Editing Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

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{{Spoiler 358/2 Days}}

|title=Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

|image=[[Image:DaysLogo.png|300px]]

|japan=キングダムハーツ 358/2 Days

|romaji=Kingudamu Hātsu Surī Faibu Eito Deizu ōbā Tsū

|developer=[[wikipedia:Square Enix|Square Enix]]<br/>h.a.n.d. Inc.

|publisher=Square Enix

|release=[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] May 30, 2009<br>[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px]]/[[Image:Flag of the United States.png|20px]] September 29, 2009 <br>[[Image:European flag.svg.png|20px|Europe]] October 2, 2009

|genre= Action role-playing game

|modes= Single player, multiplayer

|ratings= [[Wikipedia:CERO|CERO]]: A<br>[[Wikipedia:ESRB|ESRB]]: E10+

|platforms= [[Wikipedia:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS]]

|}}

'''''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''''' (read "Kingdom Hearts Three-Five-Eight Days over Two") is an RPG developed by [[wikipedia:Square Enix|Square Enix]] for the Nintendo DS, with aid from h.a.n.d. It is an installment in the best-selling ''[[Kingdom Hearts|Kingdom Hearts series]]''. The game features the life of [[Roxas]] between the end of ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' and the beginning of ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', exploring the time from Roxas' creation until his confrontation with [[Riku]] that leads to his placement in the [[simulated Twilight Town]], which is actually just a data-based [[Twilight Town]], as shown in ''Kingdom Hearts II''. The title seems to reference the number of days Roxas was in [[Organization XIII]] (358), but it seemed like a dream to Roxas (evening before bed and the next morning when the "dream" took place equals two days) when he was in the simulated Twilight Town.

Square Enix, revealed at Tokyo Game Show 2007 that a new unique installment of the ''Kingdom Hearts Series'' would be coming exclusively to the Nintendo DS. In 358/2 Days, Players will learn more about Roxas' time in the Organization XIII by engaging in both exciting single-player & multiplayer modes. Many unanswered questions about Roxas' life (while [[Sora]] was sleeping for one year) will be explored alongside offering ''Kingdom Hearts'' fans a whole new way to enjoy the series in a variety of Disney [[world|worlds]]. In December 2008, it has been announced that the game will come to stateside audiences as well as in Europe. A North American date of September 29, 2009 was given at Nintendo's E3 2009 press conference.

==Characters==

Like previous ''Kingdom Hearts'' titles, ''358/2 Days'' will feature numerous Disney characters. Confirmed characters include Roxas, [[King Mickey]] and [[Riku]]. All Organization XIII members will be playable in multiplayer mode. The trailers have also revealed a previously unknown 14th member of Organization XIII, [[Xion]], who has great significance in the story. The Heartless will appear as the primary antagonists, including several new types. Also, some special Heartless will appear as normal encounters, such as the [[Possessor]] in [[Beast]]'s Castle. There are many old bosses seen like [[Guard Armor]] and [[Darkside]]. [[Moogles]] will also appear in the game, they themselves wearing [[Black Cloak]]s. It has also been shown that [[Pete]] will feature in various worlds such as [[Agrabah]]. However, with the exception of the aformentioned Moogles, there will be no other Final Fantasy characters in the game.

[[File:Darkmoogle.PNG|thumb|49px]][[File:Emo-moogle.jpg|thumb|264px]]

[[Image:AxelRoxasXion.png|thumb|left|Roxas, Xion, and Axel on <br>[[Destiny Islands]].]]

The game covers the story of Roxas before the events of ''Kingdom Hearts II''. On the day he is born as Sora's Nobody when Sora transforms into a Heartless in the original Kingdom Hearts, Roxas is found by Xemnas, the leader of Organization XIII, who names him its thirteenth member. Each day he is sent on missions to other worlds, either alone or accompanied by his fellow members, to destroy Heartless with the Keyblade and release captive hearts, with which the Organization can fulfill their goal of summoning Kingdom Hearts and become complete beings. Roxas is placed under the care of Axel, who he befriends and spends his spare time with at the end of each day, sitting atop the clock tower in Twilight Town, speaking what's on their minds and eating sea salt ice cream together.

Shortly after Roxas's induction, the Organization sees the arrival of a mysterious fourteenth member, Xion. Later, when Axel and several other members are assigned to Castle Oblivion (setting the stage for Chain of Memories), Roxas is paired with Xion. The two begin to bond, and the reclusive Xion begins opening up to Roxas, revealing her resemblance to Sora's friend Kairi, and her ability to wield the Keyblade. A few days later, Roxas falls into a coma for several weeks, around the same time Sora is put to sleep to regain the memories he lost in Castle Oblivion at the end of ''Chain of Memories''. When Roxas finally awakens (and finds that all the members dispatched to Castle Oblivion, except Axel, have been eliminated), he suggests that he, Axel and Xion all spend time together, and the three become close friends. However, Roxas begins experiencing Sora's memories and grows frustrated when his questions about them go unanswered, becoming increasingly curious about why he wields the Keyblade and doubtful of the Organization's motives.

[[File:Xion's_death.jpg|frame|Xion being absorbed by Roxas.]]

Eventually Xion discovers that she is an imperfect replica of Sora created by Xemnas from Sora's leaking memories should Sora, who Xemnas intends to use as part of the Organization's plans, turns out to be of no use. Her resemblance to Kairi is a result of Sora's strong memories of her; however, as Naminé attempts to restore Sora's memories, they affect Xion instead to the point where she begins to physically resemble Sora. Upon learning this, Xion goes insane and leaves Organization XIII, desiring to become a true person, but also having a falling out with Roxas and Axel. Upon fully gaining Sora's appearance, Xion attempts to absorb Roxas and become whole, though this would mean the real Sora will never awaken. However, Roxas battles and defeats Xion, who reveals Xemnas's motives and intentions to him before merging with him which, in turn, halts the restoration of Sora's memories completely.

Roxas defects from Organization XIII to find himself, much to Axel's chagrin. Soon afterward, he encounters and battles Riku, who had been dispatched by DiZ to capture him so that he may merge with Sora and complete the restoration of his memories. When Riku is nearly defeated, he taps into the growing darkness in his heart, granting him the power necessary to subdue Roxas, but also giving him the appearance of Xehanort's Heartless, who resides in his heart. Riku subsequently brings the unconscious Roxas to DiZ, who digitizes and places him into a virtual Twilight Town, setting the stage for ''Kingdom Hearts II''.

[[Image:358-2_Days_Gameplay_(Beast's_Castle).jpg|thumb|234px|More recent gameplay in Beast's Castle with Roxas and Xaldin]]The gameplay is similar to the action-RPG style of the previous games in the series, and takes place in a 3D environment. There originally were three status bars, [[HP]], MP and a new one labled LM, but the LM and MP bars have been removed. In recent scans, the familiar command menu from past installments of the game has returned, this time with only three visible commands. Instead of using MP for magic you will equip the spells you want to use for each mission. Magic has also been altered in that various forms of the same spell, such as Fire and Firaga, will actually be physically different spells instead of the same attack with a different power.

Nintendo Power subsequently described a control scheme that allowed players to move the camera with the touch screen, and to move, jump, and attack using the control pad and face buttons. These controls may still change before the game is released.  

Another interesting point is the height of the chairs at [[Where Nothing Gathers]]. While performing Multi-Player Mode, the chairs' heights do not relate to their own preferences, but rather their rank during the missions that you go on. The members who come in lower places, out of all 4 members participating in the challenge, will recieve lower chairs than the members who scored higher. When missions are completed, the height of the chairs will either move up or down in accordance to their previous position.  

All characters also have various different forms of their weapons, each with unique stats, unlike the various keyblades in the previous games.

Limit Breaks have been confirmed as a new feature. When the player's HP drops and the HP gauge turns yellow, a Limit Break can be initiated by holding down the A button for a few seconds. Depending on which character the player is controlling, a powerful, element based attack will be performed (e.g. Roxas goes into a frenzy, shooting around in a aura of light while hurling light crosses on every finishing attack, or Demyx rocking out on his sitar, sending pillars of water out of the ground). A second stage of Limit Break called "Final Limit" can also be used, which increases their attacking power (e.g. Lexaeus forms a sword of stone around his tomahawk, and Demyx' water blasts become stronger).

This is the first game in the series to feature multiplayer. There will be a four-player non-canonical multiplayer mode, where players may choose any member of Organization XIII along with six other secret characters, which are Xion, Riku, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Sora, and go on missions. You can also play as Dual Wield Roxas in-game. In order to unlock him in multiplayer mode, attach zero gear and 3 abilities

 

[[Image:KH 358-2 Days full character Select Screen.PNG|thumb|234px|Character Select Screen with all 19 playable characters.]]

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;List of unlockable playable characters

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*[[Xion]] <small>(play story mode to Day 96)</small>

*[[Mickey Mouse|King Mickey]] <small>(complete all missions in the game and purchase "Return of the King" at Moogle Shop)</small>

*[[Sora]] <small>(fully complete all missions in the game and purchase "Sora's Awakening" at Moogle Shop)</small>

*[[Beast's Castle]]

*[[Olympus Coliseum]]

*[[Halloween Town]]

*[[Wonderland]]

*[[Neverland]]

*[[Destiny Islands]]

*[[Dark Meridian]]

*[[Simulated Twilight Town]]

Since the new trailer features voice acting during cutscenes, there will be voice actors working with the game's cutscenes.  

* Meaghan Jette Martin will return as [[Naminé]].

* Xion's U.S. voice actor has been confirmed in E3 trailers as Alyson Stoner, who previously voiced [[Kairi]] in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]''.

* In the North American trailer, several veterans were revealed to be reprising their roles. They include Jesse McCartney as Roxas, David Gallagher as [[Riku]], and Christopher Lee as [[DiZ]].

*The opening cinematic of the game uses scenes from previous appearances of the Organization, in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' and ''Re:Chain of Memories'', and even additional scenes from ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''.

*Nintendo Power reported what was simply called "Pinocchio's World" to be playable. Recent data-mining has revealed the mugshots for Pinocchio (as a real boy), Geppeto, Gideon and Foulfellow, showing that the world had been at least partly programmed, but was removed for unknown reasons.[http://www.spriters-resource.com/ds/kh358/sheet/24287]  

*It seems that the members of Organization XIII use Items to unleash magical attacks. This is not the first time that this has been seen, as Riku has an ability called [[Cure]] Potion in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', which seems to be used in much the same way as magic attacks here.

*This game contains the most playable characters ever in the series, with a total of nineteen characters, including all of Organization XIII, Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey.

*This is also the first time Donald and Goofy have solo playable appearances aside from hacks in the console games.

*This is the first game in which characters that are guest party members have interchangable weapons. In all the other games the guest party members had only one available weapon.

==Packaging artwork==

File:KingdomheartsdaysNA.jpg|North American cover art

Image:358-2_DaysCover.jpg|Japanese cover art

==External Links==

*[http://na.square-enix.com/khdays/ Official NA website]

*[http://www.square-enix.co.jp/kingdom/days/ Official JP website]  

 

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