Famitsu's interview with Nomura about Kingdom Hearts 2.8

Calxiyn · Sep 20, 2015

Famitsu recently had an interview with Tetsuya Nomura, The Kingdom Hearts series Director, to talk about the newly announced title in the series The Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue! In the interview he speaks about the Battle System for 0.2BBS, as well as how the title will affect Kingdom Hearts 3's development. The interview also speaks about Kingdom Hearts' X (Chi)

––So after KH1.5 and KH2.5, then came 2.8. I was surprised. Please tell us the origin of the title that contains 2.8.

Nomura: It contains a bit of meaning. First, we considered the types of games that are being included such as KH3D and with the previous work being 2.5… it would be positioned as “2.6” corresponding to the works. And there’s χ, Unchained χ, and χ Back Cover, being part of the Chi series, I believe would be called the “0” with Sora’s absence. In KHBBS it’s “0.1” and this time KH0.2BBS includes the title “0.2”. So, “2.6”+”0”+”0.2” comes out as a number that turns into “2.8”.

––I see! Numberings along the timeline of the series have been brought so adding them together would bring it to that.

Nomura: In the secret episode of KHBBSFM, I believe it displayed “0.5”. After that it would be a full volume sequel to BBS. Being a sequel to BBS as a full volume, it was supposed to advance as “0.5”but because KH3 is still a priority, this time “0.1” went up one step to “0.2”.

––So, is it possible that KH2.9 might be released?

Nomura: The next one is KH3 (laughs). There is a subtitle in 2.8 that has “Final Chapter”. Because of its prologue implications, KH3 would be the final chapter of the Dark Seeker series. With the meaning of 0.1 left, you will understand it in KH3.

––That “0.1” is worrisome… with KH2.8 being only on the PS4, KH1.5 and KH2.5 was released on the PS3 and was it difficult to transition?

Nomura: Because of the gameplay of KH0.2BBS, it uses KH3’s tech and it will only work on the PS4. Since the current development situation has become one for the PS4, it would be difficult to make it for the PS3. In addition, for the players, we wanted to show the atmosphere of KH3 even just a little. For KH0.2BBS, it’s not exactly the same but it incorporates some of the system from KH3.

––For KH0.2BBS’s system, will it be different from BBS’s?

Nomura: We’re taking into account elements from BBS and KH3 so it becomes a hybrid.

––With the additional lending hand up there, should we worry if it has any effect on the progress of KH3?

Nomura: For KH3, realize that the numbering seems to affect the quality and volume but over time, since it’s not produced in a range of influence, there are no problems concerning that. However I felt that I wanted you to experience something early and that you would be able to experience soon even for a little bit through KH0.2BBS’s game system experience and how it connects to KH3.

■ Of the three included works, it has started with Unchained χ.

––KH3D has been HD remastered and I thought it would become video footage because of its form. Despite the console correspondence, it has become playable.

Nomura: So, the staff who worked on KH1.5 and KH2.5 made me realize this opportunity. This time, in addition to the HD, it used to be a system where it uses the lower screen of the Nintendo 3DS version and we’ve changed the game design so it can be on a single screen. Like HD remastered works previously, it can be said the colors are vibrant in the remake.

––Are there additional elements?

Nomura: As far as the story goes, there are no large additional elements because it exceeds the work for HD remastering but just like the elements of the collections that were in HD, it has trophy support and so forth. Because KH3D has a story that is very complex and it being before KH3, we wanted you to play KH3D

––So playing KH3D will show KH3. So I will ask about KH0.2BBS. Where does it begin in the timeline? In regards to the secret episode of KHBBSFM?

Nomura: It will begin immediately after the secret episode. Where she found Cinderella’s Castle (Castle of Dreams) in the Realm of Darkness, it will start there.

––So Cinderella’s Castle (Castle of Dreams) has become an area.

Nomura: I guess so (laughs). However it being the case of the secret episode, you won’t wonder the world endlessly in darkness.

––In the secret episode, we saw “A Fragmentary Passage” and that has become the subtitle for KH0.2BBS?

Nomura: Although there is a story that exists for this, there are no plans to release it as a package that was shown in KHBBSFM’s “A Fragmentary Passage”. However, since it is exists as a setting, I had touched a little in planning the beginning of KH3 and I thought it would be good opportunity. However, it’s not affecting the progress of KH3 and because “0.5” is not a full volume, it would be “0.2”. Because it is a fragment, “Fragmentary Passage” was left as a subtitle.

––During this period, how far would it elaborate on?

Nomura: I can’t say because it would lead to a punch line (laughs). When introduced, while Sora embarks on a new journey, it talks about the episode where The King was hiding until the present. It will take place in the form of KH0.2BBS and it is a portion that is closely related to KH3.

––So the King also holds the key. Following KHχ Back Cover, the service for Unchained χ recently begun and is it possible you can talk about a little bit about the situation?

Nomura: I apologize for the server difficulties when the service began. Up to this point, we asked to cooperate in departments that have a like-house server management and we are continuing to improve it. First, we are working on server stability, and eventually corresponding to other parts of the inconvenience. Gradually, there will be events and the like that will appear.

––For stability, it recently is running very smoothly. Playing it skillfully will be addicting.

Nomura: Smartphones are kept close in our lives so it has come to mind that we can enjoy the feeling of KH even for a little bit. It really has become such a game. From now on, we have announced to continue adding 50 quests each month until January. Because of the continuing updates, I think you will enjoy it.

––I definitely wanted to experience that feeling of crispness. However again about KHχ Back Cover, it is drawn in the perspective of the five Foreteller?

Nomura: There is also the Foreteller’s leader, “Master of Masters”. The person Chirithy talks about is “this individual” being referred to as his “master”.

––So Chirithy was created.

Nomura: Yes. However, the Master of Masters is regarded differently and isn’t what people call normally as a "master”. Because it’s being referred to as a Master of Masters, it indicates the person’s standing position. The Foretellers themselves are Keyblade Masters. Their teacher however is the Master of Masters. That is what I mean by Master of Masters.

––There are a lot of mysteries surrounding the Foretellers and their master deepens the mystery even further.

Nomura: In KHχ Back Cover, there is quite a turn of events for them. By the way, there was black coated person in KHχ.

––Ahh, the five Foretellers were the ones speaking…

Nomura: KHχ and KH Unchained χ proceeds in the player’s point of view and there are the Foretellers we don’t know very much about. In “Back Cover”, which had recently shown a little in the trailer, you can draw on the differences of their personality and speculation between each of them. Maybe then, we can glimpse the nature that belongs to each of the unions and question “why were they thinking about that” and maybe this is where their interests become divided (laughs).

––Expecting this from the series is a real thrill. At the same time in the trailer, it was refreshing to hear Chirithy’s voice. Was the person in charge of the voice Tomoko Kaneda?

Nomura: Yes. We have recorded in mind of “sadness/heartrending” and I think it turned out well.

■ This all leads to KINGDOM HEARTS III

––So all of the stories in KH2.8 connects with KH3 and recently Big Hero 6 was announced to the world. There were great responses.

Nomura: Because we have finally decided on most of the worlds, I’m happy about the fact that this will be available. Big Hero 6 takes place in the near future, with modern cityscapes, it would be a fun world for action and we were decisive in choosing it.

––To summarize, Baymax and Sora confronts the other Baymax the Heartless have taken over?

Nomura: That’s right. It takes place after the movie version. Yasue (Co-director Tai Yasue) was eager in saying “I really want to do it!” Because I also like this title, please enjoy and anticipate it when it finishes.

––Mr. Nomura, another work you’re directing is a full remake of FINAL FANTASY VII. How is that?

Nomura: In Famitsu’s interview (9/20/15), Kitase also answered that. In particular, we are continuing to polish the strategy and feel of battles while being faithful. Although it’s pretty far for us to show something, we will do a follow-up in winter. Wait until then.

––In November, D23 Expo Japan 2015 will be held in Tokyo Disneyland for three days and there is a special KH event. And so in the winter, there will likely be more news for the full remake of FINAL FANTASY VII.

Nomura: In addition to preparing them, we are also running a DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY arcade version. KH2.8 and World of FINAL FANTASY has been announced to be launched in next year’s schedule. We also want to continue improving KHχ and KH Unchained χ. The good news is that we are getting help from external sources but even still, I have my hands full in many places (wry smile). We will stay committed to please the fans.
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Source: Thank you to KHInsider for the fully translated interview!

Meilin Lee · Sep 20, 2015

So, is it possible that KH2.9 might be released?

Nomura: The next one is KH3 (laughs).
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Just in case people were worried about another remaster after 2.8 is released.

Amaury · Sep 20, 2015

Okay, wait. What's Kingdom Hearts 2.8, anyway? Wasn't there already a remake, or does this fix those bugs, such as the sound issue with battle cries, @iwantedtoexplode has a thread about?

libregkd · Sep 20, 2015

...

Anixe · Sep 20, 2015

Sweet Jesus, even the explanation for the whole numbering and decimal business just seems very arbitrary and trivial, lmao. But I figured as much that this was definitely not the last thing they were planning to ~~drain us of our money~~ expand the franchise. I'm speculating the last "0.1" will be some kind of DLC or expansion pack or something post-release of KH3.

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Famitsu's interview with Nomura about Kingdom Hearts 2.8

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