'Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link' First Impressions
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Warning: Slight spoilers for Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link
Square Enix conducted a beta test with iOS users in the U.K., Australia, and Japan to test their upcoming mobile game Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. The first thing that users see when loading the game is white text that tells them to wake up. Then, the game takes them to the character customization screen. Customization is a lot more robust in this game compared to Union Cross. Players can adjust hair color, eye color, and nose and mouth shape as well as add scars, makeup, or other effects. As the game progresses, more outfits become available to purchase with jewels, the in-game currency. Players will also have the freedom to add highlights to their hair or make an avatar with two different eye colors.
The story opens with a Dive to the Heart session reminiscent of the first game. Players will choose between a Mickey, a Donald, or a Goofy trophy representing the dream sword, dream staff, and dream shield from the original game. These trophies are called pieces and work like medals in Union Cross. A player can keep four trophies equipped and use them for spells or special abilities in combat. After fighting some heartless and opening a door, the player encounters Remus who explains that the player is a drifter. The pair are interrupted by a Darskide and team up to battle the heartless. After the player shows their skills with the keyblade, Remus takes them to meet Freya who sends the player to the astral plane for their first keyblade mission.
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Image Source: 4Gamer
The astral plane is the core of the game. Freya describes it as a world of mental energies where no one lives and where the heartless come from. In terms of gameplay, the astral plane is our world. Players have two ways of exploring the astral plane: GPS mode, which allows them to walk and access all the battles, pieces, and treasure chests as long as they move close enough to them, or touch mode, where players can move their avatar across the map, but need to spend ability points (AP) they earn from battles to interact with anything. The game includes a hands-free mode where the game will play itself even on a lock screen while you walk around town. Players will have the option to use AP to teleport to another location, but the farther away the city, the higher the cost of AP. According to beta testers, the scale of the astral plane is impressive, matching the varying heights of buildings in their areas. Street names also appear on the map, with the option to toggle them on or off, so the game functions as an actual map. In addition to the astral plane, players can explore the city of Scala Ad Caelum where they can encounter NPCs and players and complete various quests for AP. According to series creator Tetsuya Nomura, these quests will bring players to different Disney worlds.
One of the most exciting features of Missing-Link is its compatibility with traditional controllers, including the PS4 and PS5 dual sense controllers, and the Xbox wireless controller. One beta tester found the Sony Backbone to be a perfect fit as it plugs directly into the phone, so touch functions are available, and comes in a PlayStation style for gamers who want a more traditional Kingdom Hearts experience. The user interface on the phone is completely customizable with the ability to move buttons around the screen and determine the opaqueness of each button. The game offers two modes of play: portrait mode and horizontal mode. Beta testers claim the transition between the two modes is seamless. Flipping the phone automatically changes the mode.
Image Source: Steam Deck - No Face & No Voice Gaming
Combat is much improved from Union Cross which had the medals as the only way to fight. Missing-Link players can move their avatars and use melee strikes without using pieces, and the game even has a dedicated dodge roll. Several beta testers reported that the game would drain the battery quickly. This would sometimes lead to phones overheating. The mobile game includes a battery saver mode that lowers the performance. The game comes with a day-night cycle based on the player’s regions and will even mimic the current weather conditions, including rain and snow. Combat includes an element wheel. Some pieces and heartless have a specific element; others are neutral. The six elements are fire, ice, wind, earth, lightning, and water.
Missing-Link brings back the keyblade leveling mechanic from Union Cross. The beta has two keyblades: Light’s Order which uses ranged projectiles, and Fortune’s Gear which is more focused on melee attacks. When players battle heartless in the astral plane, they collect materials for whichever keyblade they use. Another exciting feature is the ability to form a party with nearby friends to tackle raid bosses. Parties also reduce AP consumption for teleportation. The game also includes a teleport stone, which can be placed anywhere on the map. Once placed, the player can access that location without spending AP. Of course, AP is still needed to interact with the game in the new location. If a player isn’t in a party but interacts with a raid event, other players will eventually show up, and they will take on the raid boss together. With the wider range of movements, this is the truest Kingdom Hearts multiplayer experience. Previously only Mission Mode in the DS game 358/2 Days and the rhythm game Melody of Memory offered multiplayer experiences.
The graphics are impressive for a mobile game, looking like a slightly lower resolution of the same models from Kingdom Hearts 3. As a mobile game, there will be updates throughout the life of the game. Nomura said he would like to include player housing in a future update and is considering a home version. Given the GPS mechanic, it’s difficult to see how they would port the game to computers or consoles, but Nomura usually finds a way. The game’s release window is the year 2024, but Nomura said they want to release the game as soon as possible. Another closed beta test for Android users is scheduled in January, so the game’s release will likely be a few months later to give Square Enix the chance to fix any issues that the beta testers find.
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Source(s): Kingdom Hearts, KH13 [1], [2], The Gamers Joint [1], [2], Steam Deck - No Face & No Voice Gaming
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