Stephen Meyerink
New Kingdom Hearts III Footage Released
I'm not really succeeding at staying calm.
10.15.13 - 2:20 AM

Last night's D23 event in Tokyo dropped not only the Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMix announcement bomb, but also featured a new trailer with brand-new footage from the still very far-off Kingdom Hearts III. That footage was previously unreleased.

Until now.

Gaze upon it below, and formulate opinions!

The first portion of the video takes place in Twilight Town and showcases a new-and-improved Sora, Donald, and Goofy battling Heartless with a variety of attacks. The new graphics engine makes for a lush display of fiery magic, as well as Sora splitting his keyblade into two pistols (much like Xigbar of Organization XIII) and blasting the Heartless to pieces.

We're then treated to footage of Sora summoning and riding what appears to be the Disneyland Electric Light Parade's Pirate Ship. Calling up huge torrents of water and bludgeoning Heartless with the ship itself accompany a fantastical display of lighting effects.

The final portion of the footage encompasses a roller-coaster ride (literally) across Big Magic Mountain (which seems to be taking inspiration from Big Thunder Mountain, also at Disney), where Sora & Co. take on the Hercules Rock Titan. Attacking with the keyblade as the coaster zooms around the environment on rails of light entails yet another brilliant light show, and it is during this sequence that we get a good look at the character modeling for the trio of heroes-- and it looks lovely.

While this was certainly early footage, as evidenced by some abrupt animations and awkward-looking physics, for a game purportedly several years out, things are shaping up quite nicely. Only time will tell, however, when we'll get another chance to catch a glimpse of Kingdom Hearts III.


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