More than a rehash

Square Enix is working hard this year for its fans. With a brand new Final Fantasy already released, they also promised three new Kingdom Hearts titles for 2010. Announced in September 2007 at the Tokyo Game Show, the last of the three, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, is slated for the third quarter 2010 on PSP. It comes with quite a few changes to the franchise and is a prequel to the first Kingdom Hearts.

Made by the team behind Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Birth by Sleep was under development earlier in the year before it was interrupted by the re-release of Chain of Memories on the PSP. Birth by Sleep is influenced by both the original Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories, and will have its own identity and game play, making it more than a rehash of the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

Separate scenarios

The first video ever released for Birth by Sleep was only available in the Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix + package, and was exclusive to Japan (though it can be found online). It shows the three main protagonists; Terra, Ven and Aqua. These three characters are pursuing the evil Keyblade master Xehanort and his apprentice after they disappear. Taking place ten years before the original game, Birth by Sleep is set to reveal major plot twists and loose ends of the series. While major characters from previous Kingdom Hearts titles will appear, they take a back seat to the three new Keyblade Apprentices. Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the game, has stated that this entry will be the most important since Kingdom Hearts II, so this one will be a must have for fans.

Narration and story are integral parts in Birth by Sleep. Players have to use all three characters to finish the game in three separate scenarios that bring the whole game together at the end. Characters will interact with one another throughout the game, but they all have separate stories to follow. In fact, Terra, Ven and Aqua all play separately, with each having a unique style. Birth by Sleep boasts an intuitive control scheme that allows players to dip into an amazing combat system. Each character has his or her own combos, and moves and actions can vary greatly. They range from smashing on the X button as quickly as possible and hitting music notes to button sequences and timing based attacks.

Holding the L and R buttons on the PSP make the character go into a first person attack that will lock on to enemies. Players can hit the circle button to attack, or wait for the charge bar to reach a hundred percent, releasing a cinematic and devastating attack on enemies. Each of these attacks is unique and awesome to each character as they blow through enemies, ending with a post button push to tack on additional damage. The graphics are bright and smooth during fight scenes, and the new enemies shine in the PSP. The Unversed are a new threat to the Disney/Square Enix universe, feeding on those who are unversed with their humanity. They feast on the bad feelings of people and bring misery wherever they roam. The Unversed carry quite a few new species of baddies to discover, so players won’t be fighting the same Heartless and Nobodies from previous Kingdom Hearts titles.

Levels

The game covers both new and old ground in terms of levels. The gamut includes Disney inspired levels, and features classics like the Coliseum from Hercules and the Enchanted Castle of Sleeping Beauty. Besides the return of a few classic Kingdom Hearts-specific stages like Hollow Bastion and Destination Island the game will also feature new locations like the Land of Departure and Radiant Garden. However, because this game takes place ten years earlier, the levels will hopefully be different from the worlds that have already been encountered.

Another big change to Kingdom Hearts comes with the inclusion of multiplayer. Birth by Sleep is going to support up to six players online in various modes. A standard deathmatch is featured, allowing the three main characters to be pitted against each other in a realm known as the Mirage Arena. A very interesting feature is the survival mode, in which players must work cooperatively against waves of the Unversed, lasting as long as they can. There will also be a racing component called Rumble Racers, in which players race on Keyblade vehicles with offensive capabilities. A multiplayer board game called Command Board, which is also part of single player, is included as well. By setting records in the mystical Mirage Arena, players can earn medals that unlock powerful and rare items in the single player campaign.

Shake up the franchise

By bringing a brand new storyline with characters that have never before been seen, the team behind Chain of Memories is looking to really shake up this critically acclaimed franchise. With separate scenarios for each character, the single player should have some longevity. Great graphics and a wide variety of different attacks and powers should also keep game play fresh for those that have stayed with Kingdom Hearts since the beginning. With the inclusion of a strong multiplayer element, this game will be bringing a solid offering this third quarter for gamers who want to take their Keyblades on the go.