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Kingdom Hearts 2.5, Final Fantasy XV, and Type-0 in Famitsu Weekly!

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Published on September 24, 2014 @ 03:37 pm
Written by Joey
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After the teasers from the last two days, Kingdom Hearts fans everywhere have been waiting in anticipation for the latest Famitsu to be released. Kingdom Hearts Insider is proud to share these scans with you, which feature a brand new Nomura interview where he discusses Kingdom Hearts -HD 2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] and Kingdom Hearts 3!

Thanks to Goldpanner, we have a translation of Nomura's interview available for you now!

Interview with Director Tetsuya Nomura

 

>an even more universal game with HD remastering

 

---Were there any parts you were particularly attentive to during production of KH2.5?

Mr Tetsuya Nomura (hereon Nomura): Due to size issues, in the KH 358/2 Days (hereon Days) cinematic work included in KH1.5 we left out combat and just went with text intermissions that explained, but many fans pointed out that it was a shame, and that weighed on me. As KH Re:coded didn't have the volume of Days, we were able to follow-up on that part by creating cinematics for the battles and Disney world stories as well as adding some narration by Mickey. Mickey both opens and closes KH Re:coded, so he was the best choice for the narrator. Also, as KH Birth by Sleep (hereon BbS) was going from a handheld console to a non-portable one, we needed to adjust the controls and such. At first, we were also looking for a way to include the multiplayer section as it was. This wouldn't have been too difficult if we were only working on BbS, but as we had three titles' worth of work on our plates for KH2.5, we included it as reworked into a single player feature.

---What was it like to reexamine your own past work when producing KH1.5 and KH2.5?

Nomura: Replaying games made years ago often does let you feel their age, but I've never felt that way with KH games. I think perhaps the HD remastering has made them even more universal. Also, my impression from playing it after so long was, wow, I didn't think there were so many specialised worlds in here. Perhaps that's because they were easy to use game-wise when I included them. For Olympus Coliseum etc, we staff went along with our planning under the assumption that, while we still hadn't decided on whether to include something, there might always be a KH3 (laughs). There's also Sora's growth as a character. In KH1 I was incredibly conscious of keeping things 'Disney-like', but as the titles have added layers I think an originality has appeared.

[Interview Bits and Bobs: Guest Characters | What are you careful with when it comes to guest characters? "On original worlds, that their outward appearance and personality is close to that of the original work, or I adapt them a little like with YRP. If they appear in Disney worlds, I match the aesthetic. I even made Zack's waist thinner to match with that world." (Nomura)]

---After your long involvement with the series, what do you think is the particular charm of Disney works?

Nomura: It is the extremely loving and careful way they show and handle their characters both inside and outside the works themselves. I think this is what makes Disney works top class worldwide. This is very important with games too, according to the type, and the whole thing can become good or bad depending on the way the characters are handled. I've learned a lot.

---Is that so. That's rather deep. Can you please recommend any Disney works, or talk about any you've seen recently?

Nomura: I think I've spoken about this before, but I like The Lion King, that hasn't changed. Recently, I was invited to the preview of Frozen, and I thought it was really good. Now that Pixar's Mr Lasseter has also become the chief creative officer at Disney, I expect that from now on there will be even more works that are even more challenging. As a fan I am really looking forward to Big Hero 6 which premieres in December.     

---Speaking of Frozen, there were reports that co-director Mr Tai Yasue made a statement regarding content with a point about 'if Frozen were to appear in KH'.

Nomura: That surprised me too. I checked with Yasue, because we haven't touched upon it at all, and there's been no talk about what we'd do 'if we put it in for now'. I do understand, though, because interviewers overseas do talk about their wishes for what they'd like to happen. In response, we Japanese don't give clear yes or no answers. Then sometimes they take it as as 'fact'.  It was misinformation that came from a difference in culture.

---So that's what it was. Now, how do you actually choose new worlds?

Nomura: The shape it's taking for KH3 is everyone sharing what sort of things we'd like to do on what sort of worlds, and then making decisions looking at that. A wide range of works fall within our targets so there are a lot of candidates, but we can't make them all, and in the end we also need the OK from Disney. But, the staff working on KH3 are pushier than they've ever been (laughs). They get highly passionate on the spot, elaborating to me exactly why we 'just have to do this!', so it's difficult to make choices.

[Interview Bits and Bobs: LINE Stickers | How did the KH LINE stickers come about? "Disney spoke to me, and then I chose the characters and lines myself. I love Vanitas' 'Tch', but the one I use the most is Sora's 'OK'. I use it when responding to things I'm supervising with (laughs)." (Nomura)]

>The reason that enigmatic trailer was put out

---You used the opening section of KH3 in a recently released trailer for KH2.5, didn't you. The conversation between those strangers was rather enigmatic.  

Nomura: I had received so many responses after releasing that play video previously, and I could feel that people were eagerly anticipating KH3. I really wanted to put out some sort of message, even though I couldn't show any content at that time. And, I wanted to show everyone that KH3 begins somewhere nobody is expecting, with speaking from new voice actors that haven't appeared in the series before. I really enjoyed seeing everyone try to guess who those two are.

---We definitely were surprised. We hadn't expected it to begin like that at all.

Nomura: I wanted to go with an introduction that wouldn't make fans be like 'yeah, we knew that' upon seeing the opening section, and that would have both fans who knew the series and fans who didn't be like 'what's this? What's going to happen next?' and start feeling anticipation. I do this every time, but I want to try and make things even for both fans and newcomers. By the way, the conversation between those two is actually a lot longer, it goes for over two minutes. When you hear their conversation, you'll understand the flow of everything so far.

[Interview Bits and Bobs: Likelihood of a PS4 version | With the shift to the next gen consoles underway, especially overseas, would you say you want to release KH1.5 and KH2.5 on the Playstation 4 or the Xbox One? "Since we've only just finished work on KH2.5, we would need a little more time to look into the technical aspects of HD remastering for next gen consoles." (Nomura)]

---The phrase 'Lost Masters' appeared in the conversation…

Nomura: That may not necessarily deserve capitalisation. It just means what it says, 'Keyblade Masters who have been lost' (laughs).

---Oh, is that so (laughs). We are very much looking forward to KH3, but there will be a bit of a wait to go after KH2.5 is released. In the meantime, are there any new developments for the series?

Nomura: Counting the developments in PC browser game KHχ (Key), I'd like to think that fans will spend the least amount of time possible separated from works from the series.

---We do wonder how KHχ (Key) will turn out. Among the scenes added to KH Re:coded, there is a 'Tome of Prophecy' episode which is related to KHχ (Key), isn't there?

Nomura: The scenarios of KH3 and KHχ (Key) are intimately related, so they are being written at the same time. That's why the plot of KHχ (Key) has been on pause for a little while, and I am very sorry, but I have to ask you to please wait a little longer. We are also currently investigating developments that would allow more people to experience KHχ (Key).

[Interview Bits and Bobs: First is Comic Con! | As Nomura said regarding Final Fantasy XV on page 18, 'it's up to the company. I can't say any more than that right now'. We fans can hardly wait for KH3 and many many other in-progress projects to be made public. But first, let's keep our eyes peeled at New York Comic Con!]

---By the way, what about KH3D? It's not in KH1.5 or KH2.5.

Nomura: Aside from KHχ (Key), which is currently still underway, KH3D is the only title in the series not remastered in HD. I personally don't like leaving it as the odd one out, so I think it's an issue that requires consideration.

>Sora's mobility is too high!?

---So, what is the current stage of development for KH3?

Nomura: It's moving steadily along the estimated schedule. However, we are having a lot of trouble with the image creating part of things due to the engine. While that's going on, we are carrying out the scenario writing and world selecting. I've also drawn new clothes for Sora and Riku and the others.

---Are Sora's action sections also evolving nicely?

Nomura: When I went to Osaka the other day and saw how development was coming along, Sora's mobility was too high. He'd reached a level where just moving around would probably make him invincible (laughs). Of course, he can't move like that from the beginning, but it looks like by the end he will be incredible. I'm looking forward to the next check. In a previous trailer Sora fought by transforming his Keyblade. The variations of those are also turning out to be amazing. It's close to the way the original Keyblade wielders fought in BbS.

---We want to get our hands on it ASAP! Now, we'd like to ask about your work outside KH3. You said previously that various jobs have fallen into your lap.

Nomura: I do have many projects other than KH3. For some reason, with this timing, I have received many offers from both inside and outside the company, and I will be responding to those first. There are things that were given to me individually, and there are many things related to games, things outside games, and things that are yet to be announced. The closest thing is that at in October I am going to Comic Con which is being held in New York. While I have been given those jobs, I do intend to keep moving my own projects forward.


[In the next issue (on sale 2nd October) we will include a special feature commemorating the release! We will also continue Mr Nomura's comments!]

 

 

 

We've also taken the liberty to upload the scans of Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, and Final Fantasy Agito+. Please enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS

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Dandelion

September 24, 2014 @ 03:55 pmOffline

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THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL omg

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yesmikan

September 24, 2014 @ 04:00 pmOffline

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Nice, a new angle shot of Luna/Stella.
I find it odd that they're still publishing Prompto's old design. I wonder if that was the magazine's decision or if Square gave them that artwork again.

Bobjam

September 24, 2014 @ 04:01 pmOffline

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Thanks for uploading the scans of FFXV Duscae and Type-0 as well ^^ cannot wait for the translations of all of this.

Sign

September 24, 2014 @ 04:05 pmOffline

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yesmikan
Nice, a new angle shot of Luna/Stella.
I find it odd that they're still publishing Prompto's old design. I wonder if that was the magazine's decision or if Square gave them that artwork again.


SE probably doesn't see the need to release an updated render at this point in time.

Chaser

September 24, 2014 @ 04:10 pmOffline

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Bobjam
Thanks for uploading the scans of FFXV Duscae and Type-0 as well ^^ cannot wait for the translations of all of this.

You're absolutely welcome. This article would have been up like 40 minutes ago if it wasn't for XV, Type-0, and all those extra scans ahahaha (it's 2 am and im hungry and tired. release me from this mortal world)

Bobjam

September 24, 2014 @ 04:15 pmOffline

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Chaser
You're absolutely welcome. This article would have been up like 40 minutes ago if it wasn't for XV, Type-0, and all those extra scans ahahaha (it's 2 am and im hungry and tired. release me from this mortal world)


Well your efforts were definitely worth it, the scans look awesome! I feel like we have been needing these interviews for some time after the news drought from Nomura this year.

hemmoheikkinen

September 24, 2014 @ 04:43 pmOffline

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Holey moley those scans look good. Especially Xigbar looks really polished and Vanitas Lingering Spirit looks more spookier. I`m really curious to see what Nomura has to say.

Just a quick off-topic, but I have to say it`s a real pleasure to visit this site. Every other gaming site is full of people overreacting with the FFXV news, but in here I fell you can have civilized and peaceful conversations with other people. :)

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Gram

September 24, 2014 @ 06:42 pmOffline

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Everything is just so pretty. ;A;

kuraudoVII

September 24, 2014 @ 06:47 pmOffline

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God, those images look beautiful.

Gray Aria

September 24, 2014 @ 06:51 pmOffline

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I can't wait to find out what Vincent has to do with Agito+.

Launchpad

September 24, 2014 @ 07:02 pmOffline

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I had a crazy dream last night that there was an interview where Mickey was a confirmed party member, throughout the entire game, and that they were taking comedic inspiration from the new Mickey cartoons.

Please let me be psychic, PLEASE.

FudgemintGuardian

September 24, 2014 @ 07:20 pmOffline

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Wait, is Vincent a summon in Agito+?

These scans are great! Seeing the Vanitas Remnant just reminded me of something, has the "Raid through rock" glitch been removed? Hope not because that was the only way I could beat that guy.


[SIZE=2]Edit: Hm, that text next to the Lea screenshot. KH 2.5 Japanese KHII Japanese KH Japanese Japanese KHRe: Japanese 2013 Japanese KH3D Japanese. And the text to the left says KH3D Japanese Re: Japanese.
Clearly, this can only mean there'll be a Re: 3D. *laughs*






[/SIZE]

Antar

September 24, 2014 @ 09:14 pmOffline

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Very nice scans, thank you! I can't wait for the translations, if there will be any. :3

Lonbilly

September 24, 2014 @ 09:37 pmOffline

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I haven't been following any news regarding Agito, but it's coming out on the Vita, in addition to smartphones? I think my need to pick up a Vita has resurfaced.

Also, Gladiolus. Yes. No one compares.

The scans for 2.5 have me so excited. I cannot wait to wreck all the new bosses with Aqua. Or the Secret Episode.

Narxus

September 24, 2014 @ 10:03 pmOffline

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The Agito|XV image is so beautiful. I need that as a wallpaper

Sdog

September 25, 2014 @ 01:12 amOffline

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O these gorgeous scans! Nice site to come home to after work =p

Xehanort-X-blade

September 25, 2014 @ 01:40 amOffline

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lol my eyes locked on KH2.5 and FFXV and about ff type-0 dont know it didnt move me at all but im a ff fan so i.ll get it is it on ps4

Chaser

September 25, 2014 @ 01:45 amOffline

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Xehanort-X-blade
lol my eyes locked on KH2.5 and FFXV and about ff type-0 dont know it didnt move me at all but im a ff fan so i.ll get it is it on ps4

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD releases on PS4/Xbox One March 17th in America next year. A downloadable demo for Final Fantasy XV comes with each pre-order of Type-0.

Xehanort-X-blade

September 25, 2014 @ 01:48 amOffline

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XD cool i.ll get all those 3 on ps4

Oracle Spockanort

September 25, 2014 @ 02:26 amOffline

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Xehanort-X-blade
XD cool i.ll get all those 3 on ps4


2.5 is PS3, though...

Xehanort-X-blade

September 25, 2014 @ 02:40 amOffline

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Master Spockanort
2.5 is PS3, though...

lol i meant kingdom hearts 3 ps4 but 2.5 i.ll get it on ps3

Heartkeeper

September 25, 2014 @ 03:25 amOffline

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Thanks for the scans, looking forward to read the interview.

robvandam111

September 25, 2014 @ 03:32 amOffline

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Xehanort-X-blade
lol i meant kingdom hearts 3 ps4 but 2.5 i.ll get it on ps3



She just said it was on PS3...O.o

Sdog

September 25, 2014 @ 04:47 amOffline

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The anxiety for these translations is killin me ;_;, though I know whoever is doin em is a saint!

Xehanort-X-blade

September 25, 2014 @ 04:59 amOffline

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bro i know what she said i meant KH3 ffxv ff type-0 on ps4 and in ps3 i buy 2.5 you understand what i said

Bearghost

September 25, 2014 @ 11:56 pmOffline

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Not to sound obnoxiously impatient, but is there any word on when those translations will be up?

Chaser

September 26, 2014 @ 12:01 amOffline

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Bearghost
Not to sound obnoxiously impatient, but is there any word on when those translations will be up?

Most likely by this weekend. Our translators are only able to work on this late at night due (Due to working and other commitments), so we're trying our best to make this sooner rather than later.

ajmrowland

September 27, 2014 @ 02:09 pmOffline

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Poor Ven gets no closeup.

Chaser

September 27, 2014 @ 02:53 pmOffline

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In the translation room right now. Please look forward to PS4 remaster talk, KHx plot ties in KH3, and how Nomura keeps learning from Disney.

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