Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts has rapidly become a major franchise for Square Enix, so it was no surprise that it would come to the two big portable consoles. The DS version will follow the short life of Roxas in 358/2 Days, while the PSP will get the right to the "prequel", Birth by Sleep. Which--the little double-screened nomad from Nintendo or the technological beast by Sony--will get the better deal from this mix (which won't be released for a year or two) of Disney films and Final Fantasy?
Birth by Sleep, co-directed/produced by Tai Yasue, is developed by the team that did Re: Chain of Memories. Its production started first, but it'll be the last of the three to be completed. Technically, this "birth by sleep", is (?)astounding, it seems as well animated as Kingdom Hearts II. The PSP installment will comprise of some Disney worlds, including Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella (the "Disney Princesses"[the scan says Princesses of Heart, but it's been a while since I've played KH to know what the game calls them] seem to be big), as well as some surprising worlds. Birth by Sleep will take place a few years before the first adventures of Sora, so some worlds will take into account the time difference; for example, we can watch teen Hercules in the Coloseum.
The gameplay will differ depending on the character you're playing: Terra is the strongest, Ven is the fastest, while Aqua is without doubt "the specialist of sorts" (I'm not sure if this is an idiom; possibly for magic or techniques?) The combat menu receives a new gague, Command, which fills up when you attack and gives access to extra techniques. Terra can enter "Fatal Mode" and unleash an extra-devasting combo finisher. Another change; no more MP. Some magic has a charge time and can only be casted when it is charged. The level-up system (very mysterious) and the enemies are also changed.
Once more, Yoko Shimomura will be composing memorable music--whether uplifting or melancholy--to accompany the actions of Terra, Ven (short for "Ventus") and Aqua. There will only be a few reused tunes; most will be edited. The main theme comes from KH II Final Mix +'s secret ending, which was called "Birth By Sleep". Also, just like the other games, there will be a mix of newly arranged Disney classics and original compositions.
This somber and complex adventure will be divided into three chapters that you can play in any order. We will follow the journey of three characters; the fighter Terra, Roxas' "double" Ven (this mystery will be explained!), and Aqua, a young girl with blue hair. It'll take place before KH1 when Sora, Riku and Kairi were still kids. The main antagonist seems to be a strange old guy named Master Xehanort, and Mickey will make his own appearance: we see him protecting Ven or accompanying Yen Sid, Donald and Dingo. This chapter will lift the veil on the War of the Keyblades, the power of their possesors, and without a doubt on the origins of the amnesiac disciple of Ansem the Wise.
