Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012 (E3 2012) is a major gaming event in Los Angeles, starting on June 5, 2012 and ending on June 7. Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] is confirmed to appear at this event, along with the E3 2012 trailer, and most likely a playable English demo and other English footage. Our staff member Oishii will be attending the event and providing exclusive coverage, so please look forward to what she brings us. Lastly, there will be various livestreams of press conferences at the event. You can see the details regarding this below.
Post-E3
Churro from Kingdom Hearts Ultimania has uploaded a video covering Kingdom Hearts' 10th Anniversary at E3 2012. You can view this below in 1080p!
Oishii has provided a complete impression of the Kingdom Hearts 3D demo at E3 2012. You can discuss these impressions on our forum, or read them below. Please note it contains minor spoilers for which boss battles The Three Musketeers world contains.
The main thing I focused on when playing was the localization. I have to say, they have done a fantastic job as they always do. Voice acting was top notch. Even with Sora having a young face, Haley Joel Osment’s post-puberty voice didn’t bother me this time around as it did in Re:CoM and coded (the magic a simple wardrobe change can do). David Gallagher also does well in Riku’s expanded role in this title. The translation team also did a fantastic job, using English idioms and characterization to make the game feel as though it were made originally made for English speakers.
What really impressed me was the amount of shots that had fully animated facial expressions. It seems with each title that comes out the generic talking animation is utilized less and less. With this title, the emotion put into the characters body movement and facial expressions (and everything is animated to the English voice actors) brings out these voice actor’s talents even more. There were moments where Sora looked so sad it broke my heart. They have done a great job localizing the game for us, and with the sheer amount of scenes they would have to adjust the animation to release only 4 months after Japan’s release is really amazing. They have honestly kept to their promise of having faster releases for the overseas editions.
To add, with each new title we are seeing less need to button mash the attack button. For KH3D, I considered the attack button a last resort. There are so many ways in this title to deliver the pain to the attacking Nightmares. With the Free Flow attacks, command deck, Dream Eater links, and Reality Shift, there was little need to use the standard attack combo. The battle system is very fluid, making fights against mobs that much more enjoyable.
I was also struck by how many boss battles there were in this demo. I got to fight on a carriage against a T-Rex Nightmare, fought against a room of Elephant Nightmares where using Free Flow with the environment was key to victory, battles the Beagle Boys twice (once with Sora, and once with Riku), fought a giant Badger Mole Nightmare, and then a final battle against Pete and his minions. It is great increase from past titles, and kept me entertained and on my toes since each battle required different strategies.
And for those worried over headaches with 3D, I can say I played the entire time without turning the 3D off and never had a problem. However, this varies from person to person, and if you already own a 3DS you probably already have an idea of how much your eyes can tolerate the 3D screen. If you’re like me and never have problems playing other games in 3D, then you’ll be fine with this title even with all the flashy attacks.
Overall, I am very impressed with the game, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a diehard KH fan. Square Enix has really gone far to improve the battle system to make this title unique to its predecessors. I have tried to include everything in this impression without boring you with repeated information, but if there is more you want to know, please ask me. And don’t worry; I’m not spoiled so my answers won’t include any spoilers either. And on that topic, no spoilers in this thread please. I hope you guys will be buying KH3D this summer. You certainly won’t regret it ^^
2:00PM PST: GameTrailers.com have updated with two videos for Kingdom Hearts 3D at E3 2012-- a video of the demo, and an interview with Tai Yasue. You can see both of these below, thanks to Terranort9406 from KH13 for the find.
10:30AM PST: Kotaku have conducted an interview with Tai Yasue. You can read this interview below.
"Personally—and this isn't an announcement—I would really love to do a Pixar world," Yasue told me. "A lot of us do."
"Any particular favorite Pixar world?" I asked. His answer: Toy Story.
12:00AM PST: Nintendo North America has conducted an interview with Tai Yasue, the co-director of Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], you can see this here. You can alternatively watch it below.
Day 3 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)
10:03PM PST: Thanks to RPGamerdotcom we now have more footage of Kingdom Hearts 3D's demo at E3. This video is over ten minutes in length and is in 1080p! Do yourself a favour and watch it now!
11:00AM PST: Square Enix Europe have conducted a video interview with Tai Yasue, the co-director of the Kingdom Hearts series, regarding Kingdom Hearts 3D. You can watch this below.
12:31AM PST: Kingdom Hearts 3D's English version will have a "helpful" change after all. The change will fix the problem which occurs when you drop between characters in the middle of a boss battle. In the Japanese version when you return to a boss battle from a drop the boss's health would be completely restored while yours will remain how it was when you dropped. Co-Director, Tai Yasue has told Siliconera that the English version will have this problem fixed. Siliconera says that they will have a longer interview with Yasue post-E3.
Day 2 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)
6:45PM PST: Kingdom Hearts 3D appeared in Nintendo's Nintendo 3DS Software Showcase with a small talk and new trailer. This trailer is currently downloadable from the Nintendo 3DS eShop in North America, and can also be seen below. The talk re-confirms that a demo will be available on the eShop "soon".
2:00PM PST: IGN have finished talking to Tai Yasue, the co-director of the Kingdom Hearts series, concerning Kingdom Hearts 3D. You can watch a recording of this below. The following quote was particularly interesting:
9:34AM PST: Oishii has provided us with even more photos of the event. In particular, this shows that the Meow Wow plush toy will be available during August 2012 for US$34.99.
Day 1 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)
7:45PM PST: G4tv.com have uploaded a Kingdom Hearts 3D video from the show floor. This features some new English footage!
7:30PM PST: Oishii has managed to snap some more photos. You can see these below.
7:00PM PST: SQEXGAL has uploaded a picture of the 10th anniversary cake! While a higher quality photo of the cake has been uploaded to the Kingdom Hearts Facebook page You can view both of these below.
3:35PM PST: Oishii has managed to snap many photos and videos for you, straight from the event! You can see these below.
- Kingdom Hearts 3D demo video #1
- Kingdom Hearts 3D demo video #2
- Kingdom Hearts 3D demo video #3
- Kingdom Hearts 3D demo video #4
1:55PM PST: A Square Enix spokesperson has re-confirmed that a Kingdom Hearts 3D demo will be coming to the North American Nintendo 3DS eShop.
12:05PM PST: SQEX_MEMBERS_NA have uploaded a few more photos of the Kingdom Hearts 3D display.
10:55AM PST: Nintendo have created a page to show off Kingdom Hearts 3D for E3 2012. This page contains many screenshots, all of which can be seen below.
9:35AM PST: Kingdom Hearts 3D was shown briefly in the Nintendo conference (with footage below). It was also re-confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 3D would be shown at the Nintendo 3DS Software Showcase tomorrow (more information on this above, in the "What's Coming Next" section).
9:08AM PST: Square Enix have released a press kit containing many screenshots of Kingdom Hearts 3D for E3 2012.
Day 0 (Monday, June 4, 2012)
6:32PM PST: Square Enix Europe have provided a look at the Kingdom Hearts 3D display on the show floor!
12:30PM PST: Firstly... Oishii's media pass for E3 2012!
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