Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
| Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | |
|---|---|
| File:Kingdomheartsbbsenglogo.jpg | |
| キングダム ハーツ バース バイ スリープ Kingudamu Hātsu Bāsu Bai Surīpu | |
| Developer(s) | Square Enix |
| Publisher(s) |  Square Enix / Square EnixEurope/  Square Enix
|
| Release date(s) | January 9, 2010/ Summer 2010 Europe/ |
| Genre | Action RPG |
| Game modes | Single player, multiplayer |
| Ratings | CERO: A ESRB: E10+ PEGI: 12+ USK: N/A OFLC: N/A ELSPA: N/A |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation Portable |
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is a Kingdom Hearts game for the Sony Playstation Portable. It was released in Japan on January 9, 2010, and it is planned to be released in Summer 2010 for North American and European territories.[1] The game's name is shared with the secret video at the end of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix ("Birth by sleep"), which depicts a stylized version of a scene from the game. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep was developed by the same team that created Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories. Like Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the main theme song for the game is "Simple and Clean", performed by Utada Hikaru. This game is the sixth in the series to be released, but is first chronologically. The North American release will include a number of new features, including Crown Stickers, an extra boss, and additional multiplayer options.
TERRA IS XEHANORT! F*CK ALL OF YOU! HALO RULES!
Gameplay
Scenarios
The game is divided into three separate scenarios, with each scenario surrounding an individual of the three main characters: Terra, Ventus and Aqua. The gameplay of each scenario differs based on the personalities and abilities of each character such as power, speed and magic. Players are able to choose which of the three scenarios to begin with and are able to switch to another scenario, midway through playing a scenario. Each character's story will take about fifteen hours, hence the total amount of gameplay hours would be forty-five hours (excluding deck-editing and retries), making Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep the longest game in the series to date.
Abilities
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep features several new abilities, such as Deck Commands, Shoot Locks, and Command Styles. Each are triggered via the battle menu. Deck Commands are the standard abilities, equipped via the menu with a certain cool-down time similar to the deck system of Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories. Shoot Locks are unique attacks that involve precise timing to unleash a dangerously powerful assault on an enemy. Command Styles are even more deadly abilities that are unique for Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, just like the Shoot Lock.
Command Board
Besides leveling up the normal way in the other games in the Kingdom Hearts series, players can also play on the Command Board, where they can land on special squares in a system similar to a game of Checkers or Chess in order to gain special prizes, certain boxes summoning Disney characters or having other effects.
D-Link
Past Kingdom Hearts games have allowed the player to summon unique Disney or Final Fantasy (only in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories) characters to their sides, each with their own abilities and usually not encountered anywhere else in-game. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep views this ability in a new light, via Dimension Links (shortened to D-Links), which grants the wielder the powers of a unique character for a short time. Wireless D-Links are also possible, allowing a player to connect with a friend's PSP to summon their character to the friend's side. D-Links have their own menu, and are each granted a special ability, summoned via the battle menu.
List of D-Links
- Cinderella
- Snow White
- Experiment 626
- Zack
- Mickey Mouse
- Peter Pan
- Donald Duck
- Goofy
- Terra
- Ventus
- Aqua
- Maleficent
- Vanitas
Multiplayer Mode
Like its predecessor, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep contains a multiplayer mode known as Joint Struggle. While only a differently colored armored form Terra, Aqua, and Ventus are playable, new abilities are usable only through this mode, and players can obtain bonuses for use in Story Mode. Up to three players can battle Unversed with customized names. They will also be ranked, this rank demonstrated by colored symbols that look like those Terra, Aqua, and Ven wear. A new world known as the Mirage Arena is also only accessed via the Joint Struggle. You can also play on the Command Board in multiplayer mode with a specific Mirage Arena game board.
A New Enemy
As Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is a prequel to the first Kingdom Hearts, and incidents with Ansem the Wise and the Heartless have yet to happen, Nobodies yet to be created, a new enemy known as the Unversed fills this gap. Ranging from very small Shadow-like creatures to large monstrosities like the Wheel Master, they attack Terra, Ventus, and Aqua along their journeys to countless worlds.
English Voice Acting
So far, the following voice actors have been confirmed for the English version of the game:
- Braig - James Patrick Stuart[2]
- Dilan - David Dayan Fisher[3]
- Even - Derek Stephen Prince
- Experiment 626 - Chris Sanders[4]
- Gantu - Kevin Michael Richardson[5]
- Hercules - Josh Keaton [6]
- Isa - Kirk Thornton + other various voices [7]
- Lea - Quinton Flynn[8]
- Mickey Mouse - Bret Iwan (first offical voicework)
- Minnie Mouse - Russi Taylor
- Xehanort - Richard Epcar [9]
- Various voices - Corey Burton[10]
Worlds and Characters
Gallery
- 2.jpg
Gameplay from Tokyo Game Show 2007.
- Terraandambers.jpg
Gameplay from Jump Festa 2008.
- BbS screen 2008.jpg
Gameplay from Tokyo Game Show 2008.
- WheelMaster.png
Gameplay from Tokyo Game Show 2009.
- BirthBySleep-Artwork.jpg
Promotional artwork for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
- Bbs char TAV.jpg
Characters from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
- 500x 2 dp event07.jpg
Screenshot of Master Xehanort and Terra (NA/PAL)
- 500x 3 dp event06.jpg
Screenshot of Aqua (NA/PAL)
- Khbbs72.jpg
Screenshot of Aqua and Mickey protecting Kairi from the Unversed.(NA/PAL)
- 500x bbs battle01.jpg
Battle Screenshot of Ventus (NA/PAL)
- 500x bbs battle02.jpg
Battle Screenshot of Terra vs. Trinity Armor with Aqua and Ventus (NA/PAL)
- 500x bbs battle03.jpg
Battle Screenshot of Terra in Mirage Arena (NA/PAL)
- Gallery bbs battle04.jpg
Battle Screenshot of Terra vs. Wheel Master (NA/PAL)
- Gallery bbs battle05.jpg
Screenshot of Ventus using the Experiment 626 D-Link (NA/PAL)
- Khbbs71.jpg
Battle Screenshot of Aqua and 626 fighting Gantu. (NA/PAL)
Packaging Artwork
- BirthBySleep boxart.jpg
Japanese cover art
- BbS Box NA.jpg
North American cover art
Notes and References
- ^ Snapshot of Game Informer article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
- ^ James Patrick Stuart, Facebook Inbox
- ^ David Dayan Fisher, Facebook
- ^ Chris Sanders, confirmed via email
- ^ Kevin Michael Richardson, Facebook'
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Quinton Flynn, Facebook Response to fan
- ^ [3]
- ^ Corey Burton, E-mail - "I am back performing several of my previous roles for this new one; not allowed to reveal anything more specific than that - without violating the confidentiality agreement. When the company releases a character list to the public, I will be able to comment further."
- ^ 100 Acre Wood appears only as a Command Board, rather than a true world.
