User:KeybladeSpyMaster/Gadget Lab/Project Page 4

Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ, later renamed as Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross], is the ninth installment of the Kingdom Hearts series, released exclusively to the iOS and Android smartphone platforms. It is a sequel to the Japan-exclusive web browser game Kingdom Hearts χ, and features plot and gameplay elements from that title. It is free to play but contains in-app purchases. It is the first Kingdom Hearts game to be released on smartphone platforms.

Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ was first announced on May 12, 2015. During Square Enix's E3 Conference on June 16, 2015, a trailer for the game was released showcasing gameplay. Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ was released in Japan on September 3, 2015 and in North America on April 7, 2016.

In April 2017, the game was updated and rebranded as Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross], introducing multiplayer gameplay and a theater mode.

Development
While there were rumors of a localization for the web-browser based Kingdom Hearts χ, the smartphone game wasn't publicly referenced until April 14, 2015, in an interview with Tetsuya Nomura. The game was officially revealed on May 12, 2015, with the official title revealed in Famitsu magazine the following day.

Story
After being saved by Ephemer and Skuld following the conclusion of the Keyblade War, is brought to another realm, where the Dandelions have assembled as per Ava's instructions. Upon entering this new realm, however, everyone loses all their memories of their previous world, with the exception of the five wielders chosen to become the new Union leaders.

Following Ava's orders, Ephemer ventures to the Keyblade Graveyard as one of the new Union Leaders. Soon, Ephemer is joined by Skuld, the second of the new Union Leaders, much to his surprise. When Skuld questions the whereabouts of other three Union Leaders, Ephemer admitted that, before Skuld showed up, he had his doubts about becoming a Union leader. Ventus, the third Union Leader, arrives and Ephemer and Skuld welcome him. While waiting for the fourth Union leader to appear, Ephemer and Skuld bond with Ventus, who is bewildered as to why he was chosen to become one of the new Union leaders. He admits that he is a little jealous of Ephemer and Skuld's friendship, though they assure him that they consider him a friend as well. Amused by the concept of friends, the fourth Union Leader appears and introduces himself as Brain. When Ephemer confirms that Brain is not the last to arrive as he had anticipated, Brain asks if Ephemer is meant to be their leader. Ephemer denies this, feeling as though they should wait until all of them are together to decide who leads. Brain then asks if the rules Ava provided are meant to be absolute, as he has issue with the concept of lying to the Dandelions, something which Ventus relates to. Thinking about the pain that Player had endured because of the Keyblade War, Ephemer firmly states that they are to follow the rules and that the truth about the previous world must remain a secret so that no one has to remember the tragedy of the Keyblade War. Brain, Ven, and Skuld all accept this, stating that they all believe in Ephemer. Together, the four new Union Leaders await the arrival of their final comrade.

Player resumes his missions, initially reliving through the events leading up to the Keyblade War, and later making use of the newly created Union Cross, joining a party of fellow Dandelions and traveling to new worlds. Soon, Player has a nightmare in which he sees himself collapsed after the events of the Keyblade War. Furthermore, they relive their battle with Aced from just before the fated battle. Upon their defeat at Aced's hand, Player is jolted awake and Chirithy, concerned of the frequency of Player's nightmares, advises them to rest. As Player accepts this and warily returns to sleep, Chirithy bids them goodnight and continues to watch over them.

Prior to the Keyblade War, Strelitzia, another member of the Dandelions, takes note of Player as he waits for Ephemer in the Fountain Square, taking a keen interest in them. After witnessing Player's battle with Aced, Strelitzia is approached by Ava and asked to be one of the new Union leaders following the events of the Keyblade War. Concerned about those who will be left behind during the Keyblade War, Strelitzia remembers that Player is not a Dandelion, and insists that she has to warn Player of the danger that is to come. The next day, while searching for Player in an abandoned house, the two of them are attacked by an unseen assailant, who steals Strelitzia's rule book before leaving. Streltzia holds her Chirithy in her arms, sad that she did not get the chance to see Player, before both she and her Chirithy fade away.

Ephemer, Skuld, Ventus, and Brain grow concerned when the fifth Union leader does not show up and begin searching the Keyblade Graveyard. Soon, Lauriam approaches, apologizing for being so late, as he had been searching for something.

Together at last, the five enter the Foreteller's Chamber in Daybreak Town, where Brain looks through a copy of the Book of Prophecies that he finds. Ultimately, they decide to keep the Unions united under a Union Cross for the time being, while also keeping the absence of the Foretellers a secret. Brain then decides that in order to celebrate, they should make creating new Spirits their first task, sending Ephemer, Skuld, and Ventus to collect the supplies while he and Lauriam prepare to synthesize the materials.

Gameplay
The game is largely a remake of Kingdom Hearts χ, with significant changes to the gameplay to adjust for the change in platform from PC to mobile phone. have been replaced with s. These medals are the main basis of attacking and engaging in battles in the game. Each of the approximately thousand medals have different abilities and special attacks that can be used against enemies, and only five medals can be equipped at a time to the Keyblade. By swiping across or tapping on the screen, the player can attack using one of the medals. The medal's special attack is unleashed by swiping up from the lower-left corner of the screen where the medals are. Medals are ranked by rarity, and generally, the rarer the medal, the stronger the medal is.

The story is played out in parts called quests, with each quest having a target enemy to defeat in order to move forward. As the game progresses, additional quests, such as special event quests, material quests, and Coliseum and Union Cross quests, become available to play. Each quest costs as set amount of action points (AP) in order to begin, which takes time to recharge. As one plays the various quests and defeats the Heartless, these drop Lux, which adds to one's total EXP.

Changes from Kingdom Hearts χ

 * have been replaced with s.
 * Players are able to switch genders and Unions at any time.
 * Overworlds have been replaced with the Quest system.
 * Action Points have been overhauled; they now function as a stamina system that enable the player to enter Quests and start Raids.
 * BP has been removed.
 * Lux and EXP have been consolidated.
 * New Keyblades have been added:
 * Stroke of Midnight
 * Fairy Stars
 * Sleeping Lion
 * Counterpoint
 * Fenrir
 * Darkgnaw
 * Missing Ache
 * Diamond Dust

Changes to Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross]
On March 23, 2017, the game received an update and was rebranded as Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]. The story of picks up right after the final missions of Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ, and serves as a sort of part two to the game. While the gameplay and format remain largely the same, there were significant changes introduced in the update:
 * A new logo and artwork.
 * The game retains the gameplay found in Unchained χ, and all in-game data will be carried over.
 * A multiplayer mode, called Union Cross, is introduced. Players can team up with up to five members of their Party and/or Union and tackle special Quests together.
 * Theater Mode has been added, allowing players to view all story cutscenes they've experienced at any time.