Nomura discusses KH3 ReMind, Dark Road, future developments in final issue of Dengeki Playstation
- Details
- Published on March 27, 2020 @ 05:45 pm
- Written by Arielle
Back in February, Dengeki announced that they would be ending regular publication of Dengeki Playstation with volume 686. This final volume features an interview with Final Fantasy VII Remake and Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura where he discusses the development of FFVII Remake, but he also took the time to answer a few brief questions about Kingdom Hearts III ReMind, Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, and the two unnanounced Kingdom Hearts titles that are in development.
Thanks to Dandelion, we have a translation of the section discussing Kingdom Hearts:
-Let’s talk about the Kingdom Hearts series. In January Kingdom Hearts III’s DLC chapter was released, but the focal point was the additional scenario in “Re: Mind” which expanded on and supplemented the events of the final battle.
Nomura: There was a lot of feedback from people who played KHIII. We created scenes to make some of those events easier to understand, as well as Sora’s journey post-game that gave a perspective you wouldn’t have otherwise had.
-13 bosses appeared in the Limit Cut episode. It seems perfect for those who want to sink their teeth into challenging battles.
Nomura: Creating the new scenes was easy enough, but the most time-consuming aspect of production on the Re:Mind DLC was building the new battles, like the Limit Cut bosses. Each of the 13 data battles is a totally different fight from their main game counterpart, so be sure to give it a try!
-In the Secret Episode, the mysterious Yozora appeared. Initially, I thought Yozora was just a surprise reference that appeared as a cameo in the Toy Box world, but apparently it seems like he’s a much more important character that’ll be tied to the future of KH.
Nomura: You wouldn’t be the first to think so, right now there’s a lot of speculation about that because of the clear resemblance to what was shown of “VERSUS.” However, the two are actually very different and I think where Yozora’s story will lead will be unexpected. So, why did “VERUM REX” appear in KHIII? None of this makes sense, but I hope to clear it all up as soon as possible.
-Along with the release of Re Mind, “Dark Road” was announced…
Nomura: KH Dark Road is a new service developed by the KH Union Cross (X) team in a double-feature operation. KHUX itself will continue, but Dark Road will shed light on Xehanort’s past, so please pay attention to both. We talked about this in the 7 Lights and 13 Darknesses Q&A but aside from the fact that Dark Road is a new project by the KHUX team, there are 2 other projects being worked on by other teams and one of them will be coming pretty soon, so please wait just a little a longer.
Follow Kingdom Hearts Insider on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross], Kingdom Hearts 3 and all things Kingdom Hearts!
COMMENTS
Nomura certainly seems to be relishing being able to speak Versus's name without consequence. Good for him! He's waited a long time.
Nice to hear Nomura acknowledging the similarities between Versus and Verum Rex.
He tried being silly about it saying "it isn't Versus" but like...there was no denying it after you battle Yozora lol
Eagerly I await to see what this is all about lol
But when is Dark Road coming out, Nomura
And how soon is "pretty soon" on the next thing?
I'm very impatient
Dark Road will probably release within the next couple months, and I imagine the next title might be revealed in Square's E3 replacement event if it's supposedly coming so soon.
Nice to see Nomura use the Versus name himself again.
Nomura: KH Dark Road is a new service developed by the KH Union Cross (X) team in a double-feature operation. |
So this what he meant by "double feature" some months ago.
We talked about this in the 7 Lights and 13 Darknesses Q&A but aside from the fact that Dark Road is a new project by the KHUX team, there are 2 other projects being worked on by other teams and one of them will be coming pretty soon, so please wait just a little a longer. |
I thought KH Dark Road was thew new KH project that would be coming pretty soon, but seems like Nomura meant another one.
"Pretty soon" coming from him or square is subjective though. We may wait some years.
I thought KH Dark Road was thew new KH project that would be coming pretty soon, but seems like Nomura meant another one.
"Pretty soon" coming from him or square is subjective though. We may wait some years.
No, they had made it very clear multiple times that Dark Road was not the upcoming project coming soon. It was one of the first things Nomura said when Project Xehanort was first revealed prior to the name reveal.
The cover art was done by Nomura, for those interested.
I'm hoping that the upcoming projects are KH3D.5 (PS4) and KH IV (PS5)
I was shocked he actually said "Versus." Before I figured he somehow wasn't allowed to say it even if it was obvious what he meant... guess I was wrong.
But I still don't expect it to be "the same thing" to the degree some others seem to think. Or I hope not, at least. Versus was meant to be a totally different game, so trying to force it into Kingdom Hearts without majorly changing it would be putting a square peg into a round hole.
But anyway, I think I misunderstood what he said before in the Q&A, because I was under the impression that Dark Road was one of the new projects and separate from whatever the KHUX team was working on. Glad to find I had it wrong!
I'm hoping that the upcoming projects are KH3D.5 (PS4) and KH IV (PS5)
Worth mentioning that the two other teams Nomura is referring to does not include Osaka team, therefore it's likely not going to be a numbered title.
I was shocked he actually said "Versus." Before I figured he somehow wasn't allowed to say it even if it was obvious what he meant... guess I was wrong.
No, you were right. There was an internal ban on saying that name, but it lifted by October 2019.
Worth mentioning that the two other teams Nomura is referring to does not include Osaka team, therefore it's likely not going to be a numbered title.
So we're going to get the "double feature" KHUX/Dark Road and two more phone game... ugh.
So we're going to get the "double feature" KHUX/Dark Road and two more phone game... ugh.
You should definitely prepare yourself for the likelihood that it will be another mobile game, but you also shouldn't jump to conclusions based on no evidence.
T
W O G A M E S
W
O
G
A
M
E
S
I thought we got it cleared up before that it was two games, but I'm happy that we have an other confirmation.
T
W O G A M E S
W
O
G
A
M
E
S
Indeed.
Does anyone have an idea of when "pretty soon" might be?
Does anyone have an idea of when "pretty soon" might be?
Nope. Hopefully around when E3 was going to happen. If not E3 time, TGS?
I'm hoping that the upcoming projects are KH3D.5 (PS4) and KH IV (PS5)
I'm inclined to believe that KHIV will be multiplat. I don't think it'll take them longer than two years.
When do you think we’ll be getting the new game? Holiday season 2021?
I'm super curious what they'll do in a new game. Who the villain will be. We could be looking at our first KH game with a villain who's not connected to Xehanort...possibly.
My guess next year we getting DDD2 with kairi and riku
Kind of wished the interviewer asked about Luxord. I wonder if Nomura would have confirmed If he was the driver
I'm super curious what they'll do in a new game. Who the villain will be. We could be looking at our first KH game with a villain who's not connected to Xehanort...possibly.
Possibly someone from TWEWY like Megumi Kitanji. Though it may possibly be another OC
Kind wish the interviewer asked about Luxord. I wonder if Nomura would have confirmed If he was the driver
He definitely would not have so it'd be a waste of a question. Not that it's even an appropriate place to fish for KH spoilers, since this interview is focusing on 7R.
He definitely would not have so it'd be a waste of a question. Not that it's even an appropriate place to fish for KH spoilers, since this interview is focusing on 7R.
Honestly I think he could have(if the interview was centered on Re:MIND and not 7R). He could have still left us in the dark about things such asLuxord's exact relationship with Yozora and if he was an actual resident of that world
Honestly I think he could have(if the interview was centered on Re:MIND and not 7R). He could have still left us in the dark about things such asLuxord's exact relationship with Yozora and if he was an actual resident of that world
If it is a mystery he wants to keep up, then I doubt he’d answer. Guess we won’t know until he does another KH-focused interview!
It's also important to know that the gaming publications in Japan get a round of edits from Square, so, it's possible the interviewer did, and Nomura spoke about it, but it got snipped. The relationship over there is much more lax and trusting.
There are already speculations of two games,
Dream drop distance 2 (Riku and kairi)
Birth by sleep 2 (Ventus Aqua and terra)
not really counting 0.2 as 2, I’m aware it’s considered the sequel of bbs and also was supposed to be a full game but it was cut down to just being a dlc (kh2 Roxas short) type of game, so we might get real al bbs2 full game this time with all three of them in the realm of darkness, seeing as Ventus has ties to sora And the next saga he is bound to play a big part.
The original bbs focused on the three characters but the next full game bbs (if there is one) will most likely focus on Ventus.
I doubt we getting BBS2 or anything like that. being in the realm of darkness doesn't seem big enough deal to get it's own game.
if anything, team 2 might be working on union X for consoles. i think the story should end pretty soon (this year)
I doubt we getting BBS2 or anything like that. being in the realm of darkness doesn't seem big enough deal to get it's own game.
if anything, team 2 might be working on union X for consoles. i think the story should end pretty soon (this year)
There could always be Disney worlds that heartless destroyed after KH1 in it.
There could always be Disney worlds that heartless destroyed after KH1 in it.
All the worlds were saved and none have fell to darkness since KH1. It seems that the heartless aren't even going after the keyholes anymore and that they're all sealed, as Sora doesn't care to lock them for worlds in KH2.
Also, if they ventured in destroyed new worlds in BbS2, it'd be kind of lame to visit dead and empty Disney worlds that are tinted with darkness.
I doubt we are going to get a BBSv2 right now. Besides DDD2: Electric Booglaoo a part of me believes that the other game might involve the Twilight Gang over the BBS trio. Unless they decide to introduce us to the MoM in DD2 in which case that bumps up Ventus's plot by a lot.
I'm honestly hoping the two new games will be Verum Rex and Dreamier Drop Distance (yeah I'm calling it that lol). Some of the subplots like Subject X and maybe Ventus' past could be addressed in DDD2 and/or UX updates. I don't see those particular aspects getting a full game but maybe something along the lines of Fragmentary Passage.
I am curious what the actual title for DDD Volume 2 will be myself. Something like "Kingdom Hearts Reaper" would be cool and edgy
I am curious what the actual title for DDD Volume 2 will be myself. Something like "Kingdom Hearts Reaper" would be cool and edgy
That makes me wonder about the naming of games going forward. Will the RE and decimal naming be gone now in place of more direct titles (like what you suggested and seen with "Dark Road")? Or will everything have X in it (to hearken back to KHUX)?
I am curious what the actual title for DDD Volume 2 will be myself. Something like "Kingdom Hearts Reaper" would be cool and edgy
Disney, girl. Disney.
Disney, girl. Disney.
Didnt Neku use the term "Reaper Game" in DDD?
Didnt Neku use the term "Reaper Game" in DDD?
That's fine because it is in the script, but to name a game that? That likely wouldn't fly.
That's fine because it is in the script, but to name a game that? That likely wouldn't fly.
But titles like "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Tower of Terror" can be used?
But titles like "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Tower of Terror" can be used?
How is "nightmare" and "terror" on the same level as "reaper?"
How is "nightmare" and "terror" on the same level as "reaper?"
Well since the definition of "reaper" is a person or machine that harvests a crop, compared to "nightmare" and "terror" I assumed that it wouldn't be that bad. If it was called Kingdom Hearts: Grim Reaper, then I could understand it being too "dark" for Disney... even though this is the company that has films featuring Hades, the Land of the Dead, murder, and other child friendly stuff.
For the two new titles I am really hoping at least one will focus on the extended cast. That being the way finder trio and the sea salt seven (my personal name for twilight gang).
There is a lot going on with these characters in the plot and allowing a title to focus on solely them while the destiny trio is off in dream land would be sooo nice. Plus if you think about it, the fore tellers are back now (and have been back for a year by the end of remind???). Obviously Sora can’t deal with them, and Riku and Kairi are too preoccupied with saving Sora so it would make sense for the other keyblade wielders to step up and take action.
I don’t think TAV will stay in the RoD since there goal in being there was finding Sora, but things have changed since the fairy godmother showed up and I hope Riku would have the decency to contact them before diving into dreams again.
For whatever game may feature these characters possibly meeting and dealing with all the mayhem of Chi era I could see it playing out a couple different ways. Ventus is an important one, and Lea and Isa are both friends with subject X. I’d love for the three of them to team up (calling back to their budding friendship from all that time ago) to go find her. This could be reading too much into it, but during the beach party scene Ventus is seen playing with Lea and Isa while Roxas is hanging out with Aqua and Terra.
aaannndddd Lauriam and Elrena are going to be recompleted now and I’m sure their shenanigans will startup soon as well.
tl dr:
wishful thinking: TAV RAX and Isa and Namine get the spot light
realistic thinking: one title focuses on saving Sora. The other focuses on X era stuff that has been brought to the present
That's fine because it is in the script, but to name a game that? That likely wouldn't fly.
That's fine I can think of more titles. How about this one: "Kingdom Hearts Play to Win".
My main point is that if Sora is playing the Reaper's Game in Shibuya I want that to be shown in the title
Going from the Secret Ending, my guess for the title of DDD2 would be Oath to Return . Especially as its initials are also that of an IT term, like almost all of the titles.
Well since the definition of "reaper" is a person or machine that harvests a crop, compared to "nightmare" and "terror" I assumed that it wouldn't be that bad. If it was called Kingdom Hearts: Grim Reaper, then I could understand it being too "dark" for Disney... even though this is the company that has films featuring Hades, the Land of the Dead, murder, and other child friendly stuff.
I'm well aware of that definition, but I guarantee that most people upon seeing the word "reaper" will not be thinking of agriculture.
My guess next year we getting DDD2 with kairi and riku
Which is likely cause we tend to get a new KH game every 2-3 years and with Square Enix using the Unreal Engine 4 they can reuse the character models and assets from KH3 without restarting the process all over again. What will take them longer is creating new models and assets for the new characters and worlds for the next KH games in the series.
Nope. Hopefully around when E3 was going to happen. If not E3 time, TGS?
TGS will depend on how bad the Coronavirus is going to be by the Summer, if it doesn't recede by then then it's likely that by Mid-June/Early July they will make the announcement on TGS status. I mean E3 did cancel their event three months before it was set to launch wouldn't be surprised if TGS did them as well.
But if that were to happen it's going to be interesting how they will reveal new KH content cause since 2017 they showcased new KH content (namely from KH3) at the Orchestra event.
Which is likely cause we tend to get a new KH game every 2-3 years and with Square Enix using the Unreal Engine 4 and the models, sets from KH3 without restarting the process all over again. What will take them longer is creating new models and assets for the new characters and worlds for the next games in the series.
TGS will depend on how bad the Coronavirus is going to be by the Summer, if it doesn't recede by then then it's likely that by Mid-June/Early July they will make the announcement on TGS status. I mean E3 did cancel their event three months before it was set to launch wouldn't be surprised if TGS did them as well.
But if that were to happen it's going to be interesting how they will reveal new KH content cause since 2017 they showcased new KH content (namely from KH3) at the Orchestra event.
Maybe they can do another concert with the new music from ReMIND, they can call it Re:Tres or Re:TRACE.
Find out soon on the next episode of Kingdom Hearts Z
Cool to hear 2 projects are in the works. Also that Cloud artwork is friggin sweet
Worth mentioning that the two other teams Nomura is referring to does not include Osaka team, therefore it's likely not going to be a numbered title.
The more important question is whether the remaining two projects are being done internally at Square Enix or whether they are being outsourced? Because the answer to that could either make or break those games.
I’m just saying, WoFF team is a team in Osaka and one has to wonder what they are working on right now...
Be great if Dark Road could reconcile all of Xehanort's confusingly conflicting motivations.
The more important question is whether the remaining two projects are being done internally at Square Enix or whether they are being outsourced? Because the answer to that could either make or break those games.
CoM was developed by Jupiter, Days and Re:coded were developed by h.a.n.d., χ[chi] was developed by Success Corp and Uχ by BitGroove Inc.
So far that's a pretty good track record for outsourced titles, I think. 4/5 good games ain't bad.
I’m just saying, WoFF team is a team in Osaka and one has to wonder what they are working on right now...
I’m just saying, WoFF team is a team in Osaka and one has to wonder what they are working on right now...
World of Parasite Eve.
No, you were right. There was an internal ban on saying that name, but it lifted by October 2019.
Does anyone have an idea of when "pretty soon" might be?
Kind of wished the interviewer asked about Luxord. I wonder if Nomura would have confirmed If he was the driver
Nomura: "Really? I'm surprised fans have taken interest in him. As for who the driver is, well, Yozora cannot drive the car himself, so he needs a driver, right?"
| Possibly someone from TWEWY like Megumi Kitanji. Though it may possibly be another OC |
That's fine I can think of more titles. How about this one: "Kingdom Hearts Play to Win".
My main point is that if Sora is playing the Reaper's Game in Shibuya I want that to be shown in the title
World of Parasite Eve.
I will literally be Nomura's personal butler for 5 years if he gives us a Parasite Eve remake
Two spin offs gives ample scope for what we've all been waiting for
Kingdom Karts
Two spin offs gives ample scope for what we've all been waiting for
Kingdom Karts
Super fuzzy memory, but wasn't this found out when someone else being interviewed alongside Nomura brought up the name and Nomura was stunned it could be talked about?
It was during the Dissidia stream, right after they unveiled the Trashbag Noctis DLC. Producer Hazama and Director Kujiraoka hosting, with Nomura as an offscreen voice as usual. I forget which of the two said it first, but they introduced the outfit as being from Versus. Nomura was shocked that they just came out and said the forbidden word, and then they were like "no it's okay now."
It was during the Dissidia stream, right after they unveiled the Trashbag Noctis DLC. Producer Hazama and Director Kujiraoka hosting, with Nomura as an offscreen voice as usual. I forget which of the two said it first, but they introduced the outfit as being from Versus. Nomura was shocked that they just came out and said the forbidden word, and then they were like "no it's okay now."
No one likes telling Nomura things beforehand, apparently.
It was during the Dissidia stream, right after they unveiled the Trashbag Noctis DLC. Producer Hazama and Director Kujiraoka hosting, with Nomura as an offscreen voice as usual. I forget which of the two said it first, but they introduced the outfit as being from Versus. Nomura was shocked that they just came out and said the forbidden word, and then they were like "no it's okay now."
Do you have a link, It would kind of funny to see it for myself, Nomura being flabbergasted after pulling things on everyone else so much.
Do you have a link, It would kind of funny to see it for myself, Nomura being flabbergasted after pulling things on everyone else so much.
Hopefully the timestamp works. These streams aren't subtitled but you should get the idea xD
Zettaflare
March 27, 2020 @ 05:56 pmOffline