Fans of the highly-anticipated crossover role-playing game “Kingdom Hearts 3” were disappointed that the game was a no-show at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2016 held in Los Angeles, California last week and so was Japanese game developer Square Enix.
There were some rumors before that Square Enix might officially launch “Kingdom Hearts 3” at the E3 2016 but it turned out to be inaccurate.
However, gamers and critics are still confident that the development of “Kingdom Hearts 3” is now in full swing since Square Enix is already set to release on the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 this coming September the other highly-anticipated role-playing game on its roster, “Final Fantasy XV.”
In a recent interview, “Kingdom Hearts” co-director Tai Yasue revealed that before fans look ahead to “Kingdom Hearts 3,” they must look forward and play the upcoming prequel game called “Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue” first.
Yasue said that the upcoming game shall set the stage for “Kingdom Hearts 3,” adding that gamers would understand the gameplay and premise of the third installment of “Kingdom Hearts” if they play “Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue,” details the Christian Times.
The game co-director said for gamers to fully understand the new world to be introduced in “Kingdom Hearts 3,” it is important that they get to play and experience “Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.”
The prologue shall feature the storyline of Aqua, who is trapped inside the Dark World that connects to Birth by Sleep so gamers will also experience her sorrow and torment. She is also a Keyblade Master and her destiny is intertwined with Sora in “Kingdom Hearts 3.” Thus, it is important for gamers to learn about Aqua’s adventure and her pain because it gives meaning to the start of “Kingdom Hearts 3,” explains Yasue.
More words from Disney
Yasue also revealed that “Kingdom Hearts 3” might also feature more worlds from Disney including those from Marvel and Star Wars films, which are both under the Disney umbrella.
What seem confirmed already are Mt. Olympus from the animated feature film “Hercules,” the Kingdom of Corono from “Tangled,” and San Frantokyo from “Big Hero 6.”
There are speculations that Square Enix and Disney might give in to huge fan requests to include the worlds of “Zootopia” and “Frozen.”
However, these two remain as speculation at this time pending the confirmation from either Square Enix or Disney and both companies would not likely to do so because that would spoil part of the main features of the game.
Same feelings of wonder and intrigue
Meanwhile, a gamer and critic recently stated that the new gameplay footage of “Kingdom Hearts 3” has given him the same feelings of wonder and intrigue that he experienced when he first came across the franchise 13 years ago, notes C/Net.
He recalled that it was the desire of “Kingdom Hearts” director Tetsuya Nomura to make a game that shall compete with “Final Fantasy VII” and “Super Mario 64” that the development of the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise came to be.
He was told by Nintendo President back then Satoru Iwata that the only way he could match or beat a game like “Super Mario 64” is if he would get characters that are well known as those found in Disney.
Back then, Square Enix shared offices in Japan with Disney. There was a chance meeting between a Disney executive and Square Enix senior developer Shinji Hashimoto in an elevator, and the “Kingdom Hearts” game development ball started rolling.
Eventually, Nomura made a presentation to Disney and the American entertainment conglomerate liked the idea. Accordingly, Disney wanted Mickey Mouse to be the lead character in the game but as the discussions progressed, Nomura gained creative control and that was when Sora was born and thus became the main protagonist of the franchise.