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358/2 Days
First of all, please tell us the meaning of the title 358/2 Days.
Nomura: We came up with the title, on purpose, as a code. You can only understand it after beating the game. The word ‘Days' is attached because the game progresses to show how the Organization came to be, as well as the daily life of the Organization XIII. They are always sent off on missions from home base, and then they have to return. The game will center around Roxas, who is a member of the Organization. It will be an adventure game, although, repetition will also be a main theme.
Does the time of the game focus around when Roxas enters Organization XIII, and does it connect to Kingdom Hearts?
Nomura: Yes, we will see the point in time when Roxas joins Organization XIII, but it will only be a small part. The game will then focus around the year when Sora was asleep. Roxas entering the Organization has not been explained yet, but this game will clear that up, and will also show the duty he is put through everyday. Finally, it will also go into Roxas' doubts about the Organization and why he leaves the Organization. This is basically the main part of the story.
Do you wish to represent something of the 3 works, by having a different color logo on each of the games announced this time?
Nomura: The reason why we chose this color for 358/2 days was to match the warm color group to the sunset in Twilight Town. I believe the story in this game will be very sad, as well. It should also be noted that some of the scenarios I chose for Kingdom Hearts II Final MIx+ were based off the novel that focused on Roxas, which came in Kingdom Hearts Another Report.
In a way, this game will probably be the same as Zack's story in Crisis Core, where the future was already decided, right?
Nomura: Yes. However, Roxas' story in the Kingdom Hearts universe wasn't as tragic as Zack's was.
Why did you choose the Nintendo DS for this game?
Nomura: Well, first of all, I always choose a system before developing a plan. There was a plan for multi-platforming so that these new games would be easily accessible to all types of gamers, so this one made it to the DS. Also, it made it more possible to use the characters of Organization XIII. It was also meant to make a story that automatically depicted Roxas.
‘It's a Wonderful World' took full advantage of the Nintendo DS. Will this game do the same?
Nomura: It is possible to take advantage of the functions of the DS, however, we'll be taking the opposite road this time. We are aiming that one day it will be possible to play the game, even if it's not just touching your way through. Also, the feeling of the Kingdom Hearts battle system would not seem the same if the touchpen/stylus was used.
What do you think about the handling of the Kingdom Hearts series, since it seems you are having a hand in developing the games for the first time?
Koji Yamashita: Production has to be on the spot, while researching how it can be put onto the Nintendo DS and still be Kingdom Hearts at the same time. Also, we're concentrating on how the story will turn out, because besides the fans, a lot of staff in Square-Enix is also looking forward to the games - there are a lot of KH fans within the staff. Also, there's the appearance of the 14th member, will be understood later on... (laughs)
That 14th Organization XIII Member...it appears to be...Namine?
Nomura: It's possible to talk about it, but no, it's not Namine.
Then who is this person?
Nomura: In Kingdom Hearts II, there was Organization XIII. However, even when they had 14 members it was still Organization XIII. The reason why they never changed it to Organization XIV, even though they had 14 members, will be cleared up in this game. She is a key character.
Will Sora and Riku appear in this game at all?
Hiroshi Takai: The Riku vs. Roxas scene will appear, as well as the actual battle. Also, because Sora is having his memories restored, it will be hard for him to be in the game. However, the memories will be a key point in this game. However, what we don't want to do is emphatically show connections between Roxas and Sora via those memories.
This time around, what will happen with the Disney Worlds?
Nomura: The relationships between characters will be very different as you go through the worlds.
Hiroshi: Because the game will be stemming from Kingdom Hearts II, there will be a lot of things people will be able to relate to, such as Roxas. However, the system with the worlds will be a bit different this time around. For instance, the worlds' appearance will be one of the things remaining, but not all the worlds will always be available to re-visit for fun.
Will there be a basic battle system, just like the original Kingdom Heart games?
Hiroshi: In a way, the game will be the same as the other Kingdom Hearts games in that respect. However, there are some problems, such as the buttons on the DS.
Koji: This is true, because there are not as many buttons on the DS as there are on the other consoles, so it will be hard as you had to make good use of the analog, the d-pad and the L and R button. We are still working on what we can do to get past this.
Does the story come together with single mode, and multiplayer mode?
Nomura: Most likely, it will be impossible to progress in the storyline in multiplayer mode, as it would ruin the progression of the story for each individual player. However, the leveling system in single player and multiplayer are synchronized. The leveling system will have a huge amount of freedom this time, as well as great customization, which will be one of the best benefits of multiplayer mode. However, Roxas' level will not be transferred over.
In multiplayer mode, are all the members of Organization XIII playable?
Nomura: Yes, they are all playable.
Hiroshi: The multiplayer mode will be treated as an ‘alternate world', because there is a member that disappears in the single player mode as the story advances.
Koji: Also, the characters will all have a unique gameplay, as they all have different weapons. Our real concerns, right now, are Demyx's sitar and Zexion's book.
How do you progress with multiplayer mode?
Hiroshi: Basically, you will receive various missions that you must clear. There is also a map, and there are a lot of gimmicks added into the levels as well. Of course, we are also putting bosses in multiplayer mode.
Koji: We made it so that people can play it anytime, and some of the levels are short as well. There is a score attack mode, too. However, in case you don't want to co-op with another player, we are thinking of adding elements like versus and competitions.
Will there be any missions when you can be Xemnas?
Nomura: Yes, however, there are methods with using Xemnas that we need to work on.
Hiroshi: Yeah, such as with Organization XIII, the chair rises when carrying out the mission successfully and lowers when failing. (laughs)
Koji: It is a result of multiplayer mode, and it depends on the stage as well. (laughs)
Nomura: I wonder what would happen if Xemnas fails. (laughs)
In Multiplayer mode, are there any other new features?
Koji: In the lower screen on the DS, we are thinking about possibly using the Touch Pen for drawing. If I remember, people can also draw on the lower screen. I want to think about creating a mission that could use this feature.
Any last words for our readers?
Hiroshi: Please look forward to the multiplayer mode that will be featured in Kingdom Hearts 358/2, and also enjoy the other Kingdom Hearts games coming out!
Koji: I think it will be very unusual to be able to play as Organization XIII. However, because it is unusual, it makes me happy. I want you all to look forward to this!
Nomura: Because the story in the game is a critical factor in Kingdom Hearts, it is always better to play alone, though the multiplayer is also added for obvious purposes. It might be a bit difficult to play. We plan to catch the eyes of a lot of poeple, and make this game feel similar to "It's a Wonderful World" as well.
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