Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- is ninth game in the Kingdom Hearts series. It is releasing exclusively for the PlayStation 4 system as a part of the complete Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue package. The story acts simultaneously as an epilogue to Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep as well as a prologue for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III, following Aqua's journey through the Realm of Darkness. The game is developed through, acting as a sort of technical demo meant to give players a taste of Kingdom Hearts III's gameplay. The entry is roughly the size equivalent of a single Kingdom Hearts III world.

Chronologically, the main events of 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- occurs in the past after the events of the Secret Episode from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix and coincides with the events from Kingdom Hearts. However, it is told as a story by King Mickey and Yen Sid to Riku and Kairi in the present (after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance) and leads to the events that will occur in Kingdom Hearts III.

Story
The game begins at the Keyblade Graveyard during the end of the Keyblade War while Kingdom Hearts appears from the sky. Luxu and his Keyblade witness the events from afar.

In the Mysterious Tower, Yen Sid informs Riku, Kairi, and King Mickey of their latest objective: to rescue Terra, Ventus, and Aqua from their fates. Mickey reveals a secret to Riku: right when they closed the Door to Darkness, Aqua was there with them.

Rewinding, the story starts with Aqua arriving in the remains of Castle of Dreams, where she discovers that time does not pass in the Realm of Darkness. She is left pondering what happens to the people who lived in this world. As she traverses the ruins of Dwarf Woodlands and Enchanted Dominion, she encounters mirages of Terra and Ventus and even battles a phantom of herself. She eventually catches up to Terra and Ven in the remains of Enchanted Dominion. To Aqua's surprise, Terra talks to her, but he soon turns into Terra-Xehanort, demanding to know where Ven is; she is pulled into darkness again due to the internal struggle between Xehanort and Terra, but is found by Mickey. After Mickey explains ten years have passed, she agrees to help him find a Keyblade of darkness in order to seal the Door to Darkness and learns that Sora and Riku have been helping to save the worlds. After they find the Keyblade they need, Aqua fends off Heartless trying to attack Riku as he helps Sora close the door. However, in the process, Aqua sacrifices herself by plunging deeper into the Realm of Darkness in order to save Riku and Mickey.

Back in the present, Riku is upset Mickey kept this from him, but Yen Sid explains that it was for good reasons. Though Riku wouldn't likely have tried helping Aqua, Sora would have jumped at the chance without a second thought. However, now Mickey and Riku can go save her; Yen Sid gifts them with garments to protect against darkness. Yen Sid also explains to Kairi that she will be training along with Lea to master her Keyblade. After everyone leaves, Sora returns from the Realm of Sleep, joined by Donald and Goofy. Yen Sid explains that nearly being turned into Xehanort's vessel has stripped Sora of much of his powers, and the power Sora needs to wake Ventus was never obtained in his Mark of Mastery exam. Yen Sid then tells Sora to let his heart be his guiding key hoping that Sora will bring all Guardians of Light, but to do so Sora needs to visit Hercules to find a clue of how to get his strength back. Yen Sid sends him off on his next journey.

In the Gummi Ship, Sora is at a loss at what to do as the highways from Kingdom Hearts II are now sealed. Goofy then recites the phrase "Let your heart be your guiding key", which he claims Yen Sid said to them before they left on important missions. Sora, now inspired, summons his Keyblade and points it into space, which subsequently opens a Gate, to which he plans on using to get to Olympus Coliseum.

Gameplay

 * Unlike previous games, Aqua starts at level 50.
 * The Command Menu is present, but excludes Summons.
 * Shotlock attacks return, with a similar Focus gauge.


 * Magic now leaves an effect on the surrounding environment. For example, Blizzard creates a sheet of ice to slide on.
 * Shortcuts have multiple "pages", scrolled via the D-pad separating Magic from Items.
 * "Situation Commands" are present.
 * Command Styles are present, activated through Situation Commands.
 * Flowmotion is available. However, Aqua can only do Rail Slide.
 * Aqua's appearance can be customized with different props or changing the color of her outfit.


 * Mickey is a party member near the end of the game.

Worlds
Playable
 * Realm of Darkness
 * Destiny Islands

Cutscenes
 * Mysterious Tower