Final Mix+ and CoM 3D remake

[Chaser's Apprentice]

I found this information here, it's in Japanese, sorry!
http://elwi.blog15.fc2.com/

XIII Organization Battles:
1. Demyx has 13 bars of health. You'll also have to defeat double the amount of water clones.
2. Xigbar's HP is unknown for now, but the battle begins with a special attack.
3. Xemnas' battle seems to have a slightly different amount of reaction commands. His HP bar is unknown for now.
4. Axel has 16 bars of health.

There is an image of Xehanort's Heartless grabbing Roxas by the throat, and a new scene featuring DiZ is added:
DiZ: Feelings do not exist in Nobodies.
DiZ: Did you say Sora would hate you?
Riku: I can do nothing, but believe in DiZ.

100 Acre Wood Mini-games
A few more mini-games have been revealed. Besides "Vegetable Panic", there are two others; "Balloon Glider" and a "Tigger Bounce" mini-game.

Balloon Glider:
Basically, you need to get to the top of the tree while avoiding wasps. You mainly need to use the X button during this, in order to descend and ascend. It's been adjusted so you won't smack into the tree branches with wasps so easily. Once you get to the top, a prize awaits you. You have about 3 balloons to try this with. It's noted that this is a remake of a mini-game in Chain of Memories.

Vegetable Panic:
Here are some extra tidbits for it.
1. You can start the match by talking to Rabbit.
2. You strike to the right with the Square button, and strike to the left with the Circle button.
3. You can fail this mini-game if you miss too much.
4. There are times when Pooh will be rolling as well.

Tigger Hop:
1. This mini-game can be failed if you mess up even once.
2. The mini-game is started by talking to (You guessed it!) Tigger.
3. You basically need to hop in the same order Tiger does.
4. You can use all four PS2 buttons (Circle, X, Triangle, Square) for this mini-game.
5. You basically have to jump 25 times.

Re:COM Stuff
Card Stock: There's a new Stock move called "Wild Crusher", which can be used with a Donald and Goofy card.

Magnet Spiral: Sora brings all the enemies close to him, then blasts them away with a spiral. It's best to use this against two or more enemies.

Fire Burst: Sora blasts out a fire that can damage any enemies nearby.
There is a Roulette wheel mini-game for cards.

Interview Notes
- Nomura was not able to add voices in every cutscene. However, he hopes the players will understand. Although normally there is a balloon note displayed, the dialog's only shown as subtitles.
- The novels and mangas are moreover a side-story of Kingdom Hearts II, which is going to be added into KH2FM+ (So. basically if you've read the Novels you will know most of the scenes that are going to happen in KH2FM+).
- Surroundings such as barrels and buildings are destroyable.
Nomura considers Xemnas, Xaldin and Roxas to be a few of the strongest in the Organization.
-Nomura notes that it will be hard to defeat Demyx in KH2FM+ when it was revealed that double the water Nobodies need to be defeated. But, he has given off a big hint by showing that Wisdom form was used during this match. He expects a lot of players to get a game over in this battle.
- Uses of Forms and equipment will and can provide great help to the player now.
- Nomura lets everyone know that it will be hard work to get to the area where all the Organization battles are.
- Nomura wishes everyone luck on Critical Mode.
- "Roulette Wheel" was added for sheer fun.
- The story of Riku has a big role in the game.
- Nomura mainly wants Organization XIII to be a good challenge after leveling up a bit and getting good equipment.
- The new difficulty is mainly for those that thought Sephiroth to be weak.

[Ansems Guardian]

One word...WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[Chaser's Apprentice]

Here are some screenshots:
http://www.kh-vids.net/photoplog/file.php?n=130&w=o

And an interview (In Japenese, sorry again!):
http://www.kh-vids.net/photoplog/file.php?n=131&w=o

To sum the interview up...
It talks a little about a mysterious hidden enemy:

1. He/she is stronger then all the Organization members. If you do not defeat this secret enemy, then the secret ending will not be made available.
2. Even if you know the method to actually hurt this enemy, it causes very minimal damage.
3. Nomura mainly referred to this secret boss as the "Strongest Enemy".

He also said that there is a new Kingdom Hearts project coming soon. :eek:

[Ansems Guardian]

1 thank you for the info. 2 He said the thing about the project a while ago, 3 thanx

[Chaser's Apprentice]

...oookay...
Anyways, this information just pours in, if you don't beleive me on the Axel having 16 bars of health, look at the caption titled "Disc 1" Axel has 16 health bars in it but the person playing (strangely Sora has A LOT OF HEALTH and is defeating Axel) has depleted almost all of it. It has been rumored in the first link in the first post that you have to fight Axel with one health. A screenshot of vegitable panic is in it too:
http://kh-2.net/image.php?image=newimages/030107/fm.jpg

Here we go, this is also from the link in the first post of the thread, it's the longest translation I've done in a long time:

Vexen vs. Sora
Vexen collects Sora's data during the battle and summons replicas of him. He fights with attacts that uses ice. In the screenshot, the HP bar is about a half. A DATA box is displayed in the upper right hand corner, and the MAX bar seems to have 5 filled.

Struggle with the triangle button. While frozen, Sora's HP decreases gradually. If the reaction command "Struggle" is hit repeatedly, it is possible to escape from the ice.

The DATA box
When he collects enough data, he creates a replica of Sora. The replicated Sora doesn't use a Keyblade but acts more like the anti-form Sora.

Exploding ice attack
Vexen freezes Sora in a block of ice, which flashes and explodes. The battle is challenging if you are not equipped with armor that works against ice type damage.

Larxene vs. Sora
Larxene has a clone ability in KHII:FM along with her thunder attacks and teleport ability. Larxene has about 5 or more HP bars. However, the capture method is an orthodox class compared with the other Org. members.

Caption: "Larxene attacks Sora with her double!"
When the sound of thunder is made, Sora becomes unable to move. About that time, Larxene and her clone does a combined attack against Sora.

A strong thunderstorm pours down from overhead (althought its hard to see)!
Larxene summons the thunderstorm at the center of the battle field. Though it's unknown whether the place decreases, Sora is in a damaged state. It seems to inflict a lot of damage.

Zexion vs. Sora
Zexions uses illusion attributes in his attacks. He is skillful to challenge Sora with a book, and the battle takes place in an illusional phantom world. The HP bar is about a half. He seems to be a strategist... and the book is his weapon?! Donald (and perhaps, Goofy too) are imprisoned in the pages of Zexion's book.

Caption: "Find the hidden book"
Endless books flutter around in this phantom world, and Zexion hides himself with the books. Shadows of Zexion can be seen. When the real Zexion is found, special commands are displayed.
Up from: "Cheat", "Lie", "Delusion", "Cancel" (possibly to hold off his active state), and the reaction command "Turn it over".

Caption: "New Keyblades can be found"
The Mushroom XIII ranges with the Keyblade that they give out. One like Lexaeus' Axe (Tomahawk) is like the cane of an elephant. Another Keyblade is based on the design of Roxas' zipper. Their seem to have considerable attack power, although it would probably be hard to obtain them.

Effects seen from using the Mushroom Keyblade
Sparkles, tiny mushrooms, and black stars with glowing eyes, feels like a flower. The key chain might be obtained through the Mushroom XIII.

Effects seen from using the Roxas Keyblade
Aside from the key chain, it also gives off particles which look like the symbol of Nobodies. Is the key chain the attached Roxas' accessory (the zipper ornament)?

Caption: "The new cutscene which draws out the relationship between Axel and Roxas" and "their realized fates."
Axel talks about some kind of consideration in the conversation. Roxas and Axel are talking on the clock tower of Twilight Town. Roxas (in organization attire) will accept the omission of his fate. Axel watched him ever since he joined the organization and meets him again. Though they have decided their fate, one of them will be left behind because of it.
Axel: "It's impossible to even consider talking about being alone so soon."
Roxas: "Sora will find the answer."

A person wants to put things in order from Axel
An unknown appears in front of Axel and Naminé while they are in Twilight Town. Is he from the Organization XIII, or is he Riku?
Axel: "For us, saying to put things in order is like a fiery furnace."

When the crown marks are collected, will something good happen?
There are crown marks that are spread through out each world. Is is seen at every step and there seems to have something to do with the world. A considerable number have been scattered in each world though the details are uncertain as to how many there are exactly. There are also many on the same map. They will add another factor in making Jiminyâ??s Journal complete. Certain crown mark might need a special ability in order to reach.
Caption: "Mark all the crowns!"
Caption: "Let's search for each area without the corner!"
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Re:CoM

New techniques are introduced
A flame tornado circles around Sora for a limited time. At the end, it hurls and damages the enemies surrounding Sora. The sleight combination is Aero, Fire, and Fire.
Caption: "This Raging Storm is a nice addition!"

Freeze
This is a technique similar to Vexen's A close by enemy is frozen for a fixed amount of time. While frozen their HP bar slowly decreases. The movement condition Blizzard-Blizzard stops.
Caption: "Immobilize enemies temporarily! Freeze!"

Wild Crasher
Sora and Donald carries Goofy and uses him to tackle an enemy. The attack hurles the enemy it that direction. Is sleight combination includes a Goofy, Donald, and Attack card (unsure of the order).
Caption: "A blow to the body! Wild Crasher!"
Caption: "Will Goofy be alright?!"

Goofy Smash
Sora does a combined attack with Goofy which launches the enemy in the air, then Goofy gives them a coup de grace (a finishing blow). Is the timing of the reaction command important? (This attack is different from the one in KHII.) The sleight combination is Goofy and two Attack cards.
Caption: "A crushing blow in the air! Goofy smash!"

Caption: "A world with new breath"
The character expressions are vividly reborn in 3d, greatly enhancing the production. The voices in the cutscene for Castle Oblivion brings out the individual traits and details of each character. The opening movie for Re: Chain of Memories has been completely changed from the original.

Caption: "The cutscenes show remarkable individuality of the Organization XIII."
Caption: "The drama is deep."
Caption: "People who hold the key."
Caption: You can now tell who was the hooded figure at the beginning because of the voice, which was not possible in the GBA version. The depth of the story is understandable because of the interpersonal relationship and speculation between the Organization and characters. You discover a new side from the tone of the game and other delightful elements, which is good.
Axel: "Your existence in the name of the Organization has ended."
Marluxia: "It should not be a said. It's not well suited."
Axel: "Are you a puppet of Marluxia?"
Namine: "It was mine......."

[Chaser's Apprentice]

Continuation (Sorry for double posting!):

Nomura-san Interview

Compared to the new battles with the Organization XIII in KHII:FM+, Sephiroth is nothing. This is because there are people who played the game and were not satisfied with a non-challenging action game. Because these battles are not critical to furthuring the story (like Coliseum Tournaments) the difficultly level is equivalently high. I want you to know the true strength of Organization XIII from these battles..

Don't get the idea that individual battles have to stick to the current way of fighting. A quite different perspective might be necessary though. There is an attack that looks like the course, too. I want you to challenge you once by all means.

The crown collection mini-game is like the 101 Dalmatians collection mini-game of KH1. Once all the pieces are collected, a certain puzzle picture is complete. I think that players can search around by getting hints from the pieces found, because they can arrange each piece in the place related to the completed picture.

When the KHII project was starting up, it was at first proposed with two game modes. An RPG mode and an action mode from the planning director and Mr. Mori. The action mode was the one using timing. It involves avoiding and guarding the other party's attack. It worked and the imperative nature of an action game is demanded. A Critical mode is a feeling that investigates it thoroughly until it is finally reflected as a Proud mode in KHII. The equivalent strictness conditions are fewer than other modes in order to reach the Secret Movie.

Because Re:CoM had more room, we added many new sleights and technique combos. They were added it considering one of the many imaginary combinations. Because of the 3D capabilities, the visuals and effects for techniques are much more energetic. Many techniques differ from the orginal CoM.

I think the complete set of the cards will do and also for the lid to exist. In the original game, good cards from expensive sets (bought from Moogles) were lost too easily.
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Some new abilities of KHII:

Round Break
This attack rotates the Keyblade while projecting enemies from the surrounding area. It's a useful tactic when you are surrounded and the other characters are already engaged with other enemies.

Magnet Splash
A combo finishing technique which involves coming to the surface, drawing enemies in, and attacking them. Seem useful for taking notice of the enemies in the air. This one is also like Magnet in its effect.
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Nomura-san interview

Sephiroth was demoted in KHII:FM. This time, Sephiroth is weaker than Organization XIII, whom are weaker than __________ (secret boss). Though the Organization XIII can be defeated eventually if the player understands their attack patterns, it still offer new challenges. Though, it is a condition that defeating them will allow you to see the new Secret Movie.
(Chaser Notes: Lots of censoring eh? Nomura doesn't want to reveal so easily who the mystery boss is. Maybe it's the AU? This means, Sephiroth is even less powerful than the Organization!)

The battle with the Mushroom XIII is one of the new features of KHII:FM. The can be viewed in the sense of a fun mini-game. Though its not difficult, you will still have to figure out ways to defeat them. Sora can prepare to knock down all thirteen.

There are crown marks are scattered in different parts of the world in KHII:FM. When a mark is found, one piece of the puzzle is obtained. These are collected with the purpose of completing a certain picture. There will be some that will be impossible to obtain until a player masters certain abilites.

New types of cards are added in Re:CoM. There is also an increase in different types of rooms that can be created. It can be achieved the generation of a synthetic technique because of the flame and the wind. Variations of the stock techniques have recieved an increased as well.

Interview with voice developers

When the news of a CoM re-make was to be done for the PS2, we were afraid they might just forget about the voices of Organization XIII in the castle. I didn't think voices had to be used ouside of the castle cutscenes. It was decided that players would a voice to compliment the image of the Org. member. to bring continuity in the imagination. We wish to express our gratitude to the staff who finished up on a wonderful work despite of their tight schedule.

I did not originally think that there could be improvements in KHII made into a FM version. Now that we through it, I was not exausted working on it every day because there were so many new and original things. There is over a 100% in changes including minor changes and additional elements. I heard that they wanted someone specifically to count and keep track of all the changes, because even I have no idea how many there are by now.
"It is thought to be affordable." (Mr. Mori)
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Reviewers

Person A review
I challenged the Organization battles in standard mode with Sora being level 99. I defeated Zexion (though its possible for the match to continue for a considerably long time). I only decreased Lexaeus HP bar by a little. Larxene was defeated surprising quick. About one HP bar for Vexen. Marluxia just sunk through the corners up until his second stage.
"It" is only miraculously applied to the attack once by the sixth round. Sephiroth is a baby compared with "It".
(Chaser's Notes: "It" meaning the new secret boss.)

Person B review
In all of the games that I've played up until now, the strongest enemy shows up. It seems to surf (and the _____ blade is impossible to dodge) The enemy will appear and you'll end up asking, "is it even possible to knock down?" The organization battles have been played and is lightly popular too. It was often felt that it was one of those additional elements that have been renewed.
"My Sora??? For the day that you break out in something..."
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The Light in Chaos blog user notes:
The secret boss might might be a stronger enemy from the Organization XIII though. Is it an enemy that can be easily knocked down? (hehehe)

This is exciting too. Crowns? Or perhaps.....

[Ansems Guardian]

Wooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You type alot.

[Chaser's Apprentice]

...oookay...

[Twilight Blade]

Uhm, all this has indeed been posted. Just shuffle through the threads in the KH News section.