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Stumpokapow
listen to the madman
(03-18-2008, 01:13 PM)
 
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New KH Birth by Sleep / 358/2 Days info #1

The awesome King Zell showed me some french scans of KH Birth By Sleep and KH 358/2 days. The magazine title is not listed on either scan, but credit obviously goes to whatever publication first published this. I've taken the liberty to translate both scans. The screenshots that accompanied the scans looked familiar to me, but they might be new. The info looks to be new. It's hard to tell how confirmed some of this stuff is or if it's just a magazine being full of crap, but here's the info anyway:

Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts has rapidly become a major franchise for Square Enix, so it was no surprise that it would come to the two big portable consoles. The DS version will follow the short life of Roxas in 358/2 Days, while the PSP will get the right to the "prequel", Birth by Sleep. Which--the little double-screened nomad from Nintendo or the technological beast by Sony--will get the better deal from this mix (which won't be released for a year or two) of Disney films and Final Fantasy?

Birth by Sleep, co-directed/produced by Tai Yasue, is developed by the team that did Re: Chain of Memories. Its production started first, but it'll be the last of the three to be completed. Technically, this "birth by sleep", is (?)astounding, it seems as well animated as Kingdom Hearts II. The PSP installment will comprise of some Disney worlds, including Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella (the "Disney Princesses"[the scan says Princesses of Heart, but it's been a while since I've played KH to know what the game calls them]), as well as some surprising worlds. Birth by Sleep will take place a few years before the first adventures of Sora, so some worlds will take into account the time difference; for example, we can watch teen Hercules in the Coloseum.

The gameplay will differ depending on the character you're playing: Terra is the strongest, Ven is the fastest, while Aqua is without doubt "the specialist of sorts" (I'm not sure if this is an idiom; possibly for magic or techniques?) The combat menu receives a new gague, Command, which fills up when you attack and gives access to extra techniques. Terra can enter "Fatal Mode" and unleash an extra-devasting combo finisher. Another change; no more MP. Some magic has a charge time and can only be casted when it is charged. The level-up system (very mysterious) and the enemies are also changed.

Once more, Yoko Shimomura will be composing memorable music--whether uplifting or melancholy--to accompany the actions of Terra, Ven (short for "Ventus") and Aqua. There will only be a few reused tunes; most will be edited. The main theme comes from KH II Final Mix +'s secret ending, which was called "Birth By Sleep". Also, just like the other games, there will be a mix of newly arranged Disney classics and original compositions.

This somber and complex adventure will be divided into three chapters that you can play in any order. We will follow the journey of three characters; the fighter Terra, Roxas' "double" Ven (this mystery will be explained!), and Aqua, a young girl with blue hair. It'll take place before KH1 when Sora, Riku and Kairi were still kids. The main antagonist seems to be a strange old guy named Master Xehanort, and Mickey will make his own appearance: we see him protecting Ven or accompanying Yen Sid, Donald and Dingo. This chapter will lift the veil on the War of the Keyblades, the power of their possesors, and without a doubt on the origins of the amnesiac disciple of Ansem the Wise.

358/2 days
Made by studio hand (Chocobo Tales) and co-directed by Tomohiro Hasegawa (FF8, Kingdom Hearts), Nomura obviously helms all the projects linked to the series, 358/2 Days benefits from a detailed totally 3D presentation with fluid animation. The cut-scenes do not [this is an awkward sentence even in French and it's not an expression that I'm familiar with] blush while compared to those from KH2. Decidedly though the DS is not done shocking us... The L and R buttons let you re-orient the camera to better see the enemies and exploring the levels, which are carefully recreated from their game and movie predecessors. Explore Illusiopolis, Twilight Town, Agrabah, and Wonderland--there will be NO NEW UNIVERSES.

The DS game will have a totally new multiplayer mode where you direct the members of Organization XIII. Their missions will have variable objects, independent of the major plot, and each character will have his or her own strengths and weaknesses. The bottom screen will have a map, but a chat system could also be included. No touch controls. In the solo mode, Roxas fights the Heartless in many environments and then returns to Illusiopolis. The normal menu and combat system is recreated, including jumping, gliding, defending... Nomura promises that the customization and level-up systems will give us great freedom.

Like the other games from Kingdom Hearts, the music for 358/2 days will be written by the talented Yoko Shimomura who decidedly works often with Tetsuya Nomura--the young woman is also the composer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Because of the story, few new tracks will be added, so we risk hearing the Organization theme and Rxoas' theme often... New worlds are also not in the program, and there's a big chance we'll hear the same Disney themes from KH1 and 2 will be re-used and re-mixed, like in Chain of Memories.

Written by Daisuke Watanabe, like the PSP version, the story of 358/2 Days takes place during Roxas' life, from his introduction to Organization XIII to his fatal duel with Riku. These events are covered in mystery or brief treamtnets, and fans demanded impatiently to know more about Roxas and his relations to Org. XIII (plus the DS prints money). Also, we'll discover what Mickey is doing and the identity of the 14th Nobody... who obviously didn't change the name of the Organization. The game will be filled with revelations about the most important characters of the series.

Last edited by Stumpokapow : 03-18-2008 at 01:18 PM.
soul
Member
(03-18-2008, 01:15 PM)
#2

I am guessing this is it? (link removed, contains scans)

it was already translated ;-) but thanks.

Last edited by soul : 03-18-2008 at 01:19 PM.
Stumpokapow
listen to the madman
(03-18-2008, 01:17 PM)
 
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#3

Originally Posted by soul:
I am guessing this is it?it was already translated ;-) but thanks.

That is indeed it, but my translation is better and that page contains scans so I'm pretty sure we're not allowed to link to it.
AmMortal
Banned
(03-18-2008, 01:17 PM)
 
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#4

I'm not a KH fan, but is this for the Wii?
stuburns
Member
(03-18-2008, 01:20 PM)
 
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#5

Originally Posted by Warrior300:
I'm not a KH fan, but is this for the Wii?
No, DS and PSP.
Coded is for DoCoMo.
soul
Member
(03-18-2008, 01:20 PM)
#6

Originally Posted by Stumpokapow:
That is indeed it, but my translation is better and that page contains scans so I'm pretty sure we're not allowed to link to it.

Link removed, thanks. I will review your post then :) I wished for some extra info.

Originally Posted by Warrior300:
I'm not a KH fan, but is this for the Wii?

BbS = PSP, 358/2 Days = DS
Stumpokapow
listen to the madman
(03-18-2008, 01:23 PM)
 
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#7

Originally Posted by soul:
Link removed, thanks. I will review your post then :) I wished for some extra info.

Unfortunately I'm not sure there's a ton of new info. I don't know the magazine so I can't vouch for whether or not this is all hypothetical or if it's actually new info. The tone in the writing is assertive as if it's a statement of fact for the most part, but most editorial copy is written in that tone anyway so it's still hard to tell whether or not it's made up.
jett
Mr. Negativity
(03-18-2008, 01:35 PM)
 
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#8

Reading the Birth by Sleep story reminds me how effing needlessly convoluted the storyline in the franchise is.


Do want.
Oni Jazar
Member
(03-18-2008, 01:59 PM)
 
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#9

Thanks a million for the info! These games are still a year or two away from release? Yikes.
Darkpen
desu desu desu!
(03-18-2008, 02:00 PM)
 
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#10

can't wait for the PSP game :)

but I still need to pick up Crisis Core :(
soul
Member
(03-18-2008, 02:01 PM)
#11

Originally Posted by Darkpen:
can't wait for the PSP game :)

but I still need to pick up Crisis Core :(

Be patient and import the European release for the artbook ;-)
AdamBot
Member
(03-18-2008, 02:03 PM)
 
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#12

Quote:
Made by studio hand (Chocobo Tales)

INSTANT PURCHASE.
Michan
Member
(03-18-2008, 02:24 PM)
 
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#13

The multiplayer mode for 358/2 days sounds interesting. Let's just hope they don't mess it up.
Snaku
Sperm Receptacle
(03-18-2008, 02:32 PM)
 
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#14

Originally Posted by jett:
Reading the Birth by Sleep story reminds me how effing needlessly convoluted the storyline in the franchise is.


Do want.








Do want too.
Fuu
Formerly Alaluef (not Aladuf)
(03-18-2008, 02:51 PM)
 
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#15

Chocobo Tales is a good game, it was a pleasant surprise for me. I hope studio hand is able to do fine with the more action oriented 358/2 days gameplay.
Roxas
Member
(03-18-2008, 02:56 PM)
 
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#16

grrr i still hate these names. HATE HATE HATE!
soul
Member
(03-18-2008, 02:58 PM)
#17

Originally Posted by Oni Jazar:
Thanks a million for the info! These games are still a year or two away from release? Yikes.

KH 358/2 Days will be released in Japan on 2008.
Halycon
Member
(03-18-2008, 03:00 PM)
 
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#18

Originally Posted by Roxas:
grrr i still hate these names. HATE HATE HATE!
Bu-bu-bu-but Roxas...
PataHikari
Member
(03-18-2008, 03:26 PM)
#19

Originally Posted by jett:
Reading the Birth by Sleep story reminds me how effing needlessly convoluted the storyline in the franchise is.


Do want.
(neutral) jett
Mr. Negativity
(Today, 07:35 AM)
Reply | Quote

Hcoregamer00
The 'H' stands for hentai.
(03-18-2008, 03:29 PM)
 
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#20

I am buying both games, but I have a feeling the PSP game will be a far better experience.

I take it that Terra is the first playable female in Kingdom Hearts
Desi
Member
(03-18-2008, 03:36 PM)
 
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#21

Originally Posted by Hcoregamer00:
I am buying both games, but I have a feeling the PSP game will be a far better experience.

I take it that Terra is the first playable female in Kingdom Hearts
Terra is the dude that looks like Zack. Aqua is the girl.
Hcoregamer00
The 'H' stands for hentai.
(03-18-2008, 03:40 PM)
 
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#22

Originally Posted by Desi:
Terra is the dude that looks like Zack. Aqua is the girl.

Oh, never mind.

I associate Terra as a female name, so that kind of threw me off.
Fuu
Formerly Alaluef (not Aladuf)
(03-18-2008, 03:56 PM)
 
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#23

Originally Posted by Hcoregamer00:
Oh, never mind.

I associate Terra as a female name, so that kind of threw me off.
I know how you feel.
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
(03-18-2008, 10:17 PM)
 
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#24

Originally Posted by Hcoregamer00:
Oh, never mind.

I associate Terra as a female name, so that kind of threw me off.

and It should be female. Terra refers to Earth itself (which is given a female persona when discussed) and the Roman Goddess of Mother Earth.
SpeedySwaf
Member
(03-18-2008, 10:28 PM)
 
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#25

...France calls Goofy "Dingo"?
JeFfRey
Member
(03-18-2008, 10:31 PM)
#26

Originally Posted by SpeedySwaf:
...France calls Goofy "Dingo"?

Yes, as a dingo is a kind of dog, and it means to act stupid.
ksamedi
Nintendo's answer to spwolf.
(03-18-2008, 10:34 PM)
 
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#27

I'm actually more interested in the sales of these titles then the games themselves. I can't seem to excite myself for spinoffs of a craptacular main series. Who knows, maybe the spinoffs will do more interesting stuff than the main games but thats not very realistic to expect.
Lightning
hur hur my sword is made of swiss cheese. also: belts, zippers.
(03-18-2008, 10:35 PM)
 
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#28

Birth By Sleep sounds epic and is the one I'm most anticipating. I will but both but I really want BBS more, A LOT more.
Redd
Member
(03-18-2008, 10:36 PM)
 
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#29

Originally Posted by Hcoregamer00:
I am buying both games, but I have a feeling the PSP game will be a far better experience.

Yeah I think so too. I haven't been to fond of the last 2 installments of this series Chain of Memories(ugh) and Kingdom Hearts 2(how could they mess this up so badly) but i'm still hoping for the best. Hopefully these games will feel more open ended like the first Kingdom Hearts.
Amir0x
A soul wandering around Boletaria
(03-18-2008, 10:41 PM)
 
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#30

The PSP version sounds like they're putting an infinity more effort into it, but I dunno if I'm ready for more Kingdom Hearts. The fanwank is wearing thin. Maybe Cecil tongue kissing VIVI while Woody and Buzz Lightyear take photos and Cruella De Vil fingers Esmeralda will get me motivated.
Mefisutoferesu
(03-18-2008, 10:41 PM)
 
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#31

Quote:
There will only be a few reused tunes;
HECK YE-
Quote:
most will be edited.
-oh... :|
RurouniZel
Member
(03-18-2008, 11:49 PM)
 
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#32

Originally Posted by Amir0x:
The PSP version sounds like they're putting an infinity more effort into it, but I dunno if I'm ready for more Kingdom Hearts. The fanwank is wearing thin. Maybe Cecil tongue kissing VIVI while Woody and Buzz Lightyear take photos and Cruella De Vil fingers Esmeralda will get me motivated.

Dude, don't go giving Doujin artists ideas...
Linkzg
Member
(03-18-2008, 11:57 PM)
 
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#33

Originally Posted by SpeedySwaf:
...France calls Goofy "Dingo"?

maybe a the dingo ate your baby
Neo Child
Member
(03-19-2008, 12:45 AM)
 
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#34

Originally Posted by Linkzg:
maybe a the dingo ate your baby

jett
Mr. Negativity
(03-19-2008, 01:31 AM)
 
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#35

Originally Posted by PataHikari:
(neutral) jett
Mr. Negativity
(Today, 07:35 AM)
Reply | Quote


I demand that doing this be a bannable offense.
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