorder for a while. Also not an actual chess set, in case you were hoping to use it for actual chess.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/687465/kingdom-hearts-iii-alba-ater-set[/URL]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://aitaikuji.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-square-enix-official-alba-and-ater-chess-inspired-board-set[/URL]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.eu.square-enix-games.com/en_EU/product/687415/kingdom-hearts-iii-alba-ater-set[/URL]
Spot the difference.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.eu.square-enix-games.com/en_EU/product/687415/kingdom-hearts-iii-alba-ater-set[/URL]
Spot the difference.
Holy oof
The number alone is bad enough, but then the conversion...
Eurofriends could import with the best shipping option and still save money
It’s been up for preorder for a while. Also not an actual chess set, in case you were hoping to use it for actual chess.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/687465/kingdom-hearts-iii-alba-ater-set[/URL]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://aitaikuji.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-square-enix-official-alba-and-ater-chess-inspired-board-set[/URL]
Thanks for the link, but OMFG!!! I hope I get a decent bonus this year because that will go to this set... WOW! I will wait to pre-order... unless it can run out of pre-orders?
Also, did they ever give a date for when the 20th anniversary event will be?
Okay, like everyone else I would love it if a Kingdom Hearts animated series was announced, but you know what would be a real curveball?
They would not only announce the series in production but also that they are hiring for it! Bonus points if they allow fans to submit art to be shown at the end of episodes. It’s highly unlikely this’ll actually happen, but I’m sure there’s plenty of fans in the community that would want to be a part of making a possible animated series.
I'm just terrified SE will produce the series and just send the completed files to D+ with no Disney involvement (in Unreal Engine 4, just to rub it in).
Imagine the look on the Disney exec's face opening the email attachment and witnessing something like KHx Backcover. Do they pretend the email got lost in the spam folder? Say they lost their Wetranfer password? Put it up on D+ then claim it was a hack?
Scary to think about.
I'm just terrified SE will produce the series and just send the completed files to D+ with no Disney involvement (in Unreal Engine 4, just to rub it in).
Imagine the look on the Disney exec's face opening the email attachment and witnessing something like KHx Backcover. Do they pretend the email got lost in the spam folder? Say they lost their Wetranfer password? Put it up on D+ then claim it was a hack?
Scary to think about.
MAYBE this would happen with a pilot, but there's no way SE would produce even part of a season without a guarantee of funding.
That being said they better start hiring actual writers again if they really want to make a D+ series, because if I were an executive and I received something that had KH's current level of writing quality without gameplay to fall back I'd politely pass on the project.
MAYBE this would happen with a pilot, but there's no way SE would produce even part of a season without a guarantee of funding.
My fear is Disney will throw SE a bone by ordering direct-to-series. Not "let's make a KH series together while combining both our strengths" but "here, take this money. We're buying a KH series from you."
The latter has become a lot more common in the streaming era (and if I'm not mistaken D+ are starting too with their Asian programming orders). Usually it means creatives can work with a lot more freedom, far away from network execs. But it can also mean stuff like Backcover where no one has the guts to step in and say "QC" until the cursed images are burned into the retinas of unsuspecting children.
That being said they better start hiring actual writers again if they really want to make a D+ series, because if I were an executive and I received something that had KH's current level of writing quality without gameplay to fall back I'd politely pass on the project.
100%. Those initial reports made it seem like Disney were just asking Nomura to deliver a CG series and was amazed they'd consider blind-buying something from him to occupy such a high profile slot on their global streaming service.
I'm just terrified SE will produce the series and just send the completed files to D+ with no Disney involvement (in Unreal Engine 4, just to rub it in).
Imagine the look on the Disney exec's face opening the email attachment and witnessing something like KHx Backcover. Do they pretend the email got lost in the spam folder? Say they lost their Wetranfer password? Put it up on D+ then claim it was a hack?
Scary to think about.
Hahahaha
We should be happy to know that SE has a bit more professionalism when it comes to producing actual television/film content. Disney probably has their whole ass up in Nomura’s face about this project. When it comes to D+, especially since they are trying to get D+ Japan to be a success, they won’t let him just do his own thing alone.
I really hope that if we do get a KH D+ series its a retelling or soft reboot of KH1 just so thats its nice and easy. Even if Disney has their face in Nomura's face about a potential series, that man will still find some way to include pertinent canon information you can only get in the CG show and essentially make it Final Mix ++. That's my fear at least.
I really hope that if we do get a KH D+ series its a retelling or soft reboot of KH1 just so thats its nice and easy. Even if Disney has their face in Nomura's face about a potential series, that man will still find some way to include pertinent canon information you can only get in the CG show and essentially make it Final Mix ++. That's my fear at least.
A retelling of KH1 with a few alterations would be my pick for a series as well. Especially if it's only going to be one or two seasons. Though if it only gets a single season I could see the ending being more conclusive compared to the first game.
What if they make a game based off the Disney+ Series years down the road?
KH: D+ Remix with the only new change being Mickey's keyblade being renamed the Kingdom Key D+ for only a measly 7.99 per month.
Nvidia Geforce leak also has release dates, some may be placeholders but some might be real.
Apparently KH4 (could be placeholder name) will release on September 30th, 2023
Interesting
Last/first day of a month is definitely placeholder. Probably hints more at the general part of the year Square aims for if anything at all.
Those are definitely placeholder dates. I fully expect the next KH game in 2022, but idk 2023 for KH4 seems a tad too early.
2023 huh? If it's somehow legit that's way earlier then I expected. At the very least we wouldn't get a news drought
Does +4 years of development seem early for you guys? :cautious:
KH3 was 5 years with a new graphic engine, starting from 0. So, for me, that release date is totally feasible.
Does +4 years of development seem early for you guys? :cautious:
KH3 was 5 years with a new graphic engine, starting from 0. So, for me, that release date is totally feasible.
yeah i don't understand the early comments lmao.
KH4 started development early-mid 2019.
i'm also pretty sure we will get another game before KH4.
i'm also pretty sure we will get another game before KH4.
This is why. After the gap between KH2 and KH3 the idea that they started developing KH4 immediately after KH3 released instead of another non-numbered game is unfathomable.
This is why. After the gap between KH2 and KH3 the idea that they started developing KH4 immediately after KH3 released instead of another non-numbered game is unfathomable.
We found out right after KH3 that multiple new projects were in development. So not too far fetched to think at least one of those is KH4 or at least a game on similar scale to a numbered title.
This is why. After the gap between KH2 and KH3 the idea that they started developing KH4 immediately after KH3 released instead of another non-numbered game is unfathomable.
The gap between KH2 and KH3 was so long because Nomura was so persistent in using Toy Story world. In one interview he flat out says "No Toy Story world, no KH3" to Disney. Perhaps he pulled the same threat with Star Wars, but now Disney is taking KH more seriously, perhaps we could get KH4 earlier if they allow Star Wars (since Nomura IS a Star Wars fan....)
We found out right after KH3 that multiple new projects were in development. So not too far fetched to think at least one of those is KH4 or at least a game on similar scale to a numbered title.
Didn't the say there were four teams working on KH games at the time? Even if we assume that three of them were teams working on KHUX, MoM, and KH4 that still leaves one mystery project that may or may not be coming before KH4.
The gap between KH2 and KH3 was so long because Nomura was so persistent in using Toy Story world. In one interview he flat out says "No Toy Story world, no KH3" to Disney. Perhaps he pulled the same threat with Star Wars, but now Disney is taking KH more seriously, perhaps we could get KH4 earlier if they allow Star Wars (since Nomura IS a Star Wars fan....)
Nomura can say what he wants, but I very much doubt that Toy Story was a bigger factor in the gap than Fabula Nova Crystallis being a developmental disaster. Even if Disney and Pixar had given the approval for a Toy Story world the day Disney bought Pixar in 2006 the devs would have still been occupied with Versus XIII.
And please no Star Wars unless it's just little references [S]or based on Legends.[/S]
I’m really starting to doubt that we’ll get a new game in 2022. Maybe we’ll get another collectionfor the next gen consoles including a KH3 “Final Mix”, but tbh I don’t believe we’ll get a new game because we know NOTHING. I mean although they announced FF16 in 2020, we still don’t know its release date.
Also, 2022 seems already to be full of AAA Square games like FF Origins, FF16 and Forespoken. I really wonder when they could release the next KH game…
Didn't the say there were four teams working on KH games at the time? Even if we assume that three of them were teams working on KHUX, MoM, and KH4 that still leaves one mystery project that may or may not be coming before KH4.
Nomura can say what he wants, but I very much doubt that Toy Story was a bigger factor in the gap than Fabula Nova Crystallis being a developmental disaster. Even if Disney and Pixar had given the approval for a Toy Story world the day Disney bought Pixar in 2006 the devs would have still been occupied with Versus XIII.
And please no Star Wars unless it's just little references [S]or based on Legends.[/S]
Yeah something along those lines. As long the people behind the PC and Switch ports don’t count toward that. Lol. The other project could also be the Disney+ series. Either way, I’m confident that there’s a game in development in the scale of a numbered title that will likely come out late 2023/early 2024. Whether its official title is KH4 or not.
I also agree that Toy Story’s impact on KH3’s development was realistically minimal or not as big as the other posts make it out to be. It was more that Nomura wanted to explore the gimmicks of the handheld platforms while Versus XIII was being developed for consoles. It also allowed time for Disney to release more films to use for the game as the well was starting to run dry as of KH2 when it came to the major blockbuster films.
Considering Toy Story and/or it’s characters were almost in both KH1 and 2I, I think it could’ve been in KH3 anytime after Disney bought Pixar.
Star Wars, however, I don’t see happening. Since around the time the sequel trilogy started, Lucasfilm started being very particular about not having their IP crossover with regular Disney stuff. This may have been a theme park only thing, but they used to have merch, events, etc. where Disney characters would be dressed as Star Wars characters and things like that. But then that all went away when they got more serious about the IP and there are now strict rules about Star Wars not crossing over with other Disney stuff. So Unless they’ve changed their minds on that approach, I think a KH/Star Wars crossover would be an uphill battle that isn’t really worth fighting for.
I'm fully confident we are getting a non numbered title in 2022 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary. As for a title that is on par/is a numbered title I would expect late 2023/early 2024 at the very earliest.
As for Star Wars, I don't care if we never get a world just give me a lightsaber keyblade for Sora to hold and a Chewbacca summon and I'll be happy.
Star Wars, however, I don’t see happening. Since around the time the sequel trilogy started, Lucasfilm started being very particular about not having their IP crossover with regular Disney stuff. This may have been a theme park only thing, but they used to have merch, events, etc. where Disney characters would be dressed as Star Wars characters and things like that. But then that all went away when they got more serious about the IP and there are now strict rules about Star Wars not crossing over with other Disney stuff. So Unless they’ve changed their minds on that approach, I think a KH/Star Wars crossover would be an uphill battle that isn’t really worth fighting for.
Disney Infinity had Star Wars. Before it was canceled they were even working on a story expansion where Aladdin and Yoda teamed up to fight battle droids invading Agrabah.
Unless they’ve changed their minds on that approach, I think a KH/Star Wars crossover would be an uphill battle that isn’t really worth fighting for.
Disney Infinity had Star Wars.
Ralph Breaks the Internet also had Star Wars characters.
Disney Infinity had Star Wars. Before it was canceled they were even working on a story expansion where Aladdin and Yoda teamed up to fight battle droids invading Agrabah.
Disney Infinity ended around the time these changes starting taking place. They’re also meant to be toys and not the real characters, I believe.
Ralph Breaks the Internet also had Star Wars characters.
The thing with that movie is that it’s written off as being a world of the Internet. So it’s not the “true” characters but internet representations of them. They’re more particular about things that do (or at least appear to) actually take place within Star Wars canon (excluding parodies.) Which I think Kingdom Hearts visiting a Star Wars world would be too close to. Maybe they could appear in a Wreck It Ralph world though.
Disney Infinity ended around the time these changes starting taking place. They’re also meant to be toys and not the real characters, I believe.
The thing with that movie is that it’s written off as being a world of the Internet. So it’s not the “true” characters but internet representations of them. They’re more particular about things that do (or at least appear to) actually take place within Star Wars canon (excluding parodies.) Which I think Kingdom Hearts visiting a Star Wars world would be too close to. Maybe they could appear in a Wreck It Ralph world though.
I mean, there's absolutely nothing stopping SW in KH from being a fictional world in the Unreality where the characters are outright mentioned as being fake.
Disney Infinity had Star Wars. Before it was canceled they were even working on a story expansion where Aladdin and Yoda teamed up to fight battle droids invading Agrabah.
Disney Infinity was cancelled way back in 2016. That's plenty of time for the rules for handling the Star Wars brand to have tightened up. And the rules that KH has to follow with crossover interactions have always been stricter than Disney's own in-house stuff. They've even been known to backpedal on things that weren't problems before, such as summons becoming links because having the characters physically in other worlds was too close to crossing over for Disney's liking.
I mean, there's absolutely nothing stopping SW in KH from being a fictional world in the Unreality where the characters are outright mentioned as being fake.
I don't think we know enough about Unreality to even begin guess about how worlds in it will work.
Disney Infinity was cancelled way back in 2016. That's plenty of time for the rules for handling the Star Wars brand to have tightened up. And the rules that KH has to follow with crossover interactions have always been stricter than Disney's own in-house stuff. They've even been known to backpedal on things that weren't problems before, such as summons becoming links because having the characters physically in other worlds was too close to crossing over for Disney's liking.
I don't think we know enough about Unreality to even begin guess about how worlds in it will work.
Exactly. It’s not a coincidence that The Force Awakens came out at the tail end of 2015. It’s huge success is almost certainly what led to Disney tightening the reins and being more protective.
There’s always some possibility something could be worked out, but it would be a huge undertaking. Not only to work out the licensing, but also securing the actors’ likenesses, dealing with even more corporate/studio oversight, etc.
Plus, bringing in such a massive franchise may just overshadow KH itself. There’s so many great Disney and Pixar IPs they could focus their energy on instead. Also, while I love Star Wars and hate to say this, the last thing this series needs is to draw in a bunch of toxic Star Wars fans.
As for the Unreality thing, I think it would be a stretch that Lucasfilm still wouldn’t buy into it. And like Zackarix said, we don’t know enough about Unreality to assume Star Wars would work in that environment.
Exactly. It’s not a coincidence that The Force Awakens came out at the tail end of 2015. It’s huge success is almost certainly what led to Disney tightening the reins and being more protective.
There’s always some possibility something could be worked out, but it would be a huge undertaking. Not only to work out the licensing, but also securing the actors’ likenesses, dealing with even more corporate/studio oversight, etc.
Plus, bringing in such a massive franchise may just overshadow KH itself. There’s so many great Disney and Pixar IPs they could focus their energy on instead. Also, while I love Star Wars and hate to say this, the last thing this series needs is to draw in a bunch of toxic Star Wars fans.
As for the Unreality thing, I think it would be a stretch that Lucasfilm still wouldn’t buy into it. And like Zackarix said, we don’t know enough about Unreality to assume Star Wars would work in that environment.
This. All of this, is exactly why I don’t want Marvel and Star Wars worlds in Kingdom Hearts. If it’s just small nods, like a key chain or a mini game, fine. But not entire worlds.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Star Wars and Marvel as much as the next guy, but I’d just prefer if KH just stuck to the main Disney and Pixar stuff.
Kingdom Hearts is all about the hype. The fact that we do not know the title of the next game makes it really hard for me to believe it is going to release next year.
Next year, will be the announcements, so that we can spend the next decade speculating. At most, we will get a spinoff title and a compilation. But kh4 is not gonna release anytime soon.
I feel like there's ways of doing a SW world. I'd settle for making it more of a smaller scale story, closer in nature to Mandalorian. Maybe play on the "A galaxy far far away" & have be a black hole on the world map that transports the gummi ship to the SW galaxy. Instead of fighting the entire Imperial fleet, it's a few ship assigned to investigating the black hole on the other side.
Kingdom Hearts is all about the hype. The fact that we do not know the title of the next game makes it really hard for me to believe it is going to release next year.
Next year, will be the announcements, so that we can spend the next decade speculating. At most, we will get a spinoff title and a compilation. But kh4 is not gonna release anytime soon.
Wasn't Melody of Memory announced in June 2020 and released in November of the same year? That shows that they are capable of keeping a project under wraps until a few months before release. I agree that a spin-off or compilation is the most likely scenario, but SE seems to have learned its lesson about announcing games long before they're ready for release.
Verum rex/yozora spin-off game for 2022 with UX movie attached, and KH4 for 2023 is also a realistic possibility imo.
They're gonna drop KH4. It's gonna be an announcement for 4 or Verum Rex, im calling it right now
Gotta agree that the signs are all pointing toward a KH4 announcement. They’ve been building hype for it since the extremely on-the-nose KH3 secret ending, with the square shape MoM makes with his hands. “Quadratum” as the literal Latin word for square is the icing on the cake, too blatant to ignore. Then there’s the NVIDIA leak. I genuinely see only a slim chance that KH4 ISN’T the next major announcement. The plot setup is all there, the momentum is there, the development time has been aplenty. They’re busy at work making KH4, I’m almost certain.
Here's an argument against the Quadratum/Verum Rex game being KH4: it would require a MAJOR departure from the formula. All the numbered games so far have been about Sora, Donald, and Goofy adventuring through Disney worlds. The set up for Quadratum involves Sora and Riku in a "fictional" reality outside their own. The set-up seems to line up better with a non-numbered game. It might even be the bridge game between KH3 and KH4, with whatever happens with the Master of Masters leading into a Foretellers plot in KH4.
And as for it being the focus of the secret ending? KH2's secret ending teased Birth by Sleep, which wasn't KH3 or KH0 (despite the fact that it probably could have been if more effort had been put into it.) So while Verum Rex might be the Next Big Thing in KH that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the setting for KH4.
Could KH4 be an placeholder name in those leaks because everyone outside of the franchisee would assume that?
I also doubt that the next game is going to be KH4.
it would require a MAJOR departure from the formula.
Fair, but I will point out Nomura has pretty explicitly said he’s hoping to dramatically change up the existing formula:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kingdom-hearts-creator-wants-new-game-to-tie-up-loose-ends-and-change-the-format/1100-6484613/[/URL]
Naturally we can only speculate what he’s referring to, but at minimum I do think it means we can’t really take anything for granted. Which could, I’ll admit, just as well mean that numbered titles are a thing of the past—but that seems unlikely.
In general, I’ve never really understood arguments that look to KH’s past as a reliable indicator for future development trends. If there has been anything consistent about how past games were developed and released, it has been the lack of regularity and predictability. There is no overarching pattern. We’re comparing apples and oranges. The post-KH3 world is a completely different context than the post-KH2 or even post-KH1 world, both in terms of SE’s relative standardization/streamlining of game development (and what game dev even looks like) as well as strategy, given the magnitude with which KH3 exploded into the mainstream. Personally I think we should look at what would appear to make most sense for the series now as opposed to if we were still living in the early-2010s.
Fair, but I will point out Nomura has pretty explicitly said he’s hoping to dramatically change up the existing formula:
"Change the format a bit" is not the same thing as "dramatically change up the existing formula"
In general, I’ve never really understood arguments that look to KH’s past as a reliable indicator for future development trends.
Because by far the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. When you have a series with a history of having at least one major spin-off in between the numbered games and set-up for a sequel that diverges wildly from series norms (Quadratum stuff) while also having set-up for a sequel that's more in line with what's familiar (KHUX follow-up) it makes sense to assume that the more experimental stuff will be in one of the inevitable spin-offs unless stated otherwise.
I also suspect that the Quadratum game is intended to serve as a backdoor pilot for a [S]Versus XIII reboot[/S] Verum Rex series. If it's successful expect to see more games starring Yozora, who is officially the property of Disney so SE can't repurpose Nomura's vision again.
If it's successful expect to see more games starring Yozora, who is officially the property of Disney so SE can't repurpose Nomura's vision again.
I still think this is one of the smartest choices Nomura has ever made. Maybe not for the KH series itself, but to protect this story he desperately wants to tell.
"Change the format a bit" is not the same thing as "dramatically change up the existing formula"
We’re nitpicking at this point, but yes technically it’s translated as changing up the format a bit and changing up the world drastically. Could mean any number of things so I’ll put speculating aside.
Because by far the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
I don’t disagree per sé, I guess what I was trying to point out is that what appears to us as continuity is to some degree illusory, given how much has changed behind the scenes over the course of 2 decades. That being said, you’re right in that it is still the same series with the same head creator and many of the same staff besides.
I also suspect that the Quadratum game is intended to serve as a backdoor pilot for a [S]Versus XIII reboot[/S] Verum Rex series. If it's successful expect to see more games starring Yozora, who is officially the property of Disney so SE can't repurpose Nomura's vision again.
An interesting idea to be sure. I don’t know that I see a justification for diverging from Kingdom Hearts’ currently very strong brand, but I wouldn’t hate it.
We’re nitpicking at this point
This whole argument is nitpicking. We both agree that the next big KH game will be a Quadratum game with Yozora, we just can't see eye-to-eye on whether it makes more sense for a "IV" to be in the title or not.
I don’t know that I see a justification for diverging from Kingdom Hearts’ currently very strong brand
Assuming that Verum Rex is Versus XIII with the serial numbers filed off and it's successful enough to launch its own series that follows Nomura's original vision it wouldn't be enough to dramatically change the formula, it would have to be thrown out entirely. When you get down to it the brand of Kingdom Hearts is characters who wield giant keys fighting their way through Disney movies. Take those elements out and it's not KH anymore.
In general it's actually common to trade a successful brand for a new one if the concept is different enough. For example, Square's own Mana series had its first entry published as "Final Fantasy Gaiden" but the other games as firmly part of their own brand. Separate brands can also happen when different audiences are being targeted or there's hope that the spin-off will grow beyond its origins. Once upon a time Bandai had a successful toy brand called Tamagotchi with an audience that was almost entirely girls. They saw the gap in their audience, so in order to sell a similar product to boys they added fighting and called it Digimon. The new brand grew to the point that even most fans are unaware of its origins. Would it have achieved the same success if it had remained a part of the origin brand and been called something like Tamagotchi Warriors? Impossible to know without the ability to view alternate timeline, but clearly diverging from a strong brand can work out.
Everyone seems to agree next game is the Yozora/Quadratum game, but I wonder if the game where Isa looks for Skuld/Lauriam for Strelitzia will be part of the same game, or the spin off game BEFORE the Yozora game....That looking for someone is the very theme of the game?
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say there will be no real Quadratum game, or a game with a playable Subject X plotline, instead it'll probably be a normal KH game and Quadratum will just be the last world.
I'd love to be proven wrong if it would be something interesting but the only thing I can realistically see is a Versus rip off, which I'm absolutely not interested in. It feels a little disrespectful to KH honestly. On the other hand it would provide me with a lot of ammunition against the FF in KH naysayers.....
When thinking about the narrative and how it can be nest served going forward, I imagine lots of strategies and almost all of them are narrative and storytelling risks that I don't see them brave enough to commit to.
If it's a small scale game set in Quadradum with the protagonists trying to escape back "home", it would provide scope for a lot of thematic richness and opportunity to put narrative depth within a small location over breadth and dozens of worlds. But it comes at the risk of alienating players wishing for more familiar haunts. Alienation would be the point, but are they brave enough to challenge their fans like that?
If it's the last level in the next mainline game then something would be missing the rest of the game, surely? Most likely Sora. Could be intriguing if it allows for the exploration of these characters and the mythology (much of it we've created) surrounding them. But I doubt it. Quadradum is a fully realised and constructed 3D level that will be used in an upcomping game. The effort that went into designing it suggests an upcoming console game. Upcoming console game suggests a mainline, not sideline, entry.
If it's a dual narrative that switches between the two universes then I really worry about the team's ability to tell a coherent and taut story that way without it going out of control very quickly.
If it's just the prologue for KH4 like Twilight Town in KH2 then that's the safest and most underwhelming retread of the same thing they've done before.
And this is where I feel it will land when the dust settles. A few hours of tutorials in Quadradum before the gang comes to the rescue only to get trapped underneath a building at the last, on the verge of death, until Sora comes and fights off the monsters and rescues his rescuers.
He then monologues about the heart's power of friendship before everyone has an epiphany and they all thank Sora for getting them back to Yen Sid's Tower for a 10 minute stilted debrief punctured by a few hearty cries of WHAAAAAAAAAAT? and a set-up for why the heartless, nobodies, antibodies, unversed, reversed, unsung, unborn, unloved and undercooked are back – stronger than ever.
Cut to Ansem, Seeker of Darkness laughing maniacally before the title KINGDOM HEARTS IV - (2.954² × 5) + 3.33333 Recurring shows up.
Fade to black.
I'm just kidding. I'm actually very excited.
When thinking about the narrative and how it can be nest served going forward, I imagine lots of strategies and almost all of them are narrative and storytelling risks that I don't see them brave enough to commit to.
If it's a small scale game set in Quadradum with the protagonists trying to escape back "home", it would provide scope for a lot of thematic richness and opportunity to put narrative depth within a small location over breadth and dozens of worlds. But it comes at the risk of alienating players wishing for more familiar haunts. Alienation would be the point, but are they brave enough to challenge their fans like that?
I can't see a game with just Quadradum. Someone higher up at S-E is gonna be very insistent that there's at least some Disney worlds, especially if it's a bigger budget console title. They're not gonna wanna risk losing out on sales due to gamers not getting their Disney.
They could try spinning VR off as it's own IP, but after the lukewarm sales of NEO, I doubt Square's itching to pull the trigger on a very similar looking game that requires a bigger investment.
If it's a dual narrative that switches between the two universes then I really worry about the team's ability to tell a coherent and taut story that way without it going out of control very quickly. |
Plus Quadradum is shaping up to have 3 playable characters: Sora, Riku, Yozora (there's no way they don't make Yozora playable after giving him such distinctive weapons/abilities). That's cramming a lot into half a game.
Thus, I stick to the idea of altverse Disney worlds, be it Lightyear as another fictional unreality thing, live action remakes to show how different they are from the standard universe, or some previously untapped category of IP like tv shows; Quadradum's universe is gonna hafta have its own Disney worlds to stand as a game.
And please no Star Wars unless it's just little references [S]or based on Legends.[/S]
This. KH is already Star Wars enough, I don't need actual Star Wars to add to it (Unless Legends because that usually is different enough but eh)
Don’t get me wrong, I like Star Wars and Marvel as much as the next guy, but I’d just prefer if KH just stuck to the main Disney and Pixar stuff.
We already have Big Hero 6 as a Marvel world even if it is the Disney-fied version of the characters. They probably fit the best in KH instead of another Marvel Property anyway.
This. KH is already Star Wars enough, I don't need actual Star Wars to add to it (Unless Legends because that usually is different enough but eh)
We already have Big Hero 6 as a Marvel world even if it is the Disney-fied version of the characters. They probably fit the best in KH instead of another Marvel Property anyway.
In a way, MCU would be the live action remake counterpart to BH6 in the VR universe. :)
It's way too soon for a Lightyear word, the movie isn't even out yet.
Yozora might just end up being an ally/party member for all we know, but its clear that Quadratum is gonna play a big part in the next KH game. I doubt we are going to get anything playable related to Lea/Isa/Subject X anytime soon. And there is no way its going to be just Quadratum, there is going to be some disney involved since this is KH we are talking about. Even if its just B budget movies or sequel movies this time around.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say there will be no real Quadratum game, or a game with a playable Subject X plotline, instead it'll probably be a normal KH game and Quadratum will just be the last world.
I'd love to be proven wrong if it would be something interesting but the only thing I can realistically see is a Versus rip off, which I'm absolutely not interested in. It feels a little disrespectful to KH honestly. On the other hand it would provide me with a lot of ammunition against the FF in KH naysayers.....
This kind of makes sense.
They wouldn't have mentioned what each team was doing for nothing... right? Maybe the next game will be playing as each team, collecting clues that will help with Quadratum and Subject X's plot, then the last portion of the game will be Riku in Quadratum?
It would be kind of weird if Quadratum was just one world instead of a whole universe or whatever, but in all teasers of "new locations" they've always been just one world. The World That Never Was, The Realm of Darkness, The Keyblade Graveyard were all in teaser trailers and just one world. The only reason The Realm of Darkness was even more than just the beach and the area from KH1 was because they included corrupted Disney worlds in 0.2.
Now that I'm thinking about it more, what can possibly come out of a Quadratum game if that universe is explored more? Nomura did his best to clean up the series for post-KH3, by getting all the key players back into one realm and timeline, spent tons of time on exposition to explain all these new concepts, basically giving us what we need to start as fresh as possible (for KH standards) for the new saga. Just imagine actually exploring the Quadratum "universe", meeting new characters there, and getting more lore about that universe... only to never visit it again. Knowing Nomura, even if he intended to use Quadratum only once in a limited capacity, I feel like if he were to expand on it in a full fledged game, he wouldn't be able to resist and will load up the main story with Quadratum which I think will just make it go beyond comprehendible. Not only that, but it will just seem really bizarre and convenient that only now characters are jumping back and forth (constantly) between Quadratum and the "real world", when it was supposedly so difficult, near impossible, to do before.
I had another idea for another 20th Anniversary Collection, don't know what they would call it though.
It will include 1.5+2.5 & 2.8 with big improvements.
All Games:
[LIST]
[*]Optional Japanese Voice DLC
[*]Final Mix enemy colors can be toggled to Vanilla in config
[*]Unlockable Concept Art w/ never before seen Concept Art drawn by Nomura
[/LIST]
Kingdom Hearts 1 Final Mix:
[LIST]
[*]Theater Mode DLC integrated into the game
[/LIST]
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories (GBA) can be played, has it's own Trophies/Achievements
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is now playable, it is remastered like DDD
Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded will either stay a cinematic or it will be remastered like DDD
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix:
[LIST]
[*]The trophies/achievements that require you to 100% the Journal as all characters is changed so you only have to do it for one character
[*]Online Play is added back in to the Mirage Arena
[/LIST]
Kingdom Hearts 0.2:
[LIST]
[*]Updated to be like the Epic Games version
[/LIST]
They will announce KINGDOM HEARTS 4 with Sora Donald and Goofy traveling through Disney worlds and...
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They will announce KINGDOM HEARTS 4 with Sora Donald and Goofy traveling through Disney worlds and...
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me, a YX simp:
Do you want to see my possible theory about his return? it might have something to do with his past life as player and his subtle "help" to Sora as YX
In all seriousness, we know KH have an IT theme in naming non-numbered titles. like Birth by Sleep=BBS=Bulletin Board System or Unchained X/Union Cross=UX=User Experience, anybody care to guess the possible IT-theme or new game if it's not KH4? Also have we make a thread about this before?
In all seriousness, we know KH have an IT theme in naming non-numbered titles. like Birth by Sleep=BBS=Bulletin Board System or Unchained X/Union Cross=UX=User Experience, anybody care to guess the possible IT-theme or new game if it's not KH4? Also have we make a thread about this before?
I came up with a few. They're all basically gibberish but maybe that's the point. So here goes.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) = Kingdom Hearts: Friendship's True Purpose, a Free To Play mobile game.
GPS (Global Positioning System) = Kingdom Hearts: Guilty Princess Separation, a Pokemon GO style mobile game.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, bonus points for Public Display of Affection) = Kingdom Hearts: Paradise Dimension Artifact, honestly I don't know what this one would be.
They will announce KINGDOM HEARTS 4 with Sora Donald and Goofy traveling through Disney worlds and...
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I mean sure why not at this point ahaha :ROFLMAO:
They wouldn't have mentioned what each team was doing for nothing... right?
Sadly I think that's exactly what they did. Between the use of it in ReMind and MoM, and arguably even going back to Kairi/Axel in KH3, I think it's just a way to nominally "use" these characters. You can point to statements like that and say, "see! the character was doing something!", even if that something is as meaningless as "looking in someone's memories arbitrarily". Personally I wouldn't mind if we could just assume what the characters were up to or catch up with them later, but I suspect like many KH3-and-after writing-isms that it was done to misguidedly respond to criticism. I don't like to be cynical about it but clearly everyone's jobs mentioned in ReMind didn't find Sora or anything...
Sadly I think that's exactly what they did. Between the use of it in ReMind and MoM, and arguably even going back to Kairi/Axel in KH3, I think it's just a way to nominally "use" these characters. You can point to statements like that and say, "see! the character was doing something!", even if that something is as meaningless as "looking in someone's memories arbitrarily". Personally I wouldn't mind if we could just assume what the characters were up to or catch up with them later, but I suspect like many KH3-and-after writing-isms that it was done to misguidedly respond to criticism. I don't like to be cynical about it but clearly everyone's jobs mentioned in ReMind didn't find Sora or anything...
Well Kairi was the least active of all the characters at the end of ReMIND (in terms of looking for Sora) and we ended up getting a few cutscenes of her actually doing what they said she was doing.
I don't think that each group will get a game or significant focus on what they were doing, but I do feel like Nomura has taken criticism/suggestions to heart and may give us something (most likely something tiny, but still something) to show what those groups were doing. I say this simply from what Nomura provided in ReMIND. People's complaints about KH3 were that characters didn't interact, he ended up giving us that fight with everyone interacting (albeit very briefly). So by splitting up the groups, we may actually get a glimpse of them all together and NOT surrounded in drama/life threatening/end of the world situations - which would be nice to see especially for Roxas/Xion/Axel and Terra/Aqua/Ven.
Even if it were just one cutscene each, I can imagine powerful/emotional scenes of Roxas/Xion/Axel executing a "mission" together like in Days, except they talk about how they're not puppets in someone's game anymore and discuss their freedom (maybe even Roxas/Xion wanting to retire from the keyblade life after saving Sora). While for Terra/Aqua/Ven, it can be Aqua facing her fears of returning to the Realm of Darkness, but this time with her friends and they have a sort of healing moment together.
Regardless of whether or not something comes of the efforts of the Wayfinders and Nobody group their post-KH3 developments really annoy me. These characters just got their lives back only for them to immediately be put on hold when they should be recovering! The fact that their efforts have been for naught so far because Riku is the designated savior is just the icing on the cake.
I guess I can sort of see what the intention is. Sora gave everything to save the lost characters and now they're trying to repay the favor. But still if nothing is going to come of these plot points they shouldn't have bothered with them.
I guess Nomura wanted to acknolwedge the BBS and Days trio in some way just so we know he hasn't forgotten about them. Riku being the one to find Sora does not surprise me considering he's essentially the deurotagonist of this entire series. Still wish it could've been a trio game we are getting instead of a Sora/Riku duo game. Because Kairi going to see Aqua while nice literally puts her on the backburner again so Nomura doesn't have to bother with her.
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October 5, 2021 @ 03:07 pmOffline