[Your Favorite Person]

The good people over at KH13.com have quickly ripped some footage from the freshly released Final Mix, a few more surprises in it than I expected that's for sure-have a look:


So, what do you think? is Birth by Sleep -Volume II- nigh? Or is it more complicated than that? Discuss!

[damatman]

Wow. I don't know what to think. I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel is coming out with the sudden announcement of FFXIII-2. And if there will be a sequel I will be happy to get it.

[Axel979]

This is really milking it. If they make "BBS-2," it'll probably be the straw that breaks my camel's back. I loved BBS, but I want to see progression in Sora's story. REAL progression in Sora's story.

[Xagzan]

I'm probably going to put myself through torture and not watch this, cause I still might get FM. Ugh, gonna be hell.

[Lemonadejohnson]

I don't know what to think. What could they do with a second volume? Their story is kind of done with, isn't it? I mean of course besides Sora and Riku going and saving them and such.

[Axel979]

Judging by the video, it'd be about Aqua's journeys in the Realm of Darkness, and what she did (or does) once she comes back to the regular world. THere doesn't need to be a whole game on that though.

^ Love your name by the way

[Karas]

Axel979, on 20 January 2011 - 04:45 AM, said:

Judging by the video, it'd be about Aqua's journeys in the Realm of Darkness, and what she did (or does) once she comes back to the regular world. THere doesn't need to be a whole game on that though.

^ Love your name by the way

Not necessarily entitled to her. There are two more storylines left unanswered: Mickey's journey to dwelling in the world of darkness. An then there's the storyline of Riku with the Villains. I will make bold assumption in saying that this game will fill in the remaining gaps that will flow the storyline onto climax. Ah, Nomura. I don't know if he knows the meaning of the word "convoluted."

[Al3xX420]

The shots of Mickey in the realm of darkness and Riku during KH1 got me psyched. I hope BBS Vol. 2 allows us to play as Mickey, Riku, and Aqua. But I would be content if it were just Aqua and she encountered Mickey and Riku in the realm of darkness.

[Ryusuke]

My only reaction from watching this was simply thus: What just happened?

But, that's a pretty interesting concept for a game. Aqua traveling the Realm of Darkness. She probably was the one that helped Mickey and Riku get out of the Realm of Darkness....and not herself. Something must have kept her from escaping. But, I agree, having an entire game devoted to this is a bit much...this could be covered around 3 to 5 hours of gameplay.

[Keystaff Master]

Yeah, I'd say it's safe to say that this would chronicle Aqua's journey through the Realm of Darkness and the various worlds that have been swallowed by the Heartless (Dwarf Woodlands, Enchanted Dominion, Castle of Dreams, etc.). On the other hand, this looks like where Nomura's last two "untold stories" will finally be told with Riku and King Mickey's journeys through the Realm of Darkness as well (note that Mickey doesn't have the Kingdom Key D yet and he's still using Yen Sid's Star Seeker). So, realistically, this game could take place over a 9-10 year span! 8P (with Aqua's going that far back and then Riku and the King only arriving there recently).

[Bobjam]

This game what ever it turns out to be definitely in my eyes seems as appropriate as any of the other spin-offs released. Was Nomura's plan all along ^^

[Xagzan]

I'm still not gonna wtach the vid yet, but I guess this was a spoiler no one could avoid.

As long as we get more Aqua, I'm happy. If she's the star of this new game, then that really does show that she was the main character of BBS even more. And perhaps the biggest main protagonist aside from Sora and Roxas, once the new game comes out (Riku's more a supporting protagonist and Ven and Terra aren't playable in 2 games).

Nomura said he was surprised that Aqua was such a popular character. I'm surprised that he was surprised, but I wonder if that fan reaction had anything to with deciding to make another BBS.

But really, if it's gonna take place years after, give her a new character model Nomura, with longer hair. Hair grows over time, don't cop-out with that WoD time slowing excuse. I'm hoping they've just kept her the same in the secret endings so far out of laziness to make a new model just for a couple scenes in the same game, but who knows.

[Shamanking1991]

Xagzan, on 20 January 2011 - 11:51 PM, said:

But really, if it's gonna take place years after, give her a new character model Nomura, with longer hair. Hair grows over time, don't cop-out with that WoD time slowing excuse. I'm hoping they've just kept her the same in the secret endings so far out of laziness to make a new model just for a couple scenes in the same game, but who knows.

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news but didn't she look exactly the same when talking to Ansem the wise?

BBS-V2- Looks awesome I wonder if we'll have to wait till 2012 to play this?

[KieranCarden]

Well my copy came today, and now besides fighting the new secret bosses I have no reason to even open it >_>

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. Mostly rage, not so happy about it. Of course I'll buy it anyway, but meh.

All I can see coming out of this game is whatever Aqua does to entertain herself for the decade and a half she's in the Realm of Darkness (up until meeting AtW and probably being saved by Sora around the same time), and probably meeting Mickey and Riku at some point and helping them escape while leaving herself behind for whatever reason.

Interesting that they're [likely] showing some worlds in the Realm of Darkness which is a first. Though I can't imagine BBS-2 having enough content to fill an entire game so they'll probably use fluff like having Aqua re-explore worlds that were swallowed by darkness.

I hope it comes out within the same time frame that XIII-2 is scheduled to come out in... this year.

Xagzan, on 20 January 2011 - 11:51 PM, said:

As long as we get more Aqua, I'm happy. If she's the star of this new game, then that really does show that she was the main character of BBS even more. And perhaps the biggest main protagonist aside from Sora and Roxas, once the new game comes out (Riku's more a supporting protagonist and Ven and Terra aren't playable in 2 games).

That about sums up the highlight of the game. More Aqua.

Quote

Nomura said he was surprised that Aqua was such a popular character. I'm surprised that he was surprised, but I wonder if that fan reaction had anything to with deciding to make another BBS.

Probably. Fan reaction is usually the reason for sequels in the first place.

Quote

But really, if it's gonna take place years after, give her a new character model Nomura, with longer hair. Hair grows over time, don't cop-out with that WoD time slowing excuse. I'm hoping they've just kept her the same in the secret endings so far out of laziness to make a new model just for a couple scenes in the same game, but who knows.

I doubt Terra and Ven are going to look different either (due to their circumstances) when they're finally brought back into the story. I think it's just a reason to keep them all looking the same for when Sora saves them. Not only that, but I have to imagine that they'll be there for the final battle versus Master Xehanort and it just wouldn't be the same if they looked older. Not that that's a good reason for them not to age, but still.

[Shamanking1991]

KieranCarden, on 21 January 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

Well my copy came today, and now besides fighting the new secret bosses I have no reason to even open it >_>

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. Mostly rage, not so happy about it. Of course I'll buy it anyway, but meh.

All I can see coming out of this game is whatever Aqua does to entertain herself for the decade and a half she's in the Realm of Darkness (up until meeting AtW and probably being saved by Sora around the same time), and probably meeting Mickey and Riku at some point and helping them escape while leaving herself behind for whatever reason.

Interesting that they're [likely] showing some worlds in the Realm of Darkness which is a first. Though I can't imagine BBS-2 having enough content to fill an entire game so they'll probably use fluff like having Aqua re-explore worlds that were swallowed by darkness.

I hope it comes out within the same time frame that XIII-2 is scheduled to come out in... this year.

Do you mean a copy of BBSFM or the original?

Also it interesting that you mentioned that thing about re-visiting worlds in the realm of darkness, because I was having a hard time wondering just WHAT or WHERE

Spoiler

that castle came from, now I can clearly see it's Castle of Dreams

[KieranCarden]

Shamanking1991, on 21 January 2011 - 12:52 AM, said:

Do you mean a copy of BBSFM or the original?

Also it interesting that you mentioned that thing about re-visiting worlds in the realm of darkness, because I was having a hard time wondering just WHAT or WHERE

Spoiler

that castle came from, now I can clearly see it's Castle of Dreams

My copy of BBSFM. It's still in the plastic wrap right now lol. I'm really debating on whether I should open it now, or wait until I get 100% on Re:Coded.

Yeah that scene threw me off too and that's the only thing I could think of: she has to re-visit all (or most) of the worlds that she did in BBS - the ones swallowed by darkness anyway. I suppose the worlds could be all twisted and contorted from the darkness, as well as new areas in the same world to visit... that would make it less fluff and more interesting.

[Shamanking1991]

KieranCarden, on 21 January 2011 - 01:06 AM, said:

My copy of BBSFM. It's still in the plastic wrap right now lol. I'm really debating on whether I should open it now, or wait until I get 100% on Re:Coded.

Yeah that scene threw me off too and that's the only thing I could think of: she has to re-visit all (or most) of the worlds that she did in BBS - the ones swallowed by darkness anyway. I suppose the worlds could be all twisted and contorted from the darkness, as well as new areas in the same world to visit... that would make it less fluff and more interesting.

Aw man (So Jealous) I hoped I would win the caption contest to get it since they said ship anywhere in the world, I guess I'll wait for an English patch or something.

Dude don't forget that not only could she visit worlds she's been to, but worlds which had already disappeared by the beginning of KH1 but we never got to see in BBS like Mulan.

[Xagzan]

Shamanking1991, on 21 January 2011 - 12:34 AM, said:

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news but didn't she look exactly the same when talking to Ansem the wise?

Xagzan, on 20 January 2011 - 11:51 PM, said:

But really, if it's gonna take place years after, give her a new character model Nomura, with longer hair. Hair grows over time, don't cop-out with that WoD time slowing excuse. I'm hoping they've just kept her the same in the secret endings so far out of laziness to make a new model just for a couple scenes in the same game, but who knows.

KieranCarden, on 21 January 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

That about sums up the highlight of the game. More Aqua.

Ain't nothin wrong with that

KieranCarden, on 21 January 2011 - 12:36 AM, said:

I doubt Terra and Ven are going to look different either (due to their circumstances) when they're finally brought back into the story. I think it's just a reason to keep them all looking the same for when Sora saves them. Not only that, but I have to imagine that they'll be there for the final battle versus Master Xehanort and it just wouldn't be the same if they looked older. Not that that's a good reason for them not to age, but still.

I think it would be plenty the same. Just cause they look a bit older doesn't mean it's any less meaningful. Sora, Riku and Kairi changed appearances plenty and it didn't mean anything. Besides, Terra's body is Xemnas, and befoe that it was Xehanort, so his physical appearance already went through a lot, and I wouldn't be surprised if he still has his long hair when he returns to normal.

[StoryKing]

I think we're underestimating this quite a lot. Yes, it would make things convulted as hell, but there's more to it than we think.
-It's very safe to say that's Castle of Dreams.
-It's also safe to say that Aqua's Charm is aware of every D-Link's presence and not just the trio.
-King Mickey's time in dark realm could be more interesting than we think if destroyed worlds end up there.(If the people do too, perhaps Mickey may come face to face with people he failed to save, or hell even Aqua would see people she knew.)
-Riku's time could be interesting because Aqua would remember him, even if Riku didn't remember her.
-From Ven's body vanishing it's safe to say whoever retrieved him did it after Aqua left him there, and there only 5 people who could know the origin of Castle Oblivion. Eraqus, Yensid, Xehanort, Aqua, Xemnas. Though Xemnas wasn't in existence right after Birth by Sleep, but would be some point in Vol.2
-From the Xehanort Montage at the end, it's safe to say that some of the events in this game are some of the "roads" he mentioned in Blank Points.

I think Keystaff is thinking the right way with this game taking place over years and years. Hmm, we'll probably get to see heartless be born, what exactly happens to the denizens of a world if they don't just get all heartless'd out immediately.

I've honestly wanted a game that takes place in Dark Realm since KH1, in End of The World theres a part where you can see all these different pieces of different worlds, so I figured those were destroyed worlds. (I think I remember seeing a piece of Dwarf Woodlands in there, but I'm not 100% sure.)
Let's just hope for answers and not more questions haha

[Keystaff Master]

I don't think Aqua would appear any older regardless if they were just being "lazy" with her character model. I get the feeling that time in the Dark Realm simply doesn't work the same because there would be NO excuse not to update Aqua's appearance for 10+ (12?) years when Sora and the gang's appearances changed drastically over the course of one year.

I feel like that Volume 2 is going to be an incredibly lonely game. The only sentient characters in the Dark Realm are Aqua, Riku, and Mickey and some of them may never see each other nor travel with one another (not the whole time at least). One thing I think people overlook is that the Realm of Darkness is just as vast as the Realm of Light. Just about every world in KH is part of the Realm of Light and those that aren't are in the Realm Between. No explorable world we've been to exists there (save End of the World? I can't actually find confirmation, but it's safe to assume right? /=[). And the Secret Episode seems to support the fact that when a world is taken by Heartless it appears in the Realm of Darkness (hmm, at which case it my support that End of the World exists in the Realm of Light or Between but simply is composed of fragments of the worlds that don't pass over into the Realm of Darkness? Ugh, this makes me question my understand of the worlds and realms again...) Haha, but my point being that while the world becomes part of the RoD I doubt the denizens of that world do because they'd be overtaken by the Heartless very quickly (Aqua had to fight for her life, remember? And that's with a Keyblade).

So, basically, I'm imagining that this game will have a lot of self-analysis and delving into memories. Maybe we'll see more back story on Aqua's time under Eraqus and her friendships with Terra and Ven. Aqua will probably do a lot of reflecting on herself as a Keyblade Master and the tasks that she has ahead of her like returning Terra to normal and waking Ven. This extends into Riku and Mickey because they'll have their times alone as well (that is if they're indeed playable).

On a unrelated note, I'm hoping we'll encounter a bunch a powerful Pureblood Heartless like Red Eye when we're there and that they end up being Organization XIII's Heartless because, as we all know, NOBODY (;P) dies in Kingdom Hearts and it would give them a chance to all return. I don't know who to assign Red Eye to though... (No Org. member has red eyes... darn. =P I want to say Saix's though. And we all know Dark Thorn was Axel's ;P).

[Ryusuke]

Keystaff Master, on 23 January 2011 - 08:47 PM, said:

On a unrelated note, I'm hoping we'll encounter a bunch a powerful Pureblood Heartless like Red Eye when we're there and that they end up being Organization XIII's Heartless because, as we all know, NOBODY (;P) dies in Kingdom Hearts and it would give them a chance to all return. I don't know who to assign Red Eye to though... (No Org. member has red eyes... darn. =P I want to say Saix's though. And we all know Dark Thorn was Axel's ;P).

Why can't it be just some random Heartless? Why does it have to relate to some pre-existing member?

[StoryKing]

Ryusuke, on 23 January 2011 - 11:03 PM, said:

Why can't it be just some random Heartless? Why does it have to relate to some pre-existing member?

I don't think Red Eye was an org. member myself. I've always had the feeling that any Org. heartless would be humanoid somewhat like Ansem SoD.
On the video for it people thought it was Lucifer from Castle of Dreams, which is an interesting theory but a bit of a stretch in my opinion.

I think Aqua is going to run into at least the original six members since they spent the most time tooling in the darkness, as far as we know. Who knows this could be the chance Nomura was waiting for to try and show us some of the other Org. Members original forms, or at least their heartless.

While yes this game will probably do very little for the main story, it's a universe expanding one, it should answer a lot of questions about RoD v.s. RoL.

[Keystaff Master]

Ryusuke, on 23 January 2011 - 11:03 PM, said:

Why can't it be just some random Heartless? Why does it have to relate to some pre-existing member?

Thinking realistically, if we were ever to get the Org. members back again as complete beings their Heartless would have to have been defeated before their deaths in CoM and KH2 (as Heartless needs to die before the Nobody does). Considering the rules of becoming a Nobody are that you have a strong Heart that seems to imply that the Heartless born from you be powerful as well. Basically, human-shaped Nobody = Powerful (possibly human-shaped) Heartless. In my eyes, there's only a few possibilites where we could have faced an Org. member's Heartless prior to their demise. Logically, no Org. member's Heartless could be an Emblem Heartless as they are artificial and not born from Hearts in the same way. So any Org. member Heartless must be a Pureblood. Looking at the Pureblood Heartless that have been fought in KH before certain deaths in CoM or KH2 that doesn't leave us with many options. I doubt Darkside counts, so that really only leaves us with Dark Thorn thus far. I'm just putting forward that if we were ever to see Org. member's again as complete beings that they're Heartless would most appropriately be encountered and defeated in Volume 2.

[haseowolf]

Keystaff Master, on 24 January 2011 - 05:26 PM, said:

Thinking realistically, if we were ever to get the Org. members back again as complete beings their Heartless would have to have been defeated before their deaths in CoM and KH2 (as Heartless needs to die before the Nobody does). Considering the rules of becoming a Nobody are that you have a strong Heart that seems to imply that the Heartless born from you be powerful as well. Basically, human-shaped Nobody = Powerful (possibly human-shaped) Heartless. In my eyes, there's only a few possibilites where we could have faced an Org. member's Heartless prior to their demise. Logically, no Org. member's Heartless could be an Emblem Heartless as they are artificial and not born from Hearts in the same way. So any Org. member Heartless must be a Pureblood. Looking at the Pureblood Heartless that have been fought in KH before certain deaths in CoM or KH2 that doesn't leave us with many options. I doubt Darkside counts, so that really only leaves us with Dark Thorn thus far. I'm just putting forward that if we were ever to see Org. member's again as complete beings that they're Heartless would most appropriately be encountered and defeated in Volume 2.

Yes a strong heart IS needed to make a nobody in the league of the Organization, but the type of heartless is dependent on the darkness that resides in one's heart. Sora, for example, has very little darkness in his heart, hence he became a Shadow, the smallest, weakest pureblood we've encountered. Where is it that people think that Lea's heartless is Dark Thorn? He wasn't a bad guy, nor did he show to have a lot of darkness in his heart. While we aren't yet shown his transformation into a heartless and nobody, I can't imagine it was due to a thirst for power and domination. I would assume his heartless was a lot like that of Sora's; small, weak, and not having a lot in common with his human form.

[KieranCarden]

StoryKing, on 23 January 2011 - 04:40 AM, said:

-It's also safe to say that Aqua's Charm is aware of every D-Link's presence and not just the trio.

I'm not sure where the D-Link reference came from, but I doubt she'll be able to D-Link with anyone while in the RoD, except maybe Mickey and Riku if she happens to come across them.

Quote

-From Ven's body vanishing it's safe to say whoever retrieved him did it after Aqua left him there, and there only 5 people who could know the origin of Castle Oblivion. Eraqus, Yensid, Xehanort, Aqua, Xemnas. Though Xemnas wasn't in existence right after Birth by Sleep, but would be some point in Vol.2

Well it's a given that they would have to find him after Aqua left him there... when else would they find him? And Ven's body vanishing doesn't necessarily mean he's been found; it could just be a meaningful scene like that at the end of Days where everyone says "Sora". Also, if Yensid knows the origin of Castle Oblivion then he could very well pass that knowledge on to Mickey, Sora, and Riku, and finding Ven could either be a task in KH:3D, or KH3. Xehanort and Xemnas don't know the origin of Castle Oblivion. Xehanort destroyed and left the place to be consumed by darkness, never coming back once he left nor after Aqua sealed the world so how would he know? Since sealing the world was a failsafe to protect it, it's highly unlikely that Eraqus told Xehanort about it. Xemnas has the fleeting memories of Terra (which is why he refers to Aqua's armor as "friend") and at best it's assumed he has a feeling that the Chamber of Awakening is in CO, but has no solid proof.

It's actually safer to assume that Sora is the one who finds Ven, along with Aqua and Terra, due to the normal ending of Re:Coded.

Quote

-From the Xehanort Montage at the end, it's safe to say that some of the events in this game are some of the "roads" he mentioned in Blank Points.

The Xehanort montage could very well just be signifying that he went from "this" to "this" to "this", and now he's back. Heck, he might not even come up in the game except in passing.

Quote

-King Mickey's time in dark realm could be more interesting than we think if destroyed worlds end up there.(If the people do too, perhaps Mickey may come face to face with people he failed to save, or hell even Aqua would see people she knew.)

I think Keystaff is thinking the right way with this game taking place over years and years. Hmm, we'll probably get to see heartless be born, what exactly happens to the denizens of a world if they don't just get all heartless'd out immediately.

People whose worlds were destroyed and weren't turned to heartless ended up finding their way to Traverse Town. I highly doubt there's going to be any people in the worlds that were swallowed by darkness - there's no way they'd survive. The only way I see people being there possible is if there's some sort of apparition - a ghost, or remnant - of said person/people that are meant to toy with a visitors mind, in this case Aqua.

It's not really safe to say anything about the game thus far as all we have to go off is a movie clip. We all know how Nomura likes to twist and contort the story and just makes things up as he goes.

Keystaff Master, on 24 January 2011 - 05:26 PM, said:

Thinking realistically, if we were ever to get the Org. members back again as complete beings their Heartless would have to have been defeated before their deaths in CoM and KH2 (as Heartless needs to die before the Nobody does).

That's not exactly true. While it was stated that if a heart is freed prior to the Nobody counterpart being defeated they'll return to original form, it was never stated that the reverse can't happen. Nomura explicitly stated in the Director's Secret Reports that the Nobody's body is swallowed by darkness BUT if the heart is later freed they might be able to return to their original human form.