Command Board

Details

Published on November 27, 2009 @ 12:55 pm

Written by Raz

• 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 possible. Once the dice have been rolled, the player can choose to "purchase" any white "Command Panels" with Board Points (BP). If the opposition lands on an enemy panel, they have to pay up BP. If the player lands on an enemy panel, they also sacrifice BP. Arriving back at the starting point (the panel with a Keyhole) ends the game. A helpful map displays which panels belong to whom. Current BP and total BP is shown on the right-hand side. A unique game board for each world Terra, Aqua, and Ven visits becomes available once that world has been cleared. Each world has its own "tricks and mechanisms". There are four purple and gold check-point panels that reward the player with extra BP if landed on.

Deck Commands transform into "Command Cards" while on the game-board. The player selects which Command Card they wish to place on a claimed Command Panel, giving them CP. The amount of CP given is dependent on the position and value of the panel. For the price of a few BP, the player can choose to level up Command Panels. This way, more BP is received when enemies land on the panel, and more CP is given to Command Cards. Each panel can be leveled up five times.

Landing on "Special Panels" brings a Disney character on to the scene, bestowing varying effects to the board. On the Deep Space board, the "Electric Spark" panel causes Experiment 221 to appear and electrocute opponents, stealing their BP. The Fairy Godmother has a special event on the Castle of Dreams board that gives the player an extra roll of the dice. Gantu, Stitch, and Cinderella are known opponents on the board. An element of chance involving Pete as Captain Dark and Captain Justice will also play a role.

The Command Board can be played in wireless Multiplayer, where Terra, Aqua, and Ventus are clad in their armor. CP is still gained in this mode, but the player will have to be extra crafty in order to outwit an unpredictable human opponent.

The Command Board is not necessary to level up. CP can also be gained in battle by defeating enemies, just like in previous Kingdom Hearts games. Not only Deck Commands, but Action Commands, Shoot Lock, and D-Links can all gain levels. The higher the level the stronger the ability is. When the maximum amount of CP has been gained for a specific ability, special support abilities become available. Mastering these extra abilities causes the effects of the Command to remain even if it is unequipped.