Kingdom Hearts III: Difference between revisions

|developer={{w|Square Enix}}

|publisher={{w|Square Enix}}

|genre=Console action role-playing game

|modes=Single player

|ratings={{w|ESRB}}:[[File:Ratingsymbol e10.gif|12px|Everyone 10+]]Everyone 10+<br>{{w|PEGI}}:[[File:PEGI 12.png|12px|12+]]12+

}}

{{q|The ultimate battle for KINGDOM HEARTS is upon us.|Tagline}}

==Development==

During Disney D23 Expo 2017, Nomura showed a trailer depicting [[Toy Box]], a ''{{w|Toy Story}}'' world, and announced the game would be released in 2018.<ref name="D3 Trailer"/> Nomura stated the game's delay is not due to development issues, but rather technical decisions made by Square Enix such as moving the game to Unreal Engine 4.<ref>[https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/07/kingdom-hearts-3-director-says-its-squares-fault-the-game-is-taking-so-long/ '''''Kotaku''''': "Kingdom Hearts 3 Director Says It's Square's Fault The Game Is Taking So Long"]</ref> Nomura confirmed the ''Toy Story'' world features an original storyline set sometime after ''{{w|Toy Story 2}}'', and hinted there would be another playable character besides Sora.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/07/16/kingdom-hearts-3-director-hints-at-second-playable-character '''''IGN''''': "KINGDOM HEARTS 3 DIRECTOR HINTS AT SECOND PLAYABLE CHARACTER"], '''Nomura''': "So it would be tough to introduce many, multiple playable characters, but there is an intention of adding a playable character aside from Sora. Unfortunately we're not able to disclose who it is yet, but there will be [another playable character]."</ref>

During Disney's D23 Expo Japan 2018 Conference, a private ''Kingdom Hearts'' event was held where two trailers were revealed. In one, [[Monstropolis]], a ''{{w|Monsters, Inc.}}'' world was confirmed, while the other announced {{w|Utada Hikaru}} would perform the theme song, titled "Don't Think Twice" ("Oath" in Japanese). The event also revealed the game was being developed by the largest developing team in the history of the series,<ref name="IGN Japan D23 JPN 2018">[http://jp.ign.com/kingdom-hearts-iii-ps4/21908/news/d23-expo-japaniii11 '''''IGN''''': 11 New pieces of information from D23 Expo Japan that have shed some light on Kingdom Hearts 3]</ref> including 100 people from the Square Enix's Tokyo offices.<ref name="PlayStation Access D23 JPN 2018">[https://youtu.be/cn1AMOmcPy8 '''''PlayStation Access''''': "Kingdom Hearts 3: 10 New Things we've had Confirmed"]</ref> The return of the Gummi Ship was confirmed, and it was revealed the gameplay for it, now playable as open-world instead of the preset paths from the first two games, had been split into "Battle" and "Searching" phases.<ref name="IGN Japan D23 JPN 2018"/> The game was revealed to have been developed in three parts, with the first part being about 90% done, and the second between 60% and 70% done. Nomura noted the final world would feature "something incredible" he wanted to do for a while.<ref name="PlayStation Access D23 JPN 2018"/>

Nomura plans to explain how Xion was revived and recruited into the real Organization XIII in the DLC.<ref>[http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/886/1886230/ ''Kingdom Hearts III'' Interview with Tetsuya Nomura (Dengeki PS)]; '''Interviewer''': "The process behind reviving Ventus and Roxas was fairly easy to understand, but how was Xion brought back, and how did she end up in the New Organisation XIII?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "I think it's possible to figure it out for yourself. However, I do plan to explain it in DLC." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Dengeki-Playstation-interviews-Nomura-on-Kingdom-Hearts-3-14711 Translation via Goldpanner].</ref>

On June 8, 2019, during the ''[[Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World of Tres-]]'' concert, a trailer for an downloadable expansion pack titled ''Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind'' was announced. It will add new gameplay and story elements. During Square Enix's E3 2019 broadcast, the same trailer that premier at the ''Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World of Tres-'' was shown again, except with the added information the expansion will be released during Winter 2019-2020.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqD_cz85S1A '''''KINGDOM HEARTS III Re Mind DLC Trailer (E3 2019) (Closed Captions)''''']</ref>

==Story==

After [[Master Xehanort]]'s return, [[Yen Sid]] begins searching for seven [[Guardians of Light]] to counteract Xehanort's plan to forge the [[χ-blade]] using the [[real Organization XIII]]. He tells [[Sora]] that he has lost much of his own strength as a result nearly being taken over by Xehanort when latter tried to use him as 13th vessel for his heart{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance}}. Backed up by [[Donald Duck]] and [[Goofy]], Sora taken advice from Yen Sid to travel to meet [[Hercules]] who also lost and later regained his powers not long ago. The most important power Sora must regain is his "[[Power of waking]]", the ability to restore lost hearts, which he failed to master during his [[Mark of Mastery Exam]]. Meanwhile, [[Riku]] and [[King Mickey]] traverse the [[Realm of Darkness]] looking for [[Aqua]], while [[Kairi]] and [[Lea]], safely train to use their [[Keyblade]]s to fight.

During each of their travels, Sora and Riku are contacted by [[Ienzo]], who has deciphered pieces of [[Ansem's Code]] to learn that Sora's body contains the hearts of [[Roxas]], [[Ventus]], and [[Xion]]. Riku realizes that the Organization's members from the past are using [[replica]]s created by [[Vexen]] as vessels that enable their existence in the present, which inspires Sora to restore Roxas by transferring his [[heart]] into a replica body.  

In search for Power of Waking, Sora, Donald and Goofy land in [[Twilight Town]] where they stumble on [[Hayner]], [[Pence]], and [[Olette]], chased by [[Demon Tide]]. After it's defeat, Sora asks if the trio knows Roxas, showing them a photo they made together back in the [[Virtual Twilight Town]]. The trio respond that they don't know who the boy is, but Hayner mention that name sounds familiar. They head to the Old Mansion where, with Ienzo's help they attempt to hack into computer to reach simulation.  

In their way back to the town, Sora, Donald and Goofy are meet by Ansem and Xemnas, who tried to convince Sora to give his Heart to Darkness. Goofy guess that both Ansem and Xemnas used to be [[Terra-Xehanort|one person]] but now their both stand here. The Seekers of Darkness does not pay attention to that claim and insisted that Sora should become a Heartless, as it's only way to bring Roxas back. They summon a couple of [[Neoshadow]]s and [[Dusk]]s before disappearing.

After a short fight, Sora is now willing bring Roxas back "with all his Heart". The trio return to Twilight Town where Sora tell Hayner, Pence, and Olette they need to wish Roxas to return, with all their hearts. Meanwhile, on the near roof Xigbar tells Ansem and Xemnas that they make it too obvious, but Xemnas tells him that they were instructed to guide Sora and, if he refuse to take path they carve, they will simply destroy him. Xigbar reminds them that they will be left without last vessel.

Meanwhile, Ansem, Seeker of Darkness enters the Realm of Darkness and tries to secure [[Ansem the Wise]]. Aqua tried to stop Xehanort but was overpowered by the [[Dark Figure]]. Ansem begs Xehanort to spare Aqua's life by willingly go with him. However, Xehanort throws Aqua in water, where she succumbs to Darkness.

Vexen reveals himself to be a double agent loyal to Ansem the Wise and he helps rescue him before sending an extra replica to Ienzo for Roxas to live in.

Riku and Mickey locate and battle the [[Anti-Aqua|corrupted Aqua]] in the realm of darkness. At the same time, Sora finds the [[Master's Defender]] on [[Destiny Islands]] and uses it to enter the dark realm, where he exorcises the [[darkness]] from Aqua and returns her to the realm of light. Sora, Donald, and Goofy then follow Aqua to [[Castle Oblivion]], which she transforms back into the [[Land of Departure]] to awaken Ventus. When she is attacked by [[Vanitas]], Sora rediscovers his power of waking and resurrects Ventus, who fights Vanitas off.

With the seven [[Keyblade wielder]]s, they depart for the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] to battle the Organization, only to be quickly consumed by a swarm of [[Heartless]] summoned by the possessed [[Terra]]. Awakening in a limbo realm called [[The Final World]], Sora is guided back to the realm of light with the help of Kairi and [[Chirithy]] and uses the power of waking to revive his friends. However, [[Young Xehanort]] warns that abusing this power will result in him losing his own heart again. Returning moments before their defeat, the guardians of [[light]] eliminate most of the Organization's members; in the process, Terra, his heart revealed to be inside the [[Dark Figure]], regains control of his body and reunites with Aqua and Ventus, while Lea reunites with Xion, whom Vexen restored for the Organization, and Roxas, who regains his own heart to protect Lea and Xion.

Trying to save Kairi, Sora uses the power of waking again to revive her; despite the risk of becoming lost forever, Sora promises to return. Afterwards, Eraqus's students return to the Land of Departure where Ventus reunites with Chirithy; Roxas, [[Isa]], Lea, and Xion stay in Twilight Town and [[Naminé]] is restored in a replica obtained during the battle with Xehanort. Sora's friends gather at the Destiny Islands, where Kairi stays beside Sora before he fades away.

{{-}}

The [[Command Menu]] from ''Kingdom Hearts'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' returns. The gauges for [[Donald]] and [[Goofy]] now appear next to Sora's in the bottom right corner instead of above. The [[MP]] gauge from ''KHII'' returns. The "Focus" gauge which from ''Birth by Sleep'' returns and is also meant for [[Shotlock]]s which are now tied to [[Keyblades]]. [[Reaction Command]]s are replaced by [[Situation Command]]s.

The character images on the HUD are more expressive, no longer being fixed for the teammates: like Sora, they smile when they're on the overworld, appear angry when fighting, have a pained expression when they take damage and look tired when their HP are low. If a teammate has lost all their HP, they have their eyes closed and their image is darkened.

Keychains can now [[level]] up to become stronger through the upgrading them with materials in the [[Keyblade Forge]].

Similar to ''0.2'', magic affects the surrounding environment—for example, [[Blizzard]] will create a sheet of ice to slide on and [[Aero]] will move and shape the grass. If Sora uses enough [[magic]], he can use more powerful magic. For example, using [[Fire]] repeatedly can allow him to use Fira as a Situation Command.

Characters join Sora's team as temporary party members. Now the limit of party members has been expanded from 3 to 5, so Donald and Goofy no longer need to be replaced. The AI has been improved, so allies can invite Sora into special techniques (similar to the [[Limit]] attacks from ''Kingdom Hearts II''). However, enemies are also able to work together. Some enemies also have "armor" mode where their [[HP]] bar becomes blue and they can use powerful attacks until enough damage is dealt to end it.

=== Exploration ===

{{-}}

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A Deluxe Edition is available alongside the main release. The Deluxe Edition retails for $79.99 USD MSRP and includes an exclusive steelbook case, a mini-art book with concept artwork by Tetsuya Nomura, a collectible KHIII pin and the game in original packaging. A Square Enix Store exclusive edition was also available for $229.99 and it includes the Deluxe Edition along with three Bring Arts figures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy from their appearance in the Toy Box.<ref>[https://gematsu.com/2018/06/kingdom-hearts-iii-special-editions-announced-e3-2018-square-enix-showcase-trailer Kingdom Hearts III special editions announced, E3 2018 Square Enix showcase trailer]</ref>

==DLC==

{{main|List of Kingdom Hearts III DLC}}

===''Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind''===

{{main|Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind}}

===Patch update data===

<!-- release date for the Patch update should be added -->

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==External links==

{{KH3}}

{{KH series}}