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Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] Ultimania announced

Square Enix have created a page on their website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] Ultimania, the official guidebook for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] from Square Enix. This book is sure to contain heaps of information about the game, as well as information regarding the mysteries and future of the Kingdom Hearts series. It will certainly be very interesting, and is definitely something to look forward to! The book will be A5 in size, and will release on May 1, 2012 for a price of ¥1,890 (approximately US$22.88). Thanks to aibo_ac7 for the tip.
Update 1: sqexgal has translated some of the details surrounding the book. You can read this below.
Includes 3D maps and treasure chest locations, scenario walkthroughs, Spirit and Nightmare Dream Eaters lists, advice for bosses, developer interviews, and a compilation about the components introduced after clearing the game! Update 2: Square Enix have created a page for the Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] Ultimania on the Square Enix e-STORE. This page reveals that the Ultimania will be 432 pages long! Wow!
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D to appear in March 29 issue of Famitsu Weekly

FamiWeb have updated their website with a confirmation that Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will appear in the March 29, 2012 issue of the magazine. While we already knew this thanks to an earlier article on Famitsu.com, it is nice to get confirmation! Let's look forward to it (and also, of course, to the release of the game on the same day)! At the time of writing, Kingdom Hearts 3D is only about 50 hours from releasing in Japan.
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D soundtrack completed and ready (with a picture)

Keiji Kawamori has posted on the Square Enix music blog announcing that the Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] soundtrack is completely finished, and ready to be sent off for printing. While no new information is given, they did upload this teasing photo of the completed soundtrack. Of course, the printed copy of the disc won't look like this-- but doesn't seeing the photo make you want the soundtrack right now!? The official Kingdom Hearts 3D soundtrack releases in Japan on April 18, 2012.

DChiuch

Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website updated with characters, gameplay videos, wallpaper

Square Enix have updated their official website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. This update includes updates to the characters, system and special sections. You can check out the link below for the updates, or keep reading to see our analysis of it. Thanks to aibo_ac7 for the tip.

Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website

Characters (6 characters added)
- Lea
- King Mickey
- Donald Duck
- Goofy
- Yen Sid
- Unknown

System (8 new sections, 5 new gameplay videos)
Section 7: Breed

Section 8: Ability Link
Section 9: Drop System

Section 10: Event Forecast
Section 11: Memoir
Section 12: Dive Mode

Section 13: Link Portal

Section 14: Flick Rush


Special (New wallpaper)

DChiuch

Dream or Drop website updates with Kingdom Hearts 3D commercials

Square Enix have updated their Kingdom Hearts [Dream or Drop] website with two commercials for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. These commercials, titled TVCM 03 (Battle) and TVCM 04 (Drama) were previously available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop, however, this is the first time they have been made available in perfect quality. You can watch both of these below, thanks to aibo_ac7 for the tip. Both videos are complete with English subtitles.


DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D to be featured in April issue of Nintendo Power

Nintendo Power has released a preview of their next issue and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] is listed to appear. You can go to the PDF with the listing by clicking here. As you can see, it seems that Kingdom Hearts 3D will have a 1-page article. The magazine officially releases on April 4, 2012, however if last time is any indication, then we might see those with subscriptions get their copy earlier. Thanks to khdude124 from KH13 for the tip.
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D folder being distributed in Japan

Just a small update, but something interesting nonetheless. With the release of Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] approaching fast in Japan (remember, it releases on March 29, 2012. Check the countdown above to see the exact time left), some Japanese stores have begun putting up the cases on display. With this, we have gotten our first look at the Kingdom Hearts 3D folders that are being given away with some pre-orders of the game. You can see this below, thanks to okikuta and FF-Reunion.

DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D shown in advertisement with Circle Pad Pro

An advertisement has appeared for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] that shows the game being used with the Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro. While we already knew that Circle Pad compatibility was confirmed, this is the first time that we've actually seen it used together with Kingdom Hearts 3D. Thanks to ArikaMiz for the find.

DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D demo impressions from Kingdom Hearts Destiny

Kingdom Hearts Destiny have written up demo impressions for a Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] demo (specifically, the Jump Festa 2012 demo) that they were recently invited to play by Square Enix France. While the demo impressions do not give us much new information, it is perhaps the most detailed we have seen so far. You can read this below, thanks to Terranort9406 from KH13 for the find. (Translated from French to English by Google Translate.)
Let's start by talking about the impressive opening scene of the game we were fortunate to see him turn on the console itself. What can I say except that this summary of the most striking scenes of the entire series can only delight fans. The emotions and memories are at the rendezvous, exacerbated by the magnificent work of the studio Visual Works . While the top screen reveals sequences of high quality, the lower screen shows the Sorcerer Mickey as a conductor wielding the baton to the pages that are told the adventures of the heroes of the series. A small nod to Fantasia that is working. The proposed title screen to play with Sora and Riku in the world " Country of the Musketeers ". Since it was necessary to make a choice, I turned to Sora. However, it was possible to play with the second character with the function Drop ; this gauge purple that requires you to change the protagonist once completely exhausted. It was also proposed to initiate this change ourselves at any time by pressing the Start button and then click a " Drop "on the touch screen. Interesting insofar as it allows us to live both in parallel adventures, however, this function causes a feeling of frustration in the player when the change occurs in combat. Worse when we return in the confrontation previously abandoned. Note that some locations on the map seemed poisoned by the presence of a purple haze on the ground and escaping from a kind of vase to destroy. The fog seemed to have an effect on the rate of depletion of the gauge drop, but to confirm. To avoid the risk of spoiling the fun of those who expect the game to discover the history, I will not refer here to the plot of this world (for others, a paragraph will be devoted below). Let us therefore technical characteristics of the game and gameplay. I must admit that once again, for a game on 3DS, the graphic quality is at the rendezvous. The game is colorful, maybe even more than his predecessors, and true to the spirit and magical animated Disney . The character models are equally enjoyable and flawless. As for 3D, it is actually very well proportioned, not too flashy or unnecessary, the eye, whether or fighting scenes. The magic and actions Sora / Riku are still going strong and animated 3D effect offers good prospects here (get the impression that the lot across the screen, it's something).
With regard to basic actions, nothing new if you played Birth by Sleep and Re: Coded . You move the character with the analog stick while controlling the camera with the buttons L and R. Press simultaneously on these locks a target. The key is used to attack the keyblade and you can skip to B. The Y button has several effects ward off attacks, perform a roll by moving the stick at the same time, or activate the Free Flow Action . The D-pad selects one of the menu commands that you can activate with X. In this connection, Sora could run to the Keyblade impressive reels, dive attacks or create a swirl of colors sending projectiles around. Riku in turn could use the time seen in Give Birth by Sleep but Zantetsuken among others including the traditional treatment.
Getting started is easy and intuitive. Everyone will find their marks quickly. The camera operates in the same way as in Birth by Sleep, to the point of finding that one of its shortcomings: they can not handle it as we like to admire the scene (the camera can be moved as from left to right and vice versa, and not from top to bottom). Using the Circle Pad Pro for 3DS will perhaps correct this detail (unfortunately we could not test the particular Accessory). Speaking of environments, the places are so faithful to the original cartoon you believe it. Perhaps this is specific to this world, but the areas were numerous, varied and rather extensive. A good place for this episode, compared to BbS who was moving from the more narrow corridors. Our two heroes were both accompanied by three swallow Dreams (spelling to be confirmed but it would be the French translation of " Dream Eater "). Sora was accompanied by a Wonder Nyan , a Neko Cat and an Elephant Zou (rather large). A Frog Head , a Handsome Pegasus and a Spirit like a ladybug teamed with Riku. Only two of his monsters can fight for you but the game allows you to replace one of them by the Spirit in the third subject very easily and at any time. You just have to touch the avatar of the Dream Eater on the touch screen and drag it to the place of another. As Donald and Goofy at the time, your companions are autonomous and only attack the enemies. Animated, each has a characteristic cry and his own way of fighting. However, as Donald and Goofy, they do not have a decisive outcome in the battle. Their interest is mainly based on their skills Dual Link , which can be triggered once the gauge link of one of them full (Sora Neko Cat and starting a wild dance at As of the buttons shown, Riku's side of the absorbent Dream Eater to inflict elemental attacks of fire or lightning). If the Link gauges of the two Spirits are full, a symbol appears on the lower screen, by touching it, you enable an attack Dual Link combining the two monsters (Wonder Nyan has absorbed the latter Dream Eater and became gigantic, jumping on enemies repeatedly, Sora on his back an attack rather comical but very powerful!). Your companions are not only allies in combat but can also guide you through the stages of exploration. At times, they can tell a place to look (chests or break walls to reveal secret passages). A little more to feel closer to your critters.
The demo was the chance to test one of the great innovations of the game: the Free Flow Action . This feature allows Sora and Riku to perform impressive moves, like jumping over walls, swirl around pillars or sliding on rails or ropes. A breath of fresh air and freedom to use the environment around us in this way! Nothing is easier to turn since you press Y near a wall is enough to bounce our heroes.
Objects that may be involved are also marked with a lock symbol in yellow. Such is the case of pillars and other objects of the set: jumping on a piano to spring open and enchain a dive attack is somewhat unexpected. During your travels in Free Flow , you can indeed conclude the movement by a powerful attack. Moreover, using the Free Flow action against an enemy as imposing Elephant Zou , you can trigger the attack "Blow Off" which allows you to defeat him by projecting it on other enemies. It's nice to see that this new system is not a simple style effect as fully integrated exploration of worlds. Riku was such swirling around a pillar to show the ropes (by dragging it, it could reach higher levels to retrieve the contents of chests) or unblock access to the next area.
The system Reality Shift is just as interesting as specific to each world. You can trigger this function when the symbol turns purple verroullage or when arrows appear on the touch screen at that moment, you simply press the X and A at the same time, or drag your stylus ( or your finger) on the lower screen in the direction of the arrows. The character then dives to the floor and time stops for you to perform the actions shown on the screen. In " Country of the Musketeers , "the Reality Shift appears as a cartoon illustration. Although a small qu'apportant longer fighting simple and entertaining, I have not found this feature really necessary compared to other possibilities in combat. However, I liked it to be put to use in a boss fight.
Finish with a crush on the music. Nothing really exceptional in itself compared to other soundtrack, but the sounds remain faithful to the series and still correspond to places visited. There is of course difficult to judge since all the demo was limited to one world. But little understood, with the music already unveiled, bode for the best. This demo put forward much of the novelty of the game, but unfortunately we did not have access to the main menu and character development systems and Dream Eaters. This overview console in hand shows that once again, the development team has done an excellent job to provide even more dynamic and action in the series, while incorporating the basics that have made ​​it successful. It only remains to wait for the Western version of the title to confirm these initial impressions. No doubt the game will find its audience.
Warning : The following paragraphs reveal elements of world history " Country of the Musketeers . " If you want to keep the mystery until the game's release, please do not read this!
Sora
Mickey, Donald and Goofy are faced with Dream Eater. Frightened, Donald and Goofy run away, leaving Mickey alone against the enemy. Sora arrives in time to save the famous mouse. Begins a discussion during which Sora was surprised that Mickey does not recognize it (it's not the Mickey he knows). Other Dream Eaters appear and then snaps a fight. Once the danger has passed, Donald and Goofy eventually return, and the group then began the famous motto of the Musketeers: One for all and all for one!
The next scene is a sequence escort the carriage of Princess Minnie attacked by a gigantic Doukun Rex . This phase allows you to familiarize yourself with the Parade and the cons-attack, only way to defeat the Dream Eater. Unfortunately, the Beagle Boys appear and kidnap the princess. The group finally found the coach in a deserted place where stands a tower. At the top, Sora confronts the Beagle Boys and saves the princess. Determined not to fail in their mission, returning from the Beagle Boys most beautiful but Goofy and Mickey managed to eject them from the tower by jumping from a window to a tree and bounced back into the tower (a scene glimpsed in the band- ads of the game).
Return to the palace, Donald and Goofy and Mickey leave Pat appeared alongside several Dream Eaters. Mickey then tries to face the Captain of the Musketeers, but is kidnapped while Sora is disappearing before the attack of one of the monsters. Donald and Goofy find him and the group goes in search of Mickey, held in the sewers of an immense city on an island: the Mont Saint Michel. Following the story takes place in the Opera House where Pat had set a trap to the three musketeers (Riku trap that seems to have disabled its side). A struggle ensues against the Beagle: by emptying their life bar, a Reality Shift to phase began for Pat to project onto him down a boat decor. Once the latter defeated the three friends finally become true musketeers, and Sora is the lock of the world. Riku his arrival in this world, Riku discovers the Opera and saw Pat off. Arriving on the scene behind the scenes, he discovers that Pat and the Beagle Boys prepare a trap to remove Mickey, Donald and Goofy with a heavy box. The Beagle Boys run away and the Riku continues until a chest where the Princess Minnie is enclosed. During their conversation, Riku sees a Beagle in the robbing of a crank mechanism. Minnie asks him to retrieve it. What follows is a chase behind the scenes at the Opera: The Beagle Boys hid in different places (behind a door, or hidden behind theater costumes) and you must find them for putting out of harm. Then A boss awaits you in a rather large area: it appears and disappears several times and in different places and you need help of the map to find it. Riku then retrieves the lock mechanism and the world appears.
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D demo review: Xehanort rebirth cutscene, Ursula and Pete boss battles confirmed

ComputerAndVideoGames.com have posted a review of a recent Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] demo that was made available to them. This is a very interesting and positive review of the game, so we definitely recommend that you give it a read. Thanks go to Terranort9406 from KH13 for the find.
Interestingly, the review reveals that the game's introduction will contain a short scene where Xehanort comes back to life, as well as a boss battle with Ursula. It also reveals that there will be a Pete boss battle within the game. You can read the entire review below.
Beginnings are funny things. Considering how few people actually finish games, you'd expect developers to front-load their titles with some of their very best content in order to prevent bored consumers from immediately writing off their masterpiece. Instead - and RPGs are generally the worst offenders here - they dump you in a small boring village, making you run tedious and menial errands for the first five hours.
The original Kingdom Hearts was a game that got it right. The saga kicked off with a massive, prophetic battle backed up by the sort of classically epic score that Square Enix never seem to come up with any more. The following tutorial area was brief and enjoyable - leaps and bounds above the dreary five-hour slog of its immediate sequel and the confusing starting nonsense of the many, many resulting spin-offs. So no one would blame you if you gave up before any of those games finally opened up.
After playing through the intro of Dream Drop Distance, and also an entire world somewhere beyond it, we can hardly make the same complaints here. Following a short scene in which series big bad Xehanort springs back to life, good guy Sora and reformed renegade Riku do battle with a giant Ursula-from-The-Little-Mermaid, before being sucked into a whirlpool to begin their latest adventure. That's what we like to see from our Kingdom Hearts: no angst, no gibberish, and no bleddy Roxas.
It's then that one of the game's many interesting new features kicks in. Memoirs are optional cutscenes that help make sense of Kingdom Hearts' labyrinthine backstory, and they're joined by a new database that expands as the game progresses. Fans have been known to frequently tie themselves in knots trying to explain what this guy's Nobody is doing to that guy's Data-Heartless, so perhaps this will draw a line under that 'colourful debate' once and for all.
Luckily we have a helpful translator on hand to interpret this one, so we know that Riku and Sora have been advised by Mickey's creepy wizard friend Yen Sid to take the Keyblade Mastery Exam. It's the only way to defeat Xehanort once and for all, you see, as he was a powerful keyblade-wielder himself long ago, before he turned to the dark side of the, er, lock.
Master and keymander
Flashback over, we have a chance to check out yet another new feature: the freefalling minigame that now connects each fractured world. As Sora plummets to the ground, you have to help him avoid obstacles with the slide pad while optionally smashing things for points. It's a simple yet enjoyably brisk travel method, and infinitely preferable to another Gummi-ship shoot-'em-up.
Upon crash-landing in the familiar Traverse Town, Sora bumps into Neku from Square Enix's peerless The World Ends With You, who is, predictably, being a sullen-yet-enviously-hip jerk. Once they've made their introductions, Neku guides our relentlessly upbeat hero through the game's new combat and exploration mechanics, or 'Cirque du Soleil' as it's more commonly known.
Rightly theorising that walking is for chumps, Square have given Sora and Riku the ability to grind the environment, swinging on lampposts or sliding up bannisters like a fantastical Tony Hawk, only without that tiny plank on wheels he likes to get about on. This increased acrobaticism not only makes general getting-about much more enjoyable, it also comes into play during the game's slightly-too-frequent fights.
The two protagonists can now literally run rings around the enemy, thwack them from above, or pick up and chuck the bigger ones in a game of Extreme Shotput. It's all done with the context-sensitive Y button, which does perhaps take a tiny bit of the thrill out of dexterously performing these amazing combos yourself, but only just.
Pets win prizes
Replacing the Heartless as DDD's respawning keyblade fodder are the Dream Eaters - neon-hued animals that look like they've been caught in a fight between the cast of Tron Legacy and a sickly rainbow. In a startling coincidence, the 'good' versions of these guys also act as your new allies, dutifully following Sora and Riku into battle and making it fairly tricky to distinguish friend from foe.
Cute yet deadly, they've clearly taken a few cues from Square Enix's own Dragon Quest Monsters, but there's a distinct whiff of Pokémon and Nintendogs in there too. Up to three Dream Eaters can tag along with Riku or Sora - they each get a different set - but we've been assured there'll be loads more to collect and customise. Outside of battle, you can even stroke their fur and rub their bellies with the touch screen - something that never went down too well with Donald Duck.
Thankfully, the Dream Eaters are a bit less needy - and a bit more bloodthirsty - during battle. Each creature has a link gauge, which unleashes a Summon-type special attack when it becomes full. For example, the weird Cat-Dog-Bear-Thing (fine, you name it next time) turns into a rideable space-hopper, while another forces you to take part in an aggressive rhythm game. That's not all, because links can even be combined into one wildly powerful super-attack - Dream Eaters are pretty awesome, in other words.
At this point the demonstration 3DS unit was cruelly whisked away from us (booo!), but it was returned at a different juncture in the story (huzzah!). Sora and Riku have just arrived in the world of the Three Musketeers, where it seems that Queen Minnie Mouse has been captured by ne'er-do-wells. Of course, this being Kingdom Hearts, the two heroes aren't there at the same time, or should we say at the same place - they've been diverted to two neighbouring parallel dimensions.
Worlds apart
It turns out that Riku inhabits ever-so-slightly different versions of each Disney world from young Sora - somebody at Square has obviously been watching too much Fringe. At one point during our play session Riku's actions appear to bleed through to Sora's universe, but as a general rule the pair are kept separate, save for the torch-passing that occurs when one suddenly hits the hay.
And that's feature #3,874: the Drop gauge, which determines when Riku takes over from Sora, and vice versa. At the moment we've no idea why the dynamic duo fall asleep whenever this counter reaches zero, but we're betting it has something to do with the evil Organisation XIII.
Of all the new mechanics in this remarkably fully fledged spin-off, the Drop gauge is the most confusing, not to mention the most potentially annoying. In addition to forcing a character change, it essentially makes you play through each area twice. One jaunt through an Eater-infested opera house was quite enough, thank you very much; on the second, we were pretty desperate to move along.
The demo ended with a big ol' boss battle with perennial Disney nuisance Pete, a smartly choreographed affair involving yet another touch-based minigame. It was a silly fight but one that neatly encapsulated our feelings about the entire demo: this is Kingdom Hearts with a renewed vigour and sense of humour, with less self-indulgent, willfully confusing waffle.
We don't know about you, but that's exactly what we've been waiting for since the original game. Despite a few misgivings, we can't wait to return to Dream Drop Distance this summer.
DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D website updates with Premiere Event footage

Update 1: Square Enix have updated the website again with two more videos from the Premiere Event. Click the link below and go to "Special" to watch it.
Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website
Or, if you prefer, you can watch them below from our YouTube channel.


They will both be added to our video archive to be watched/downloaded later.
Square Enix have updated their official website for Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. This update is an update to the special section, and contains footage of the Kingdom Hearts 3D Premiere Event that occurred on March 3, 2012. Click the link below and go to "Special" to watch it.
Official Kingdom Hearts 3D website
Or, if you prefer, you can watch it below from our YouTube channel.

DChiuch

Kingdom Hearts 3D in March 22 issue of Famitsu Weekly

Update 3: We now have a full translation that you can read below.
Interview translation thanks to SQEX.INFO and goldpanner
PART 1 (Page 165) — Please tell us where you began with the conception of this title, ‘Dream Drop Distance’.
Nomura: With KH3D, first of all, I was getting colour imagery. I thought, black and pink.
— It’s surprising that colours were what you imagined first.
Nomura: We do decide on a thematic colour every time, but it was quite rare for it to have happened the way it did this time.
— How did things develop from there?
Nomura: We revealed that we were going to depict the Mark of Mastery Exam in ‘Re:Coded’, and we had decided roughly on the contents of the story, but at that point we were worrying over where to set it. We thought about what Sora would have to do now, and about how ‘sleep’ was a key word in the second last title in the series, KH Birth by Sleep. ‘Sleep’ and the ‘dreams’ that follow replaced ‘black and pink’ as our inspiration broadened, and then we thought of the keyword ‘drop’, as in how you ‘fall into dreams’. (Translator note: Or ‘drop off to sleep’.)
— In this title, the way we see flashback scenes (regarding things like the journey and the residents of those worlds) when alternating playing as Sora and Riku is incorporating a directing style we haven’t had up until now, isn’t it.
Nomura: People who want to forge into the game can choose to skip those and watch them later. That’s an influence from the drastic change to non-interactive cutscenes we are including in ‘FF Verses XIII’, which we’ve been developing side by side. It’s a result of us keeping tempo in mind, and trying to make as much as we can interactive. Although, in the end the game finishes with the longest cutscene in the series (dry laugh).
— It would need to be that long, to explain so many mysteries (laughs). With things such as the introduction to the story beginning with a sudden battle, the plot felt like it moved pretty fast.
Nomura: As for that introduction section, I thought it would be best to enter the exam from the start. It would have been tiresome to make Yen Sid give a long explanation summing everything up right at the start, so we wanted to try breaking it up into flashbacks (laughs).
— The ‘memoirs’ feature, where we can check flashback scenes and the series summary, is so thoughtful.
Nomura: It’s a feature we wanted to have for a long time, but couldn’t do for various reasons, and it’s not much, but we finally introduced it. The number of titles in the series has increased too, and there are parts that new players wouldn’t really understand. I’m sure this will help the understanding of anyone who is worried whether they can play the newest game without playing all the others up until now.
PART 2 (Page 167)
— Please tell us the reason for implementing the “drop” mechanism which causes the character you are playing as to switch out suddenly.
Nomura: It’s difficult to balance, but it’d have been uninteresting for the players if the game was too generalized. For example, in the job system of FFV, you could only choose one ability set. You were restricted to make choices where you would toss out something in order to gain something, how you made these decisions was an important factor. Above all else, what sort of game will I make? That’s always on my mind. In Chain of Memories and Birth by Sleep the playable characters were switched up as well, however people said that having the character’s scenarios split made the games feel like short stories and they wanted to play one whole story in one game. So I made the system where you can switch between Sora and Riku’s story in one work, where the only thing restricting your play is the “drop” device.
— Now the concept for KH3D was “bold action”, can you tell us about the process for this?
Nomura: If from here on out, I were to leave the operation systems of the series titles as is, then I wanted to make a distinction from FF Versus XIII which I am currently developing. I think we spoke about it previously, but from the very beginning Final Fantasy Reishiki Type-0, Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Kingdom Hearts are each action based RPGs, and working on them simultaneously, I wanted each of their differences to be clear. To indicate in what way KH was different, I came up with the “bold action” concept.
— The coop play with the Dream Eaters is very showy and “bold” indeed. I was surprised at how Riku’s fighting style turned out.
Nomura: You could play as Riku in Chain of Memories, but since this is the first time you can do your actions freely, the link styles are each fairly distinct. I thought of showing his personality different from Sora’s and I think it turned out interesting.
— Sora cooperates with the Dream Eaters directly, but Riku combines with them and fights as an individual. Why is that?
Nomura: The difference between them was something I decided on from the very beginning, but how the styles would be; I knew it’d have to be clearly defined. From the start, I wanted the system and the story to link, so their difference too has meaning and a reason for it regarding the story. The last scene will have a lot of impact. Various connections are developed upon and it ends just in prelude to the final battle.
— I can’t wait! Lastly, a message for the fans?
Nomura: Finally, the plot that has been in the works throughout the whole series is being developed, so for people who are experiencing the series since the beginning or for those who haven’t touched it before, I think that you’ll be happy to get your hands on it. It may be a title for a portable gaming device, but it isn’t at all inferior to the titles before it. So please by all means enjoy it.
Magazine article translation thanks to goldpanner via KHInsider
2.
Journey to the Dreaming Worlds left Asleep First, let's check out the Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (from here referred to as KH3D) story and key terms and figures. This time, the journey begins when Yen Sid summons Sora and Riku, and announces that they are to undertake the "Mark of Mastery Exam". The two set off in order to face the trial and become masters.
~Story~
Dreams are all connected... and if one drops into a dream, through that dream one connects to the "Sleep-bound Realm".
In their first journey, they restored the worlds that had been swallowed by darkness. However, among those there were worlds that were not completely restored, and even now remain asleep. No gates lead to them, and none are able to trespass there, not even the Heartless who make up the vast majority of darkness of the Realms.
Therefore, a different darkness exists in this sleep-bound Realm.
They are the creatures that devour dreams, Dream Eaters.
It is said that there are two kinds of Dream Eaters: the Nightmares, who devour dreams and sow nightmares, and the good-natured Spirits, who only eat bad dreams.
[YMX: You're still afraid of the dark, aren't you.]
----The First Journey: In the journey of 'Kingdom Hearts', Sora faced a being that went by the name 'Ansem', and saved countless worlds that had been swallowed by darkness. However, that did not mean every world was returned to the light; some worlds still lie in sleep. Those sleep-bound worlds serve as the setting for this title. It's a special place, very different from the worlds of Sora and his friends.
----Heartless: Heartless are creatures formed from the darkness of hearts. Although they are beings born from hearts they don't have them, which is why they are called Heartless. These existences of darkness lurk in every world, however, it seems they are unable to penetrate the 'Sleep-bound Realm' that serves as the setting for this title.
----Dream Eaters: Dream Eaters are mysterious creatures residing in the 'Sleep-bound Realm' which are divided into two types: Nightmares, and the good-natured 'Spirits'. Nightmares and Spirits will have different body and eye colours even within the same species.
3.
THE THREAT
-----Master Xehanort: He was a brilliant Keyblade Master, but his thoughts leaned towards the value of the darkness, and he tried to begin a war that would engulf the Realm.
There’s a reason Yen Sid is setting a trial for Sora and Riku: he has judged that the two must become stronger in order to face the coming threat he has foreseen. That threat is Master Xehanort, who no-one has heard anything about recently, but once brought about a calamity in the Realm. He has said he has several schemes circulating…
[Yen Sid: I am afraid that soon, a new threat will come about.]
SORA AND RIKU
----Riku: A Keyblade Wielder who harbours darkness in his heart, and Sora’s best friend. He has a cool personality, but there are passionate feelings locked inside him.
----Sora: The protagonist of the series. A Keyblade Wielder like Riku. He has a bright and optimistic personality, and cares deeply for his friends.
Sora and Riku are heroes who have been chosen by the key-shaped weapons called ‘Keyblades’. However, unlike Sora who walks the path of light, Riku carries darkness in his heart. Taking the Mark of Mastery exam is part of proving to himself that he has the right to wield the Keyblade. Seeing this in his best friend, Sora’s resolve to take the exam strengthens, too.
It is necessary to prepare to face the coming threat. For that purpose, Sora and Riku are to undertake the Keyblade Master Mark of Mastery Exam together.
By opening the Keyhole of Sleep, it is supposed that new power will be gained, and the worlds bound by sleep will be freed. By freeing ‘Seven’ Keyholes of Sleep, equal to the number of pure lights, and returning them to this plane once more, they will be marked as Masters.
----Aqua: (Scan too blurry! Sorry!)
PURE LIGHTS
Appearing in this series are seven princesses who have hearts of pure light. In the first title, dark influences were pulling strings behind the scenes to gather those princesses and use them to open the ‘keyhole’ connecting to the centre of the realm, and conquer all the worlds. There are also seven of the ‘Keyholes of Sleep’ that appear in KH3D. Could there perhaps be a connection?
KEYBLADE MASTERS
Well-versed in the art of the Keyblade, and protectors of the Realm of Light. Those are the Keyblade Masters. Once there were many of them, like Master Eraqus and Aqua from KHBBS. However at the present time, the only one in all the worlds who holds that right is King Mickey.
4.
The Worlds Waiting for Sora and Riku to Release Them
Let’s check out the characters that appear on the stage of Sora and Riku’s adventures! There are many worlds appearing for the first time in the series, and, even in worlds that already appeared in past titles, you can visit new areas!
In past titles, characters from the Final Fantasy series such as Leon, Aeris and Cid lived in Traverse Town. Sora and Riku visit this town shortly after beginning their Mark of Mastery Exam. In KH3D, Neku and the others from ‘The World Ends With You’ for the Nintendo DS appear, and you can visit never-before-seen areas such as ‘4th District’, ‘5th District’, and ‘the botanical gardens’.
The journey starts at Traverse Town, the mystery-filled town where those with no place to go gather.
----Shiki: A bright girl who lives in the now. ‘Mr Mew’, a plush toy, is her special friend.
----Neku: A boy who doesn’t really have much to do with other people. Will he be bewildered by the boisterous Sora!?
----Joshua: It seems he has some sort of information on the worlds bound by sleep.
----Rhyme: Beat’s partner. Despite losing her memories she is bright and positive.
----Beat: Good at skateboarding and bad at losing. He’s looking for Rhyme, who has become separated from him.
This world also appears: Radiant Garden
[Lea: I see. So I’m human again.]
[???: Dilan, Eleus, Even, Ienzo…]
In cutscenes, you can get a glimpse of happenings in Radiant Garden, a place that appeared in earlier titles. The humanoid members of the group ‘Organisation XIII’ have been reborn as humans, and are seen doing something new. However, there are some members who haven’t been seen…
---Lea: A young man who was known as Axel in Organisation XIII. He sets off on a journey, searching for something.
La Cité des Cloches
The motif for the world of La Cité des Cloches is ‘the bells of Notre Dame’. You can adventure through the great church and the streets of the city appearing in this title. Sora and Riku end up searching for the reason why the Nightmares that appeared all of a sudden in this town, as they fight their way through them. Here, the two of them meet a young man who was banned from leaving the great church, Quasimodo. How will his love for the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda turn out?
Waiting in La Cité des Cloches is the faint premonition of love and the preacher with the warped sense of justice.
[Quasimodo: Is this okay? Let’s go.]

Update 2: Kotaku have translated some details from the article, which you can read below. Thanks to atheist123 from KH13 for the find.
With the latest installment to the Kingdom Hearts series, the conception of the game came from two parts: The thematic colors, and the terminology. In terms of the color, Nomura said, "For Kingdom Hearts 3D, I started off with an image of colors. I thought to myself, ‘Black and pink.'" Nomura added, "We always chose a thematic image color, but this time, interestingly enough, that was where we started." For the terminology, the creators looked back to one of the previous games, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, and took one of the keywords to that game to formulate the stage for their newest story. "In Birth by Sleep, ‘sleep' was one of the keywords we focused on, and we talked about what the main character Sora must do. We took the word ‘sleep' and moved beyond it to the realm of ‘dreams.'" Nomura explained.
One new feature of the game Nomura focused on was the ability to skip cutscenes and to view them later (a feature not seen in very many Square Enix games). "This was due both to a change we made with the non-interactive cutscenes in Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and because we wanted to maintain a tempo of the game where the player could limit the amount of time where they weren't in direct control."
The game also features a memoir function where players can see the overall plot of the entire Kingdom Hearts series, a feature Nomura expressed he had wanted for a long time. "With so many games in the series, a lot of unfamiliar players can get confused. This way, newer players who might be nervous about starting from the latest game can jump right in."

Update 1: High quality, complete scans have been uploaded to 2ch. Thanks to aibo_ac7 for the find, you can see all of these below, in our gallery. (Remember to click for larger images!)

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] has appeared with an article in the March 22, 2012 issue of Famitsu Weekly. While we do not yet have any scans or the Tetsuya Nomura interview, we do have this small piece of information from sqexgal: "Famitsu rates KH3D 10/9/10/9". This, of course, gives Kingdom Hearts 3D a rating of 38/40 from the magazine.
DChiuch

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