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Update 1: hokanko-alt have published a more detailed summary of this interview, and our translator goldpanner has translated it. You can read the full translation here, or check out our updated summary below.
Update 2: Just a minor correction-- we originally reported that this interview was from Famitsu Weekly, however, the interview is actually from Dengeki PlayStation.
Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX
- Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- development was planned even before Final Fantasy X HD was announced on September 13, 2011, prior to Tokyo Game Show 2011. This means that Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- development has been planned for over a year. Square Enix's Osaka team was consulted over whether they could do something to make best use of the PS3's performance.
- Actual development was kickstarted because the Kingdom Hearts series had been spread over several consoles, and secondly, by the series' 10th anniversary, it had become difficult for new gamers to join in.
- HD remastering was very difficult, but two great programmers from Square Enix's Osaka team spent close to a year on this, allowing it to come to fruition. Square Enix's Osaka team are the team responsible for Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance].
- The Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- trailer from Tokyo Game Show 2012 was released thanks to the Osaka team. The programmers that handled the HD remastering were merged in from a team that hadn't been involved in the Kingdom Hearts series up until now.
- There are Kingdom Hearts staff in the Square Enix's Tokyo team too, but there have been drastic changes. You could say that the basically unchanging lineup of the Osaka team forms the true present staff for the series. The series is able to continue because of them.
- The remade HD cutscenes from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days total in at about two to three hours of footage, according to Nomura.
- Nomura thought about perhaps remaking 358/2 Days as a game, but it would have taken over a years so he decided to give priority to the new title and instead have 358/2 Days, necessary for inclusion, as a video volume.
- You don't have to play through the games in order to unlock 358/2 Days' video volume. You can select to watch 358/2 Days straight after starting the game.
- Some of Sora and the other's models have been replaced with the latest ones.
- The camera function for Kingdom Hearts has been modified to be more similar to Kingdom Hearts II's system.
- There is PlayStation 3 trophy support. Nomura himself hasn't had much to do with the trophy feature, so he is still researching now as to what sort of content to include. Discussion over whether or not you'd need them for clearing worlds and first obtaining Keyblades and such is still underway.
- The game controls have been adjusted a little to make them easier to use than they had been. Special commands display for the △ button, and camera controls have been made closer to the base ones in Kingdom Hearts II. There aren't really any big additions. He'd like you to think of HD remastering and trophy support as all the additional components.
- There will not be a new secret movie.
- Nomura hasn't thought about making a bundle edition.
- It would be unnatural to make Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX-, but not Kingdom Hearts -HD 2.5 ReMIX-.
- Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX-'s development is basically in its final stages. Development is doing well, so Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- is planned for release in 2013. Nomura wants to deliver as soon as possible.
Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers
- Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers will be a typical browser game. Controls will be simple and using cards, with the content not strongly action-oriented. Co-operating with several people is also a feature, however, the game is fundamentally for one person.
- Development is not done by Square Enix's Osaka team, it is done somewhere else.
- It will be a spin-off title, completely removed from the story of the main series. Due to the nature of a browser game, they couldn't put in any grand set up for the story.
- There are new characters, but Nomura won't say whether or not they will be involved in the main series.
Update 3: Dengeki Online have mentioned this article, and with it, uploaded a small scan. Unfortunately, it looks like all included screenshots have been previously released by Famitsu Weekly.
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We are months past the release of the 7th game in the series, Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance], but we still have much to look forward to-- Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- and Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers are both on the horizon, with HD 2.5 ReMIX and Kingdom Hearts III being all but confirmed to be coming soon after.
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know how KH13.com and the Kingdom Hearts series have been a big part of your life. We're very happy to see so many nice comments already, and would love to hear your own thoughts. Personally, I feel very privileged to have started something from nothing and see it grow into such a large community. We owe a lot of thanks to our staff, and to each and every fan of the Kingdom Hearts series. Thankyou for being such a wonderful community! ♥
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Report on Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX-: Pictures of prettied-up screens and an Interview with Mr. Tetsuya Nomura
This year marks 10 years since the first Kingdom Hearts title was born, and now with the time ripe it is being remastered in HD. Let's peruse the content from these screencaps and an interview with director Mr. Tetsuya Nomura!
A NEW DOOR OPENS IN HD
Kingdom Hearts (hereon KH) is an action RPG series loved throughout the world. Of the seven stories that have been revealed so far, KH Final Mix and KH Re:Chain of Memories have been remastered in HD in KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX-, releasing in 2013 for PS3. On top of this, KH 358/2 Days is also included as a volume converted to video! Without further ado, let's check out the new images of each title, born again and more gorgeous than ever.
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts, in which Sora, the protagonist of the series, and Donald and Goofy travel through various Disney worlds. This title, which released in March 2002, returned triumphantly as KH Final Mix, which used the North American version that released the same year in December as a base with added components and the English voicing. This Final Mix version has been remastered in HD in KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX-. The voicing that was in English will be in Japanese.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
After the adventures of KH, Sora and Donald and Goofy set foot in 'Castle Oblivion', in which the further you go in, the more you lose your memories... KH Re:Chain of Memories, remastered in HD for this title, was originally included with KH2 Final Mix, which released in 2007. It was a 3D remake of the Gameboy Advance title KH Chain of Memories, which released in 2004.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 DAYS
The protagonist of KH 356/2 Days is Roxas, a young man who played an important role in KH2. The story of Roxas and Axel, who takes care of him, and Xion, a girl who has newly joined 'Organisation XIII', unfolds. In KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX-, you can appreciate the main story of KH 358/2 Days put to video and bestowed new voicing as a video volume.
Kingdom Hearts FOR PC BROWSER (TENTATIVE TITLE)
Kingdom Hearts for PC Browser (tentative title), announced at Tokyo Game Show 2012 with KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX-, will be a free to play online game for PC browsers. As a player you will customise an avatar that will represent you and adventure through Disney worlds. It seems that undertaking quests and cooperating with friends to defeat enemies will be elements?
WE ASK DIRECTOR MR. TETSUYA NOMURA ABOUT KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX-
This year marks 10 years since the first Kingdom Hearts title was born, and now with the time ripe it is being remastered in HD. Let's peruse the content from these screencaps and an interview with director Mr. Tetsuya Nomura!
―Please tell us the details of how the release of KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX- came to be.
Mr. Tetsuya Nomura (hereon Nomura): All the titles in the series so far are a collection, first establishing the internal set-up, called the 'Seeker of Darkness Chronicles' (※), and I wanted to bring together the whole story arriving at KH2 before we turn to its conclusion.
―There's strong meaning behind going over it again, isn't there. Will there be changes or additions to the content of the games?
Nomura: The two titles that are included as games will have trophy support. We intend to include an extensive range of trophies, from the more orthodox to ones that won't go down easily. Also, the controls in KH1 have been modified to be a little closer to the ones in KH2. We've also replaced some of the models of the main characters with the most recent ones.
―Why are you remaking KH 358/2 Days as a video volume rather than a game?
Nomura: Actually, I had also been thinking about doing a full remake like KH Re:Chain of Memories (hereon KH Re:CoM). However, if we had started that it would have considerably delayed starting work on the new title, so it ended up being included in the form of something like the 'theatre mode' that we already have in the series. We are changing 70% of the main story into cutscenes, with freshly-recorded voicing too, and we are currently working on around 100 scenes. If you watch from start to finish, you will know and understand the story of KH 358/2 Days. Though it's in a different form than the game I think people will enjoy it.
―Can you please tell us a little more about the series-first KH game for PC browser?
Nomura: This is not a title with an emphasis on story, but we are working premises in. That said, for the first time in the series you can enjoy the content completely separately from the main series, so even beginners to the series might be able to be at ease playing it. The battling is different again from KH Re:CoM, and we are aiming for something with simple controls and flashy movements. I think customising is important to this type of game, so we are filling it with new elements in that area.
―By the way, what of a HD version of KH2 and up?
Nomura: It would be unnatural not to (laughs).
―Here's hoping! And now, lastly, a message for the gamers please.
Nomura: Because the series so far has been scattered over different consoles, I think there have been people who found it difficult to access, with sequels such as KH2 that might already have come out by the time they came to know about the series. With KH -HD 1.5 ReMIX- you can enjoy the story from the beginning, and in HD quality on top of that, so if you haven't played yet please by all means use this opportunity to do so. I think even those who have already played through the series may make new discoveries regarding foreshadowing of sequels and lines that reference previous lines and such by taking another look at everything aligned in chronological order. I would be happy if this title turns out to be a 'restart' for the series.
※Seeker of Darkness Chronicles... mentioned as the phrase 'Xehanort Chronicles' in a previous interview with Weekly Famitsu, this refers to Xehanort the Seeker of Darkness being the pivot of the whole series. 'Seeker of Darkness Chronicles' is the formal name first used in the project proposal.
Update: We have scanned and uploaded high quality versions of the article in the October 4, 2012 issue of Famitsu Weekly. You can view these below. (And remember to click for a much larger image!)
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- Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers is not a title with an emphasis on story, but they are working in a set-up. You can enjoy the content as something completely separate from the main series. The card battling is different from Chain of Memories. They are filling this title with new elements for this type of customisation-based title. Update: bKvEBVAvUq has uploaded the first small scan of the article, which gives us our first look at Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers! You can see this below, in our gallery.
[Click here for all HD 1.5 ReMIX content from the same issue.]
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- HD 1.5 ReMIX will be co-directed by Tai Yasue, who previously co-directed Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. The producer is Rie Nishi, and the director is, of course, Tetsuya Nomura. - Famitsu asked “Is there gonna be a high-definition version of Kingdom Hearts II later?”, and Nomura replied “It’d be unusual if there wasn’t.”
- Various character models for Kingdom Hearts, including Sora, have been replaced with character models from Kingdom Hearts 3D.
- The two titles included as games will have trophy support. Various aspects of Kingdom Hearts have been changed to be more like Kingdom Hearts II. The screen ratio and gauge placement have also been revised. The controls are made to be a little closer to the Kingdom Hearts II controls.
- Nomura thought of doing a full remake for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, but since it was too late to start work on a new title, it was done in the form of Theater Mode. 70% of the main story has been put to video with freshly-recorded voicing, and they are currently working on around 100 scenes.
- The series so far has been scattered on various hardware, by the time new fans came to know Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II was already out. Before turning to the conclusion of the present series, the 'Seeker of Darkness Chronicles' (same as what has been called the Xehanort Chronicles up until now), Nomura wanted to bring the whole story together.
- Nomura: “I figured since there were people who had a hard time keeping up with the sequels, we had to start from the beginning with Kingdom Hearts HD. I also thought that familiar fans might make new discoveries seeing everything in chronological order with the sequels side by side.”
- Nomura said that because the series so far has been scattered over different consoles, there have been people who found it difficult to access sequels. Seeing as you will now be able to enjoy the story in HD quality right from the beginning, he would absolutely love for those who haven't played yet to do so. Even those who have already played it all may make new discoveries regarding foreshadowing and lines that reference previous lines and such. He would be happy if this title turns out to be a 'restart' for the series.
[Click here for all Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers content from the same issue.]
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Update: Our translator goldpanner has translated all text from the scan into English. You can read this below.
KH Three-Title Collection for You to Enjoy! Title: KH 1.5 HD Remix
Release date: Planned for 2013
Price: TBA
Developer: Square Enix
Console: PS3
Genre: RPG
Roam the worlds, Keyblade in hand, in this RPG now revived for PS3!
Introducing, in commemoration of the series 10th anniversary, a HD Version in which you can enjoy the KH series rendered in high quality!!
KH Final Mix - Run around as the Keyblade Hero, Sora!
Sora is a boy who grows immensely from the experiences of his many encounters. However, a mysterious being in search of the insatiable darkness stands in his way...!
The three good friends have a dream!!
Riku: But if we don't go and see we'll never know.
^What is the secret plan Sora, Riku and Kairi are forming together...?!
VS Darkside!!
^As if symbolising darkness itself, a huge Heartless blocks Sora's path!
*Protagonist Sora
The Keyblade Hero. He battles on, hoping for the day when he can once more live at his hometown with his childhood friends Riku and Kairi.
Finally a HD Version: Power-up Ticket!
You can enjoy three games in one? And then on top of that, it's in HD? That's way too amazing!
KH 358/2 Days - The Chronicles of the Struggles of New Member to Organisation XIII, Roxas!!
A young man who was given the name Roxas, who has lost all his memories of the past. Having become a member of the mysterious group Organisation XIII, the tale of the young man's fate begins now!
You can enjoy the story as a video work!!
Roxas: You mean a day off to spend with friends?
^The story of Roxas' time in Organisation XIII has been recorded as a HD full-remake theatre.
KH RE:Chain of Memories - Introducing the Mysterious Black-Coated Group, Organisation XIII!
The story depicting what happened between KH and KHII. Adventure unfolds as our heroes wander through the strange Castle Oblivion.
What on earth is in Castle Oblivion?
Marlixia: We must gain the power of the Keyblade for ourselves, by any means.
^The deeper he travells into Castle Oblivion, the more Sora loses his memories. And what is the fate of Namine, the girl who can manipulate memories?!
(The reviewers are pretty excited and love the HD! They give it 5 stars for prettiness of graphics, for cuteness of characters, and for care paid to the remaking!)
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Update: The Video Game Orchestra's ~Live at Symphony Hall~ event in Boston was today, and as expected, Kingdom Hearts songs were played. Both Dearly Beloved and Hikari were performed. Thanks to GracefulAssassin9 (gelandporn from KHInsider) who attended the event, you can watch a recording of these songs below.
Please enjoy if you weren't able to make the event, and be sure to continue to follow their Kickstarter for announcements concerning the event's upcoming official album. VGO have announced that the Kingdom Hearts songs will be included in the album.
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Kingdom Hearts Vol.1 & Vol.2
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Vol.1 & Vol.2
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Vol.3 "Reverse / Rebirth" Riku
Kingdom Hearts II Vol.1 & Vol.2 & Vol.3 & Vol.4
Kingdom Hearts II Short Stories Vol.1 & Vol.2
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Vol.1 & Vol.2 & Vol.3
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Vol.1 & Vol.2 & Vol.3
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] Side Sora
Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] Side Riku
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Official Kingdom Hearts 10th Anniversary Fan Selection -Melodies & Memories- website
Our translator goldpanner has translated each of the new comments, and these translations can be read below.
“Well, thank you so much for following along and reading my drawn-out poor writing for this long.
Writing detailed individual comments isn’t my usual attitude, but your voices saying you wanted to read stories of memories from during production and explanations of the compositions and such reached me, so I challenged myself to do it this way this time.
When I first started writing I did feel lost for a bit, but as the updates increased, I heard many happy voices of people who were looking forward to it, and people who wanted to read more, and such.
Thank you so much! Thanks to you, even though this is later than we first planned (sweatmark), I was able to finish writing these right to the end.
It’s after release, and I hear that sales are going well.
To everyone who pre-ordered or purchased it without delay, and to everyone who voted in the poll, I am so very grateful. Thank you so much.
If I get the chance, I would like to try writing comments like these again. Next is... the 20th anniversary!? Well, we’ll just have to go that long (haha).
Lastly, to the people who have helped me with such powerful, warm support these ten years, Square Enix’s Mr Kawamori, Mr Noda, Mr Yamazaki, Mr Ishimoto, Mr Sekito, and, Mr Tetsu, all the project managers, everyone in the team, all the production staff, everyone in PR, and, and, there are too many to write here, so many so many many many people who have supported me and made me able to write as many songs as I have. Thank you so, so, soooooooooo much!
And, to you, looking at this comment now, here is love and gratitude from my heart.
Thanks for 10th Anniversary!!" Fantasia alla marcia for piano, chorus and orchestra: As the music used during the credits for KHII, this song is march-style + melody made from phrases from various themes-style. Just as with the credits music from the first title, the 'march-style' part was a request from Mr Tetsu. Actually, at first, when I heard "do a march", I thought, "Huh? Why a march!??". But, when you really think about what 'march' means, there is this bright cheery imagery of '(all the staff together) moving ahead, moving onwards'. I feel that is very fitting for the credits for Kingdom Hearts. Onwards, onwards, believing there is definitely a bright future ahead. --Yoko Shimomura
Twinke Twinkle Holidays: Finally, the last comment I will write (that's a bit lonely... ;
This last track is a bonus track taken from 'drammatica -The Very best of Yoko Shimomura-', released in 2008. On this album were four tracks from the Kingdom Hearts series, but the other three made the ranking, and apart from parts of songs used in the medley, had already been recorded as original songs. And so, by process of elimination (haha), we went with this song, which had not been recorded as an original song. The track is a medley of the battle theme for Christmas Town in 'Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix +', and the theme for the flying part in the Neverland stage in 'Kingdom Hearts'. Game-wise there isn't any connection. However, when we were choosing the tracks for the 'drammatica' compilation, I decided, let's go with these two tracks as a medley! These two tracks are, to me, the 'symbol of happiness in Kingdom Hearts'. Exciting! Fun! Happy!! Don't those feelings come through in these songs~~?? They do, right~!? Tell me they do~~~!! (haha.) I wanted to end this 'Kingdom Hearts 10th Anniversary FAN SELECTION' CD with not a dark song, but a bright song. So, rank not-withstanding, isn't it perfect!? --Yoko Shimomura
Previous announcements:
- Unboxing
- Complete track list revealed
- Kingdom Hearts 3D tracks and Shimomura comments
- 358/2 Days tracks and Shimomura comments
- Box artwork revealed
- BBS tracks and Shimomura/Ishimoto comments
- KH2 tracks and Shimomura comments
- Official website & KH / CoM tracks and Shimomura comments
- Cover artwork revealed
- Announcement & September 19, 2012 release date
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When Square Enix considers a game to be very successful and have sold enough copies, they reprint the game as an "Ultimate Hits" edition-- this is the exact same game with an altered cover art and new price. All Ultimate Hits titles can be seen here.
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