Ayiana Jones CFNN Reporter

Kingdom hearts is an action video game series created by Square Enix. The first game, Kingdom Hearts, was released on March 28, 2002. Since then, thirteen games have been released and are available on multiple platforms. It took about fourteen years for the release of Kingdom Hearts 3 after Kingdom Hearts 2, which was released in 2005. Plenty of smaller, easier to develop games were published in the meantime. It consists of both Disney, Pixar and Final Fantasy characters throughout the entire series. 

Square Enix released the first trailer for the Re: Mind DLC for Kingdom Hearts 3 in June of 2019. The third trailer, released on December 10, 2019, contains more information and content than the last two. It properly displays each of the new cool features that are going to be contained in this DLC.

The beginning of the trailer displays a panning shot of the Radiant Garden castle. It isn’t specified if Radiant Garden is going to be playable within Kingdom Hearts 3 (but we can hope). It then cuts to a scene of Riku speaking to Leon, Aerith and Yuffie. Final Fantasy wasn’t implemented in the game, so it’s refreshing to witness them in the trailer. Riku mentions he’s been searching for Sora but there is no sign of him. This event is also the first time we’ve witnessed Riku interact with Final Fantasy characters outside of Destiny Islands.

It then cuts to a scene of Sora floating in Ventus’ Dive to the Heart. He is encased by a darkness pool that leads him to the Keyblade Graveyard. Before him, he witnesses another Dark Inferno but instead of a red/purple gradient, it’s yellow and orange. As said in TheGamersJoint sDLC analysis video, he believes this dark inferno to be Ventus’ heartless. This Dark Inferno is in the Keyblade Graveyard just like the previous one and it’s possible Ventus’ heartless resided in the keyblade graveyard.  The moment this scene takes place isn’t specifically stated. 

In the next scene, we see Sora and Aqua within the Keyblade Graveyard in front of a demon tide comprised of Dark Aqua’s. Sora emits a blue aura which suggests he is using the power of waking. He claims to be feeling the fear and despair Aqua experiences. We then see Sora being confronted by Terra-Xehanort along with him being grabbed aggressively by the Dark Guardian and engulfed in darkness. Terra-Xehanort, states “Seem that you have also taken the forbidden path. You too must be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.” which refers to the power of waking. 

A gameplay clip of eight protagonists comprised of Ventus, Aqua, Riku, Xion, Roxas, Mickey, Terra, and Lea are shown fighting the supposed thirteen Xehanort vessels. TheGamersJoint believes this event is the battle taking place while Sora, Donald, and Goofy are in Scala ad Caelum. “What supports this is this is taking place in the Keyblade Graveyard stool as we do have the Keyblade Graveyard command menu.” The gameplay controls change as the perspective switches among the characters. 

Luxord and Luxu, a scene in the first Re: Mind trailer, are shown having a discussion about each other’s identity. Luxord begins questioning Luxu about the black box he is obsessing over. He wonders why is it so important and why are they worrying about it at that exact moment. Shortly after, Demyx is shown confronting Riku in the Keyblade Graveyard.

Data Battles, aka the 13 limit count bosses, are for a fact confirmed due to the layout of the command menu and the environment around Sora. After the battles, it transitions to Sora standing in his Dive to the Heart. When he jumps from his Dive to the Heart, Riku’s is displayed above him. He uses the power of waking, as shown with his blue aura, against Riku’s Dive to the Heart. 

For the first time in any Kingdom Hearts game, Kairi is a playable character. Both Sora and Kairi are facing off against Master Xehanort in his goat style armor. Following this, we see Sora gliding amongst Scala ad Caelum. This area will be expanded upon, but it isn’t specified how much of Scala we will actually be able to see.

A short cutscene plays showing Lea, Roxas, and Xion getting ready to fight against Saix. A small light emits from each of their chests which could symbolize that their hearts are intertwined. The screen then switches to Riku and Aqua in the land of departure. Riku consults, her asking “ Are you sure about this?” Which could possibly refer to them entering the Realm of Darkness. 

In the last scene, Sora is shown encountering Yozora in a new area haven’t witnessed before. It’s similar to the Final world but instead of it being a day, it’s night time. Yozora quotes Sora’s famous quote “ I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately. Like, is any of this for real or not?” Fans have been speculating the story behind Yozora but nothing has yet to be confirmed. 

There are many things for us to look forward to in this DLC. Kairi will be playable for the first time, we’ll get to experience new areas, and more of the story will be explained. The Re: Mind DLC will be released on January 23, 2020 for Playstation 4 and February 25, 2020 foor Microsoft Xbox One. It is currently available for pre-order on both platforms.