Price - $39.99Release Date: 8/30/2009
UPC: 662248909011
Genre: RPG
Company: Square Enix
Version: US
-from publisher & wikipedia-
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (キングダム ハーツ 358/2 Days, Kingudamu Hātsu Surī Faibu Eito Deizu ōbā Tsū, pronounced "Kingdom Hearts Three-Five-Eight Days over Two") is an upcoming action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo DS with assistance from h.a.n.d. It will be a new installment in the best-selling Kingdom Hearts series. The story is a interquel taking place between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II. The game centers on the daily life of the main character Roxas, exploring the time from his creation during the first game, Kingdom Hearts, and leading directly into Kingdom Hearts II. It is planned to feature 3D graphics, and single and multiplayer modes of play. The game was announced at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show to be released in Japan; a North American release was later confirmed. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will have a special edition of the DSi when it launches.
- Cooperative multiplayer was one feature on display at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show demonstrating that players can work together, in addition to the traditional use of AI controlled partners. This is the first Kingdom Hearts game to feature multiplayer. The multiplayer gameplay is separate from the single player story and will be mission-based, which include cooperative and competitive player battles. It will allow up to four players to play as one of the thirteen members of Organization XIII, with each member having different weapons and skills. 358/2 Days' multiplayer will also feature a chat system for communication between players, but will differ from PictoChat in that everyone will draw on the same screen.
- 358/2 Days revolves around the untold events of Roxas' time with Organization XIII, and will take place during the year Sora was asleep between the events of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II.The game's prologue will cover the "birth" of Roxas, but the gameplay will start from when he enters the Organization. Roxas' daily duties with the Organization, his doubts, and his defection will also be included in the story. The initial trailer showed most of the events in Twilight Town. Other worlds, like the Destiny Islands, Beast's Castle, Agrabah, Neverland and Wonderland, have also been featured. Like previous Kingdom Hearts titles, 358/2 Days will feature a mix of Disney and established Kingdom Hearts characters: Roxas, King Mickey, Riku, Oogie Boogie, The Beast, Pete, Aladdin, Naminé, DiZ, and Organization XIII, including a new female member, named Xion (シオン ,Shion?). Xion is considered a key character to the game, and the reason why the Organization's name remained "Organization XIII" after a fourteenth member named Xion joined will be explained in the game.
- Prior to 358/2 Days' release, the demonstrations have been well received. Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot praised the multiplayer mode's gameplay, calling it "fun" and citing the ease of using magic spells and items. He complimented the single-player mode as well, commenting that the artificial intelligence-controlled Organization XIII members were helpful and competent. VanOrd, however, criticized the camera controls, stating that the on-screen character ended up in one of the game field's corners often. Nintendo Power's Chris Hoffman and Steve Thomason referred to the game as highly anticipated, and considered it one of the better titles displayed at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show. They praised the graphics, calling them among the best on the system, and complimented the familiar feel of the gameplay.
