Drop System: Difference between revisions

{{Game|DDD}}

{{expand|create=List the bonuses you can get if possible; add images of drop screen, relay bonus screen}}

The '''Drop System''' is a feature used in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''. It allows the player to switch control between [[Sora]] and [[Riku]], allowing each to progress independently through the game. One character is presumed to be "asleep" while the other is active. The player will drop into the next character once the '''Drop Gauge''' is depleted, or they can drop manually by tapping the "Drop" button that appears on the World Map, in the main menu, in the pause menu or at a [[Save Point]].

Following an interview with Tai Yasue, the Drop System was developed to increase the thrill of the game and to keep Sora and Riku's stories united, in contrast to Birth by Sleep, where the player has to finish a story before going on to the next one.<ref> [http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/03/the-making-of-kingdom-hearts-3d-dream-drop-distance| The Making of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]

'''TY:''' Well, on our previous Kingdom Hearts, Birth by Sleep, it centered around Aqua, Ventus, and Terra. You had to actually finish the story before starting a new one. It sort of felt like they were separate stories, in a way. This time, Nomura I think wanted us to make it into a sort of united story. There are two characters, but it's a united experience. We wanted to add a particular thrill, I think, the thrill of… If you drop during a boss battle, for example, you have to switch characters. So there's a little bit of a time limit. I think it was a little bit more thrilling. Another thing we wanted to add was the bonus relay system, we wanted Sora and Riku to cooperate. For example, by playing Sora and gaining points, you could give bonuses to your next character, Riku. There was a strategic depth to it, I think. I thought that made it interesting as well.</ref>

After Riku fends off [[Beat]]'s Spirit and the other attacking [[Dream Eater]]s in the [[Second District]], he becomes overwhelmingly sleepy and loses consciousness. When he wakes up, he finds [[Joshua]] and Beat have gone.

Xigbar and Young Xehanort corner Sora in [[the World That Never Was]] and send him into a dream. After Xehanort shows Sora visions of his meeting [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]], Sora and Ansem entering the [[Secret Place]] before the [[Destiny Islands]] fell into darkness, and Sora's visits to the different incarnations of [[Traverse Town]], Sora suddenly passes out while chasing an illusion of [[Pluto]].

[[File:Bonus Time KH3D.png|thumb|300px|right|The Bonus Time bar in ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'']]

The Drop Gauge has three differently-colored bars that continuously deplete, one by one. The gauge's speed is indicated by the multiplier that accompanies it. Once the third bars empties, '''Bonus Time''' begins, and the speed multiplier is replaced with a 30 second countdown. After 30 seconds, the character will fall asleep, and player control will pass to the other character. When the player returns to the first character, play will resume where it left off. If the character drops during a boss battle, the battle will start over from scratch when they resume.

Negative [[Status Effects]] like {{c|Sleep|Status}} increase the gauge's speed. The player can restore the gauge and reset the drop rate by using items like [[Drop-Me-Not]], [[Drop-Me-Never]], or [[Megalixir]], and the [[Drop Decelerator]] bonus slows the gauge down, as does guarding with [[Wake-up Block]].

[[File:Relay Bonus Screen KH3D.png|thumb|350px|The Relay Bonus Screen in ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'']]

After a character drops, the '''Relay Bonus''' screen is shown, and the player can purchase different boosts with '''Drop Points''', or '''DP'''. The boosts will affect the other character's gameplay. They include reduced Drop Gauge speed, temporary stat boosts, new commands or items. Some boosts are avialable in three different levels after being obtained, each one with better effects, but with a higher DP cost.

DP is earned during gameplay by collecting [[Droplets]] drop by defeated [[Nightmare]]s, collecting lucky items, which are detailed on the [[Forecast]] screen, or by completing [[Link Portal]]s. During Bonus Time, Droplets appear more often.

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