Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: Difference between revisions

The Ultimate Hits edition was re-released in Japan on March 29, 2012 as part of the [[Kingdom Hearts 10th Anniversary Box]].  

During pre-production, it was decided that the game should not focus on Sora and should instead flesh out another "main character." Roxas was eventually decided on as the protagonist to both explain his backstory, connection to the organization and his ultimate fate before the events of ''Kingdom Hearts II''. Unlike ''Chain of Memories'' before it, the increased processing power of the DS allowed the game to play much more similarly to a traditional ''Kingdom Hearts'' game, although the team ran into technical hurdles due to the lack of buttons on the system. The team opted to not use the touch screen to further complicated the controls. The logo being a warm red color was made as an allusion to the sunset of Twilight Town.{{fact}} The subtitle ''358/2 Days'' was initially left unexplained until the game released, where it was revealed to refer to the 358 days Roxas spent as an organization member and how Nomura expected the average player to complete the game in 2 days.{{fact}}

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 [[Sora's Heartless|Heartless]] in ''Kingdom Hearts'', Roxas is found in [[Twilight Town]] 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]], whom 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|sea salt ice cream]] together.

Shortly after Roxas's induction, the Organization sees the arrival of a mysterious fourteenth member, [[Xion]]. Her appearance changes from person to person, depending on their relationship with her. Later, when Axel and several other members are assigned to [[Castle Oblivion]] (setting the stage for ''[[Kingdom Hearts 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.

Xion is captured unconscious by Axel and dragged away by Xemnas. The next day, she confronts Roxas on the clock tower, where she reveals she has Sora's face. Knowing that Roxas will disappear if she continues to exist, she attacks Roxas to have him destroy her, saving himself and thwarting Xemnas's plan. Roxas battles and defeats Xion, whose body begins to crystallize, and he begins to forget who she is. Xion pleads for Roxas to set Kingdom Hearts free and stop Xemnas's plans. Just before she dies, Roxas is able to remember how they always ate ice cream together, a symbol of their friendship. Xion then dies peacefully in Roxas's arms. She completely crystallizes and turns into a blinding light, as the memories she has absorbed go back to Sora. She leaves nothing but a single [[Thalassa Shell|thalassa shell]] behind, as tears run down Roxas's face. Xion's demise awakens Ventus's Keyblade within Roxas, allowing him to use two Keyblades at once ([[Oblivion]] and [[Oathkeeper]]).

Roxas wakes up in his bed in the virtual town after having another dream about Sora, his memories altered by DiZ to forget his time with Organization XIII. He changes clothes and runs outside to the Usual Spot, wondering if he, [[Hayner]], [[Pence]], and [[Olette]] will finally go to the beach, leading to the beginning of ''Kingdom Hearts II''. After the credits, a brief scene of Roxas encountering Sora is shown.