What is Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts 3 is a video game developed and published by Square Enix. The game was first released on the PS4 and Xbox back in 2019. The game was announced as early as 2013, with a new trailer being release every year until its release.
Kingdom Hearts 3 is the twelfth installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, and serves as the final chapter in the “Dark Seeker Saga” story arc, which began with the original Kingdom Hearts game in 2002.
The Story
The game follows the story of Sora, a young boy who wields a weapon called the Keyblade and is on a quest to save the world from darkness. He is joined by a cast of Disney and Final Fantasy characters, including Donald Duck, Goofy, and King Mickey.
The story begins with Sora, Donald, and Goofy searching for the seven “Guardians of Light” who are needed to combat the forces of darkness led by the villainous Xehanort. Along the way, they visit various Disney-themed worlds, such as Toy Box (based on Toy Story), Arendelle (based on Frozen), and San Fransokyo (based on Big Hero 6), as well as original Kingdom Hearts locations like the Realm of Darkness.
As they progress through the game, Sora and his friends learn more about the true nature of Xehanort’s plan and the role they must play in stopping him. The story also explores the relationship between Sora and his friends, as well as the bonds they share with characters from previous Kingdom Hearts games.
The Gameplay
The gameplay of Kingdom Hearts 3 is centered around real-time combat, with players controlling Sora and up to two allies in battle. Players can also use various spells and abilities, as well as summon Disney attractions like the teacups and the carousel to aid them in battle. The game also features a variety of mini-games, such as cooking with Remy from Ratatouille and collecting Lucky Emblems scattered throughout each world.
In the climactic final battle, Sora and his friends face off against Xehanort and his allies in a showdown that will determine the fate of the universe. The game ends with a hopeful note, setting the stage for future Kingdom Hearts adventures.
Random Facts of Interest
- Kingdom Hearts 3 was released more than a decade after Kingdom Hearts 2, with fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the story.
- It features characters from various Disney franchises, including Toy Story, Frozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Monsters, Inc., as well as Final Fantasy characters.
- The game introduces a new gameplay mechanic called Attractions, which allows players to summon and ride Disney theme park rides during battles.
- Kingdom Hearts 3 also includes a new keyblade transformation system, allowing players to transform their keyblade into different forms with unique abilities.
- The game’s director, Tetsuya Nomura, stated that he had planned the ending of the Kingdom Hearts series since the release of the first game in 2002, making Kingdom Hearts 3 the culmination of a long-running story arc.
If You Haven’t Played Any of the Games
So you are new to Kingdom Hearts and you haven’t played any of the games yet? Then I would recommend you playing Kingdom Hearts 3 last. This is because the game is the final chapter in the Dark Seeker Saga. There’s a long history to the game series, but I would first recommend checking out Kingdom Hearts The Story So Far. This game will get you ready for Kingdom Hearts 3 if you’re just looking to check out the latest installments.
DLC & PC Release
In early 2020 Square Enix released a DLC for the game called ReMind. The DLC included 2 new keyblades, a new story (plus updated main story), and introduced 13 new bosses.
On March 30, 2021 the game and DLC was released for the PC exclusively on the Epic Game Store. The PC version allows for better framerates and higher resolution, offering an overall better visual experience while playing the game. Be sure to check the game out running in 4K at 60FPS on the PC below.
Credit for header graphic: Thekingbladder995 on DeviantArt.
