New Nomura Interview: BbS Western Release, Future of KH [2/17]

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Hello everyone! FF and KH blog FF-Reunion has posted up the details of Nomura's latest interview with Famitsu, where he drops details about changes that might be made in the Western release of Birth by Sleep, as well as hints into the future of the Kingdom Hearts series:

-- Now we can’t help but think on what the next game in the series is going to be like.
Nomura: First we have to get “Birth by Sleep” to the West (laugh) Everything with that has already been decided for the most part. We are thinking about adding a Critical Mode, and making bosses we thought were a bit weak, stronger. And since Megaflare was too strong, we’ll have to adjust that. Some of the event scenes we’re going to change back to the way they were, and we’ll adjust some scenes so that the story is more easily understandable.

-- Since you’ll be changing so much, does that mean we can expect a Final Mix?
Nomura: Well, first we’ll have to see just how much it becomes different from the domestically released version. But we’d really like to be able to release one “Kingdom Hearts” game a year. We don’t want several years to go by without there being anything.

-- In two years it will be the 10th anniversary for the series. Will we have KHIII by then? Nomura: No no, we’re going to keep that one a secret (laugh). Like I said before, we still have to release “Mystery” game that will connect the series.

-- Can you currently say whether the series will end with the third game, or anything else about it?
Nomura: “Kingdom Hearts” is Sora’s story, but the series that we’re developing now is also the story of one other person. You could say that it is a series where that person is the core.

-- The series you’re developing now!?
Nomura: I can’t say anything more than that (laugh).

Source: KHInsider

 

[John Marston]

Nice, would've been better if a release date was said but eh. I think they'll announce that when FF13 comes out here and the UK.


Now...i'm curious as to what else might be added. Though if they do add more stuff, it'll be likely that japan gets our version and then some

 

[Fusionist]

Misleading title, Merc - there's no effin' release date mentioned

But really, damn, I gotta figure out how to work for Famitsu - they get all the good interviews xD

If Nomura has something to say, I'll check it out, and even this with the lacking release date peaks my interest.

I actually posted a thread way back about the prospect of BbS having a Final Mix+ version, but if for once, the supposed FM+ will be what the West gets and then re-released to Japan, I'm gonna get a good chuckle. I've been so envious of the Japanese for having the Final Mix+ versions of the game >.<

Let's see...So I guess there's another unumbered KH game to be expected before KH3, eh? I wonder where it'll get brought onto. Not another mobile game I hope, though. I still want to play Coded D=

As for POV, I don't have a clue. I wanna say Riku or Roxas, but I doubt it. Maybe someone from BbS?

Unless it's been revealed, there is always that mysterious voice that talked to Sora back in KH1 that could be pulling the strings in this whole thing

And as for KH3 being the final KH game, I absolutely love Kingdom Hearts, but a part of me kind of wants to see it end on a good note rather than stretching it more and more. I suspect BbS and Coded has brought upon plenty of questions that'll need answering in another game or two, but I wonder just how far KH can go.

 

[moogling]

D'awww. I wanted a release date.

Ah well. At least they know that they need to get it out to the West soon. At first, I had heard that it was going to be a Japanese exclusive, so at least I'm going to be getting it eventually.

Nomura: No no, we’re going to keep that one a secret (laugh). Like I said before, we still have to release “Mystery” game that will connect the series.

Spit it out. D:

Nomura: “Kingdom Hearts” is Sora’s story, but the series that we’re developing now is also the story of one other person. You could say that it is a series where that person is the core.

Yay! That really seems to excite me. Series they're developing now... hmmm...

 

[Linnaete]

I expected a western release date as well! Since I couldn't see it there, I thought Ryan missed out a chunk of the interview or something!

We are thinking about adding a Critical Mode, and making bosses we thought were a bit weak, stronger.

That sounds alright. I found Crisis Core rather easy anyway. It's good to hear that we'll be getting a slight more of a challenge than the Japanese release. Although I hope the difficulty isn't increased that much though to the point of absolute frustration - my PSP is now very fragile and I don't want to destroy it while I'm playing the game xD

No no, we’re going to keep that one a secret (laugh). Like I said before, we still have to release “Mystery” game that will connect the series.

"Mystery" game? You have me intrigued, Nomura! Why won't you tell us more? Also, I haven't thought about the 10th anniversary. That will be an interesting occasion.

“Kingdom Hearts” is Sora’s story, but the series that we’re developing now is also the story of one other person.

So what does that mean? KH is now a sub-series of a bigger mothership series? Or did I read that wrong? Once again Nomura, why won't you tell us?

 

[FinalHeart]

Holy crap, KH is almost 10 years old. I feel a lot older now.

Also, it would be interesting if there were a bunch of different series in the Kingdom Hearts universe, with Kingdom Hearts being everything connected to Sora. Although I can't think of a game not connected to Sora, seeing as every game has a keyblade in it in some shape or form.

 

[Amizon]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Being Fine Tuned for International Release [2/19]

We'll have to wait a bit, but we'll get the superior version... until Square Enix gives Japan the inevitable Final Mix.

The annoying thing about being a JRPG fan is that you usually end up having to wait months for a game to be localized into English. And when you do get your English version, very often a directors cut version will follow exclusively for Japan.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep looks like it will be following this pattern. In an interview with Famitsu this week, director Tetsuya Nomura mentioned some improvements for the international version of the game and did not rule out a possible "Final Mix" style rerelease for Japan.

"We've pretty much finalized the specifications," said Nomura of the international version. "We're thinking of adding a Critical Mode to the battles. Also, we'll be strengthening up the bosses that felt weak. We'll also be adjusting Megaflare, as it's too strong."

So it looks like we'll be getting a more polished product. It also may end up being something that's closer to the development staff's original vision, as Nomura said that some scenes which had to be changed for the Japanese release are being returned to their original form. He did not give clarification. Perhaps these changes were due to some Disney territorial issues?

Famitsu asked Nomura if the changes could mean a "Final Mix" version of Birth by Sleep for Japan, similar to the directors cut editions that Square Enix released for the PS2 KH games. Nomura did not rule this out, saying that it depends on how much is changed in the end.

Nomura also shared some insight into the future of the Kingdom Hearts series as a whole. In case you haven't noticed, the trio of 358/2 Days, Coded, and Birth by Sleep has now seen full release in Japan (Coded, a serial mobile entry, saw its final episode a couple of weeks back).

Expect Kingdom Hearts to remain in the headlines despite the lack of announced titles. Nomura said that he hopes to release at least one Kingdom Hearts game per year.

Kingdom Hearts III probably won't be the next title in that list, though. Prior to the sequel everyone's been waiting for, Nomura said to expect another title that's related to the series. He brought up this title in past interviews, but hasn't shared any details.

Source: IGN

 

[Fusionist]

I don't mind the Japanese getting a FM+ version of BbS, I just hope after they fine tune the game for the rest of the world, there isn't a plethora of more things in a potential FM+ version released after that we inevitably miss out on