Many of you will know, since the release of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix, the community has been speculating about a new Kingdom Hearts title. This title is, of course, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep -Volume Two-.

 

Cutscenes from the Secret Episode of Birth by Sleep Final Mix heavily hinted at a future title of the Kingdom Hearts series with that given name. The scenes show Aqua in the Realm of Darkness, above shown viewing the Castle of Dreams after it has fallen, King Mickey in the Realm of Darkness, and scenes from throughout the series. Symbolism is used to hint that the game occurs between "KH0" and "KH1", making this KH0.5. In other words, occuring between Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts.

 

This all fits in with Nomura's "mystery game", a game which Nomura has referred to in the past but not given details about. Supposedly, this started production after the release of Birth by Sleep. The game was said to appear at E3 2010, and many thought that this was referring to Kingdom Hearts Re:coded and Kingdom Hearts 3D. However, Nomura later stated that the "mystery title" did not appear at E3.

 

So, it is pretty much confirmed-- that the "mystery game" Nomura has discussed earlier is in fact Birth by Sleep -Volume Two-. However, we lack an official announcement from Square regarding the game. So, this leaves us with two big questions-- what console, and when will it be released?

 

What console?

 

Birth by Sleep -Volume Two- appears to use the same "game engine" as the original Birth by Sleep. What this means is that the game shares models, such as that of the characters, namely Aqua and King Mickey and any other characters reappearing in the title, as well as maps, such as Castle of Dreams and any other reappearing worlds.

 

As these models and maps were used for Birth by Sleep, which was on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), it would make a lot of sense for Square to use the game engine on the same console, rather than porting it. This means Birth by Sleep -Volume Two- would likely be on the PSP.

 

Another possibility is the PSP2 or "PlayStation NGP", as game engines are easily ported from the PSP to this, however this does not make as much sense as the PSP2 would not utilize the improved graphics capabilities of the new console if using the old game engine. Also, if we assume it is true that development started after Birth by Sleep, then the PSP2 does not fit in the development timeframe. So, PSP is the obvious console.

 

Release date?

 

Speculation about the release date basically comes down to who is developing the title, and when did they start? As discussed earlier, it is likely that the Osaka team-- the team responsible for Birth by Sleep and later Dream Drop Distance-- are likely the ones developing. This is because the same game engine would imply the same developers, and also, the main Kingdom Hearts team is busy with Final Fantasy Versus XIII-- so, it must be Osaka.

 

It being the Osaka team leaves us with two possibilities. One, that the game will be released before Dream Drop Distance, or two, that it will be released after. Dream Drop Distance is a major game, on a new console with a new game engine. This means the game will take some time to develop, and probably won't be completed until the second half of 2012 at the earliest.

 

So, given this, it would imply that due to Nomura aiming for a Kingdom Hearts title every year, Birth by Sleep -Volume Two- will probably release before 3D, probably towards the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. Due to the probability that game development started last year after Birth by Sleep, and considering the shortened development time due to the reusing of a game engine, this seems likely.

 

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However, what do you think? We probably won't get an official announcement until E3 2011 in June, where Nomura has stated he wants to reveal something special, so until then it is really up to speculation. So, let us know, what console do you think it will be on and when do you think it will release? Post in the poll.

I say the psp in 2012.

YES RELEASED ON THE PSP HELL YEAH I FEEL LIKE BREAKING STUFF WOOO!!!!and i hope bsv2 comes out before kh3d cause it will give me time to get a 3DS.

Supposing that this is truly official (I myself don't know of any relevant confirmations about BBSv2, but if there is I wouldn't know because I don't go searching around because I'm lazy ) then I would hope it would come out on the PSP at any time, I don't really care when, after all, I'm short on cash already, and still need to save up for Re:Coded and the 3DS for KH3D (I won't buy the 3DS till KH3D is about to come out, and at that time I will sell my DSi because what's the point of having both if you can use regular DS games on the 3DS), so it doesn't really mater, so long as I don't have to buy another system for it, that's all I'm really concerned about.

ZOMG, I can't wait! Thank gods the next E3 is in June and or I might die of simple eagerness. Although, I'd prefer if the next major KH games (excluding Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance) will be on PSP or PS3.

I'm assuming that this is going to be a UMD only PSP release. From a business perspective I'd say that they'll want to release before PSP2, because afterwards wallets are going to be tapped out. I'm going to say we'll start seeing more a few months before E3 2011, a nearly complete build at E3 2011, and Japanese release a few months after E3 2011 or certainly before the end of the year. International releases I expect will not come until after the new year.

 

Then KH3D and possibly KHbBSV2:FM in late 2012 or early 2013 for Japan.

I'm actually thinking a digital download aswell would be wise this time for the game if it makes its way to the PSP. That way NGP owners wont be missing out, while Square-Enix gains more profit. By the end of 2011 there's a good chance the PSP will be near the end of its life, especially with the NGP coming out around then.

SE want to keep cost down and get the best deal they can, just look at FFX-2 & Dissidia 012 they recycled a lot of assets from the previous title and lowered cost and development time so we know SE would do this rather than make it from the ground up. The even recycled sets and models for BBS. So logically the PSP would be the target system for quick profit. But IMO 2011 is to optimistic

I was thinking, what if this releases for PSP2 (that would blow) shouldnt they release it for psp? It is gonna be released for PSP just look at Dissidia Duodeciem, that game is being released on psp it even says so on the main website. It uses the same engine as Dissidia Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and yes so does BBS V-II. So I was also thinking what about 3DS? of course I voted this be release on psp, and in 2011 btw. But imagine this game in 3D that would be awesome. But like I said likely it will be release on PSP original. And honestly I dont think ill be purchasing another PSP let alone a new and expensive one.

Actually with BBSV2 they dont have to use brand new worlds. in the secret ending aqua sees castle of dreams, meaning that they are going to reuse worlds that were in bbs, and very likely, 1. so it could still come out in 2011 or early 2012.

 

I also think it will come out on psp because assuming that you can still use the umd games you can still play it on the psp2, if its on the psp2, well...i'm broke, and we dont get to play it on the psp.

I'm taking a bet on PSP2 in 2012.

XBOX PLEASE! we NEED KH on Xbox. I don't have any of those other fancy consoles, and my parents surely aren't thinking of buying another one.

 

i totally agree with you that xbox (lol make the most of the multiplayer, if there is any on this one )

I think that BBSV2 will come out on the PSP coz it would make sense that the volume 2 of it would be on the same platform. I mean, look at KH1 and KH2, same platform. KH3 might be on another but since KH2 was a number 2 game and not volume 2 and BBSV2 is like a part two it would make sense. As for the release date, IDK if they are recycling models probably late 2011 - early 2012

Actually with BBSV2 they dont have to use brand new worlds. in the secret ending aqua sees castle of dreams, meaning that they are going to reuse worlds that were in bbs, and very likely, 1. so it could still come out in 2011 or early 2012.

 

I also think it will come out on psp because assuming that you can still use the umd games you can still play it on the psp2, if its on the psp2, well...i'm broke, and we dont get to play it on the psp.

 

Seeing a single reused world doesn't mean there will be no new ones at all.

I have yet to play BbS as I yet to buy a PSP:'(. If they do bring BbS-V2 out for the PSP NGP it would be pointless for me to buy the regular PSP, but I can't wait till I play BbS. I reckon they won't bring ut BbS-V2 for the PSP NGP for the fact it that most people will not be able to buy the PSP NGP and BbS-V2 at the same time. As for the release date, I reckon around late 2011 - early 2012, thats leaves just enough time for me to get and complete BbS.

 

...i thought we'd get KH3D first, then BBS Vol 2 (IF it's even a game, people! dont count your chickens before they hatch)

i mean they already have playable demos, debut trailer, secret ending, a KH3D japanese website, and interviews about KH3D and NOTHING about BBS Vol 2 except for a extremely vague secret ending.

 

This being said...isnt it a bit obvious that KH3D is the next to be released?

of course i could be wrong but i stand strong with my idea.

 

Actually they dont have a playable demo for KH3D yet. The trailer that they showed at E3 was just called Kingdom Hearts 3D Demo because they hadnt come out with the actual name Dream Drop Distance yet. It was basically saying that this thing is still in the planning stages. I still think that 3D is a ways off though, cuz even looking at the released trailer, there is only maybe a minutes worth of actual footage of the game and the rest are logos, phrases, and ReCoded footage.

Anyone who's been following Kingdom Hearts footage since the first's release would know this is not the trailer of a game that is a year away.

 

Um... First of all, I HAVE been following the Kingdom Hearts footage since like forever. I check this site and others everyday... I keep myself informed.

I know it's not the "official" trailer, but it's still SOMETHING.

 

(sorry if this comment seems a bit rude, Im not trying to start an arguement)

 

The point im trying to make is that we have way more info on KH3D than BBS VOl. 2

The reason that we have more info on KH3D than BbSV2 is because KH3D is being pushed out front to increase anticipation of 3DS, not because it's further along. If BbSV2 was coming for NGP certainly we would have seen it at Sony's event. Since we didn't it's almost guaranteed that it's a PSP project but certainly we'll know for sure by E3.

 

I'd expect that they're reusing assets from BbS but that world maps will be rearranged as they have in the past. Explained as damaged caused from the worlds falling. If it does take place primarily in the RoD then there will probably be some new RoD areas/maps to explore.

c'mon people, do you think BBSv2 is really a game or a sequel of BBS? Aqua and Mickey is in the realm of darkness, Terra became Terra-Xehanort, and Ven is in coma state. Are you willing to have Aqua and Mickey as the main player of the said game? This seems not a game. Is there a proof that this is a game sequel of BBS? I hope someone could give us a hard proof like a strong statement from Tetsuya Nomura that BBSv2 is the next game. And imagine, they are busy finishing FFXIII Versus and KH3D.

There's a lot of evidence pointing to this being a game. and none that really proves the contrary. Mickey and Aqua if anything NEED to be the main characters and explain the stuff between BBS and KH1. The Dark Realm would be cool to see in full for once. We could find out more about Riku, and most importantly, I doubt Square would release something like this if there wasn't a game based on it. They should be able to guess that the majority of the fanbase would perceive the way we all are.

Also, separate teams make each game within Square Enix. The console KH team is making Versus, and the BBS team if making 3D. There are still tones of resources Square can pull to work on the game, especially considering the basic are already covered. They could even get H.A.N.D. to do it.

c'mon people, do you think BBSv2 is really a game or a sequel of BBS? Aqua and Mickey is in the realm of darkness, Terra became Terra-Xehanort, and Ven is in coma state. Are you willing to have Aqua and Mickey as the main player of the said game? This seems not a game. Is there a proof that this is a game sequel of BBS? I hope someone could give us a hard proof like a strong statement from Tetsuya Nomura that BBSv2 is the next game. And imagine, they are busy finishing FFXIII Versus and KH3D.

 

No offense, but how can you even be a KH fan and not expect that BbSV2 is another game? Did you watch the BbS:FM ending? How many Secret Endings have there been that haven't tied directly into or alluded to the next game? Why would Nomura bother to put a Secret Episode into BbS:FM that served no purpose?

 

We don't know that Aqua and Mickey are the only playable characters in the game or at all. As it takes place between BbS and KH1 there's approximately nine years worth of pretty important events that take place in this time. We could see any number of Xehanorts apprentices in this game. I would like to see Isa and Lea as playable characters, though it would probably have to be way before Mickey shows up.

 

It's pretty obvious that this is a game. It may not be the next game as it's still unannounced. I don't know what size the Osaka team is but if it's a decent sized team it wouldn't be unusual for them to be working on two projects. I haven't read about h.a.n.d. doing anything currently, so they could be tapped to work on KH3D.

He can be a species known as a 'cautious KH fan' One who doesn't want to be disappointed.

I don't think Square would trust H.A.N.D with a game as important as 3D, but I could see them getting H.A.N.D. to work on BBSV2.

But why does the number of characters even matter? Up till now, KH stories have had one playable characters, why would that be such a bad thing?

 

Actually with BBSV2 they dont have to use brand new worlds. in the secret ending aqua sees castle of dreams, meaning that they are going to reuse worlds that were in bbs, and very likely, 1. so it could still come out in 2011 or early 2012.

 

I also think it will come out on psp because assuming that you can still use the umd games you can still play it on the psp2, if its on the psp2, well...i'm broke, and we dont get to play it on the psp.

 

Seeing a single reused world doesn't mean there will be no new ones at all.

 

well its always good to see new worlds, and im not saying that it would only be old worlds, but at the same time you can use worlds that we've seen before, like castle of dreams, which appeared in the trailer

who the f*ck voted PSP in 2012?!?!?! c'mon people PSP2 is releasing end of 2011 in jap, NO major games will release on the original PSP!

And no the PSP2 isnt a download only. It works on both PStore and flash cards for games, like little memory cards instead of a umd.

 

since the psp2 is like the psp go its not gonna be downloadable so i highly doubt itll be released on the psp2 since they didnt want BBS being downloaded( DUE TO STUPID PEOPLE WHO PIRATED IT)

c'mon people, do you think BBSv2 is really a game or a sequel of BBS? Aqua and Mickey is in the realm of darkness, Terra became Terra-Xehanort, and Ven is in coma state. Are you willing to have Aqua and Mickey as the main player of the said game? This seems not a game. Is there a proof that this is a game sequel of BBS? I hope someone could give us a hard proof like a strong statement from Tetsuya Nomura that BBSv2 is the next game. And imagine, they are busy finishing FFXIII Versus and KH3D.

 

This all fits in with Nomura's "mystery game", a game which Nomura has referred to in the past but not given details about.

it obviously will be on psp2 and after dream drop distance but i hope that its not like a final mix game that will only b released in japan....

WOW!!! Can't wait for it to come out!!!!!!!!