KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep: New Scan & Nomura Interview

Mike · Jan 2, 2010

Another Japanese magazine has more information on the new game "KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep." The Japanese magazine features a new scan with a new Nomura interview in regards to some new additions, secret ending, command board and much more information from Birth by Sleep, which is set for release on January 9th 2010 in Japan.

Director Interview
Translated by Lissar from KHInsider

The last part of our special is an interview with director Tetsuya Nomura. The man who created the series talks of this latest game in the series that has been waited by fans.
“There is enough packed into this game that it is on par with a console title.”
You have to watch the secret movie

--- The release date is almost near isn’t it? First, I’d like to ask you some things about the story.
Nomura: I really don’t think I’ll be able to say much (laugh). With the story we have this time, if I talk about it even a little bit it’s a spoiler.

--- Well that’s a problem (laugh) One interesting point of this game is that you can choose which of three main characters you want to play with. But which order do you recommend?
Nomura: Terra, Ven and Aqua is the best order. We wrote the scenarios in that order, and you’ll probably understand why while you’re playing it. Also, Ven is very easy to use, but Terra is a little heavier and moves slowly. So you could begin playing with the character that best fits your play style. But if you choose to play as Ven first and then go on to Terra, you’ll probably feel too slow.

--- So the scenarios for the three characters are really quite different?
Nomura: Yes, we set it up that way. If three friends were to play the game and choose different characters, after ten minutes the story would be completely different. If you choose to play as a different character than your friend, you both should be careful of spoiling each other.

--- Instead of using one character until the end, can you play each character a little bit at a time?
Nomura: For the most part yes, you can. When you first create a save, it creates saves for all three characters. But if you play them together it becomes confusing, and I wouldn’t recommend it.

--- Alright then, now can you tell us what kind of characters the three heroes are? Starting with Terra.
Nomura: Terra, as we’ve shown in trailers and screenshots, becomes [closer? entangled?] with darkness, which is the highlight of his story. But he doesn’t just fight the darkness in his heart, he tries to hold back his desire while being invited into the darkness. He can also use the moves that we saw from “Lingering Sentiment” in KHIIFM, so that will be fun.

--- Next, I want to ask about Ven, the one everyone is wondering most about.
Nomura: Since Ven has a lot of mysteries about him, I can’t really say clearly what sort of character he is. But when you play the game, you’ll find out more about who he really is. While the connections in the series haven’t been explained, we’ve made it so you can imagine who he is. Also, as I said before he will be an easy character to use for newcomers, since he is the quickest.

--- And Aqua is watching over the both of them.
Nomura: Yes that’s right. Aqua’s position is what I guess you could call their “guardian”. And unlike Terra and Ven, you can’t easily see how she connects to the series. I’d like for everyone to watch her to see what lies in her future. Since she is a magic type character, she has trickier moves than we’ve seen in the series to date. Also, like Final Form in KHII, she has a Style where her keyblade floats in the air.

--- How will their Master be involved in the story?
Nomura: Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort used to be fellow students. Their way of thinking is different, but deep down they are connected in some way.

--- And what about the mysterious Master Xehanort and Vanitas?
Nomura: Vanitas wears a mask and we can’t see his face, but eventually we will find out who he is. I want you to watch out for how Master Xehanort connects to Ansem the Wise’s apprentice Xehanort that was introduced in KHII.

--- In screenshots we see Master Xehanort saying something about the “Keyblade Wars”...
Nomura: The “Keyblade Wars” were something that happened quite a long time ago, so there is no one who actually experienced the war can explain more about it. They can only speculate on what happened. But that isn’t really what is important, what I want you to pay attention to is the “Mystery that is hidden within the keyblades” that is in connection with the war. The place where Xehanort is talking about it is close to the climax of the story, and all of the story’s highlights will be summarized there.

--- We see quite a lot of characters that look like Organization XIII members in Radiant Garden, don’t we?
Nomura: But they don’t have a lot to do in the story, they just appear as residents in Radiant Garden. Except for Braig, since you fight him and he is quite involved in the story. In KHIIFM and KH 358/2 Days there was a lot going on with him, and he is a character I think you should pay attention to.

--- Of course you usually have a secret movie at the end, do you have one this time too?
Nomura: Yes there is one. Except this time it isn’t a pre-rendered movie that gives a hint as to how the story will develop later, but is shown like an event scene. There is dialog, and in all it runs about ten minutes. It is set up as one episode. Instead of showing us what will happen in the future, it is more like a true ending. I would really like everyone to see it. There are characters that will only show up there in it as well.

--- I wonder what sort of things will be required to see the event.
Nomura: Of course there are lots of requirements. This time too, it depends on the difficulty. It’s pretty difficult to get on Standard Mode, and on Proud it becomes easier. On Beginner you can’t see it at all. Well, I’m sure fans of the series can imagine the requirements.
An enemy even stronger than “Lingering Sentiment” will appear!?

--- Even just playing it a little bit, I found the Deck Commands quite interesting, but in the beginning you can only equip three.
Nomura: If you give lots of options in the beginning it actually makes things more difficult. It’s because you have that limitation that it becomes fun. If you were able to equip lots of them in the beginning it wouldn’t be nearly as fun. You can have up to eight slots by the end, and probably the urge to get more Commands will give people more of a motivation to play.

--- This time even the Finish Commands have levels, it seems that having to think about leveling them will make it a little confusing?
Nomura: Even the our development team said as you go through the game that maybe there were too many levels. Well, I think that there will be some people who will get into having that sort of leveling system. But beginners can just have fun and don’t really have to bother thinking about all that.

--- Using keyblades to move between the worlds looks quite interesting. Nomura: Unlike before with Gummi Ships, they aren’t a mini-game, but instead you can use the Keyblade Ride to have a race. Also, this time the worlds screen is like before, and you can choose which world you want to go to freely.

--- I’m quite happy that when you play on wireless you can upgrade your Deck Commands, you can bring those over into single player as well.
Nomura: We didn’t want to have a separation between multiplayer and single player. For KH 358/2 Days there were people who said that they couldn’t gather all of the Mission Crowns, so we were thinking about that. In “Mirage Arena” there are items you can’t get anywhere else, but you can get them all even if you are playing offline by yourself. Of course it is made for several people to beat together, so it would be quite difficult by yourself. The strongest enemy that appears in multiplayer is about equal to the hidden boss in single player.

--- There is a hidden boss this time too!?
Nomura: Yes there is. We wanted to make it even stronger than Lingering Sentiment. But, you can only defeat it by having a certain set of Deck Commands. You’ll have to wait until you see it. You could also say that if you don’t think about your attacks [or it’s attacks?] you won’t be able to win.

--- Something even stronger than Lingering Sentiment must have taken quite a lot of fine tuning...
Nomura: We had Debuggers who are really good at action games help us with it, so we were able to make it into quite a difficult boss. It is strong, but it doesn’t have high HP. It is just a battle of attack against attack.

--- With both single player and wireless, I’m a little worried about loading times...
Nomura: I very much recommend Data Install. There are three different sizes you can choose from, but please choose the largest one. It will change the way you play the game. You can also go into Config and change the speed and color mode.
Braig is a Dark Horse!

--- This time there will be quite a few things, I think, but in the story and battles what do you think is the highlight of each?
Nomura: In the story, it’s the connections with the rest of the series. Since Sora isn’t the main character we didn’t give it a number, but there is no difference between this one and the PS2 games. I think the KH series has a story with lots of mysteries that the player can have fun imagining what will happen next. They don’t have to imagine something from nothing, there are lots of little hints left everywhere in the story. So everyone can take those hints and imagine what will happen. For battles, the actions using the Deck Commands. With Shoot Locks and Dimension Links, there are lots of different ways you can fight and have fun with it.

--- So which character do you think people should be watching out for?
Nomura: Definitely Braig. Everyone is thinking about all the other characters, but no one is watching Braig. But he will have quite an impact on the story.

--- “KH 358/2 Days” had quite a sad story, but what about this story?
Nomura: I’m sorry to say, this one is also pretty sad (laugh). The stories I make usually make the character sad, or they have lots of troubles along the way. But since the theme this time is “bonds”, I think the story connects to a bright and hopeful future.

--- “KH coded” has reached it’s climax, so are you thinking of what is going to happen in the future?
Nomura: Of course I’m thinking about it. But right now I’m too busy with “FF Versus XIII”. Of course it wouldn’t be any good to make our fans wait for years for it, so we’re planning something. But first I’d like you to enjoy this latest game. All the fans who are excited for the game, I think you ought to pre-order it.
Click to expand...

Source: RPG Land

daggerd · Jan 2, 2010

Oh great now I have more questions are barely any answers.
I used to think terra=xehanort but now its saying to watch for mx and xehanort.

key dragon · Jan 2, 2010

darkshadowxyz said: ↑

OMFG

I can't wait a week for this game...D:

What's worse is that I have to cram for exams D:

I want this game so bad....

In any case...I'm gunna have trouble playing this game in Japanese, since I do not know any...damn...

They better release a date for the US release. D:

ALSO

In the Jump Fiesta 2010 trailer for BBS, Ansem the Wise says: "Perhaps, if it were him...the boy who can connect his heart with anyone...Then he will be able to open that door, and save those unhappy souls."

Kay, skip back to the beginning of KH Coded, in Jiminy's Journal, it says "We must return to free them from their torment."

"Opening the door and saving the unhappy souls", "Returning and freeing them from their torment."

It probably refers to the fact that Terra, Ven, and Aqua are trapped somewhere (Terra in the place of gathering [or w/e its called], Ven in [an alternate?] Destiny Islands, and Aqua in Castle Oblivion)...

KH3 might have to do with Sora going back to save TVA...buh, Tetsuya Nomura did say he hasnt started KH3, so...I feel like a fool. ^.^

BUT A GOOD FOOL D:<
Click to expand...

Maybe the secret ending of Coded is that you save TVA afterwards.

Satoshi Kusanagi · Jan 3, 2010

--- There is a hidden boss this time too!?
Nomura: Yes there is. We wanted to make it even stronger than Lingering Sentiment.

...Ah crap. Guys? I think he's gonna make us all fight a bench. Â¦D

xkh2x · Jan 3, 2010

I can't wait until this game comes out!! Terra is slow? :(

Thanks Mike!!

Count DiZ · Jan 3, 2010

--- There is a hidden boss this time too!?
Nomura: Yes there is. We wanted to make it even stronger than Lingering Sentiment.

I think I remember hearing somewhere that they were considering Gilgamesh for the secret boss. That's probably changed, though...

I can't frackin' wait!

LoneWolf · Jan 3, 2010

That's like a gold mine of info there Mike, Thanks. Can't wait >.>

Zyborggian · Jan 3, 2010

darkshadowxyz said: ↑

OMFG

I can't wait a week for this game...D:

What's worse is that I have to cram for exams D:

I want this game so bad....

In any case...I'm gunna have trouble playing this game in Japanese, since I do not know any...damn...

They better release a date for the US release. D:

ALSO

In the Jump Fiesta 2010 trailer for BBS, Ansem the Wise says: "Perhaps, if it were him...the boy who can connect his heart with anyone...Then he will be able to open that door, and save those unhappy souls."

Kay, skip back to the beginning of KH Coded, in Jiminy's Journal, it says "We must return to free them from their torment."

"Opening the door and saving the unhappy souls", "Returning and freeing them from their torment."

It probably refers to the fact that Terra, Ven, and Aqua are trapped somewhere (Terra in the place of gathering [or w/e its called], Ven in [an alternate?] Destiny Islands, and Aqua in Castle Oblivion)...

KH3 might have to do with Sora going back to save TVA...buh, Tetsuya Nomura did say he hasnt started KH3, so...I feel like a fool. ^.^

BUT A GOOD FOOL D:<
Click to expand...

Interesting that Ansem mentioned souls in his statement there...

I HAVE to urge my best friend to find his psp so he can get this!
WTF?!!?!?
Harder than Lingering Sentiment?!?!?! O_______O
O... M... G...
Something tells me that might be japanese version exclusive...
I mean KH1 Xemnas and Lingering Sentiment were two of the hardest optional bosses and they were only in the final mix releases...
And the people who made this game said that the reason why they didnt release KH2FM was because they thought it would be too hard for Americans.......
So Im not gonna get my hopes too high about that optional boss...
Yes well have to all keep an eye on Braig...
And why did Nomura laugh when he said the story was sad??? O____O
That kinda seems like a smack in the face to hardcore kh fans...

erkansilk · Jan 3, 2010

Zyborggian said: ↑

Interesting that Ansem mentioned souls in his statement there...

I HAVE to urge my best friend to find his psp so he can get this!
WTF?!!?!?
Harder than Lingering Sentiment?!?!?! O_______O
O... M... G...
Something tells me that might be japanese version exclusive...
I mean KH1 Xemnas and Lingering Sentiment were two of the hardest optional bosses and they were only in the final mix releases...
And the people who made this game said that the reason why they didnt release KH2FM was because they thought it would be too hard for Americans.......
So Im not gonna get my hopes too high about that optional boss...
Yes well have to all keep an eye on Braig...
And why did Nomura laugh when he said the story was sad??? O____O
That kinda seems like a smack in the face to hardcore kh fans...
Click to expand...

i got it
the secret boss is Sora you have to fight him as terra (LS)
like in kh2fm but this time you are Terra or the LS

Mish · Jan 3, 2010

Zyborggian said: ↑

And why did Nomura laugh when he said the story was sad??? O____O
That kinda seems like a smack in the face to hardcore kh fans...
Click to expand...

.... :/ I doubt Nomura erupted into evil cackles, it was probably more like a chuckle in a "hurr hurr I guess you could say that.." way. If that makes any senes. In any case, lighten up.

Also, in regard to the optional boss, it will most definitely be in all versions. I mean, there hasn't been any mention of a BBS final mix and this the JUST Birth By Sleep he's talking about so, yeah. He wouldn't talk about something that won't be appearing in BBS in an interview about BBS.

Zyborggian · Jan 3, 2010

erkansilk said: ↑

i got it
the secret boss is Sora you have to fight him as terra (LS)
like in kh2fm but this time you are Terra or the LS
Click to expand...

That wouldnt make much sense...
How could a 4 year old Sora be more difficult to beat than LS?!?!?? XDDDD
And @ Mish...
This is a Japanese magazine so maybe hes only addressing to the people in japan...
Final mix 2 wasnt released in US because it Was too "HARD" So why would they release an even harder boss in the US?

Mish · Jan 3, 2010

Zyborggian said: ↑

Final mix 2 wasnt released in US because it Was too "HARD" So why would they release an even harder boss in the US?
Click to expand...

...where did you hear that? :/ Because I don't think the lack of international release had anything to do with the level of difficulty.

So I'd say the US release for BBS was a definite.

Zyborggian · Jan 3, 2010

I vaguely recall it being in an interview with Nomura like this one although im definitely not sure.
But if it didnt have anything to do with the difficulty what did it have to do with?

Roxas The 13th · Jan 4, 2010

I remember when everyone had so much trouble beating the "Lingering Sentiment" and took months before someone did, but now there's something even harder then the "Lingering Sentiment" in Birth by Sleep... I think it's going to take FOREVER to beat this hidden boss especially if you dont know any Japanese :xp:

CrimsonFoxxi · Jan 4, 2010

darkshadowxyz said: ↑

In the Jump Fiesta 2010 trailer for BBS, Ansem the Wise says: "Perhaps, if it were him...the boy who can connect his heart with anyone...Then he will be able to open that door, and save those unhappy souls."

Kay, skip back to the beginning of KH Coded, in Jiminy's Journal, it says "We must return to free them from their torment."

"Opening the door and saving the unhappy souls", "Returning and freeing them from their torment."

It probably refers to the fact that Terra, Ven, and Aqua are trapped somewhere (Terra in the place of gathering [or w/e its called], Ven in [an alternate?] Destiny Islands, and Aqua in Castle Oblivion)...

KH3 might have to do with Sora going back to save TVA...buh, Tetsuya Nomura did say he hasnt started KH3, so...I feel like a fool. ^.^

BUT A GOOD FOOL D:<
Click to expand...

i was actually thinking the same thing... does that mean ima fool too?! xD

Mr. Van Whippy ♥ · Jan 4, 2010

A ten minute secret ending! This is awesome!

I really wonder what they are planning... I want this game!

Vladimir Makarov · Jan 5, 2010

A boss stronger than Lingering Sentiment, eh?
Heh... i'm gonna have fun with this.

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KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep: New Scan & Nomura Interview

Mike Chaser

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