Kingdom Hearts II - Officially Confirmed + Pictures

[SuperPac]

My theory about the whole GBA KH game is this:

They might be planning on porting KH1 and eventually 2 to the Cube, so then you can play them all together.

[Kossage]

Well, there is one thing about that KH2 video that I'd like to ask: Is the Unknown guy summoning four other Unknowns or are those four Unknown just copies of the Unknown? That one confused me a bit so I'd like to hear what you think about it.

[lemonation]

Oooh. The video was awesome. I taped it when they showed it on TV. I immediately watched it ten more times.
Anyway. I thought the others were being summoned, but that's just my opinion.
Still. Good lord that video was awesome!

[Jalbrean]

Here's a recent interview with Tetsuya Nomura.

Square Enix developer talks about Kingdom Hearts II, Chain of Memories, and Advent Children, the movie sequel to Final Fantasy VII.

In the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation magazine, Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura answered some questions about Kingdom Hearts II for the PlayStation 2, which he will direct. Nomura also answered a few questions about Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, the newly announced CG movie that he will also be directing, and the upcoming GBA Kingdom Hearts title, Chain of Memories.

Dengeki PlayStation magazine: When did the plans for Kingdom Hearts II come up?

Tetsuya Nomura: The plans were around since the time when Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, wrapped production, but the specifics weren't decided until this July or August.

DPM: Why did you decide to produce a Game Boy version of Kingdom Hearts?

TN: I heard a story that kids wanted to play Kingdom Hearts on the GBA. It also seemed that there was a similar demand overseas, so I thought that it had to be created. The plans for the GBA game were thought over while talking with Disney about Kingdom Hearts II. Actually, the vision of the game didn't become concrete until very recently.

DPM: None of the worlds of Disney in Kingdom Hearts II have been revealed. Will it be possible to go through different worlds in Kingdom Hearts II as well?

TN: Of course. The number of worlds in Kingdom Hearts II shouldn't be less than Kingdom Hearts, so please look forward to it. Kingdom Hearts II will have new worlds, and some worlds from Kingdom Hearts will be in the game.

DPM: Will Twilight Town hold the same kind of standpoint in the game, like Traverse Town from Kingdom Hearts?

TN: I can't answer that question, but it is definitely a town that plays an important role and comes into the scenario.

DPM: The illustration (of Twilight Town) has a building that looks like a train station. Will it be possible to go to other worlds by riding on this train?

TN: I can't answer that question yet, but that building has an important meaning.

DPM: Is the island that has been revealed (through a recently released photo) Destiny Island from Kingdom Hearts?

TN: Probably. (Laughs) I can't reveal details yet, so users should try using their imagination.

DPM: Kingdom Hearts II's main illustration shows Mickey Mouse, but will he be appearing at the beginning of the game?

TN: Mickey Mouse will be handled in a special way in Kingdom Hearts II, so I can't answer details at the current time. Other characters from Disney will join in the player's party, similar to Kingdom Hearts.

DPM: Will Sora's friends, Riku and Kairi, appear in Kingdom Hearts II?

TN: A major point to Kingdom Hearts II is whether or not Sora will be able to see them again. So I can't answer that question.

DPM: It seems that there are characters that appear in both the GBA game and KHII?

TN: There are characters that make their first appearances in the GBA game, but please wait for additional news releases for information on them.

DPM: The enemy in Kingdom Hearts II is no longer just the Heartless this time? Also, there are men wearing black jackets, but are they the same people from Kingdom Hearts?

TN: The white enemies seen in Kingdom Hearts II are third forces following the Villains [in each world] and the Heartless from Kingdom Hearts. I can't say who's who amongst the people in the black jackets, but a character from Kingdom Hearts is among them for sure.

DPM: Are there any major changes in the battle system?

TN: The basis (of the battle system) is still the same, but there will be a number of totally new options. With the additional options implemented to the battle system, there should be a wider range of possible strategies in Kingdom Hearts II. There are also a number of changes and additions to the magic and summons in the game. The overall concept of summoning will be different in Kingdom Hearts II, so please look forward.

DPM: What about actions and the transportation system?

TN: There were a variety of actions in Kingdom Hearts, and there will be even more in KHII. As for the gummy ship, we are thinking of something similar to it.

DPM: What about puzzles?

TN: There will probably be lots of objects on the field that the player will be able to meddle with. The story will obviously be complex and have some puzzles in it too, since it continues from points alluded to in Kingdom Hearts.

DPM: Will there be a place like the Coliseum from Kingdom Hearts and other minigames in Kingdom Hearts II?

TN: The coliseum will be incredible. There will also be a lot of minigame factors that can be looked forward to.

DPM: Will all the mysteries from Kingdom Hearts get answered?

TN: All the mysteries from Kingdom Hearts will be answered in Kingdom Hearts II--by design. (Laughs)

DPM: Why was a movie sequel to Final Fantasy VII decided for development, and when was it decided?

TN: About a year back, Visual Works (a company that has developed CG movies for Square) picked FFVII as the theme for a presentation that they were going to create. Our research and development department worked with them on its launch, and I joined the crew after producer Kitase-san called me. It's going to be released as a sequel, but it was planned to just be a visual presentation in the beginning.

DPM: Why is Advent Children a movie instead of a game? Are there any differences between making a game and making a full movie?

TN: First of all, we started off from the project that Visual Works was handling, but they can't make a game on their own. We tried to see if we could make it into a game, but it wasn't possible due to a number of factors. As a result, we decided to stick with the original plan and work on it as a movie production. The development isn't too different from the way we make movies that get used in our games, but our schedule is a bit tight. We need to keep the cost down since it's not a game, but [we still need to] maintain high quality.

DPM: Are there any differences between creating movies for games and creating Advent Children?

TN: There are more efforts put into the textures and the atmosphere. We usually need to balance [the movie graphics] with the game screen, but there are no such limitations in Advent Children, so we're going all out on it.

DPM: What meaning does Final Fantasy VII have for you?

TN: It was the Final Fantasy game that I was most involved in, and it is also my favorite. It's also where the series takes a radical change [from past FF titles].

DPM: How is production going?

TN: We are at about 10 percent done. Not all the characters have been created yet, but the scenario has already been completed.

DPM: Were there any things that you were especially careful about when bringing back Cloud and Sephiroth to the screen?

TN: What you are seeing now is the result of numerous explorations. Since it was impossible to bring the look [from FFVII] directly to the new realistic look (in Advent Children), the characteristics that would allow anybody to recognize Cloud and the others were left behind on them.

DPM: What kind of standing does the new character fighting with Cloud have?

TN: He is an enemy.

DPM: Were the characters in Advent Children's promotional video animated through motion capture?

TN: They were animated by motion capture, but that capture was recently taken for promotional use. It isn't a part of the main movie.

DPM: Are the battle scenes also created through motion capture?

TN: Many are, but parts that aren't humanly possible are done by hand.

DPM: Will the characters have voices? And will it be in English or Japanese?

TN: The characters will have voices, but I can't answer more.

DPM: What is the theme of Advent Children?

TN: Nojima, who handles the scenario, says that it won't be something soft, like healing. It will be about survival.

DPM: Where, specifically, will Advent Children take place? Will it be somewhere from the original Final Fantasy VII?

TN: It's hidden in the logo.

DPM: How long will Advent Children be?

TN: It is planned to run for 60 minutes.

DPM: Are there any chances for a FFVII sequel to be developed as a game after the release of Advent Children?

TN: I hope that this project may lead to something, since we woke up something that was sleeping.

[MateriaBladeVII]

Hey- how come i can't download the trailer??? It's annoying! I wanna see it now!!!! Grrrr! I've tried clicking on the link and "Save Target As" but neither are successful! I've been waiting for news on KH2 for like ages! I have to see it!!!!!!

[SephirothsAngel]

I'm so excited about KH2 and KH CoM. I'll (luckily) get to experience them both (I have a PS2 and my brother has a GBA). I'm really, really excited about the Advent Children thing! I'm so happy!

[Jack]

Quik ques.,...

If you had the UK version of Kigdom Hearts, you could getbthis video of a dark futuristic city, as it's raining, and with Sora (At least, i think it's sora) in cape. he gets attacked by heartless. Then Riku (I think) whos standing on top of a tower blinfolded watchs. At the end, you see Kairi, with long hair on the beach watch a blue beam fall to earth,
IS THAT KINGDOM HEARTS 2?

If yes, it looks amazing
If not, why the is it on Kingdom Hearts?

RATM-Bullet In the Head
This time the bullet cold rocked ya
A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika
Nothin' proper about ya propaganda
Fools follow the rules when the set commands ya
They said it was blue
When the boold was red
That's is how you got a bullet blasted through your head

Blasted through your head
Blasted through your head

I give a shout out to the living dead
Who stood and watched at the feds cold centralized
So serene on the screen
You was mesmerized
Cellular phones soundin' a death tone
Corporations cold
Turn ya to stone before you realize

They load the clip in omnicolor
They pack the 9, they fire it at prime time
Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz
And mutha as lost their minds

Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high

They load the clip in omnicolor
They pack the 9, they fire it at prime time
Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz
And mutha as lost their minds

No escape from the mass mind rape
Play it again jack and then rewind the tape
Play it again and again and again
Until ya mind is locked in
Believin' all the lies that they are tellin' ya
Buying all the products that they are selling ya
They say jump
Ya say how high
Ya brain dead
Ya gotta in' bullet in your head

Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high

Ya standin' in line
Believin' the lies
Ya bowin' down to the flag
Ya got a in' bullet in ya head

RATM-Guriella Radio

Transmission third world war third round
A decade of the weapon of sound above ground
Ain't no shelter if you're looking for shade
I lick shots at the brutal charade
As tha polls close like a casket
On truth devoured
A silent play on the shadow of power
A spectacle monopolized
The camera's eye on choice disguised
Was it cast for the mass who burn and toil?
Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil?
A spectacle monopolized
They hold the reins and stole your eyes
The fistagons bullets and bombs
Who stuff the banks
Who staff the party ranks
More for Gore or the son of a drug lord
None of the above it cut the cord

Lights out guerrilla radio
Turn that trout up

Contact I highjacked the frequencies
Blockin' the beltway
Move on DC
Way past the days of bombin' mc's
Sound off Mumia guan be free
Who gottem yo check the federal file
All you pen devils know the trial was vile
An army of pigs try to silence my style
Off em all out that box it's my radio dial

Lights out guerrilla radio
Turn that trout up

It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place than here
What better time than now
All hell can't stop us now

[SephirothsAngel]

I think the video is a preview for KH2. Because at one point they do say something to the extent of "Where's Sora?" or something like that. And he does appear in it. I know the name of the scene is Deep Dive and it's suppose to be added in with other new scenes for KH Final Mix (I think).

[MateriaBladeVII]

Well, let me put it this way- in a sense it is KH2. However, the Deep Dive trailer is nothing more than a brainstorm or first draft for it. They changed some things after its creation. Kairi's hair was changed back to its normal length- or at least to one a little more believable and the general feel and graphics were modified so that they felt a little bit more like Kingdom Hearts. Shall we say that they were just testing the waters, gathering their ideas for their upcoming project?

My guess was that that first trailer was designed only by Square- even before Disney Interactive agreed to making a sequel. So there was no Disney interference allowing Square to be a little more dark and uncheery about it. Trust me, I think after Disney also began working with it, it got a whole lot better. The actual KH-feel began to surface in its creation. I'll admit I was a little worried about them ruining the whole KH theme, but now after seeing their modified updated designs and graphics, I have such high hopes for this game and I hope it loves up to its predecessor.

[Advent Child]

i think square added in deep dive/special secret so they could force disney into a sequel. but the video was really cool as it was. by the way, legolas is talking about special secret, not deep dive. deep dive is only in final mix, which was released in japan only. and deep dive didn't have the scene on the beach. only special secret did.

i'm also pretty sure it's not soras seeing as the KH2 video/screenshots clearly show him with the same haircut and the guy in the movie at the end not only had a different hair style but also a different COLOUR. He bears no resemblance whatsoever. The guy with the blindfold is suspected to be riku.

[MateriaBladeVII]

Yea well- Special Secret, Deep Dive- same difference. They both were just the brainstorm for the actual KH2. I've seen 'em both and we know now that the none of the guys in Special Secret are Sora. He is- or at least his copy/duplicate is- shown at the very end of Deep Dive floating across the water. And we now know what Sora's gonna look like in the sequel along with Kairi, Riku (or at least we think we do), Donald, Goofy, and Mickey- so there's no need even for this debate.

[Ouch!]

Rather it's most commonly thought to be that new guy whose face we never see, y'know dual-wielding blondie.

[Advent Child]

Originally posted by MateriaBladeVII
so there's no need even for this debate.

I know. Which makes me wonder why you basically just rephrased what I said and posted again xD

[Squall]

The game is gonna rock,whether Sora is in it,or the blondie.

[Ouch!]

They're both in it. We are playing as Sora, again.