New URL: SQEX.INFO

Since I’m still getting comments on this blog, I thought I should mention that I will no longer be updating here. All further updates will be on SQEX.INFO. Everything posted here and on my old domain HEARTSTATION.ORG has been backed up there. I’m too cheap to pay WordPress.com to do a domain redirect, please bear with it and follow SQEX.INFO instead!

KH3D Trailer and Demo Impression from Famitsu

Translation of this article from Famitsu on Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance featured at Jump Festa 2012.

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Trailer Impression

Previously it was revealed that the main character from The World Ends with You, Neku Sakuraba, would be making a guest appearance. In this new trailer fellow friends Shiki, Beat, Rhyme, and Joshua will be joining him. They appear in Traverse Town, where we see Beat teaming up with a Kuma Panda Dream Eater. Joshua says, “This world is split into two parts.” There is profound meaning behind these words, perhaps Joshua knows something?

Other scenes presented included Quasimodo and Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, a Tron world with a shooting-like stage where Sora seemed to glide across the screen, and a large number of scenes relating to the series. A screen where you can communicate with your friendly Dream Eaters was shown, displaying different colored Wonder Nyan and others. Maybe you can customize the colors of your partner Dream Eaters?

Also, King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy debut their roles in the new world “Country of the Musketeers”. It seems the motif of the world is based on the famous lines of the Three Musketeers, “All for one, and one for all!” But the reality of this world is different, King Mickey (Sora calls him Mickey) doesn’t seem to know Sora. It seems there must be some reason for him to be in this place? Moreover, the demo takes place in this level. The different stages you can go to include an opera house, tower, etc.

Fans of Organization XIII will be happy to know that I can confirm Axel, Zexion, and Lexaeus appear again. Zexion wears a white lab coat and Lexaeus wears his guard uniform, they seem to appear in their human forms. Axel is always shown in his Organization coat, in another scene he appears by King Mickey’s side when he’s in a pinch and says his famous lines, “My name is Lea, got it memorized?” Lea was his name when he was human. Perhaps his past will be revealed? Incidentally, it’s Maleficent who puts King Mickey in a predicament. Like Xehanort spoke of, Maleficent speaks about gathering 7 pure lights in order to rule the world…

Also, a movie scene is incorporated into the trailer, showing Sora falling through the center space of a spiral staircase, when he lands he becomes Roxas. There he thrusts a Keyblade at Xion who appears. From there various scenes are shown in succession, showing the characters in dramatic circumstances, composing a visual of impressive scenes from the series. There is a scene where Sora and Riku fight against Xehanort, but is it just for show? Also in the last part of the trailer, a young man wearing the Organization coat with the facial features of Ansem and Xemnas appears, he poses the question, “Sora, aren’t you too harboring hearts other than your own?” From the side, the face of Vanitas is exposed!

More than before the mysteries developing in this trailer make it irresistibly interesting. It will be uploaded to the official site soon, so by all means check it out when you can!

Demo Report

The demo I tried was the episode in the world called “Country of the Musketeers”. This world has a Three Musketeers motif where Sora along with King Mickey disguised as a musketeer, Donald, and Goofy. Here they protect Minnie who rides in a horse drawn carriage and are disciplined by Pete, who is captain of the musketeers. Reversely in Riku’s scenario, Riku fights hard to stop the plot aimed at harming Sora and company.

The most interesting part is the Drop Gauge displayed on the bottom right of the screen when you play. When the Drop Gauge hits zero, the characters are switched. There is a time limit on the gauge and it seems that it cannot be replenished. So in that way you play as Sora to Riku, then from Riku to Sora, being forced to switch every few minutes. Also, if you press the start button the game pauses and you can press “DROP” button on the bottom screen. Doing that drains the drop gauge instantly and you can switch characters.

Furthermore, when you switch (from here on out I will refer to switching as “drop”), a screen pops up that shows the prizes, points, etc. that you accumulated during play. From there you can prepare the characters to your advantage for the next stage. For example, you can consume a potion that Sora collected and upgrade RIku’s magic power. Furthermore it seems that you’ll be able to utilize HP prizes here.

Well, in reality, being forced to switch characters like this is sort of tense and exciting. For example, you are in a boss fight with Sora, but then you drop to RIku and advance his storyline, but then you switch back to the boss fight with Sora, and you have to deal with an entirely different battle situation. Moreover, Riku and Sora are each off on their own separate adventures, but like the aforementioned links, you really get the feeling of “being together even when you are apart.” Because of the method gameplay being used to tell the story, more than any of the other titles before this you can really feel the connection between Riku and Sora.

In battle, the new partners, the friendly Dream Eaters are confirmed. Sora has the Wonder Nyan, as well as Neko Cat, and Zou Elephant. Meanwhile Riku borrows the powers of the Dream Eaters that resemble a pegasus, frog, and goat. During battle icons of the three Dream Eaters are shown on the bottom screen, and on top two of them appear in battle. If you slide their icons around on the bottom you can switch out which partner Dream Eaters you want at any time. Also, Sora can do a cooperative action with Neko Cat where you press buttons in time like a rhythm game. Doing so makes them do a technique where they appear to dance together. Seeing Sora really get into the dance is worth seeing! Sometimes the message, “The Dream Eaters have noticed something!” will appear, and your partner Dream Eaters will stare at a specific spot. When they do that, they are indicating where you can find a hidden enemy. Along with helping in and out of battle, their accompaniment feels very much like having a friend around.

Also, enemies among other objects will display certain icons that when you press X + A buttons, you can invoke the Reality Shift ability. Playing on the bottom screen, you can use this system to make a special attack happen on the top screen. The Reality Shift feature also changes depending on the world. In the “Country of the Musketeers” world, the Reality Shift for Sora and Riku along with the three musketeers appear like a comic illustration. On a screen organized like a comic strip, you slide or touch according to the commands, and on the top screen the special technique occurs. Producing the comic strip, the animation looks like the original work, so the fans will be happy to see that.

When you press the Y button you invoke the Free Flow Action ability, during which you can slide, climb up walls or swing from poles, among various other techniques. It’s a bit difficult to become accustomed to the freedom of it. However, from the Free Flow Action ability, a wide variety of flashy special techniques are available. It’s especially fun to do when you have a large number of enemies on the screen and to just let it take over. Furthermore, using the Free Flow Action against a large enemy like the Zou Elephant you have an advantage, since you can do a spinning attack called “Blow Off” that lets you defeat it without using your hands. It’s a great feeling to let out these sorts of huge, flashy actions! In the demo when you played as Riku, you could spin off the equipment in the bottom stage of the opera house using the Free Flow Action. There is also a device that closes off the path, when you need to move in a hurry, dashing alone may not be fast enough so jumping and then going into the Free Flow Action might be better. Just for reference for those trying the demo tomorrow.

By the way, if you press the L + R buttons twice quickly, the camera switches to show behind the character, and you can check the area by moving the camera direction. This camera doesn’t move around on its own, and as soon as you press the button it returns to the regular view. Prior to this the processing seemed a little poor, but  since the battle scenes are so intense in this title, it’s better not to waste space on fine tuning the camera actions. By pressing L + R and moving the control stick around you can get a good look with the camera. There is also a zoom feature which really stands out, for instance when you are doing the co-op technique with Neko Cat, the commands stand out in front of the player, or when you do the Action commands on the top screen with Sora and Riku which feel very intense. I’d like to use it to the extent that my eyes no longer become tired from looking at it.

With a simple game play and flashy techniques, the battles this time are nerve-wracking and, and refreshing. The action parts seem unlike that of a hand held gaming device and feel very dynamic. Along with a storyline that connects to Kingdom Hearts III, a trailer that features characters like Axel and Xion, I’m intrigued at what will happen to these characters “that should not appear”. I want to hurry and play it!

Jump Festa 2012 – KH3D Trailer Impression

Sorry this is late, my cat isn’t feeling well and I’ve been at the vet taking care of him. Anyways, I’m sure someone has already gone over it, but here’s my version to add. The following is a translation of the Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance trailer impression shown at Jump Festa 2012 according to Aibo from FF-Reunion.net. As always, thanks for your report!

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The long version of the trailer played outside the booth.

Yen Sid’s voice is heard. During this scene the pre-rendered movie of Sora and Riku fighting Xehanort is shown.
Master Xehanort was transformed into the figure of a talented Keyblade Master, and he stood in the way of those who used the Keyblade to safeguard the light, however it is not over yet…

The screen is split in two, the left side with Sora and the right with Riku. They don’t seem aware of each other’s situations. They speak simultaneously.

Sora: This is…
Riku: This is…

Sora: Traverse Town?
Riku: Traverse Town?

Riku: My clothes changed…
Sora: Huh, my clothing changed!

Sora: Rikuuu! Heeey!
Riku: Sora! Where are you, Sora?!

Joshua: It appears this world is just like ours, seemingly split into two parts.

Sora and Neku are in Traverse Town.
Neku: Sakuraba Neku, that’s my name.
Sora: Sakuraba… Neku… What a cool name!
Neku: It’s nothing special.

Shiki and Riku.
Shiki is holding her Mr. Mew stuffed toy.
Shiki: You’ll protect little ol’ me, won’t you? Mr. Knight?
Riku: Kn-knight? I’m no such thing!
Shiki turns her gaze away from Riku.
Shiki: Though I’d be in serious trouble if I returned…

Mickey: Maleficent! What in the world do you want?
Maleficent: You know of Xehanort, don’t you?
Mickey: What do you want with him?
Maleficent: I’ve spoken before with him, about the seven pure lights that exist in worlds. It’s said if you possess those seven lights, then the world is yours.

Pinocchio is trapped in a cage.
Pinocchio: Huh? Oh no, what happened to my nose!
(In the open mega theater, the Blue Fairy appears and says: It’s because you told a lie.)
Jiminy: You must have told a lie to make it grow like that!
Pinocchio: I didn’t lie! Someone in a black coat said to play with Sora here!

Frollo: You are not to leave this place. This is the only safe place for you…
Quasimodo’s looks down toward the floor.

In the Three Musketeers world.
Sora: This is the Keyblade!
Mickey: Shh, I know! You must have come from another world! In fact, I’m in this world acting as a musketeer for something too.

Sora tilts his head.
Sora: Is this a world in a time when the King doesn’t know me?

Riku opens a large treasure chest, inside is Minnie.
Riku: Minnie!

Rhyme and moogle floating in air.
Rhyme: It doesn’t bother me at all! My memories, they’ll come back instantly if there’s a chance!

Beat: Come on out, Dream Eaters!
Beat stands prepared as a Dream Eater appears before him.

Sora and Neku stand together as a Neko Cat swerves between them.
Sora: Hey Neku, that’s a Dream Eater, right?
Neku: Ah yeah, they’re helping you out too aren’t they?

Suddenly a man in an Organization hood appears.
Sora: You!
The man summons a large Dream Eater.
Neku: This isn’t what we promised!
As Neku raises his voice, he flies at the man.
Sora takes on a fighting stance, but then he becomes sleepy all of a sudden and starts to fall.
Sora: What is this…? I feel so sleepy all of a sudden…

The trailer shows scenes with Sora gliding in a world that looks like a shooting game and Sora being attacked by a Dream Eater while riding a carriage.

(In Yen Sid’s voice)
In your first journey, you brought back those worlds that had been drowned in darkness, but among those some of them were not returned completely, the gate didn’t reach the sleeping parts of those worlds. Consequently, even Heartless cannot trespass into them, there exists another kind of darkness in the sleeping worlds thus the majority of the Heartless in those worlds change.

They are the creatures that consume dreams, the Dream Eaters. Among the Dream Eaters there are those that plant bad dreams and thrive upon them called Nightmares. However, friendly ones known as Spirits exist as well. It is said that these two existences will guide you to the keyholes of the sleeping worlds, just like the Heartless lead you to the door to the heart of the worlds.

Next the trailer shows AR functions that let you interact with a Dream Eater in the palm of your hand, as well as scenes from Tron Legacy, Sora riding Dream Eaters in a co-op attack, and other scenes.

These scenes are shown in a pre-rendered movie.
A picture book opens and Destiny Island is shown like a popup book. On the island, Sora and Donald come down, Kairi and Riku look over their shoulder. Sora and Riku fight Xemnas. Roxas is shown fighting Axel with two Keyblades, Roxas tosses a Keyblade to Xion, Kairi glides into Sora, Sora floats down a spiraling staircase, Kairi reaches her hand out and changes into Namine. Sora and Riku fight Xemnas at the Keyblade Graveyard.

It seems like some of these past scenes have been remade in the pre-rendered style. Though it looks like they used Visual Works to make it, it’s beautiful anyways! The fusion between distortion and reality is done so well, it’s a very polished visual.

Sora is collapsed on the beach of a coast. He slowly rises…
Sora: This is place is like Yen Sid said, the world is like watching a dream that you can’t wake up from… If you don’t wake up from this world, you can’t return to your original one.

Joshua: One could say it seems the same but it’s a totally different world… Get it?
Riku: Like a dream?

A scene where Pinocchio is swallowed by the whale.
Sora: Pinocchio! Jiminy!

Sora, Donald, Goody, and Mickey in the Three Musketeers world.
Mickey stands upon a boat, across from Pete.
Mickey: Stop right there Pete!
Pete just smirks.

Joshua speaks to Neku who has his back turned to him.
Joshua: You’re not giving up, are you Neku? Give up on the world, and you give up on yourself.

Riku: Why are you here?!
He turns his sword towards Ansem who stands before him.

Axel, Ienzo (Zexion), and Aeleus (Lexaeus) stand before one’s eyes.
Axel wears the Organization coat.
Axel: What a drag. I’ve been looking for you. I’m the one who always gets stuck doing the dirty jobs.*

(It’s a 358/2 Days quote, I can’t remember it’s localization off the top of my head though.)

Notre dame.
Phoebus faces Esmeralda.
Phoebus: Frollo and his minions are coming. You must prepare to leave here at once!
After saying so, Frollo appears.
Frollo: Thanks to you, Captain Phoebus.
His mouth twists into a smile.
Phoebus returns it with a regrettable scowl.

Three Musketeers world.
Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Sora raise their swords.
Together: All for one, and one for all!

Riku facing Quasimodo.
Riku: People can’t judge you by your appearance. I also have a friend who saw through me into my heart.

Sora to Joshua.
Sora: It’s okay, my heart is always connected to Riku’s, so I’m sure even your feelings are transmitted to him!

Riku stands before a person with an Organization coat.
Riku: Who are you?
The person removes their hood, and their face is the same as Riku’s.
Riku: Me?!

Xemnas: Even within a heartless doll, a heart resides…?

Sora: Don’t you all have hearts too?

Maleficent and Pete are confronted by Mickey and co. then suddenly Axel appears.
He points at his own face as he speaks.
Axel: My name is Lea, got it memorized?
(Though he calls himself Lea, he wears the Organization coat and looks like Axel.)

Riku: Who… are you?
Before him stands Terranort.

Terranort stands in front of Sora.
Terranort: Aren’t there hearts confined within you too?
Sora: You’re from that time! What are you talking about?
Young Terranort and Vanitas: Hearts other than your own!

KH3D – Country of the Musketeers and TWEWY

Thanks to the info posted on FF-Reunion, we got a look at the newest world to be revealed in Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance. Along with that, the exciting announcement that Neku won’t be the only character from The World Ends With You guest starring in this title. I’ve translated information from the scans below.

More characters from The World Ends With You return!

Along with Neku, his friends Josh, Beat, Shiki, and Rhyme will be making appearances in Traverse Town. Just like the many characters who have wound up there before, they too want to return to their home world.

Beat: “This time I want to protect Rhyme!”

On a similar note, Square Enix composer Takeharu Ishimoto who worked on The World Ends With You as well as Birth by Sleep has been tweeting that he’s been in the studio recently, arranging music for Kingdom Hearts 3D. He says the TWEWY songs have been coming along nicely!

A new world is introduced, “Country of the Musketeers”!

In this world Mickey Donald, and Goofy are musketeers and Sora will join their troupe in an effort against the Beagle Boys who seem be causing some sort of trouble at the Opera House. In this scenario, Minnie is not queen, but a princess and Mickey’s destined lover. Pete is Captain of the Musketeers, even though he is Mickey’s rival. Three new Dream Eaters are also introduced; the Frog Chef, Ear Bunny, and Null Bird.

Mickey and company: “One for all!”

Pete: “And now with this, you are all members of the Musketeers!”

A new system for leveling up Dream Eaters!

The bottom of the right scan also reveals a sort of mini game method of leveling up your teammate Dream Eaters. The name of the ability isn’t written, but you can see there is a game involving Mickey shaped balloons.

Jump Festa 2012 starts this week where KH3D will be featured with a trailer and demo, so please keep an eye out for new information as it comes!

KH3D – More Details

Thanks to KH13.com for the image finds. I’ve translated some of the content from the pages, all of it is pretty much a regurgitation of what I translated yesterday though. Be sure to check out all the pics though, the details in the Hunchack of Notredame world are so awesome!

The KH3D World and Dream Eaters

To explain the stage that KH3D takes place in directly, it exists within a “dream” that you see. While there, Sora appears in the condition before he began his adventure so that even characters from the past titles don’t seem to know him. In an examination to become Keyblade Masters, Sora and Riku visit the world submerged in sleep. In that world there are creatures called Dream Eaters that devour dreams. Sora and Riku borrow their powers in order to fulfill their goal of awakening the world. However, the Dream Eaters are divided into the Nightmares which are enemies and Spirits which are allies.

Special techniques for fighting the large Dream Eaters!

If you fulfill the conditions when fighting a large bodied Dream Eater, you’ll be able to do a special command called “Blow Off”. If you unleash the Blow Off command, then you will fling your ally Dream Eater like a projectile after spinning it around.

Jiminy Cricket: Hm? Who are you? Children aren’t supposed to come in here!

Sora: Ah, yep. Are you… a goddess?

Pinocchio: Jiminy taught me all sorts of important things!

Laverne(?): You think we shouldn’t be able to talk?

Phoebus: How pathetic, having to rely on a kid.

KH3D – Pinocchio and Hunchback of Notredame Details

Hi guys, I’m alive, just busy. Here’s translations of the new information revealed in Famitsu, V-Jump, and Jump Weekly about Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Thanks to the News Vault for the info. Updating as I go along, I’ll make a note when I’m finished.

World Introduction
It’s the same information revealed in Weekly Jump and V-Jump, so I’ll summarize.

The Hunchback of Notredame world: “Le Cité des Cloches”

Appearing Characters

• Quasimodo – The young man confined within Notredame Cathedral. He favors Esmeralda who helped him despite his appearance.
• Esmeralda – A beautiful gypsy girl who loves her freedom. She has a strong sense of justice and has caught the eye of Frollo.
• Phoebus – The skilled captain of the guard who was summoned by Frollo. Frollo orders him to eradicate the gypsies from the city, but he gradually begins to disobey.
• Claude Frollo – He is a judge with substantial control of the city. Because of his hatred of gypsies, his methods of removing them become violent.

There are great number of scenes including Sora telling Quasimodo to run, Riku meeting Esmeralda, and others involving Sora and Riku.

Pinocchio world: “Prankster’s Paradise”

Appearing Characters

• Blue Fairy – The fairy who breathes life into Pinocchio even though he is a doll.
• Pinocchio – Having forgotten the promise he made to Geppetto and Jiminy, he accidently becomes dazed by fun things.
• Geppetto – He is a craftsman that makes wooden toys. He creates Pinocchio and comes to love him like his own son.
• Jiminy Cricket – A cricket residing in Geppetto’s home. He was ordered by the Blue Fairy to educate Pinocchio. This Jiminy Cricket does not have the memories of the Jiminy Cricket that traveled alongside Sora and company in the previous adventures.

There are scenes around the circus entrance and within the circus tent, as well as Sora and Riku talking with the Blue Fairy, Pinocchio, and Jiminy Cricket.

System Reality Shift

In battle, attack the same enemy consecutively. When you lock on to specific objects, a special lock on marker appears. When that happens, you can use the special command “Reality Shift” by pressing the X and A buttons. During that, Sora/Riku disappear from the battle and special actions take place on the lower screen. The Reality Shift command introduced is called “Holy Rope”. Using it, you tie up targets in a line on the bottom screen, then on the top screen a chain appears to attack the enemies one after another in the way you drew it.

Dream Eaters

There are ally and enemy Dream Eaters introduced in battle. Nightmares are enemies, Spirits are allies.

Nightmares

• Zou Elephant – An elephant with jutting, purple tusks. It attacks with its large body and long nose. Its long range attacks like firing rocks are its strong points. If you meet the requirements by partnering with a large Dream Eater, you can invoke the “Blow Off” technique to combat it. After twirling your Dream Eater ally around, you can fling it at the enemy.
• Dokudoku Lizard (Poisonous Lizard) – A Dream Eater that resembles a fancy purple salamander. From above, it sprinkles poison in a wide range, and can also attack by stretching its long, poisonous tongue.
• Ice Penguin – It is dark gray, yellow, and green around its back and belly, with a purple riveted ring around its neck. Sliding across the ground, it attacks within the area it surrounds. It will also abruptly make blocks of ice surround its body.
• Dragon Horse – A nightmare resembling a seahorse. It attacks by shooting water like balls from its mouth.
• Neko Cat – The nightmare version is violet. It moves around sneakily; if you come in contact with the lightning balls it drops you receive damage.

Spirits

• Goat Horn – A dream eater’s whose horns resemble a wind instrument. It’s cooperating technique envelopes the Keyblade in flames which make it more powerful.
• Thorn Lion – A lion Dream Eater with a prickly mane and flat feet. A technique where the lion’s thorn tail can be brandished by Sora is introduced.

Techniques: By filling up the pink gauge you can execute co-op techniques with your ally Dream Eaters. For instance, Sora can ride atop a Dream Eater, and Riku can absorb the Dream Eaters to power himself up.

KH3D – Famitsu Details

Famitsu Weekly is releasing it’s post Tokyo Game Show issue today, it featured a six page Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance article including an interview with series director Tetsuya Nomura. This information is translated from Hokanko-Alt. Photos thanks to Toma_Kisaragi.

Introduction

The “World Submerged in Sleep” is said to be connected to dreaming, it can be opened by unlocking the “Keyhole of Sleep” that exists in that world. Instead of Heartless, in this world there exist creatures that devour dreams called Dream Eaters. There are two kinds of Dream Eaters, those that consume dreams and plant nightmares and those that eat only bad dreams. Investigating the Dream Eaters becomes the key guiding to the “Keyhole of Sleep”.

Yen Sid says to Sora and Riku, “When you unlock the Keyhole of Sleep and return once more to this place, you’ll be acknowledged as Keyblade Masters.” It is with these words that the adventure takes off.

From the trailer, we can confirm that Sora and Riku have new outfits and that Riku’s hair is cut. The Keyblade that Riku uses is “Way to the Dawn”.

Traverse Town

Two new areas are introduced, “District 4” and “District 5”. In the lit up streets of this place the “Reaper’s Game” is taking place.

Character: Neku Sakuraba

A 15 year old boy who grew up in Shibuya, Tokyo first introduced in The World Ends With You. He is accompanied by a cat type spirit called “Neko Cat” whose tail is like a music note. He has strayed from his partner and since Neku says that having a partner is necessary in order to win the Game, Sora helps him out, though he doesn’t really understand the Game.

Dream Eaters

There are two types of Dream Eaters, your enemies called “Nightmares” and those that fight alongside you as companions called “Spirits”.

Spirit: Koumori Bat

It is a furry bat like Spirit. It is the first Spirit that Riku has.

Spirit: Wonder Cat

Though it’s hard to see what part of it is cat like, it’s a plump animal with a blue back and a white belly. It’s the first Spirit that Sora has.

Nightmare: Kuma Panda

It’s a panda with bear like claws that wears a short cloak and a slightly atrocious glare.

Nightmare: Torpedo Fish

This fish flies midair. Overall it’s about as long as Sora?

Nightmare: Wonder Cat

The Nightmare version, it’s slightly more sinister with red eyes and body and it’s black back.

Looking at the screenshots, it seems that Nightmare and Spirit versions of each.

System

• Coop Techniques

When you fill up the pink gauge, you can consume the earned points to do techniques with the Spirits and your companions. They utilize both the buttons and the touch screen. You can utilize both your Dream Eaters at the same time. For instance, Sora can ride atop Wonder Cat and attack while jumping around, and then do a technique where you can manipulate enemies like the Kuma Panda and fling it away.

Riku’s interactions with the Dream Eaters are more direct; they instead attack with the Keyblade as one.

• Free Flow Action

When you face a wall or pole and press the Y button, various actions occur, during which if you press the A button you can do the strong Free Flow Attack ability. You can also do the high jump and sky slide actions from this. The Kick Dive ability is one the Free Flow Action that lets you kick off a wall, where if you face toward the ground after doing so you can unleash a strong attack. The Turn Cutter ability lets Sora hang off a pole with the Keyblade and spin, mowing down nearby enemies.

• Reality Shift

When a special marker appears over enemies heads during battle and you press the A and X buttons simultaneously you can do this ability. Sora/Riku disappear from the screen, and on the bottom screen special operations can be done. Sora dives under and gathers force up to dive out at the enemies. While you are operating the bottom screen, the battle temporarily pauses.

Interview

Interview with series director Tetsuya Nomura.

About the story

• Nomura drew the illustration featured at the TGS booth in a hurry. He drew the Dream Eaters that would be your companions.
• Nomura drew the new outfits according to how the Osaka team wished. They’re like their older outfits with minor changes.
• They are versions between KH1 and KH2, which become the outfits for this title.
• Riku’s hair grew during the time he was away to show the passage of time, now his hair is cut immediately after that.
• The “World Submerged in Sleep” is a complex story, but there were worlds other than those that Sora restored in KH1, some that were not submerged in darkness. Like the worlds of the princesses and Dumbo’s, etc. In the end of KH1 it was established that some of those worlds were restored, but not all of them. Those that were neither in light nor in darkness, but those that were submerged in sleep.
• Since those worlds are essential asleep, the dreams of those worlds become the setting.
• Sora and Riku will travel to those worlds to awaken them from their sleep.
• When a world is awoken from it’s sleep, it will be restored to it’s original form.
• This title involves taking an exam in order to qualify for the Mark of Mastery, so it’ll also be concerned with events that took place in BBS.
• All the Disney worlds appearing wil be new, and there will be new areas in existing worlds.
• Temporarily taking on their KH1 forms, they’ll enter into the worlds of sleep . Additionally, Yen Sid says that in order to become a Master, the self taught way that they use the Keyblade will be reset and that it is necessary they learn how to use the Keyblade appropriately from the beginning. When they request to take the exam, Sora says he doesn’t need it, but since Riku has been overwhelmed by darkness before he doesn’t have the self-confidence. Also, Sora and Riku will be taking it together.
• The opening of this title will be in Xehanort’s point of view. Additionally, there will be a surprise unlike anything seen before in the last scene.

About Dream Eaters

• The Dream Eaters do not approach anyone and consume dreams in the World of Sleep where there are no Heartless. If Sora/Riku don’t use the power of the Dream Eaters, they can’t go to the other worlds.
• Their abilities too are related to the Dream Eaters.
• The Dream Eaters were designed not to be traditionally cute, but to have charm that couldn’t be disliked.  Wonder Cat was drawn to share that idea.
• The mark of the Dream Eaters started with a heart as the base and the image of tremors. Nightmares have that sort of bad feeling.
• The mark above your own Dream Eaters shows your ownership, it’s also displayed on the map. The boss fights are elaborated in a different direction, where you’ll have to use the map’s characteristics to your advantage. For instance, the floor will break out from under you and the field area will expand. Using the map, you’ll be able to identify your location quickly in that sort of situation.
• The color scheme is new this time; it’s more pastel unlike what we’ve done before. However, you’ll be able to change the colors of your companion Dream Eaters.
• The leveling up of the Dream Eaters is directly related to the growth of Sora and Riku. So far we’ve only seen 2 at a time in battle, but if you give it your all you’ll be able collect all the types.
• Nomura isn’t quite sure off the top of his head, but there are dozens of Dream Eater types.

About Neku

• Neku’s appearance in Traverse Town was by special means that have to do with his reason for being there. He’ll show up in District 1, etc.
• Beginning in Traverse Town as usual you’ll meet your party member, but since I wanted to put in a fresh character, we put in Neku from The World Ends With You.
• This time Traverse Town is constructed around the reason that Neku and co. have come. He has been separated from his original partner Shiki.
• We’ll go into more detail about Shiki and the others in a follow up report.

• Concerning a sequel to The World Ends With You, there may be something going on.

Abilities and 3D Vision

• The Reality Shift ability in Traverse Town has Sora sink to the bottom screen where he can aim at the enemies. It’s different in each world, and Riku’s ability is different too. In Riku’s Reality Shift you can touch the bottom screen to connect enemies and objects in a line creating chain that Riku will attack following along on the upper screen.

• The way Sora and Riku interact with their companion Dream Eaters is different. Sora can ride atop the Dream Eaters and be thrown off, while they serve as power ups to Riku.
• Like shown in the TGS demo, Sora can have two companions at the same time and use them both to do the Dual Link ability where the two Dream Eaters combine into one big Wonder Cat. Filling up the gauge, you’ll be able to use the Reality Shift and Dual Link abilities successively.
• Since the concept of the game was bold action, this title really makes use of the Free Flow Action ability. Though you have a lot of battle options, with this alone you can do many actions like spinning around and jump kicking depending on the terrain.
• Since it’s hard to watch even in 2D because the movements are so intense, in 3D your eyes may become tired after playing for a long time. There is depth in the 3D vision, when Sora jumps out of the screen, it’s almost becomes a burden to one’s eyes. I think it’s probably best to use the 3D vision during cutscenes.
• There will be multiplayer functions, we’ll explain more in a follow up report.

Final Notes

• KH3D is set to release Spring 2012 in Japan.
• It’s currently about 60% to 70% complete.

KH3D – Trailer in HD with Subs

In case you missed it, the official KH3D site updated with the extended trailer. Check it out below!

KH3D – Closed Trailer Details

So the Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance  trailer that is floating online is the open theater trailer shown at TGS 2011, as per usual though, there was a separate, slightly more mysterious version of it played within the closed theater. Usually participants waiting for the demo are migrated into the closed mega theater so they can watch the trailers before they try out games. These extra scenes were reported by Arika from Rebirth Wings, I’ve translated them below for consistency.

Radiant Garden
There was no voices in this scene, just subtitles.
The viewpoint is shaky; the laboratory is in ruins as if an explosion occurred.
It seems to be from young Xehanort’s POV.
For a moment, Even and Ienzo are shown collapsed too.
Braig: Xehanort! What were you thinking?
As if something clicked when he heard those words, his shaky POV focuses on Braig.
Braig: Have your memories returned?
Xehanort summons a Keyblade.
He brandishes it towards Braig and seems on the verge of blacking out.

Arika was able to see this scene while waiting for the demo, this scene was voiced.
Neku: I’m Neku… Neku Sakuraba. That’s my name.
Sora: Neku Sakuraba? What an interesting name!
Neku: It’s nothing special.

KH3D – Trailer Available

Again, here is a translation of the Kingdom Hearts 3D trailer shown at Tokyo Game Show 2011 according to Aibo from FF-Reunion.

It starts in Yen Sid’s room, Yen Sid sits in his chair behind his desk, Sora and Riku stand across from him. They appear in their KH2 outfits, but Riku’s hair is short.

Yen Sid: From here, you two will take the Mark of Mastery Exam.
Sora, surprised:  Even without taking it, no one can beat me!
Riku, facing downward: Having walked the path of darkness, I wonder if it’d really be right for me to wield the Keyblade. You’d have to make sure.
Sora: Riku…

Yen Sid: Let’s open the keyhole of sleep. If you return back to this place, then I will consider you Masters.

Sora on a balcony, opens his eyes.
Sora: Huh, where is this place? My clothes changed! More importantly, where’d Riku go?
Sora leans over the balcony and calls out in a loud voice: Heeeey! Riiiikuuu!
A mysterious boy descends from a rooftop in ambush: You’re so loud, stupid Noise.
Sora is surprised and jumps off the balcony.
Neku: You’re Sora…

Yen Sid: A large number of Heartless reside in the world of darkness. Instead, in the world submerged in sleep there exists a particular key. That is, creatures who consume dreams known as the Dream Eaters. Searching for the Dream Eaters will guide you to the key of sleep.

(Battle action sequences of Sora are shown.)

Neku, showing Sora the scarlet mark on his hand: This is from the Game. All the participants have it engraved upon them. I can’t afford to lose this Game!
Sora: I don’t really get ‘the Game’, but maybe I can lend a hand?

The scene changes to the world of Notre Dame.
Riku is speaking with Quasimodo who is holding Esmeralda: Quasimodo, where did the creatures go?
Quasimodo: To the rooftop of the cathedral.
A Dream Eater with wings like a butterfly descends upon them.
Quasimodo: Me too, I’ll fight too!

The scene returns to Neku and Sora in a plaza inTraverse Town.
Sora, facing Neku: Come to think of it, I didn’t ask your name.
All of a sudden several Dream Eaters appear around them!
Neku with surprise: Dream Eaters!
Sora: That’s a weird name.
Neku, pointing at the Dream Eaters: Not me, those!

Yen Sid: Opening the keyhole of sleep, along with finding a new power, the power locked in sleep will become revealed as well.

The trailer continues, showing the AR capabilities of playing with the Dream Eater pets, it’s a lot like Nintendogs. Maybe you’ll be able to raise them up too?

In a laboratory somewhere, a researcher has collapsed.
From this person’s POV, Braig becomes visible.
Braig: Xehanort! Have your memories returned?

From the view of the person referred to as Xehanort, a Keybalde appears before his eyes.

The screen then blacks out theatrically, displaying KINGDOM HEARTS 3D Dream Drop Distance, Spring 2012.