Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Official game logo.
Developer(s)	Square Enix 1st Production Department[1]
Publisher(s)	Square Enix
Director(s)	Tetsuya Nomura
Composer(s)	Yoko Shimomura[2] Takeharu Ishimoto[3]
Series	Kingdom Hearts
Platform(s)	Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s)	JP Spring 2012[4] NA 2012 EU 2012
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	CERO: TBA ESRB: RP PEGI: TBA
Media/distribution	Nintendo 3DS Game Card

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (Japanese: キングダム ハーツ 3D [ドリーム ドロップ ディスタンス], Hepburn: Kingudamu Hātsu Surī Dī [Dorīmu Doroppu Desutansu]^?),^[5] is an upcoming game developed and published by Square Enix exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS, revealed at E3 2010.^[6] It is being created by the same development team that worked on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep,^[7] currently part of Square Enix's 1st Production Department.^[1] The game will be an entirely new chapter and the seventh installment in the Kingdom Hearts series.^[8] Tetsuya Nomura stated in an interview that the 3D in the title is a shorter version of Dream Drop Distance, and the two are interchangeable in the title.^[9]

Gameplay

Sora ricocheting along the walls via the game's "free-flow" mechanic.

The gameplay from Dream Drop Distance is meant to be similar to Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and that any gameplay elements that couldn't be used in Final Fantasy Versus XIII would be used in Dream Drop Distance. The two playable characters are Sora and Riku, and control of both characters will rotate throughout the game. A new gauge called the "Drop Gauge" was featured in the game's first trailer, which Nomura stated would be easier to understand when playing it.^[10]

The game sees the return of the "Command Deck" system which was introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep and re-utilized in Re:coded. One of the key elements of the game is the "free-flow" mechanic, allowing the player to utilize the surroundings for movement and attacking with the execution of the Y button.^[11] The game's most significant feature is the ability to hunt and collect Dream Eaters, with each individual Dream Eater companion providing Sora and Riku access to varying abilities, attacks, and co-operative actions. Many elements of the game will utilize the touch screen, such as throwing enemies or chaining various attacks. The game is also set to have interactive cut-scenes and events.^[12]

It is also confirmed that the game will be compatible with the Nintendo 3DS Expansion Slide Pad.^[13] The game will also come with AR functionality, allowing players to play with the Dream Eaters that they can catch.^[14]

Plot

Kingdom Hearts series chronology
Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II coded Dream Drop Distance Kingdom Hearts III

Setting

Further information: Universe of Kingdom Hearts

Following the destruction of "Ansem" and Xemnas at the hands of Sora and Riku, Xehanort is revived. In response to the inevitable return of Master Xehanort, Yen Sid decides to put Sora and Riku through the Mark of Mastery Exam in order to become full-fledged Keyblade Masters and counter Master Xehanort.

Tetsuya Nomura has stated that the game's theme will be about trust and friendship. The plot will have connections to Kingdom Hearts coded, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, and Tetsuya Nomura has said that like Birth by Sleep, the story will be on par with that of a numbered title. The setting of Dream Drop Distance will again be spread across several worlds; several original worlds will return, such as Traverse Town and Destiny Islands, but since the game is mostly to take place in a "world submerged in sleep", all the Disney-based worlds will be brand new, one of which, called "La Cité des Cloches" (The City of the Bells), will be based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and others reportedly on Dumbo and The Sword in the Stone. According to an interview, Nomura said the game will take part, at least partially, on the Mark of Mastery and has stated that there will be new clothing for Sora and Riku. The game's story will also be connected to Kingdom Hearts III, which has yet to begin development.^[15]

Characters

Further information: Characters of Kingdom Hearts

The game features Sora and Riku (seen in the first trailer in their attire from the first game, and in later trailers in their clothes from the second game and finally in new outfits) as the two main characters of the game. It is set after the events of the epilogue of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, when Yen Sid asks Mickey to bring the two to him to put them through the Mark of Mastery Exam and make them into true Keyblade Masters in response to Master Xehanort's eventual return, due to the defeat of "Ansem" and Xemnas in the past.^[16] "Ansem" and Xemnas also appear in the game's trailer, facing Riku and Sora respectively. Neku, from the Nintendo DS game The World Ends with You, will be making a cameo appearance. This marks the first time that a non-Final Fantasy or non-Disney character has appeared in the series.^[17]

The game introduces a new type of enemy called Dream Eaters, which come in two varieties: "Nightmares", which eat dreams and create nightmares, and "Spirits", which eat nightmares and act as Sora and Riku's party members. Sora's confirmed party members so far are the Wonder Meow (a cat-like Dream Eater), and Kuma Panda (a panda-like Dream Eater). Riku's party members are the Bat Bat (a bat-like Dream Eater) and an unnamed ram/stag-like Dream Eater.^[18]

Development

The game was announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 as "Kingdom Hearts 3D" for the Nintendo 3DS, where it appeared as a playable demo.^[19] It was formally unveiled though at the Square Enix 1st Production Department Premier event at the Toho Cinemas in Tokyo, Japan on January 18, 2011 with its first trailer along with its official name.^[5] Tetsuya Nomura, the creator of the series, has also emphasized the mystery element of the story, vaguely stating that the game will "tear down past elements" and that players should expect the unexpected. He has confirmed that the theme of the game is trust.^[19] In an issue of Game Informer, it was revealed that the game was expected to make an appearance at E3 2011, where a new trailer was to be shown.^[20] However, these claims proved to be false when no such trailer was presented and the game received no mention whatsoever at Nintendo's Press Conference. Following this, Square Enix executives confirmed that there would be no Kingdom Hearts news at E3 2011 and indicated that the game's next trailer would be showcased at the 2011 Tokyo Game Show.^[21]

In July 2011, a Famitsu article included a interview with Nomura, where he stated that development was 40-50% finished, with voice recording to begin soon. Nomura also said that the game will have a secret movie like other major installments, and have what he calls a "shocking ending". A new playable demo would also feature two new enigmatic party members along with a new enemy different to the Heartless, Nobodies and Unversed seen in previous games.^[22]

A Dengeki issue featured another interview with Nomura, where he confirmed that the game would indeed be shown, in both trailer and playable demo form, at the 2011 Tokyo Game Show. He also stated that his top priority in the Kingdom Hearts series is to finish development of the game for an early 2012 release, while simultaneously considering what he called a "HD technical test" in order to commemorate the series' tenth anniversary and to entice players new to the series.^[23]

The game's showing at the 2011 Tokyo Game Show confirmed a Spring 2012 release for Japan, as well as the first showing of Xehanort, Braig, Even, Ienzo, Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Neku Sakuraba from The World Ends with You and the game's new generic enemy, the Dream Eaters, who are described by Nomura as "goblins who consume sleep".

The September 2011 issue of Famitsu covered some of the details of the game revealed at the Tokyo Game Show. Nomura commented that the game was 60-70% finished and would introduce the previously-unseen 4th and 5th districts of Traverse Town, where the infamous "Reaper's Game" would take place between Sora and Neku. Nomura also confirmed that the game would also feature numerous flashback scenes told from Xehanort's point of view, among them the opening scene, much like the case of The Godfather Part II.

In November 2011, the official website of Jump Festa revealed that the game would appear in both trailer and playable demo form at Jump Festa 2012.^[24]

Reception

While no reviews are out at this time, the Tokyo Game Show did have a playable demo, which earned the game top honors as "Best 3DS RPG"^[25] in RPG Land's Tokyo Game Show Awards, following a hands-on report that praised the boss fights^[26]. RPG Site also had good things to say in its impression, calling the demo bits "refereshing."^[27] Reception to the game's released trailers, demos and general information has been generally positive, and the game is ranked among Famitsu's 25 most wanted list in October 2011.^[28]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "「Final Fantasy XIII-2」が2011年発売予定，「Agito」は「Final Fantasy 零式」と名称変更して2011年夏発売。「Square Enix 1st Production Department Premiere」をTwitterで実況" (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. Aetas, Inc.. January 18, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5vr0zwlBW. Retrieved January 19, 2011. 
2. ^ Audun Sorlie (June 18, 2010). "E3 2010: Nomura Confirms Composer for Kingdom Hearts 3D". Original Sound Version. http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=10357. Retrieved June 18, 2010. 
3. ^ Takeharu Ishimoto to work with Yoko Shimomura on KH3D sountrack
4. ^ Nomura talks KH3D and KH HD remake
5. ^ ^{a b} Anoop Gantayat (January 18, 2011). "Square Enix Opens Teaser Sites for New Games". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/18/square_enix_teaser_sites/. Retrieved January 17, 2011. 
6. ^ Jack DeVries (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: Kingdom Hearts 3D First Look". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098342p1.html. Retrieved June 15, 2010. 
7. ^ Alice Liang (June 16, 2010). "E3 2010: Kingdom Hearts 3 is Not in Development...Yet". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179952. Retrieved June 16, 2010. 
8. ^ Anoop Gantayat (June 16, 2010). "Square Enix Chief Twit Master Talks Up Kingdom Hearts 3DS". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/16/hashimoto_on_kh_3ds/. Retrieved June 16, 2010. 
9. ^ "Tetsuya Nomura's Summarized Interview". January 27, 2011. http://forums.gametrailers.com/thread/official-kingdom-hearts--dream/1171636. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
10. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (January 26, 2011). "Tetsuya Nomura Discusses Kingdom Hearts 3DS". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/27/nomura_on_kingdom_hearts_3d/. Retrieved January 27, 2011. 
11. ^ Yip, Spencer (September 19, 2011). "The Biggest Game Changer In Kingdom Hearts 3D Is The Y Button". Siliconera. 
12. ^ Sahdev, Ishaan (July 31, 2011). "Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance To Have Controllable Event Scenes, Too". Siliconera. 
13. ^ http://kotaku.com/5839600/you-wont-believe-this-list-of-3ds-games-that-support-the-second-circle-pad
14. ^ http://kotaku.com/5842045/kingdom-hearts-3d-dream-drop-distance-sure-looks-dreamy
15. ^ Anoop Gantayat (November 17, 2010). "Tetsuya Nomura Talks Kingdom Hearts 3DS". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/113/1135182p1.html. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
16. ^ Anoop Gantayat (September 21, 2010). "Kingdom Hearts 3D is Next -- Tetsuya Nomura". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/21/kingdom_hearts_3ds_next/. Retrieved September 18, 2010. 
17. ^ Valay (September 15, 2011). "Neku Is In Kingdom Hearts 3DS". NintendoEverything. http://nintendoeverything.com/74073/. Retrieved September 15, 2011. 
18. ^ http://nintendo3dsblog.com/even-more-details-about-kingdom-hearts-3d-from-the-tokyo-game-show
19. ^ ^{a b} Anoop Gantayat (June 18, 2010). "Tetsuya Nomura on Kingdom Hearts 3D". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/18/nomura_on_kh_3ds/. Retrieved June 16, 2010. 
20. ^ http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/05/18/the-games-of-e3-2011.aspx
21. ^ Square Enix: "No KH at E3 2011, but maybe at TGS 2011"
22. ^ Nomura discusses KH3D, Dissidia and PSVita remake of FFXI
23. ^ Nomura talks KH3D and KH HD remake
24. ^ KH3D to appear at Jump Festa 2012
25. ^ Best RPGs of the Tokyo Game Show
26. ^ Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance hands-on
27. ^ Kingdom Hearts Tokyo Game Show hands-on report
28. ^ Dream Drop Distance 22nd most wanted

External links

• Official website Japanese
• First Look English
• First Look Spanish

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