Mission Mode: Difference between revisions

{{Game|358}}

[[File:KH 358-2 Days full character Select Screen.PNG|right]]

'''Mission Mode''' is a gameplay mode that made its debut in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''. Through Mission Mode, two to four players can compete in missions across the worlds, and it can also be played solo. Mission Mode uses the Nintendo DS's wireless capabilities to compete with other players, but all players must have a copy of ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''. Items collected and character growth in Mission Mode carry back to the save file the player selects at the start. Guest Play can also be selected, where upon the player is given preset items instead of those obtained in Story Mode.

==Pre-Mission Setup==

Right from when a player accesses the main menu, they have the option of playing either the main game, Story Mode, or the multi-playing Mission Mode. After the player selects the "Mission Mode" option, they are taken to the Character Selection Screen. They are given a chance to view the average stats of the character they choose, just before being taken to the Customization Screen. The player only has access to [[Organization XIII]] to begin with, later gaining access to new characters as they play through Story Mode.

At the Customization Screen, players have the ability to select weapons, items, spells, and abilities that are to be used during competitive gameplay. It should be noted that players will also have access to items gained during Story Mode. It is then that each player is taken to the Mission Select Screen, the last screen to appear before gameplay begins.

During actual gameplay, players work toward the same goals that Roxas would in Story Mode, collecting Heart Points along the way. Players can attack each other, stealing the targeted players' Heart Points as a result. While the Mission Mode is mainly a way to battle enemies with friends in an allied setting, its true intention is competition due to its friendly-fire format. Just as in Story Mode, a mission ends when the Mission Gauge is filled to the first, or sometimes only, marker. However, in Mission Mode, extra Heart Points can be gained by getting to the RTC in a certain amount of time.

At the end of a mission, the results of gameplay are displayed. The characters selected for play appear in the thrones of Where Nothing Gathers, the thrones' height determined by the number of Heart Points. Places are awarded as first, second, and third, each displayed by a gold, silver, or bronze crown respectively.

An especially new feature in Mission Mode is the ability to chat with other players. During a mission, players can message each other via stylus or in-game keypad. Various colors of text can be used, adding to the fun of this feature. From saying hello to requesting help tackling a boss while a friend is busy with another target, messages are displayed on the Nintendo DS's bottom screen along with Mission Objectives.

==Enemy Differences==

In general, the Heartless and Nobodies fought in Story Mode will be in their respective places in Mission Mode, though some enemies have been removed when not integral to a mission, such as the Jumbo Cannon in [[Mission 73: Defeat Heartless in the Games]], or Xigbar in [[Mission 61: Vanquish the Heartless Threat]]. Furthermore, enemies generally drop items much less frequently in Mission Mode. While not an actual change in game mechanics, the Saïx and Riku bosses were replaced with shadowy [[Anti-Saïx]] and [[Anti-Riku]] bosses, to prevent confusion between the bosses and the playable Saïx and Riku. Also please note that the enemies in Mission Mode are now three to four times stronger then they are in Story Mode.

Every character has their own defeated position. When they fail or withdraw from a mission, they will show their defeated position.

*Xemnas: Xemnas holds both hands in the air.

*Xigbar: Xigbar bends down, hitting his leg occasionally.

*Xaldin: Xaldin crosses his arms.

*Vexen: Vexen bends down.

*Lexaeus: Lexaeus bends down.

*Zexion: Zexion rests his head on his hand with an arm below.

*Saïx: Saïx puts his hand to his head, shaking his head occasionally.

*Axel: Axel faces sideways with his arms crossed.

*Demyx: Demyx puts his hand to his head, moving his head up and down.

*Luxord: Luxord puts his hand to his head, moving his head up and down slightly.

*Marluxia: Marluxia puts his hand to his head with an arm below.

*Larxene: Larxene faces the side, stamping her foot.

*Roxas: Roxas bends down. <small>(Identical defeated position for Dual-Wield Roxas)</small>

*Xion: Xion bends down.

*Riku: Riku puts his hand to his head.

*Donald: Donald jumps up and down on one foot, angry.

*Goofy: Goofy bends down, puting his hand on his eyes.

*The King: The King bends down.

*Sora: Sora bends down.

==Playable Characters==

Image:Xemnas Days.png|[[Xemnas]]

Image:Xigbar Days.png|[[Xigbar]]

Image:Xaldin Days.png|[[Xaldin]]

Image:Vexen Days.png|[[Vexen]]

Image:Lexaeus Days Artwork.png|[[Lexaeus]]

Image:Zexion Days.png|[[Zexion]]

Image:Saïx Days.png|[[Saïx]]

Image:Axel_Days_2.png|[[Axel]]

Image:Demyx Days Art.png|[[Demyx]]

Image:Luxord Days.png|[[Luxord]]

Image:Marluxia Days.png|[[Marluxia]]

Image:Larxene Days.png|[[Larxene]]

Image:Roxas_Days_2.png|[[Roxas]]

Image:Xion Keyblade Days.png|[[Xion]]  

Image:Blindfoldriku0.jpg|[[Riku]]

Image:Mickey Cloaked.jpg|[[Mickey Mouse|The King]]

Image:Sora,_Keyblade_Master.png|[[Sora]]

Image:Donald.jpg|[[Donald Duck]]

Image:GoofyCG.jpg|[[Goofy]]

==Character Usage==

===Playing as Xemnas===

{{Q|Away with you!|Xemnas when activating his Limit Break}}

{{Q|You're an eyesore!|Xemnas when activating his Final Limit}}

[[File:1days1.png|thumb|left]]

In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Xemnas takes on the role of a playable character rather than a boss, but only in Mission Mode. While controlling Xemnas, the player has the ability to access magic spells, items, abilities, and different weapons via Gears. Xemnas floats rather than walking or running. Xemnas utilizes a basic three-hit combo, attacking with either of his two Ethereal Blades alone, then both left and right together with a short range, and then both together once again in a longer range, creating a possibly devastating combo finisher. His aerial combo is merely repeated left-to-right slashes, each more powerful than the next until a three-hit combo is executed. With certain Gears, he can fire his blades as a combo finisher. Xemnas's Limit Break, All-Vanity, involves Xemnas surrounding himself in a damaging force field. This Limit Break is similar to a damaging tactic used by the Superior that repels enemy attack in his final battle with Sora and Riku in ''Kingdom Hearts II''. His Final Limit version retains the field but now spreads his arms and fires 2 beams of energy from his hands which begin at his left and right move towards his front and back to his left and right, however he moves much slower. This is similar to his ''Final Mix'' battle. An interesting note is that he is the only playable character able to project an energy based guard, which is the same barrier seen in the boss battles against him.

===Playing as Xigbar===

{{Q|Hey, not bad!|Xigbar when activating his Limit Break}}

{{Q|You had your fun?|Xigbar when activating his Final Limit}}

[[File:2days.jpg|thumb|left]]

In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Xigbar attacks similarly to his boss incarnation in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', and is playable only through Mission Mode. Xigbar is customized through the Gear System along with all other playable characters, attacking in a many different kinds of combos that involve either two shots getting fired from his Arrowguns with each hit, a three round burst with his left hand Arrowgun, or quickly combining his weapons to create what can be called a shotgun (4 shots are fired in different directions all at once). While not particularly powerful, having relatively low strength and defense, he has the highest attack speed and can easily able to pick off opponents from a safe distance. This makes Xigbar however, a strictly ranged character, having no melee attacks. He is also required to reload as his weapons run on finite clips, the highest being 48 and the lowest being 12. Xigbar's Limit Break, Critical Snipe, involves the Nobody combining his two weapons into one and firing powerful shots in rapid succession, his Final Limit is the same but with more powerful and explosive shots. The camera zooms in on Xigbar and is turned left and right by the D-Pad during his Limit Break. The player must aim the shots themselves. Xigbar is also unable to move around once he begins his Limit Break.

===Playing as Xaldin===

{{Q|This will cost you!|Xaldin when activating his Limit Break}}

{{Q|No holds barred!|Xaldin when activating his Final Limit}}

[[File:3days.jpg|thumb|left]]

In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Xaldin attacks with wide, and long-ranged swipes with his Lances, similarly to his boss incarnation in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' and is playable only through Mission Mode. Via the Gear System, Xaldin can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in a multiple-hit combos that specialize in wide ranged attacks that single out enemies. He has relatively average stats but has good strength. Xaldin's Limit Break, Dragoon Storm, causes Xaldin to swirl his blade-like weapons around himself in powerful bursts. Enemies that are hit take Wind damage, and are pushed away from the Nobody. In it's Final Limit incarnation, Xaldin follows up with teleport attacks that jump straight on top of the enemies, similar to the Jump Reaction Command Sora can use in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' on Xaldin himself and the Dragoon Nobodies. Xaldin can move around and do minor damage with a shield made of wind and his lances when he is not doing either of these actions. It is interesting to note that Xaldin's Mission Mode gameplay was the first revealed for ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'' to English audiences, Xaldin shouting "This will crush you!" upon the execution of his Limit Break.

===Playing as Vexen===

{{Q|I've had enough of this!|Vexen when activating his Limit Break}}

{{Q|You're too much trouble!|Vexen when activating his Final Limit}}

[[File:4days.jpg|thumb|right]]

In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Vexen uses his shield to attack with short-ranged, defensive attacks that create distance between enemies and Vexen. He does not have much in the way of fighting potential and surprisingly low defense, but specializes in magic and has above average Critical power. Via the Gear System Vexen can be customized along with all other playable characters, attacking in a multiple-hit combos that specialize in creating distance between enemies to provide cover for magic attacks. Vexen's Limit Break, Diamond Dust, has Vexen summon three large mounds of ice to come up from the ground to strike enemies, dealing ice damage to and freezing all struck enemies. Enemies that are frozen take three times as much damage while frozen. During Vexen's Final Limit, Vexen's three mounds of ice are replaced by one larger glacier. This deals greater ice damage to enemies, and temporarily makes them gradually lose HP. It also freezes them for awhile.

==Notes and References==

* It should be noted that Dual-Wielding Roxas is also available for gameplay after the player equips the Zero Gear and three ability units.