Nomura talks about "Let It Go", the gameplay of Arendelle and The Caribbean, the new Princesses of Heart and Situation Commands in Kingdom Hearts III

[Aquaberry 759]

Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura has recently been interviewed by Famitsu at E3 2018, where he talked about many topics, including the gameplay of the worlds of Arendelle and The Caribbean, how to make use of Situation Commands, and the seven Princesses of Heart.

 

You can read his remarks from the interview below. (Translations have been provided by KH13 Staff Mio-chan, and @keytotruth.)

Q. Several announcements have been made at E3, but first about the release date, please tell us the reason why it is deferred.

 

Nomura: Because KHIII is a big title, we have continued to adjust various parts with their respective departments. Among this, New Year's Holidays restrictions would likely occur in terms of distribution and production, so it was hard to prepare a sufficient organization to release it worldwide. Plus, we would like to have the same timing with affiliates and overseas branch offices, almost releasing at the same time as Japan, so January was preferable and intentional. 
On the other hand, in terms of development progress, it was never a situation that I could afford. Based on these various circumstances, it eventually became a company decision. (Note: You can read Nomura's comments on this matter in the Mobile01, The Verge, and GNN interviews as well.)

 

Q. A complex decision indeed. Well then, we will ask now about the trailer and the new information it revealed. Frozen was presented as a new world at last, right?

 

Nomura: Here, this scene in progress that you see occur at the same time as the movie’s events. The Let It Go segment will appear too. In terms of battle, although Anna and Elsa do not join the party, the creature that Elsa has created with her magic, Marshmallow, will lend you its strength. In the snowy mountains, there is some exploration in the ice labyrinth prepared by Larxene.

 

Q. A Pirate of the Caribbean world appeared too, it was astonishing!

 

Nomura: About the world of Pirate of the Caribbean, we used the movie "At World’s End" as a base. This time I’d like to draw your attention to any element really, but I think that there are many things to discuss about. Starting with the battles in the ocean, there are scenes in which you can interact with the ship, participate to naval battles, riding on a Heartless and fight in the air etc. This world is made of land, sea and air, everything is seamlessly connected to the battle stage.
 There is also a fun part where you can pilot and navigate with a ship to explore and unravel islands. It’s a world where you can do anything.

 

 

Q. In May there was a Media Preview event where people got to play the game, and it was exciting just free-running up walls and using special techniques in the middle of battle, of which there were many of them. It feels like it's becoming really fun.

 

Nomura: The running mechanic I think is becoming something you have to "feel" to enjoy. During battles, depending on how Sora performs, something called "Situation Commands" will appear on the left of the screen. They are not like regular commands as they have a time limit and will stack up and it will be up to the player to decide when and how to use them. It's a system I really wanted to make a reality for this title.

 

Q. I have seen that even 5 commands could be stacked up but since they have a time limit there's also the worry of using them before time runs out.

 

Nomura: Well, you're free to just use them in a chain. Just using a lot of them one after another is a pretty amazing and powerful attack on its own. When you get used to it you'll just think "I'll start from this one", so even for people who are not good with action games can get a hang of it.

 

Q. There's a scene from the trailer that's picking my curiosity. About Roxas' resurrection, it seems both Sora and the New Organization XIII want this to happen.

 

Nomura: Specially Sora, who has a connection with Roxas, is working hard for that to happen. However, that's not something that will be answered anytime soon. (Note: According to Nomura, Roxas is the utmost secret for Kingdom Hearts III!)

 

Q. I have something else I'd like to ask about. About what Larxene said about the "New Seven Hearts".

 

Nomura: It's the new Seven Princesses from the next generation. It has to do with what Master Xehanort did in KH3D. Just in case the 7 Guardians of Light don't gather, they'd use the Seven Princesses. Those Seven Princesses are currently taking the place of the other princesses except for Kairi. There are 6 missing candidates; Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa and more are being targeted for that purpose.

 

Q. A lot of time has passed since the first title of the series launched. It feels like the memories from its complicated story are starting to fade from some of the users who only played the numbered titles. Have you thought out any way so users can follow the story?

 

Nomura: Well, there are a lots of characters and relationships. If we stopped to explain everything in the game, the story wouldn't move forward. So, we're making preparations in our official site for people who want to catch up. We're condensing all of the story into 5 "episodes" that will have Chirithy narrating the events to make it easier to understand. We will make it public shortly after E3 is done. After watching these movies, I hope you get to play the HD remasters and enjoy until the release of the game. Also, it's under consideration, but we're looking into adding this to the actual KHIII. (Note: You can read more about this recap video here.)

Furthermore, he mentioned that there are no plans for a Kingdom Hearts III demo release: read all about it here.

 

Are you excited to use Situation Commands in Kingdom Hearts III? Who do you think the new Princesses of Heart are (apart from Kairi)? Comment your thoughts below!

 

Kingdom Hearts III releases on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 25, 2019 in Japan, and January 29, 2019 to the rest of the world. You can now watch the latest Frozen trailer, Square Enix E3 Showcase trailer, and Pirates of the Caribbean trailer!

 

Click here to view the article

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Okay, let's take what we know about the 7 Princesses into consideration and the Worlds announced:

 

Kingdom of Corona-Rapunzel.

 

Arendelle-Elsa and Anna.

 

They alongside Kairi make up the currently known new Princesses so who are the others based on the Worlds already announced?

 

So far we have Tangled, Frozen, Toy Story, Monsters. Inc, Big Hero 6 and Pirates of the Caribbean, like the original Kingdom Hearts maybe, we won't get to see all of the new Princesses' Worlds but it is fun to guess right? so then, possible ideas include:

 

Robin Hood's Maid Marian.

 

Pocahontas' Pocahontas.

 

Atlantis: The Lost Empire's Kida. (Unlikely to be honest.).

 

and

 

The Princess and the Frog's Tiana.

 

These are possible ideas at the least, what does everyone think about this?

[matteso586 115]

Including the Let It Go segment? No offense, but I CAN'T STAND THAT SONG ANYMORE.

[blue490246 43]

Not to be the skeptic here, but regarding the new princesses, the translation read "There are 6 missing candidates; Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa and more are being targeted for that purpose." That doesn't necessarily mean they're all princesses of light. Just like Wendy was targeted originally, but then found to not be a princess of light, it is possible any of the 3 princesses mentioned may not be a princess of light.

 

In terms of Let It Go being in KH, I'm not surprised at the addition of music. It seems Rapunzel's world may have some of that too based on the footage seen at the town square. I also have a suspicion they may have found Mandy Moore to voice her again, which is why we didn't hear any of her voice in the trailers - probably because it would be too expensive perhaps to show it? Either that, or they found a new voice actress and wanted to omit an uproar from anyone finding out and not liking it lol.

[Movies798 1,358]

Q. I have something else I'd like to ask about. About what Larxene said about the "New Seven Hearts".

 

Nomura: It's the new Seven Princesses from the next generation. It has to do with what Master Xehanort did in KH3D. Just in case the 7 Guardians of Light don't gather, they'd use the Seven Princesses. Those Seven Princesses are currently taking the place of the other princesses except for Kairi. There are 6 missing candidates; Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa and more are being targeted for that purpose.

Wait what? Okay I understand about the new Disney Princesses for the next generation because of the new Disney movies like Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen but what about the original six Princesses of Heart, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Snow White, Alice? Are they're still part of the Seven Princesses of Hearts after the new Princesses takes over their place? Or they're no longer part of the Seven Princesses of Heart?

 

I think the reason why we're getting some new (possible) Seven Princesses of Heart in Kingdom Hearts 3 is because Kingdom Hearts 3 is featuring brand new Disney and Pixar worlds, and Nomura has decided to use the new Disney Princesses because we're not going back to the old Disney Worlds from KH1, KH2, and BBS? And since we're not returning to the old worlds (except Port Royal/The Caribbean) than I case it's pointless to use Jasmine, Belle, Alice, Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White in Kingdom Hearts 3. If that's the case than we have Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel confirmed in Kingdom Hearts 3, but who are the other possible new Disney Princess? Pocahontas, Tiana, Merida? Or maybe Kida from Atlantis The Lost Empire or Princess Eilonwy from the Black Cauldron?

 

Actually now that I think about Kairi and Alice are not royal blood but they're Princesses of Heart because they can't be corrupted by darkness. So I guess it's possible that Maid Marian from Robin Hood could be part of the Princesses of Heart. Or maybe Boo from Monster's Inc could be part of the new Seven Princesses of Hearts because Boo is young and innocent. Man this is getting interesting.

 

Okay, let's take what we know about the 7 Princesses into consideration and the Worlds announced:

 

Kingdom of Corona-Rapunzel.

 

Arendelle-Elsa and Anna.

 

They alongside Kairi make up the currently known new Princesses so who are the others based on the Worlds already announced?

 

So far we have Tangled, Frozen, Toy Story, Monsters. Inc, Big Hero 6 and Pirates of the Caribbean, like the original Kingdom Hearts maybe, we won't get to see all of the new Princesses' Worlds but it is fun to guess right? so then, possible ideas include:

 

Robin Hood's Maid Marian.

 

Pocahontas' Pocahontas.

 

Atlantis: The Lost Empire's Kida. (Unlikely to be honest.).

 

and

 

The Princess and the Frog's Tiana.

 

These are possible ideas at the least, what does everyone think about this?

 

You know what I just realized that Kairi and Alice are not royal blood and they're part of the Seven Princesses of Heart because their hearts are full of light and it can't be corrupted. I don't think you have to be royal blood in order to become the Princesses of Heart, and since royal blood doesn't make them a Princesses of Heart it leaves an open door to other main female characters from old and new Disney movies to be part of the new Princesses of Heart who are not royal blood. I have a crazy theory that maybe Boo (from Monster's Inc. world) might be one of the new Seven Princesses because Boo is young and innocent and maybe the darkness can't corrupt her heart? Or maybe Shanti from the Jungle Book? There's a rumor that Kingdom Hearts 3 might feature a Jungle Book world so maybe Shanti could appear and she might one of the new possible Seven Princesses of Heart?

Edited June 18, 2018 by Movies798

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Aquaberry, what an interesting article!

 

The highlights of the interview for me were the fact that Marshmallow will be lending its strength to Sora and friends in Arendelle, and the bit he mentioned about the new Seven Princesses Of Heart!

 

I find it interesting that he said that these new seven will be the new generation! What does that mean for the former Princesses? Will this be a passing of the torch kind of thing, or will something dire happen to the current Princesses that we don't know of?

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Wait what? Okay I understand about the new Disney Princesses for the next generation because of the new Disney movies like Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen but what about the original six Princesses of Heart, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Snow White, Alice? Are they're still part of the Seven Princesses of Hearts after the new Princesses takes over their place? Or they're no longer part of the Seven Princesses of Heart?

 

I think the reason why we're getting some new (possible) Seven Princesses of Heart in Kingdom Hearts 3 is because Kingdom Hearts 3 is featuring brand new Disney and Pixar worlds, and Nomura has decided to use the new Disney Princesses because we're not going back to the old Disney Worlds from KH1, KH2, and BBS? And since we're not returning to the old worlds (except Port Royal/The Caribbean) than I case it's pointless to use Jasmine, Belle, Alice, Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White in Kingdom Hearts 3. If that's the case than we have Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel confirmed in Kingdom Hearts 3, but who are the other possible new Disney Princess? Pocahontas, Tiana, Merida? Or maybe Kida from Atlantis The Lost Empire or Princess Eilonwy from the Black Cauldron?

 

Actually now that I think about Kairi and Alice are not royal blood but they're Princesses of Heart because they can't be corrupted by darkness. So I guess it's possible that Maid Marian from Robin Hood could be part of the Princesses of Heart. Or maybe Boo from Monster's Inc could be part of the new Seven Princesses of Hearts because Boo is young and innocent. Man this is getting interesting.

You know what I just realized that Kairi and Alice are not royal blood and they're part of the Seven Princesses of Heart because their hearts are full of light and it can't be corrupted. I don't think you have to be royal blood in order to become the Princesses of Heart, and since royal blood doesn't make them a Princesses of Heart it leaves an open doors to other main female characters from old and new Disney movies to be part of the new Princesses of Heart who are not royal blood. I have a crazy theory that maybe Boo (from Monster's Inc. world) might be one of the new Seven Princesses because Boo is young and innocent and maybe the darkness can't corrupt her heart? Or maybe Shanti from the Jungle Book? There's a rumor that Kingdom Hearts 3 might feature a Jungle Book world so maybe Shanti could appear and she might one of the new possible Seven Princesses of Heart?

 

Yeah but they are too young so to be honest, i'm against that theory, i think in all likelihood we'll see Maid Marian, Pocahontas and Tiana appear alongside Rapunzel, Elsa and Anna and especially including Kairi, although we may not see Robin Hood, Pocahontas and/or The Princess and the Frog based Worlds, these three are still vital candidates to join the new 7 Hearts, as its like you said, you don't have to be royal blood in which to be a member of the Princesses, Tiana isn't really royal blood so yeah but, as for Kairi, she is the Princess of Radiant Garden and i believe she is one day destined to rule that World based on her decision. 

[Movies798 1,358]

Yeah but they are too young so to be honest, i'm against that theory, i think in all likelihood we'll see Maid Marian, Pocahontas and Tiana appear alongside Rapunzel, Elsa and Anna and especially including Kairi, although we may not see Robin Hood, Pocahontas and/or The Princess and the Frog based Worlds, these three are still vital candidates to join the new 7 Hearts, as its like you said, you don't have to be royal blood in which to be a member of the Princesses, Tiana isn't really royal blood so yeah but, as for Kairi, she is the Princess of Radiant Garden and i believe she is one day destined to rule that World based on her decision. 

Alice is the youngest one from the original Princesses of Heart. I don't think age has something to do with it. I think it only matters if their hearts are pure light.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Movies798

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Alice is the youngest one from the original Princesses of Heart. I don't think age has something to do with it.

 

True but still, at any rate, i'm placing my bets on the other possible candidates that could make up the new 7 Princesses of Heart, out of the three that i mentioned, who do you think is most likely possible to join?

[Movies798 1,358]

True but still, at any rate, i'm placing my bets on the other possible candidates that could make up the new 7 Princesses of Heart, out of the three that i mentioned, who do you think is most likely possible to join?

There are some many princesses and non princesses from many Disney movies. Plus, just like in Kingdom Hearts 1 they revealed Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White to be of the Seven Princesses of Hearts and yet we never set foot in their worlds until in KH2 and BBS. Kingdom Hearts 3 might follow the same formula and reveal the new Seven Princesses who's worlds we never been before. Hmm I still think Merida, Pocahontas, and Tiana are the most possible candidates as the new Seven Princesses. Maid Marian (Robin Hood) and Kida (Atlantis The Lost Empire) could be a great candidate as well.

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

There are some many princesses and non princesses from many Disney movies. Plus, just like in Kingdom Hearts 1 they revealed Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White to be of the Seven Princesses of Hearts and yet we never set foot in their worlds until in KH2 and BBS. Kingdom Hearts 3 might follow the same formula and reveal the new Seven Princesses who's worlds we never been before. Hmm I still think Merida, Pocahontas, and Tiana are the most possible candidates as the new Seven Princesses. Maid Marian (Robin Hood) and Kida (Atlantis The Lost Empire) could be a great candidate as well.

 

I'm not sure about Kida, although i love the idea that she could be one, she is portrayed, as a warrior in Atlantis and because of that, warriors are more ferocious and are bound to possess Darkness and/or be possessed by Darkness within their Hearts, its something like that anyways.

[Movies798 1,358]

I'm not sure about Kida, although i love the idea that she could be one, she is portrayed, as a warrior in Atlantis and because of that, warriors are more ferocious and are bound to possess Darkness and/or be possessed by Darkness within their Hearts, its something like that anyways.

I see what you mean. I don't think Kida she won't be possessed by darkness because she has a warrior's heart. Also, she has that Heart of Atlantis to help as her well. To be honest, the concept of the Heart of Atlantis could be a good element in Kingdom Hearts 3 though. I would also like to see The Black Cauldron in the Kingdom Hearts series. I think Princess Eilonwy could be a good candidate as one of the new princesses.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Movies798

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

I see what you mean. I don't think Kida she won't be possessed by darkness because she has a warrior's heart. Also, she has that Heart of Atlantis to help as her well. To be honest, the concept of the Heart of Atlantis could be a good element in Kingdom Hearts 3 though. I would also like to see The Black Cauldron in the Kingdom Hearts series. I think Princess Eilonwy could be a good candidate as one of the new princesses.

 

The Heart of Atlantis in terms of Kingdom Hearts' story could serve, as a small fraction of what the one true Kingdom Hearts could possibly be, i think the Black Cauldron would make for an interesting World in later games of the franchise, although Kingdom Hearts III's story will be Dark, i don't think it will be, as Dark, as to include the Black Cauldron, know what i mean?

Edited June 18, 2018 by Iamkingdomhearts1000

[Movies798 1,358]

The Heart of Atlantis in terms of Kingdom Hearts' story could serve, as a small fraction of what the one true Kingdom Hearts could possibly be, i think the Black Cauldron would make for an interesting World in latter games of the franchise, although Kingdom Hearts III's story will be Dark, i don't think it will be, as Dark, as to include the Black Cauldron, know what i mean?

Lol. Yeah I know what you mean. I also thought about Moana as one of the new princesses. I know a world based the Moana movie it won't be in Kingdom Hearts 3. But just like in Kingdom Hearts 1 I have a theory that maybe the Organization XIII already kidnapped some of the new princesses and we won't know it until we reach at the end of the game?

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Lol. Yeah I know what you mean. I also thought about Moana as one of the new princesses. I know a world based the Moana movie it won't be in Kingdom Hearts 3. But just like in Kingdom Hearts 1 I have a theory that maybe the Organization XIII already kidnapped some of the new princesses and we won't know it until we reach at the end of the game?

 

I already talked about that but yeah, possibly, one lament i have is that Zootopia won't appear in Kingdom Hearts III unless in future DLC perhaps, though i don't really like the idea of DLC, as it messes with the core story too much, also, what i meant about Zootopia before digressing is that both Judy and Nick could have been party members in a similar vein to both Woody and Buzz and Sulley and Mike, they could fight alongside Sora, Donald and Goofy who would take on animal forms to blend in with the people of Zootopia.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Iamkingdomhearts1000

[Movies798 1,358]

I already talked about that but yeah, possibly, one lament i have is that Zootopia won't appear in Kingdom Hearts III unless in future DLC perhaps, though i don't really like the idea of DLC, as it messes with the core story too much, also, what i meant about Zootopia before digressing is that both Judy and Nick could have been party members in a similar vein to both Woody and Buzz and Sulley and Mike, they could fight alongside Sora, Donald and Goofy who would take on animal forms to blend in with the people of Zootopia.

I'm not a fan of DLC but a Zootopia world would be great in the Kingdom Hearts series. However, if Zootopia does make it into Kingdom Hearts than Robin Hood would loses it chances to be in Kingdom Hearts since they're kinda similar. And Nomura said they won't use worlds that are similar.

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

I'm not a fan of DLC but a Zootopia world would be great in the Kingdom Hearts series. However, if Zootopia does make it into Kingdom Hearts than Robin Hood would loses it chances to be in Kingdom Hearts since they're kinda similar. And Nomura said they won't use worlds that are similar.

 

Zootopia has a better chance of making it into Kingdom Hearts III due to both its premise and modern based themes, though it would be a shame to cancel out Robin Hood because of such a reason.

[Movies798 1,358]

Zootopia has a better chance of making it into Kingdom Hearts III due to both its premise and modern based themes, though it would be a shame to cancel out Robin Hood because of such a reason.

Not to mention more popular with the fans. One of the reasons why Frozen made the cut because of the popular demanded by fans.

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Not to mention more popular with the fans. One of the reasons why Frozen made the cut because of the popular demanded by fans.

 

Treasure Planet was to be a strong candidate for wanting to see in a Kingdom Hearts game but unfortunately, having gone with the choice of using Pirates of the Caribbean, its unlikely we'll see Treasure Planet in Kingdom Hearts III now.

[Movies798 1,358]

Treasure Planet was to be a strong candidate for wanting to see in a Kingdom Hearts game but unfortunately, having gone with the choice of using Pirates of the Caribbean, its unlikely we'll see Treasure Planet in Kingdom Hearts III now.

That is true. Which it sucks though. 

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

That is true. Which it sucks though. 

 

Aye, still, as long, as we have a boss fight against Davy Jones, i'm not complaining :].

[Movies798 1,358]

Aye, still, as long, as we have a boss fight against Davy Jones, i'm not complaining :].

Oh that would be so dope. Imagine fighting a Kraken too? That would fun to fight.

[Iamkingdomhearts1000 1,170]

Oh that would be so dope. Imagine fighting a Kraken too? That would fun to fight.

 

The World is based on At World's End and Jones was ordered to kill the Kraken by Beckett remember? so i think in place of the Kraken did we get the Ruler of the Sky Heartless to fight against, hopefully though we'll still fight Jones at the end of the World's level.

[Tyranto Rex 277]

I kinda hope Elsa and Anna are not both princesses of heart. Let someone else have a chance, will you? I think Anna will be, but Elsa won't be. I'm thinking (hoping) they include Tiana, Merida, and Moana (yes I know it came later, but even if she does not get a world it's still possible she get's a small role). I would not mind a "surprise" one though. I don't see Boo being one. I know Alice was a bit younger than the others but Boo's like 2 or 3.

[SoraDaxjer28 263]

The fact they are adding musical segments now is nearly identical to what I did in my KH Stories.
I wonder if Tetsuya Nomura has secretly been reading them?