Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (キングダムハーツ バース バイ スリープ, Kingudamu Hātsu Bāsu bai Surīpu?) is an action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable. The game was released in Japan on January 9, 2010,[3] and planned for release in other territories.[4] Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep was also released with a limited edition PSP-3000 as a bundle in Japan featuring designs from the Kingdom Hearts series on its back.[5] Nomura has referred to the game as "Episode 0"[6] saying that the game is on the same scale and plays as big an importance as the console titles in the series, Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II.[7]
The game is a prequel to the first Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation 2, taking place ten years before the original, and features many previously unseen characters and unexplained plot elements from the original Kingdom Hearts series. The game centers on the journeys of Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, characters briefly featured in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+, in their quest to locate the missing Master Xehanort. The game also utilizes an overhauled battle system different from previous games in the series with new elements such as the Command Board, Command System and Dimensional-Links added in
Birth by Sleep is an action role-playing game. Its battle system has received an overhaul of that from previous Kingdom Hearts games and slightly resembles that of Re:Chain of Memories. The game allows players to customize their "deck" by choosing which techniques and abilities to display.[10][11]
Another new gameplay aspect is the Command System; when the command gauge is filled and requirements have been fulfilled, the Command Style of the character will change. When the gauge fills up and the requirements have been fulfilled for the second time, the character will change to an even higher level Command Style.[9][12] Yet another new aspect of the game is a new character growth system where the characters would grow rather than just level up like in previous games, however this aspect of the game has not been shown yet.[9]
A new feature of the game is the Command Board, which appears whenever the player completes a world, and can be accessed from save points and the world map once unlocked. Each world has its own unique Command Board with its own tricks and mechanisms. The Command Board plays like a regular board game where a die is thrown and the player moves, each space having its own unique effect on the player. Various Disney characters from throughout the game also appear on their respective Command Board to either aid or hinder the player. Special panels in the board game can trigger "special events" when landed on by the player.[9]
Ven using a D-Link with Stitch
The game does not utilize a Magic Points (MP) system for spell or magic casting, unlike in previous games in the series.[9] Instead it uses a new system known as "Focus" which is displayed in a gauge on the interface, involving targeting spells using what is known as the "Shoot Lock Mode". It also involves the characters casting spells in a first person mode, where each character is able to cast their own unique magic attacks.[9][13]
Another new aspect of the game is the Dimension Link (D-Link) which can be used to summon allies to lend their power to aid the player from different worlds. Companions such as Experiment 626 who have been left behind in previous worlds can be called upon once again to temporarily aid the player in his or her, by providing player with an entirely new range of new attacks in their command decks replacing the usual ones. At the end, a new powerful finishing move is activated to take out enemies. Each ally used will have a unique set of attacks and finishing move. Each finishing move has two levels which can render a finishing move more powerful than before, similar to that of the Command System. The D-Link can be activated by pressing/holding both the shoulder buttons and pressing the circle button to activate.
Scenarios
The game is divided into three separate scenarios, with each scenario surrounding an individual of the three main characters: Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. The gameplay of each scenario differs based on the personalities and abilities of each character such as power, speed and magic. Players are able to choose which of the three scenarios to begin with and are able to switch to another scenario, midway through playing a scenario.[1] The scenario's recommended order of play by Nomura is Terra, followed by Ventus, and lastly Aqua, allowing the player to best understand the story.[7] In addition, the three scenarios are very different and only share the same story-line for the first ten minutes of the story.[7]
Multiplayer
The features a multiplayer mode known as Joint Struggle, which supports up to six players at a time.[15] Players control one of the three main characters suited in armor in a world known as the Mirage Arena. Players are able to fight in different gameplay modes which include as "VS Arena Mode" where players fight co-operatively in a "Survival Mode" style of gameplay against wave after wave of Unversed, as well as a "Race" mode where players race competitively with each other on their Keyblade vehicles which can also be used to attack rivals. Setting records in the Mirage Arena earns players medals which can be exchanged for rare items in-game.[16] Only Ad-Hoc wireless multiplayer is allowed.