Analysis of the Kingdom Hearts III Gameplay Footage from D23 Expo Japan

[SnowPint7Fourths 432]

On the 13th December a brief summary of the D23 Expo Japan 2015 event, was televised in Japan. The majority included sections from the Kingdom Hearts Premium Theater event, which included a small sneak peek of brand new gameplay footage from Kingdom Hearts III.

 

The design of the attraction flow ride

 

The gameplay begins with the newly revealed attraction flow, shooting ride, (based on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster) being displayed in real time. Let's take a quick look at the design of the ride. The front has been replaced with the Kingdom Hearts symbolic gold crown, instead of the traditional star-command logo. In addition the attraction flow rides' color scheme differs from the original Disneyland ride from green to a dark blue, possibly to better suite the games overall design. Furthermore the design from the original has also changed. The ride looks sleeker and more compact to give greater maneuverability for Sora to attack.

 

The attraction flow attack

 

The attraction flow ride appears out of an invisible golden door at a fast pace. Sora smoothly black-flips on to the shooting ride to begin the attractions' attack. Donald and goofy then quickly drop behind their shooting pistols in support.

 

The camera then transitions into a first-person shooter mode from Sora's perspective, displayed by him placing protective glasses over his face. From this it's also revealed The Mysterious Tower is officially confirmed to return as a world in Kingdom Hearts III. We can also see what appears to be, Pink Concerta heartless from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Also the Yellow Opera heartless, which are now confirmed to return. Sora begins to attack with a red projectile, Goofy green and Donald blue respectively.

 

Mini-game

 

Each time Sora hits a solider heartless he receives 10 points displayed in the upper-left hand corner. When he juggles them continuously in the air the points increase from 10, 20, 30, to 60, as the word 'CHANCE' is displayed above the enemies' head. This is the first time a mini-game point system will be introduced inside a time-based attack. Assuming Kingdom Hearts III will have trophy support, is it possible to unlock a trophy based on a high-score? This is supported with 'HI SCORE' and '1000' being displayed under the current points earned.

 

Notable aspects

 

Whilst using the attraction flow ride there is also a full green bar that's divided into sections on the left-hand side. It's possible that this will decrease over time to show the duration of the attack.

 

What are your thoughts on the new Kingdom Hearts III gameplay footage? Have you noticed anything we may have missed? Please leave your response in the comments section below!

 

Click here to view the article

[Guest]

I'm glad to know Square Enix are using Heartless from 358/2 Days. It can save them on assets for designing Heartless for Kingdom Hearts III (even if 3/4 of those "new" heartless were clones).

[Hero of Light XIV 2,381]

I'm pretty sure those blue glowing "chests" were actually just blue luminescent flowers.

[SnowPint7Fourths 432]

  On 12/14/2015 at 7:41 PM, Hero of Light XIV said:

I'm pretty sure those blue glowing "chests" were actually just blue luminescent flowers.

 

I've just checked and yes they are, thank you! 

[KingdomHearts3 2,591]

I like it. It looks very cool.

[GroovingOnUp 163]

Those flowers weren't there before right.

 

Must mean something.

[SnowPint7Fourths 432]

  On 12/14/2015 at 11:30 PM, GroovingOnUp said:

Those flowers weren't there before right. Must mean something.

Yes they do seem very peculiar with them glowing. We'll have to keep a close eye out for that to see if there is something more. I appreciate the feedback!

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Wow, all this from just a 10 second viewing of Kingdom Hearts III footage!  This is impressive, most impressive! Just imagine what we'd get with the full trailer! X3

 

But omg, I'm so psyched after seeing the new footage!  The game looks beautiful, and the Shooter Ride looks like a fun addition to the Attraction Flow mechanic! And I also took notice of the whole scoring thing going on while Sora and friends were attacking the Heartless.  It was most interesting!

 

Here's hoping KHIII appears at Jump Festa!