Command Deck Mode Changes Shoot Lock Party Members + Dimension Links Multiplayer Mini-Games Leveling up takes a unique turn in Birth by Sleep, employing the use of a game-board to increase the strength of Deck Commands. Nomura decided to include this odd system because of his "love for board games in elementary school". The "game piece" is Terra, Aqua, or Ventus depending on which storyline is being played. The main objective of the game is to collect as many panels as possibl...

Command Deck Mode Changes Shoot Lock Command Board Multiplayer Mini-Games Party members make a reappearance, along with Cooperative Attacks. Prince Phillip, Experiment 626, and Mickey Mouse are the only characters confirmed so far, all for Aqua's mode. Cinderella and Jaq are both interactive Disney Characters that need protection, by Terra and Aqua respectively. Terra uses the explosive "Last Dance" ability when working with Cinderella, and Aqua uses "Time Compression" to help...

This is a brand new concept to the Kingdom Hearts series, although the idea has been around since Chain of Memories, according to Nomura. Beneath the HP-bar is the Focus Bar, which, once filled, will send the player into Shoot Lock Mode. This is activated by holding down both shoulder buttons. A crosshair appears on the screen, with which one should attempt to lock-on to as many enemies ...

Command Deck Shoot Lock Party Members + Dimension Links Command Board Multiplayer Mini-Games Mode Changes become available once the Command Gauge has filled. They function a bit like Drive Forms from Kingdom Hearts II, allowing the player to take on a unique style of attack. Each style requires a different set of conditions in order to be used. Only some Commands will fill up the Gauge for certain Modes. Once the requirement is met, the characters will take on the abilities of the...

Mode Changes Shoot Lock Party Members + Dimension Links Command Board Multiplayer Mini-Games Basic Deck Commands such as attacks, magic, or items appear on the Command Menu. Equipped from the Main Menu, each comes with a varying recharge time depending on the depth of the ability, à la The World Ends With You. Skills can be edited freely, and have been said to give off, "the real taste of managing a Keyblade". The concept has been in Nomura's head since the making of Chain of Mem...

---How do you express "KH: Birth by Sleep" in a word?
Nomura: It's Kingdom Hearts, evolved.
Yasue: It's like a wonderful course made up of unexpected spices. To take in everything, from the unprecedented game system, presentation, and every little bit of technology; it combines to complete a three star game.
Yoshimoto: It's gonna be fun for the PSP.

---What does "KH Birth by Sleep" mean for you?
Nomura: Since the concept was "inevitable f...

---If 358/2 Days was emphasizing Xion, then was Birth by Sleep emphasizing Aqua?
Nomura: Aqua's battle scenes were exhibited for the first time to the public, her movement is fast and easy to overlook. So that you don't lose sight of her, concentrate and try to keep your eyes on her. Frankly speaking, since its hard to see clearly, she is teleporting in the battle scenes. Because the teleportation occurs instantaneously, it's hard to catch sight of. (Laughs)

――-What kind of theme is drawn up in the story of KH Birth by Sleep (BbS below)?
Nomura: The theme seems to revolves between "connections of the heart" and "fate." When it is played last, the player will understand that the KH story that take place afterwards is one "not of chance, but a story that becomes inevitable." Unlike the tender atmosphere of the older games, this one is serious. Because it is a very sad story, people have asked "how do you manage it?" when involvin...

---What about the stories of the three main characters prepared for the PSP title, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep?
Nomura: As for them, their stories begin at the same point on the time axis, but they take separate actions. The worlds they go to are generally the same places, but how they relate with the worlds is what really differs.

For example, after Terra has visited a world that no one has been to yet, afterwards when Ven comes to it, there is a trace ...