Kingdom Hearts III Ten Things I Want to See in Kingdom Hearts III

Well, guys, it happened. I thought I’d be old and grey by the time we got the announcement. I thought I’d be waiting for years. I thought maybe I’d be like that meme floating around the internet—a skeleton with a PS2 controller in its death-grip saying “Oh, look, Kingdom Hearts III came out!”

Well, guys, it happened.

As of yesterday, it’s official. Kingdom Hearts III has been announced to the world, and with a sparkling, HD trailer to top it all off.

With that said, I think we can all expect a gradual flow of screenshots, tasty tidbits, plot elements, and additional trailers to seep into the internet over the next year or two. Here’s hoping we see KHIII on the shelves come late 2014!

In commemoration of this exciting reveal, I thought I’d list 10 big “wants” that I have in regards to the game. This list is made up of both expectations and fangirl hopes, so keep that in mind.

And, please, I want to hear your thoughts too, so don’t be shy.

Here they are in no particular order:

*cues epic narrator voice*

***WARNING: THIS ESSAY IS NOT SPOILER-FREE AND DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS FROM DREAM DROP DISTANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER GAMES. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!***

1. More Party Members
Donald and Goofy are great (despite the fact that Donald has the bad habit of casting Cure when you could really use a Phoenix Down). However, in KHIII, I want to see more variety and more options. We now have nine Keyblade wielders in the cast (though some are—at this point—in need of rescuing), and with 7 Lights on a quest to battle 13 Darknesses, I would like some options in regards to who you want in your party.

In a way, I think KHII was a testing ground for the final game in the trilogy. For the first time, you had the option of including both a Final Fantasy character (Auron) and an original character (Riku) in your party. Was I the only one who kept those two in my party every opportunity I got?

Well, in KHIII, I want to see more than just Donald and Goofy fighting alongside Sora. I want to have a party made up of Riku, Terra, and Axel. I want to have a party made up of Xion, Aqua, and Kairi. I want to mix-and-match to my little heart’s content. I want to throw Final Fantasy characters into the mix on a regular basis. Why not have a party of Cloud, Roxas, and Mickey?

And that brings me to my next point…

2. More Playable Characters
The Kingdom Hearts series has been slowly opening up to this concept, beginning in Chain of Memories where players had the option of playing as Riku in his own story. In regards to the main trilogy, though, there isn’t much flexibility to be found. Roxas gets a bit of playtime in KHII and Riku gets his 20-seconds-of-fame during the final boss battle, but that’s about it. I want to see split gameplay, where players can choose who they want to play as, or at least switch between different characters at pre-determined points of the game (similar to the Sora/Riku gameplay in Dream Drop Distance).

According to official reports, there seems to be some hope that the gameplay will involve multiple characters: “In an effort to undermine Xehanort's plot, Sora, Donald and Goofy search for seven guardians of light and the Key to Return Hearts, while King Mickey and Riku search for previous Keyblade wielders.”

Sounds to me like we have the Chain of Memories effect going on again. That’s all well-and-good, but I’m hoping for even more playable characters. After all, Kairi is getting trained to use the Keyblade now, and Axel has just gained his own in the previous title. There’s really no excuse not to make them playable (or at least allow them to be in your party on a regular basis).

3. The Death of a Main Character
I know that you’re thinking, “It’s Kingdom Hearts, Cutsceneaddict. Nobody dies in Kingdom Hearts!”

True. With everyone being connected to everyone else (who isn’t connected to Sora or Xehanort these days?) it would seem that death in the Kingdom Hearts universe is nigh impossible. Perhaps it is.

But you can’t deny that Square isn’t afraid to involve the Grim Reaper when it comes to this series. In Birth By Sleep, Eraqus is mortally wounded by Terra, only to be finished off by Xehanort. In Kingdom Hearts II, we watch Axel give his last words and fade away. And don’t even get me started about “who else Roxas will eat ice cream with…”

“But every one of those characters has come back!” you groan as you try to reason with me. And that’s also true. Xion’s fate is in a bit of a limbo state right now, though her cameos in Birth By Sleep and Dream Drop Distance have almost guaranteed her safe return. In fact, the only character who seems to have truly “died” in the series is Riku’s replica (dubbed Repliku by the fans) in Chain of Memories. Even the Nobodies have become Somebodies again (though the fates of Marluxia, Larxene, Luxord, and Demyx are currently unknown).

But regardless of those facts, I just can’t see the trilogy going out with a bang unless one character gives up the ultimate. It might make for a cliché gimmick, but you can’t deny it would offer some drama and power to an ending 8 years in the making. I just want to see one of the main characters die, even if they are destined to be resurrected two hours later.

So, who’s most likely to kick the bucket? My money’s on the one person who hasn’t died or faded in some way-shape-or-form.

*cough* Riku *cough*

4. Sora x Kairi
The relationship between Sora and Kairi has been building throughout the duration of the series. If Kingdom Hearts III doesn’t offer some closure on it, I will be seriously disappointed. These two were meant to be together, and after all that Sora goes through in order to be “always with her” I have a hard time believing their relationship won’t be touched on in the series’ conclusion.

Each game in the numbered trilogy has ended with some hint at the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship between them (drawings on the cave wall anyone?). I want to see closure come to it, even if that closure is a silent scene played during the end-game credits.

Just give her the Paopu Fruit already, Sora! Seriously…

5. An Epic Battle Cinematic
Birth By Sleep mesmerized fans because it portrayed the greatest CGI battle to ever grace the game’s graphics. In Kingdom Hearts III, I want to see a similar final conflict in the Keyblade Graveyard (or elsewhere) between our noble Keyblade wielders and their not-so-noble antagonists.

Perhaps there are clues to be found in the Birth By Sleep scene itself. Kingdom Hearts is a series renowned for its parallelisms, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we found a few in KHIII. PS4 graphics would grant a scene like this a new edge of danger, and combat flow—made complicated by numerous warriors—would truly make for a jaw-dropping spectacle.

6. The Final Conflict Between Lea and Isa
If you’ve been disregarding that **spoiler warning** that I listed early, now would be a good time to take it seriously.

I want to know more about these two and what tore their friendship apart. The games speak surprisingly little about their drifting down different paths, instead skipping over this crucial time and merely highlighting their young years and their time in Organization XIII.

But even more than that, I want to see these two clash, in battle or otherwise. Dream Drop Distance certainly hinted that such a “final confrontation” was destined to come. Xehanort specifically summons Isa to confront Lea during the game’s final scenes. I expect the two of them to be played against each other until the bitter/sweet end.

I don’t claim to know how it all ends, of course. One part of me sees Isa fading permanently into Darkness to forever be a part of Xehanort, regardless of Lea’s best attempts. The other part of me envisions a “last-minute-redemption” sequence where Isa sacrifices himself after realizing Lea was there for him all along.

Hopefully, SQUARE will surprise us.

7. Armored Forms
Terra, Ventus, and Aqua each had their own armor in Birth By Sleep. I’m crossing my fingers that each of the Keyblade wielders get their own, too. Imagine the gameplay possibilities of being able to alternate between armored and unarmored forms…

…with capes this time, please.

Capes are dramatic and glorious and epic, and the PS4 would be more than capable of handling the graphic capacity they needed (but did not receive) in Birth By Sleep.

Perhaps armored forms would give special abilities—granting players the ability to take to the air on their armored hovercraft, or offering extra defense at the expense of maneuverability, for instance. But if they were simply there to look cool, with no additional effects, I think I’d still be OK with it.

8. Conclusion of the Cloud VS Sephiroth Battle
Each numbered installment gives the player the gratification of doing battle with Shinra’s big bad silver-head. I see no reason why Kingdom Hearts III should deny us the adrenaline rush of again locking blades with Sephiroth in a grand, final climax (perhaps one modeled after the final battle between Cloud and Sephiroth in Advent Children). Imagine dashing between skyscrapers, flying through the air, and racing across crumbling buildings, all while dodging the Masamune. That’s what I’m talking about.

And, of course, Cloud deserves to at last win the day and overcome his inner Darkness (which is manifested in Sephiroth himself). This is a conflict that has spanned both of the numbered games. I think it’s time SQUARE put it to rest. Cloud can shrug off his Darkness—and emo-ness—in one fell swoop, make things right with Aerith/Tifa and the others, and generally live happily-ever-after.

That is, of course, unless Kingdom Hearts III decides that Aerith has overstayed her welcome. Then things could get interesting.

9. Engaging Boss Battles
Certain boss fights, especially in Kingdom Hearts II, really stood out to me because they were just downright fun. Roxas fighting Axel and the Twilight Thorn crop up as two favorites in my mind. For me, this was because these battles moved. They weren’t content to stay still. They made use of atmosphere, location, and reaction commands, and because of this, there was never a dull—or lacking—moment.

In the short fight with Axel, the fiery red-head summons an arena of fire around both he and Roxas. From there, the two engage in a tight-knit duel, with Roxas double-wielding Oathkeeper and Oblivion as he dashes across the flames, catching his shoes on fire and clashing weapons with Axel, mid-air. The Twilight Thorn changes the environment of its battle, even going so far as to suspend Roxas from the platform, forcing him to take the battle into open space.

I want more of these in Kingdom Hearts III. No static bosses. Keep things moving and interesting, and please integrate reaction commands. I know that some people hate them, but they can really add a lot to the battle if they engage the player and work in a believable chain. More than anything, I want each boss fight to be a unique experience that those replaying the game for the hundredth time can look forward to, knowing that each battle is one-of-a-kind.

10. An Ending that Makes Me Cry
Let me explain this one.

I don’t mean that I want to be sobbing into my second box of ultra-soft Charmin tissue paper as soon as the credits roll. I just want to be left satisfied with an ending that is so perfect and so right that it may just drag a tear or two out of me. I’m not an original fan of Kingdom Hearts. I haven’t been waiting on Kingdom Hearts III for 8 years like some of you. But I have been waiting for 4 years, and that’s a long time in my book.

I’ve never been disappointed with a Kingdom Hearts ending, and I have confidence that the final game in the trilogy won’t be the first to let me down. All-the-same, I’m hoping for something extra special—something that the previous installments didn’t have. A sense of finality. A sense of closure. A sense of… well… being made a bit of a better person as a result.

I was 17 when I first began wielding the Keyblade. Now, at 21—probably 22 by the time Kingdom Hearts III is released—I’m hoping for an unmatchable ending that will leave me content and pleasantly surprised.

The pressure’s on, SQUARE. Show me what you’ve got!

11. (Secret Ending) A Hint of What is to Come
You didn’t really think I’d stop at 10, did you?

My last request is a simple one. I want a glimpse of where the series will go once it has closed out the Xehanort saga. Nomura has hinted that he has further plans for the series. Given the success of Kingdom Hearts in general, I’d say that’s a wise decision.

Where will the story go from there? Will it feature the same characters? Will there be a new hero? Will the old favorites really be “old” in the next series, or will they never really “grow up”? Who will be the new villain? Will it take place long before, or long after, the Xehanort Saga?

Let’s just say that in regards to where the franchise is headed, “the future doesn’t scare me at all.”

“Nothing will be like before.”

And I’m alright with that.

__________________________________________________

I apologize if this is overly-long. Guess I just got a little hyped up ^^

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing what YOU are looking forward to seeing in KH3. Please share!

 

I want it to finally go back to how KH 1 and 2 was. and i really hope the osaka team learned how Kingdom Hearts original was when remastering it since the orginal team isnt working on it which is what im mostly upset about. The handhelds are good but i dont want the game to feel like that and I waited too long for 3 to get ruined. I doubt it wont.

 

1. I agree that there should be more party members besides the Disney characters. Like the Keyblade Wielders or the FF characters.

2. I also expect KHIII to be like BbS or Chain of Memories where 2-3 characters are playable. But I want to add one more like Lea. Which will focus on his quest to free Isa from Old Man Xehanort's grasp. Which Supports your "Final Conflict Between Lea and Isa thing.*

3. A character death may be fitting on the end of KHIII, but Disney might not like that. But who knows? Maybe someone will die.

4. Now this is a must. At least for me. I can see Square adding a few bonding moments between Sora and Kairi. Since this is the last game of the Xehanort Saga, SoKai is a high possibility.

5. They might do an epic CGI climatic battle at the end. But from what we have seen during the trailer, it's possible that Square can do so by just using the new Engine for KHIII.

6. I also thought of this after I finished DDD. My theory is that either Lea is a playable character that focuses on his quest to free Isa, or Lea can be a party character.

7. Yeah, they should add the capes. Since the PS4's capabilities is more than enough to add the capes, unlike the PSP. I can also see the Destiny Islands trio using Keyblade Armor and the special abilities. Just to balance the gameplay, right?

8. I see no reason why this shouldn't be added. Sephiroth and most of the FF Characters usually appear in the numbered titles. Same goes with his boss battles. I can definitely see a Sephiroth Boss battle, and a conclusion to Cloud vs. Sephiroth.

9. I would also love more battles like the Axel vs. Roxas one. And Reaction Commands is a must. It's what made the boss battles of KHIII really good.

10. Now this is what I want. An ending that makes me cry. It could be a very sad ending that results from a main character's death. Or it could be a happy ending, which usually brings a small tear down my face.

11. Now I can definitely see this. Usually, the secret endings show what will happen in the next game. (DDD and Days are an exception.) I just hope the next saga is set after the events of the Xehanort saga eith immediately or with a time skip.

Basically, I agree with all of your wants for KHIII.

 

I myself agree with what you are saying. I would love to play as Lea more then anyone in this whole entire series and I be really disappointed if I don't get too. Even though I'm not over fond of Kairi, I would also like to play as her as well.

As for Lea and Isa, I really want Lea to kill him. Why? Not because I hate Isa/Saix- I don't not at all. I really like him. But I want to see what that death- killing his oldest friend- would do to Lea and how he would react.

One thing I'd also like to see are The World Ends With You characters to return in any shape or form- doesn't matter as long as I can see my Josh and Beat 'kay?

 

I want all of that except for 4 and 7.
I'm indifferent towards 4. I'm not against 4 but I'm not for it. If it happens, it happens.
As for 7 I hope it does not happen actually. Keyblade Armor was cool but I think it should stay as something just for the BBS crew to make it feel more unique. It would be nice to see Sora and Co. get something similar but different though.

In addition to what you said, I'd also like to see that EX gauge and what it does. I know it's still development but I want to know what it is if they keep it.

 

In my opinion, they might have renamed the Drive Gauge. But who knows? They did return the original Party System and the Command menu, so why not the Drive Gauge?

 

That's what I was thinking it was but it looks similar in shape to the D-link gauge as well. Plus EX could just be a placeholder name if they do keep it.

 

Yeah. It would either be a D-link gauge or a Drive gauge. But with the original Party system returning (and possibly summons as well.) I don't see why they would add D-links, unless they replaced summons with D-Links.

 

That's a good point about the armor. The uniqueness could certainly be argued there.

Hopefully we'll get more info on that EX gauge as things come about. I'm super excited to see the combat that they teased us about...

I agree that it certainly would force a lot of character development out of Lea if Isa were to die. I don't know if Lea would actually kill him though, unless Isa was threatening or harming Roxas or Xion; then he would have no choice. It's certainly a possibility. Otherwise, I think Lea would do everything in his power to redeem his old friend.

And maybe we'll see more TWEWY. After all, this is the grand finale... They should make it BIG :)

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it :) Glad you enjoyed the read!

 

Yeah I agree with Lea killing Isa would be great development for him. I love Isa/Saix, he's one of my favorites even, but I wouldn't mind him dying as long as it was handled well... he can't just be a boss we fight and then forget...i'd like more of lea/isa's back story and make it really tragic to develop both of their characters... though I'd be sad...but less sad than if he died as just another villain

 

I really would like the armor thing, but Sora would need some necessity of using it first! Because before KH I there wasn't gummi ships around to go to other worlds, so to surf on your keyblade with an armor was a necessity. Maybe if Sora ditched Goofy and Donald (what I wouldn't like) , or had some "phase" were he was alone and had to learn how to use his armor... He did use Ven's armor at KH 3D, so it is possible,

With armor or without, Sora will need "forms" just like in KH 2.

 

THIS. Well said! ^^)/

Perhaps the armor would be similar to the "forms" in KH2. Or perhaps the armor would simply be worn for a part of the story (such as during the final battle, if the characters required extra protection or something). I think the odds of Sora ditching Goofy and Donald are quite minimal ;)

 

Ok, I think I agree with everything you are saying, but there is stuff I want to add.

3. ...I hope if anyone dies, they ARE resurrected 2 hours later, but I agree that it would give the ending impact.

4. I think they did say they were finally gonna work on that, but I may be wrong so... yeah

7. I just wanna say... YEESSS! PLEAAASSSSEE!! That was one of the things that made the KHII Secret ending so Epic PLEAASSSEEE!!!!!!!

8. I would also like some new villains. Have you noticed that yet? All the square enix characters other than him are good guys. I do want him in there, but I would also Like it if they threw another square villain in there with him. Like Ultemecia for Leon... or something... Also, it would be good to have some of the villains who end out as good guys made an appearance as the latter. You know, the ones who have good hearts in the end, yet never get to BE good guys? Like Jecht and Kuja. (Especially the prior seeing as how Tidus has made an appearance)

10. So much yes. I have followed this series since KH II (Not sure what year, I was rather young at the time of introduction. If it was a full 8 years, I was about 8.) and I currently have all the games released in North America: Only the ending of 358/2 days has made me cry. That is saying something, as I have this wierd inability to cry, unless I am EXTREMELY SUPER SAD. If i'm not to that point; I will merely feel choked up, and like I SHOULD be crying but I can't.

Last thought:

In my mind, t's pretty much confirmed that they will appear again. Whether or not it will be in KHIII I cannot predict. It is Highly probable though. Why you ask? Well I am using a form of Logic I recently used at another thread. They were discussing about Roxas, Xion, Namine, and Eraqus making an appearance in KH3. My thoughts about Eraqus in particular were that despite playing a rather minor role in the over all game, ( He appeared at the beginning and end, and that was about it.) They took the time to make him an actual character and not just "Master" And most importantly went to the trouble of saying he was still alive in Terra's heart. Why do that if you don't intend to bring him back? In the same way, they go to the trouble of making Sora agree to go see them in Shibuya:
Shiki: "Once you find your friends Sora, you should all come and hang out at our town!"
Neku: "Yeah, see you in shibuya."
Sora: "All right, it's a deal!"
So it is confirmed that they will at least appear again in some game if nothing else. Whether or not it will be in KH3 or in the great unknown land beyond it, I cannot tell. But It would be great if they did it in 3. It would also be one of the first square worlds in the series, which would be a good way to add hype to the epic final game in the ever expanding Xehanort Saga.
My thoughts have now been listed. Thank you for reading all of them.

 

What I would want to see? That in FF Versus Sora appeared in somewhere in there , Nomura Stated that Noctis is the anti-Sora, but they're alike in some ways. It would be great to have a cannon universe where not only other people go to KH universe, but KH universe changes other worlds... will this come true? Very unlikely.

 

All great ideas, but i think IMO youre missing one thing... Side quests :).
One of my favorite things about the first 2 KH games, was the side quests, whether its the dalmations, 100 acre wood, ultima weapon, atlantica (kh2), or if they add in something else that is just downright fun. such an another coliseum. But the one thing i want out of your list is epic cinematics, which KH has never failed to provide, so i think thatll def happen reguardless :)

 

I don't know if anyone has addressed this or not, but Nomura has stated in an interview that fans have been begging for more playable characters, and that since this is the last installment of the Xehanort saga, the staff will consider [and I take this as a most likely] allow for the player to play as the other keyblade wielders for a considerable amount of time rather than for a moment in battle.
So fingers crossed people! It's still in development!

I have also been yearning for Lea and Isa's final confrontation. They were best friends, and then temptation and the organization tore them apart. Set things right!

If the armored forms aren't included. I'm going to be very surprised.
And if they are included, but without capes, I will be even more surprised.
That's what made the KHII secret ending so captivating.
Those keyblade wielders looked so heroic, so noble.
Again, fingers crossed...

And I don't know about you guys, but I demand a SoKai kiss! ...Or maybe a paopu fruit sharing or verbal exchange of feelings - just something!

I, too, hope for a tragic, heroic death of a main character, or at least something along those lines.
I am expecting a LOT out of the ending on this one...we can only wait and see and hope that it satisfies us and our tear ducts.

In addition, I thought it would be interesting to defeat the final Xehanort by either Sora's or Riku's hand with some sort of supreme keblade, but not the Ultima Weapon.

The chi-blade perhaps?, I thought to myself once, but no, something bursting with light and love and darkness and truth all at once.
I don't know, maybe that's a little crazy.

Anyway, 8 or so years (or maybe less for some, it depends) of loyally waiting has finally paid off, guys!

No more teasing us; this is the real deal!

 

1. Few recruiting party members that'll travel with you throughout the game. I mean that would be neat if that can happen like in Star Ocean and Final Fantasy.

2. Yen Sid is the ultimate boss. Yes the one whom taught Mickey magic and how to weld a keyblade. With his knowledge on magic, Yen Sid would be an interesting one to fight

3. Sora and Riku gets new clothes and Sora gets more drive forms.

One drive form I could say would be designed with Disney Gimmicks all over the outfit and depending on it's color Sora would use a combination of Almighty light attacks and he could teleport in it. The form is called Trinity Form.

4. PARTY MEMBERS ARE USEFUL
Yes in kh2 Donald and goofy couldn't do damage for shit!

5. Party members get the same amount of abilities as the player. Yes in kh 2 Donald and Goofy only have a total of 3 attacks while sora has 12

....ummm Ill post more later.

 

Yes, side quests are important and a lot of fun, especially for completionists! :) I'm sure there will be some. Never fear!

And three cheers for epic cinematics! I think we'll be seeing CGI like we've never seen it before!

Well said! Well said! I'll keep my fingers crossed too. :)
We need a big ending that will make us laugh, cry, and dance ecstatically all at the same time. And if the leading-up is any indication, I think KH3 will manage to do all that and more. Thanks for reading!

PLOT TWIST! Yen Sid is the ultimate bad!

In all seriousness, I doubt that would happen. But I think it would be cool to go up against him in combat, or at least finally get to see him unleash all of his powers. Maybe he could be an optional boss? Or even a final boss in the Olympus Coliseum Arena (similar to Sephiroth).

 

1. A concise ending for the entire franchise
2. A concise ending for the entire franchise
3. A concise ending for the entire franchise
4. Resolution on all of Terra, Aqua, and Ven's problems
5. SPEAKING OF AQUA she'd make a good party member
6. A concise ending for the entire franchise

I WANT IT TO END HERE, AND I WANT IT TO GIVE CLOSURE ON EVERYTHING.
I know that's very unlikely, wishful thinking, but I don't care. ;__;

 

1. Revived!Terra NOT a darkness (if INDEED one, then a certain twist in Blank Points was POINTLESS). Past!Terranort (BBS), though...

2. Light-based threat (Anti-Villain (TV Trope) foil to MX, maybe?) at last.

3. True Final Boss (TV Trope) after MX (him as the last boss would be TOO predictable (and BBS ALREADY did it), so surprise us instead, Nomura).

To be continued...?