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Kingdom Hearts Union χ: Difference between revisions
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{{Q|To discover the end, a journey must start at the beginning.|Tagline}} | {{Q|To discover the end, a journey must start at the beginning.|Tagline}} | ||
'''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ''''', previously titled {{nihongo|'''''Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ'''''|キングダムハーツ アンチェインドキー|Kingudamu Hātsu Ancheindo Kī}}, is a remake of and sequel to ''[[Kingdom Hearts χ | '''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ''''', previously titled {{nihongo|'''''Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ'''''|キングダムハーツ アンチェインドキー|Kingudamu Hātsu Ancheindo Kī}}, is a remake of and sequel to ''[[Kingdom Hearts χ]]'', released on iOS and Android. The plot is structured in two halves, coinciding with the ''Kingdom Hearts Union χ'' rebranding. In the first half, the story follows {{c|Player|khx}} and the [[Dandelions]] as they repeat the events of the original ''Kingdom Hearts χ'' in a [[data world]]. In the second half, the [[Union]] leaders encounter new obstacles and are introduced to the conflict against {{c|Darkness|character}}. | ||
''Kingdom Hearts Union χ'' is free to play with optional in-app purchases, and it is the first ''Kingdom Hearts'' game to be released on smartphone platforms. Online service for the game ended on June 17, 2021 for Japan, and June 30, 2021 for the global server. Following the 4.40 update, all gameplay functionality is removed, but players can download an offline version of the app that consists of a [[Theater Mode]], avatar and Keyblade customization, Classic Kingdom minigames, and records from the online version.<ref>[https://cache.sqex-bridge.jp/api/information/detail/75152?lang=en SE's End of Service Announcement For KHUX & KHDR]</ref> | |||
In April 2017, the game was rebranded with the '''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''''' content update, featuring multiplayer and a theater mode.<ref>[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-11/kingdom-hearts-unchained-x-smartphone-game-rebrands-as-union-x-in-april/.113299 ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained X'' Smartphone Game Rebrands as Union X in April]</ref> | In April 2017, the game was rebranded with the '''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''''' content update, featuring multiplayer and a theater mode.<ref>[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-11/kingdom-hearts-unchained-x-smartphone-game-rebrands-as-union-x-in-april/.113299 ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained X'' Smartphone Game Rebrands as Union X in April]</ref> In June 2020, the game was rebranded again as '''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ Dark Road''''' that contains both ''Kingdom Hearts Union χ'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Dark Road]]''.<ref>[https://www.dualshockers.com/kingdom-hearts-dark-road-mobile-xehanort-union-x/ '''''dualshockers''''': Kingdom Hearts Dark Road Details, Screenshots Released]</ref> | ||
In June 2020, the game was rebranded again as '''''Kingdom Hearts Union χ Dark Road''''' that contains both ''Kingdom Hearts Union χ'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Dark Road]]''.<ref>[https://www.dualshockers.com/kingdom-hearts-dark-road-mobile-xehanort-union-x/ '''''dualshockers''''': Kingdom Hearts Dark Road Details, Screenshots Released | |||
==Development== | ==Development== | ||
During development of ''Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]'', a seperate mobile version of the game was greenlit with most of the same people working on both versions. The original intention was for both games to release together and be updated individually, but rapid advancements in mobile phone technology made developing this version difficult. The project was temporarily put on hold while team focused on finising the browser version, which released in 2013. After returning to develop the game in earnest, the team realized that the gameplay model that works for a mouse and keyboard would not work on a screen. Development then shifted to a full remake of the browser game with simplified gameplay mechanics. | During development of ''Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]'', a seperate mobile version of the game was greenlit with most of the same people working on both versions. The original intention was for both games to release together and be updated individually, but rapid advancements in mobile phone technology made developing this version difficult. The project was temporarily put on hold while team focused on finising the browser version, which released in 2013. After returning to develop the game in earnest, the team realized that the gameplay model that works for a mouse and keyboard would not work on a screen. Development then shifted to a full remake of the browser game with simplified gameplay mechanics. | ||
While there were rumors of a localization for the web-browser based ''Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]'', the smartphone game wasn't publicly referenced until April 14, 2015, in an interview with Tetsuya Nomura.<ref>'''Famitsu interview, April 14, 2015''' [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Nomura-Kingdom-Hearts-3-is-Developing-Smoothly-Smartphone-titles-coming-soon-5262 KHInsider report]<!--replace with primary source reference--></ref> The game was officially revealed on May 12, 2015, with the official title of ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ'' revealed in Famitsu magazine the following day. "Unchained" symbolizes the browser game being released on a different platform. The game finally released on Android and IOS on September 3, 2015 in Japan, with an international version released later in 2016. | While there were rumors of a localization for the web-browser based ''Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]'', the smartphone game wasn't publicly referenced until April 14, 2015, in an interview with Tetsuya Nomura.<ref>'''Famitsu interview, April 14, 2015''' [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Nomura-Kingdom-Hearts-3-is-Developing-Smoothly-Smartphone-titles-coming-soon-5262 KHInsider report]<!--replace with primary source reference--></ref> The game was officially revealed on May 12, 2015, with the official title of ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ'' revealed in Famitsu magazine the following day.<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/12/kingdom-hearts-unchained-xchi-announced-for-smartphones/ ''Kingdom Hearts Unchained X[chi]'' Announced For Smartphones]</ref> "Unchained" symbolizes the browser game being released on a different platform. During Square Enix's E3 Conference on June 16, 2015, a trailer for the game was released showcasing gameplay. The game finally released on Android and IOS on September 3, 2015 in Japan, with an international version released later in 2016. | ||
The game was regularly updated with patches that fixed bugs, added story content, and introduced quality of life improvements. A notable example was in September, 2018, where several minigames from the [[Classic Kingdom]] were added. Completing certain objectives in these games would allow early access to the [[Starlight]] Keyblade in ''Kingdom Hearts III''. | The game was regularly updated with patches that fixed bugs, added story content, and introduced quality of life improvements. A notable example was in September, 2018, where several minigames from the [[Classic Kingdom]] were added. Completing certain objectives in these games would allow early access to the [[Starlight]] Keyblade in ''Kingdom Hearts III''. | ||