Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Vorlage:Future game Vorlage:Infobox CVG Vorlage:Nihongo is an upcoming action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo DS with assistance from h.a.n.d. Inc. It is an installment in the best-selling Kingdom Hearts series. The game features Roxas during the time period of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories after Sora entered a deep sleep. This game will explore the time from Roxas's creation until his confrontation with Riku that leads to his placement in the data-based Twilight Town in Kingdom Hearts II. It is said to be in full 3D as a single and multiplayer game. The game was announced at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show. Currently the title is only confirmed for a Japanese release, though Square Enix has plans for releases in other territories.

Gameplay

Vorlage:Sect-stub The gameplay is similar to the action role-playing game style of the previous games in the series. 358/2 Days will make minimal use of the system's functionality. The game will feature both single player and multiplayer gameplay. The single player mode will be story based focused on Disney worlds from past games and will progress in days. The two modes will be linked in that character growth will be shared between them.

Multiplayer

Cooperative multiplayer was one feature on display at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show demonstrating that players can work together, in addition to the traditional use of AI controlled partners. The multiplayer gameplay is separate from the single player story and will be mission-based, which include boss fights and competitive player battles. It will also allow up to four players to play as one of the thirteen members of Organization XIII. Each member will have different weapons and skills. 358/2 Days' multiplayer will also feature a chat system for communication between players, but will be different from PictoChat in that everyone will draw on the same screen. Players will be able to choose which members of Organization XIII they would like to accompany them on their missions.

Plot

Vorlage:Sect-stub 358/2 Days revolves around the untold events of Roxas during his time with Organization XIII and will take place during the year that Sora was asleep between the events of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II. Tetsuya Nomura has noted that the game's prologue will cover the "birth" of Roxas, but the gameplay will start from when he enters the Organization. Nomura has stated that the player will understand the meaning of "358/2 Days" at the very end of the game. The initial trailer showed most of the events in Twilight Town. Organization XIII's headquarters and Wonderland have been featured.

Characters

Like previous Kingdom Hearts titles, 358/2 Days will feature numerous Disney characters. Confirmed characters include Roxas, King Mickey, the other twelve members of Organization XIII, and a new member of Organization XIII.

Development

Vorlage:Sect-stub 358/2 Days was announced alongside Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts coded at the Tokyo Game Show on September 20, 2007. A trailer was shown in the Square Enix "Closed Mega Theater", a photo-prohibited theater presenting 40 minutes of trailers. It is being developed by h.a.n.d Inc. with Square Enix employees overseeing the process. The game is directed by Tetsuya Nomura and co-directed by Tomohiro Hasegawa. Nomura mentioned earlier in 2007 that he wanted to do a spin-off Kingdom Hearts game on a mobile platform and that he wanted the game to play slightly different than the other titles already in the series. The development team wants to have gameplay similar to previous Kingdom Hearts titles, but have stated that the number of buttons on the Nintendo DS is a problem. Some of the DS's functionality, like the stylus, is not being used in order to retain the similar gameplay from previous titles. The team is also looking to incorporate Roxas seeing Sora's memories throughout the game and having different types of gameplay for each world.