Mission Mode



Mission Mode is a gameplay mode that made its debut in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Through Mission Mode, two to four players can compete in missions across the worlds, and it can also be played solo. Mission Mode uses the Nintendo DS's wireless capabilities to compete with other players, but all players must have a copy of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Items collected and character growth in Mission Mode carry back to the save file the player selects at the start. Guest Play can also be selected, where upon the player is given preset items instead of those obtained in Story Mode.

At first, the player only has access to thirteen characters, all members of Organization XIII. However, as the player progresses through Story Mode, an additional six secret characters can be unlocked.

Pre-Mission Setup
Right from when a player accesses the main menu, they have the option of playing either the main game, Story Mode, or the multi-playing Mission Mode. After the player selects the "Mission Mode" option, they are taken to the Character Selection Screen. They are given a chance to view the average stats of the character they choose, just before being taken to the Customization Screen. The player only has access to Organization XIII to begin with, later gaining access to new characters as they play through Story Mode.

At the Customization Screen, players have the ability to select weapons, items, spells, and abilities that are to be used during competitive gameplay. It should be noted that players will also have access to items gained during Story Mode. It is then that each player is taken to the Mission Select Screen, the last screen to appear before gameplay begins.

At this last screen players select a world and a mission they would like to play from Story Mode that took place in that world. It should be noted that missions are made playable once their respective Unity Badge has been collected in Story Mode.

Gameplay
During actual gameplay, players work toward the same goals that Roxas would in Story Mode, collecting Heart Points along the way. Players can attack each other, stealing the targeted players' Heart Points as a result. While the Mission Mode is mainly a way to battle enemies with friends in an allied setting, its true intention is competition due to its friendly-fire format. Just as in Story Mode, a mission ends when the Mission Gauge is filled to the first, or sometimes only, marker. However, in Mission Mode, extra Heart Points can be gained by getting to the RTC in a certain amount of time.

At the end of a mission, the results of gameplay are displayed. The characters selected for play appear in the thrones of Where Nothing Gathers, the thrones' height determined by the number of Heart Points. Places are awarded as first, second, and third, each displayed by a gold, silver, or bronze crown respectively.

Chatting
An especially new feature in Mission Mode is the ability to chat with other players. During a mission, players can message each other via stylus or in-game keypad. Various colors of text can be used, adding to the fun of this feature. From saying hello to requesting help tackling a boss while a friend is busy with another target, messages are displayed on the Nintendo DS's bottom screen along with Mission Objectives.

Enemy Differences
In general, the Heartless and Nobodies fought in Story Mode will be in their respective places in Mission Mode, though some enemies have been removed when not integral to a mission, such as the Jumbo Cannon in Mission 73: Defeat Heartless in the Games, or Xigbar in Mission 61: Vanquish the Heartless Threat. Furthermore, enemies generally drop items much less frequently in Mission Mode. While not an actual change in game mechanics, the Saïx and Riku bosses were replaced with shadowy Anti-Saïx and Anti-Riku bosses, to prevent confusion between the bosses and the playable Saïx and Riku. Also please note that the enemies in Mission Mode are now three to four times stronger then they are in Story Mode.

Defeated Position
Every character has their own defeated position. When they fail or withdraw from a mission, they will show their defeated position.
 * Xemnas: Xemnas holds both hands in the air.
 * Xigbar: Xigbar bends down, hitting his leg occasionally.
 * Xaldin: Xaldin crosses his arms.
 * Vexen: Vexen bends down.
 * Lexaeus: Lexaeus bends down.
 * Zexion: Zexion rests his head on his hand with an arm below.
 * Saïx: Saïx puts his hand to his head, shaking his head occasionally.
 * Axel: Axel faces sideways with his arms crossed.
 * Demyx: Demyx puts his hand to his head, moving his head up and down.
 * Luxord: Luxord puts his hand to his head, moving his head up and down slightly.
 * Marluxia: Marluxia puts his hand to his head with an arm below.
 * Larxene: Larxene faces the side, stamping her foot.
 * Roxas: Roxas bends down. (Identical defeated position for Dual-Wield Roxas)
 * Xion: Xion bends down.
 * Riku: Riku puts his hand to his head.
 * Donald: Donald jumps up and down on one foot, angry.
 * Goofy: Goofy bends down, puting his hand on his eyes.
 * The King: The King bends down.
 * Sora: Sora bends down.

Playing as Xemnas
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Xemnas takes on the role of a playable character rather than a boss, but only in Mission Mode. While controlling Xemnas, the player has the ability to access magic spells, items, abilities, and different weapons via Gears. Xemnas floats rather than walking or running. Xemnas utilizes a basic three-hit combo, attacking with either of his two Ethereal Blades alone, then both left and right together with a short range, and then both together once again in a longer range, creating a possibly devastating combo finisher. His aerial combo is merely repeated left-to-right slashes, each more powerful than the next until a three-hit combo is executed. With certain Gears, he can fire his blades as a combo finisher. Xemnas's Limit Break, All-Vanity, involves Xemnas surrounding himself in a damaging force field. This Limit Break is similar to a damaging tactic used by the Superior that repels enemy attack in his final battle with Sora and Riku in Kingdom Hearts II. His Final Limit version retains the field but now spreads his arms and fires 2 beams of energy from his hands which begin at his left and right move towards his front and back to his left and right, however he moves much slower. This is similar to his Final Mix battle. An interesting note is that he is the only playable character able to project an energy based guard, which is the same barrier seen in the boss battles against him.

Playing as Xigbar
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Xigbar attacks similarly to his boss incarnation in Kingdom Hearts II, and is playable only through Mission Mode. Xigbar is customized through the Gear System along with all other playable characters, attacking in a many different kinds of combos that involve either two shots getting fired from his Arrowguns with each hit, a three round burst with his left hand Arrowgun, or quickly combining his weapons to create what can be called a shotgun (4 shots are fired in different directions all at once). While not particularly powerful, having relatively low strength and defense, he has the highest attack speed and can easily able to pick off opponents from a safe distance. This makes Xigbar however, a strictly ranged character, having no melee attacks. He is also required to reload as his weapons run on finite clips, the highest being 48 and the lowest being 12. Xigbar's Limit Break, Critical Snipe, involves the Nobody combining his two weapons into one and firing powerful shots in rapid succession, his Final Limit is the same but with more powerful and explosive shots. The camera zooms in on Xigbar and is turned left and right by the D-Pad during his Limit Break. The player must aim the shots themselves. Xigbar is also unable to move around once he begins his Limit Break.

Playing as Xaldin
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Xaldin attacks with wide, and long-ranged swipes with his Lances, similarly to his boss incarnation in Kingdom Hearts II and is playable only through Mission Mode. Via the Gear System, Xaldin can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in a multiple-hit combos that specialize in wide ranged attacks that single out enemies. He has relatively average stats but has good strength. Xaldin's Limit Break, Dragoon Storm, causes Xaldin to swirl his blade-like weapons around himself in powerful bursts. Enemies that are hit take Wind damage, and are pushed away from the Nobody. In it's Final Limit incarnation, Xaldin follows up with teleport attacks that jump straight on top of the enemies, similar to the Jump Reaction Command Sora can use in Kingdom Hearts II on Xaldin himself and the Dragoon Nobodies. Xaldin can move around and do minor damage with a shield made of wind and his lances when he is not doing either of these actions. It is interesting to note that Xaldin's Mission Mode gameplay was the first revealed for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days to English audiences, Xaldin shouting "This will crush you!" upon the execution of his Limit Break.

Playing as Vexen
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Vexen uses his shield to attack with short-ranged, defensive attacks that create distance between enemies and Vexen. He does not have much in the way of fighting potential and surprisingly low defense, but specializes in magic and has above average Critical power. Via the Gear System Vexen can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in a multiple-hit combos that specialize in creating distance between enemies to provide cover for magic attacks. Vexen's Limit Break, Diamond Dust, has Vexen summon three large mounds of ice to come up from the ground to strike enemies, dealing ice damage to and freezing all struck enemies. Enemies that are frozen take three times as much damage while frozen. During Vexen's Final Limit, Vexen's three mounds of ice are replaced by one larger glacier. This deals greater ice damage to enemies, and temporarily makes them gradually lose HP. It also freezes them for awhile.

Playing as Lexaeus
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Lexaeus uses his mighty Axe Sword to attack with short-ranged, powerful attacks that chip away large chunks of enemies' HP. Via the Gear System, he can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in short combos that specialize in dealing heavy damage, though his attacks are slow in comparison to other characters. He is the sturdiest character in the game, possessing the highest HP, Strength and Defense, though is not suited for magical attacks. With Lexaeus's Limit Break, Ayers Rock, Lexaeus can perform a "charged" attack. Once the Limit Break begins, Lexaeus can charge his energy, as shown by a red aura around him; he then can release the stored energy in a powerful tomahawk smash, dealing devastating damage to the target. The attack is then followed up by a shockwave. The longer the player charges before releasing this attack, the stronger the attack will be. Depending on the amount charged, this attack can even be performed twice before obtaining Final Limits. During Lexaeus's Final Limit, Lexaeus's weapon becomes engulfed in rock before releasing the charged attack, increasing the strength and range of the attack by also adding a large addition of earth to the weapon length-wise.

Playing as Zexion
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Zexion fights by slamming enemies with his Lexicon. Via the Gear System, Zexion can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in quick, short-ranged combos that specialize in opening windows for Zexion's true attack speciality; the use of magic. He is relatively weak in comparison to the other Organization members but he has the highest Critical Bonus alongside Saïx. Zexion's Limit Break, Meteor Mirage, causes Zexion to levitate in the air with his book-like weapon open. While in the air, a ball of light appears in front of Zexion's Lexicon, symbolizing that it is the source of the attack. Zexion summons many balls of dark indigo energy to bomb the field, dealing a large amount of damage to enemies hit by the barrage.

During the bombardment, Zexion can slowly move around to hit enemies that are further away with the meteors. During Zexion's Final Limit, Zexion exerts more power into his lexicon for the attack, as shown by his different pose. The meteors that he summons are larger and more plentiful. It is interesting to note that when Zexion executes Guard, he merely opens his Lexicon to the enemy, absorbing the unfriendly attack.

Playing as Saïx
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Saïx does battle with his Claymore with fast, furious, and heavy combos. Via the Gear System, Saïx can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in powerful, fast combos that specialize in single-enemy focus, thus, crowd control is not exactly his strong suit. His stats range him with above average strength but specializes in Critical attacks; having the highest chance of Critical attacks and Critical Bonus, making him a formidable powerhouse. During his Limit Break, Berserk, Saïx goes into a berserk stage; he jumps around the field, dealing devastating damage to enemies that he comes down hitting with his mighty blade. Each smashing attack is followed up by a shockwave. During Saïx's Final Limit, Saïx goes into an even more berserk stage; he comes down to attack even more often, and exerts a sphere of his strength straight from himself while in the air before coming down. The shockwaves that come after each attack also increase in range. This is especially best suited for multiple enemy confrontations where his shockwaves deal the most damage around him. The downside to this Limit Break is that Saïx is constantly moving when attacking and directing his attacks are made more difficult, hence the berserk state.

Playing as Axel
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Axel fights with his Chakrams in fast, versatile combos that are effective in both short and long-range combat. Via the Gear System, Axel can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in quick combos that close distance between enemies for even faster ones. He has well balanced stats similar to Roxas and Xion, with above average strength and speed. Axel's Limit Break, Explosion, causes Axel throw his chakrams at enemies while they're engulfed in fire when activated, creating a small explosion of fire afterwards. While not being thrown, Axel's chakrams spin rapidly, the layer of flames surrounding the unique weapons thickening as they continue to gather. However, they can be thrown at any time, and do not need to charge. During Axel's Final Limit, Axel combines his two flaming Chakrams into one enormous flaming version of the weapon, easily many times larger than the two Chakrams. The explosion after the attack is also much larger.

Playing as Demyx
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Demyx fights with his Sitar to perform long, multiple-hit combos that leave enemies open to other, more powerful attacks. He has relatively below average stats though magic is his strong suit. Via the Gear System, Demyx can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in combos that leave enemies vulnerable to other players' attacks. During his Limit Break, Wave Gigs, Demyx jams on his Sitar, summoning up large pillars of water to rise and strike enemies. Enemies that are hit by the pillars take Water damage. During Demyx's Final Limit, Demyx releases a large ball of water while playing Arpeggio. The ball creates a watery explosion that knocks enemies back and again deals water damage.

Notes and References

 * It should be noted that Dual-Wielding Roxas is also available for gameplay after the player equips the Zero Gear and three ability units.
 * Xion is unlocked by reaching Rookie rank on day 117
 * Riku is unlocked by being promoted to Agent on Day 172.
 * Donald is unlocked by being promoted to Expert on Day 225
 * Goofy is unlocked by being promoted to Master on Day 296
 * King Mickey is unlocked after clearing all missions and the buying of "Return of the King" at the Moogle Shop.
 * Sora is unlocked after fully completing all missions and the buying of "Sora's Awakening" at the Moogle Shop.
 * The selection between solo and multiplayer mission mode was made more clear cut in the English release. Unlike the Japanese version, selecting misson mode in the English version offers a choice between solo and multiplayer on the main menu. The Japanese version instead brings the player to the Wi-fi group menu and the player can continue without other players.
 * During solo mode in the English release, you can earn the Gold Crowns, unlike the Japanese version where you must be playing with others.
 * Certain characters like Dual-Wielding Roxas are weaker in Mission Mode than in Story Mode.
 * It should be noted that most of characters from Story Mode are weaker.