OMFG WHERE IS THE EXCITEMENT? *SPOILERS*

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Birth by Sleep is being released today. I am going in less than 10 hours to get it from the local gaming store. What about you guys? Come on, make some noise!

[Wolf Kanno]

I won't be picking mine up til tomorrow when I go to work. I reserved it today actually, as well as a copy for my GF who really got into Org. XIII... I mean Kingdom Hearts.

I was thinking about waiting for the game but then I remembered this was suppose to be the entry that answers a few major questions in the main series that I am interested in. No to mention the handheld entries have an excellent track record with me as opposed to the lukeworm console entries.

[Pheesh]

I'm actually going to buy a PSP for this game, anyone know if not having played 358/2 will put me at a disadvantage when playing this game?

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Not really. BbS is the prequel to KHI. Most of the returning characters were introduced in other instalments, though the Org. XIII is better fleshed out in 358/2 Days and you meet some of the Org. XIII members before they become Nobodies. At least, that's what I understand.

Also, playing it now~

[Wolf Kanno]

Since its a prequel to all the entries, I would like to think you don't need to play any of the other entries beyond answering a few questions. I think most of 358/2's connections to the game simply comes from some of the members of Org. XIII having met the main three characters of BBS before and even then it was mostly very subtle.

As far as I know, this isn't like the whole CoM fiasco where Squenix kept insisting you could skip the game and not have it affect KH2 terribly much when in reality the game was incredibly important to the event of KH2.

[razorrozar7]

Zack is in it! Although I seem to be in the minority in liking Crisis Core...

[Ouch!]

Crisis Core was the only good game to come out of the FFVII compilation.

I'm going to pick this up as soon as my roommate gets back from class.

[razorrozar7]

Hopefully I'll ne getting BbS later today.

*Goes off to FFVII Compilation forum*

[Depression Moon]

meh it's for PSP. Is there an explanation as to why the guy looks exactly like Roxas/Sora?

[Ouch!]

meh it's for PSP. Is there an explanation as to why the guy looks exactly like Roxas/Sora?
Yes. And it's really not that difficult to figure out if you've been paying attention since KH1.

[Crop]

I think KH would still be one of my favourite series if they had just continued to bring out games for the consoles.

[Del Murder]

I need to remember to get this game.

[Wolf Kanno]

Its been interesting to say the least, the game is alluding towards being very customization friendly, not to mention all three characters offer very different styles of gameplay. So far, one of my favorite additions to combat has been the Shocklock, cause it hits that nice medium of being awesome looking and actually practical at the same time, and its for magic.

In terms of VA work, Ventus is nice by Jesse McCartney usually does a really good job in all his other roles. Aqua sounds nice but she seems to have a minor accent that makes her dialogue come across a little stiff. Terra has the weirdest choice of a VA, its way higher than I thought it would be but it may grow on me.

The board game is an interesting diversion as well as a really creative way to level your abilities. For those who don't know, it plays like Monopoly where you buy squares on the board and place abilities your characters have on them. As you gain points, you can raise the level of the squares so your opponents have to pay even more when thy land on them. The points also go towards real XP for leveling the skills and its a fun way to acquire new skills as well.

My only regret is that I won't be able to put any good time into the game until next week. :(

[razorrozar7]

I started with Aqua. I like the game so far. I DON'T like the fact that all three of the first worlds are Princess worlds, but that's probably because I'm a heterosexual male.

[Del Murder]

meh it's for PSP. Is there an explanation as to why the guy looks exactly like Roxas/Sora?
Yes. And it's really not that difficult to figure out if you've been paying attention since KH1.
I haven't figured it out! (no spoilers please) Don't be a know it all.

I just got the game! Just started too. Like, literally only watched the opening scene, which was beautiful. PSP has some great graphical capabilities.

[razorrozar7]

It soesn't look quite as good on my 780p tv, but it is good for a PSP game. As good as Crisis Core, at least.

[Wolfen]

It soesn't look quite as good on my 780p tv, but it is good for a PSP game. As good as Crisis Core, at least.They both use the same graphics engine.

I already beat all three stories on Standard Mode.

[Wolf Kanno]

Okay, BBS just might have the best combat system in the series. Switching between Ventus' murderous Light mode or his downright malicious Fire mode is just kick ass and have I mentioned how awesome magic is? Did I also forget to mention they actually put in Status Magic, one of the elements I've noticed fans on this forum were actually clamoring to have implemented.

I also never realized how much I missed some of the abilites from KH1, such as Strike Raid and Ragnarok. :cool:

[razorrozar7]

I agree, I really like the Command Style thing. I still don't like how Cure can be interrupted and then not recast for thirty seconds or so, but you can't win 'em all.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Cure could always be interrupted (maybe not in KHI, but in KHII it could be) thus you need to get the Leaf Bracer ability.

[razorrozar7]

I know it could, and I never liked it. Is Leaf Bracer in BbS?

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Yup!

[razorrozar7]

Do you get it from the crystal that adds HP abilities or the one that powers up magic?

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Pulsating Crystals! :D

[razorrozar7]

*scribbles on arm*

Beat it yet, TSoL? I've been playing Crisis Core some, so I haven't.

[Del Murder]

Okay, BBS just might have the best combat system in the series.
Yeah from what I've played it is quite polished and enjoyable. Very elaborate though.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Because of work, I have only been playing it in a few hour stints. So I am like 8 hours into it. Almost done Terra's story from the looks of it.

[razorrozar7]

I've just about finished Aqua's story, moving on to Terra's next.

[Wolf Kanno]

I'm 14-15 hours into Ventus' story and just reached Neverland. I would be farther along but work and my convention got in the way. Though I did do a bit of co-op at my convention so I have a few extra D-Links and was able to unlock a level 2 Command style for Ven in the Mirage Arena. I'm about level 30 now and sadly, addicted to the monopoly board game.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Halfway through Aqua's story, saving Ventus' for last. :D

[razorrozar7]

I'm 14-15 hours into Ventus' story and just reached Neverland. I would be farther along but work and my convention got in the way. Though I did do a bit of co-op at my convention so I have a few extra D-Links and was able to unlock a level 2 Command style for Ven in the Mirage Arena. I'm about level 30 now and sadly, addicted to the monopoly board game.

you must been in mirage arena a long time it only took me 13 hours to play through aqua's whole storyline.

[Wolf Kanno]

I've finished Ventus and Terra's story and currently 2/3rds of the way into Aqua's storyline. Ventus' plot was a little... weird but makes much more sense as you play through the rest of the characters stories. My favorite Command styles so far are Diamond Dust, Critical Impact, Sky Climber, Blademaster (Aqua) and Wing Blade... oh good god Wing Blade is awesome. :cool:

Ventus is my favorite to play as but sadly I like Terra and Aqua better as characters. Ventus is like a whiny version of Roxas who doesn't have as much of a chip on his shoulder as Roxas did. Granted that changes after his story but oh well, I still find the other two characters more interesting, even if Terra is incredibly gullible and trusting.

Also, smurfing Leonard Nimoy and Mark Hamil do outstanding jobs in their roles. Its a shame Leonard retired after doing this role cause if Old Man Master Xehanort ever returned I can't imagine anyone else doing as good of a job.

The combat continues to impress me and I love the D-Link system as it has proven invaluable in Aqua's storyline cause several of them offer enough buffing abilities to let Aqua fight like Ven or Terra if need be which is great in the beginning of the game when you have access only to the low level magic. Aqua's story has been the hardest but mostly cause this is the first time the series has forced you to play a mage heavy character in KH. She's frighteningly powerful but the beginning of the game is much harder for her cause she's more combat skill reliant than Terra and Ven who can easily button mash their way through battles. Thank god most of the keyblades give crit bonuses.

So far the game has just been incredibly awesome and I'm looking forward to the Final Episode.

[Del Murder]

The battles in this game are more fun than any KH game yet. I love the command styles and melding commands to make new stuff. Don't miss MP at all.

[Rostum]

At the moment I'm a little 'meh' about the game. One of the mistakes was that I am playing Ventus first, which apparently isn't a good idea in terms of story (no idea why they let you choose) - at least I'm told. I haven't experimented with melding commands much yet and I am playing on Proud mode which is proving more difficult that other KH Proud modes.

If anyone can, I'd really appreciate some advice on what kind of build for each character I should be aiming at (like what to meld and use for Ventus).

[Wolf Kanno]

Ventus is the speedy character and he has rather low defense so you need to balance him with fast moves and long range. Unlike Terra and Aqua, Ventus is the most balanced in terms of proficiency with physical and magical skills so its better to keep that up and give him a mix of magic and physical abilities.

Ventus' unique skills include:

Wind Raid ***
Spark Raid ***
Treasure Raid *
Ars Arcanum *****
Tornado ****
Salvation ****
Faith *****

I also highly recommend getting a move called Time Splicer as it is one of the best physical skills for Ven and Aqua (Terra can't learn it) its made by melding Blitz (you'll pick it up from a chest eventually if you don't make one by accident) and Stopga. Wind and Spark Raid are great for medium range combat cause Wind hits an enemy multiple times while spark can hit groups. Treasure Raid is useless cause you can get Finish Commands that do the same thing. Tornado may not seem all that great but it does fairly good damage and is essential for beating one of the games optional super bosses (This move actually makes Ven have the easiest time of the three). Salvation and Faith are similar, they both do major Holy damage in an area around Ven and actually heal him at the same time. I prefer Faith cause Salvation has a bit of charge up time which allows him to be knocked out of the ability. Ars Arcanum is an incredibly good melee option for Ven and is made by melding high level abilites with Sonic Blade.

Ven also gets one of his nastier Command Styles in the Mirage Arena. You have to do the battle with the Iron Imprisoner II to get it (its like the third or fourth battle available but its before the rematch round with the Trinity Armor) this gives you Sky Climber which is Ven's second best command style. He learns his best style, Wing Blade, at the start of the Deep Space world. I don't really care for Cyclone but its better than nothing I guess.

Overall, you should mostly be using Ven's Dodge Roll, Reversal, and their Payback moves to cause extra damage. Ven gets terrible unique shotlocks except his Ultimate one which is pretty insanely broken but that requires you complete Master of Arenas match which is no easy feat. I recommend trying to get the Lightning Ray shotlock for now which can be gained by a rare medling of Thunder and Thundara (just keep melding until it does a rare meld and gives you the skill instead of Thundaga) or you can get from one of the game boards, which was either Deep Space or Skull Map I forget which I'm afraid.

Ven actually has the easiest time of the three cause later on Terra's lackluster movement abilites along with his rather low defense cause him trouble and Aqua's strength becomes her weakness cause a lot of her final bosses can dodge magic rather easily. Ven is surprisingly more adapt than they are even if he has issue dealing damage. I recommend you keep him with Keyblades that boast high crit rates cause Ven's strength is low so trying to supplement it with a physically stronger Keyblade doesn't help him as much as giving him one that makes a majority of his strikes critical hits. His final Keyblade is great but if you can, I would suggest tracking down all the Ice Cream recipes so you can unlock the Sweet Stack Keyblade cause it has great stats and makes most of your attacks into crtitical hits. Its Ven's best weapon before you get the harder to achieve Void Gear, No Name, and Ultima Weapon.

[Del Murder]

Wow, that's a nice little guide. Thanks WK! I'm still only on Disney Town in Ven's story (I chose Ven first like Rustam did). I thought I was close to the end of it but it sounds like I've got a ways to go! This game is pretty big. :o

I haven't bothered with the Mirage Arena but maybe I should to get that command style, since I love the command styles.

[Depression Moon]

Anyone knows why that dude looks like Roxas/Sora yet?

[Del Murder]

I'm sure if you beat the game you find out. :p Don't spoil us who haven't please.

[Rostum]

Thanks WK! I'm actually up to the last save point for Ventus, so now would be a perfect time to get in to all of that.

[qwertysaur]

I'm sure if you beat the game you find out. :p Don't spoil us who haven't please.
You find out at the end of the game.

[Wolf Kanno]

Wow, that's a nice little guide. Thanks WK! I'm still only on Disney Town in Ven's story (I chose Ven first like Rustam did). I thought I was close to the end of it but it sounds like I've got a ways to go! This game is pretty big. :o

I haven't bothered with the Mirage Arena but maybe I should to get that command style, since I love the command styles.

The game is pretty big. I'm still trying to beat the Unknown to complete Ven's story and then I need to finish up completing Terra and Aqua's reports as well as taking on the optional bosses for them.

My main advice is to experiment and have fun with Melding commands. Most skills become available in shops once they are created or found and later on it becomes really easy to level those skills so there is really nothing lost with playing around with them.

If you feel you may need levels for Ven and Aqua, use the D-Link with Mickey. Once he gets to his level 2 form (he is wearing his wizard outfit from Fantasia) he unlocks a skill that doubles all XP and CP so then it becomes ridiculously easy to power level. Terra... doesn't get Mickey I'm afraid. Instead you need to unlock an ability called Exp. Chance which double Exp. when the character is under 25% health. He has a move called Sacrifice which works a bit like Soul Eater in the FF series. It does a huge amount of damage but sacrifices his HP to do it. Knock him into critical status and then use Magenega to keep enemies from ganging up and killing him. If you have Meteor (Quake melded with Geo Impact if memory serves me correct), you can use Magenega to get all enemies into one spot and then kill them all at once with Meteor or even Mega Flare (Fission Firaga merged with Crawling Firaga) and that will lower the amount of time you need to use Sacrifice to knock him back down to low health.


Anyone knows why that dude looks like Roxas/Sora yet?

I think the opening of the game hints pretty strongly, not to mention Ventus' ending but the games true ending pretty much spells it out for the player.


Thanks WK! I'm actually up to the last save point for Ventus, so now would be a perfect time to get in to all of that.

Time Splicer and Faith are must for Ventus. They will make going through the Mirage Arena and the last parts of the game much easier. Neverland is a really good place to level in Ven and Aqua's story. Just play with the melding and experiment with different command set ups. Also, make sure to check out the Mirage arena cause you can buy two different Shotlocks for characters (three in Aqua's storyline) that can only be gained through rare melding if you don't purchase them there. Its also a pretty good place to level and you get each characters ultimate Shotlock and the Ultima Keyblade for completing the Arena.

[qwertysaur]

If you feel you may need levels for Ven and Aqua, use the D-Link with Mickey. Once he gets to his level 2 form (he is wearing his wizard outfit from Fantasia) he unlocks a skill that doubles all XP and CP so then it becomes ridiculously easy to power level.

Micky only doubles XP. Experiment 626 (Stitch) doubles CP.

[Wolf Kanno]

My bad, I don't use Stitch too much. :p

[Depression Moon]

I think the opening of the game hints pretty strongly, not to mention Ventus' ending but the games true ending pretty much spells it out for the player.

Can't you just tell me? I won't ever get the game.

[Fynn]

I think the opening of the game hints pretty strongly, not to mention Ventus' ending but the games true ending pretty much spells it out for the player.

Can't you just tell me? I won't ever get the game.

Why not? It is a very good game.