#khnews

Kingdom Hearts Missing Link’s beta test has begun in Japan! Square Enix has announced that no videos or images of gameplay should be released by testers. However they are free to share their thoughts! This article will be updated as new impressions and thoughts roll in. 

The official KHDR_PR Twitter account has begun to release images of the game and missions for players. First up is a graphic detailing how players can use the touchscreen for movement and how the GPS system works.  

There are two gameplay modes: Pad mode and GPS mode

Your character can move alongside you as you walk. 

You can also move characters with the virtual track-pad. 

*edit* Movement AP can be obtained in walk mode. 

In Pad Mode you gain AP in battles

Battles can be automated in "hands-free mode" 

AP is required for battles, obtaining treasure boxes, etc.

The team has also shared initial missions for beta testers to complete during the testing period. Much like KHUX, currency in the games is stated to be jewels. New mission content for testers will be released daily until the beta closes. For today, players are challenged to make to lvl 20 for free jewels. 

Mission Translations

1/13 7:00~ Grab your smartphone and get started traveling! 

1/14 7:00 ~ Area Boss Quest Released 

 1/17 7:00 ~ Raid Boss Quest Release

Impressions

Lucky beta testers who were selected via lottery are beginning to share their initial thoughts on the gameplay as well. Many of these impressions are posted on Twitter. Please do check out the #KHML tag and thank them for sharing! You can follow updates as they come live here. 

Graphics and gameplay are smooth and crisp, comparable to graphics on the Nintendo Switch. 

For beta, there is currently no controller support. Character customization is extremely detailed. Facial features, clothing, and accessories are available to choose from, including make-up. Your character does different poses as you’re customizing them. 

Story quests are seen to exist but are locked within the beta. 

You can collect materials to upgrade your keyblade. 

Changing your keyblade also changes your fighting style. Two keyblades are available, one ranged (shooting magic-like abilities) and one more up close for attacking. 

Heartless spawns are impacted by the weather. 

If you walk up to building you can jump/get onto it.

UI can be moved and changed to be more transparent and moves based on how you’re playing (horizontal or vertical)

On the pause menu you can leave the battle and return to the main map.

There are places to heal your character as you move around.

You can still move around normally in the game without GPS

Tutorial was in vertical mode but gameplay switched to horizontal. 

Many of the GPS features are similar to Dragon Quest Walk.

If you walk up to a building you can jump/get onto it. UI can be moved and changed to be more transparent and moves based on how you’re playing (horizontal or vertical) 

 On the pause menu you can leave the battle and return to the main map.

There are two keyblades to use and you can switch between them. First is Fortune Gear and second is Light Order. The names will probably change with official translations. 

 New Avatar pieces can be bought with jewels much like KHUX. 

 New Dearly beloved is beautiful

MP can be used up quickly in auto battle if you aren’t careful. 

 Raid battles are back! There seems to be an option for a friend feature in the future. No news yet on if you can take on a boss with friends like in KHUX. 

 It’s very important to finish the tutorial

There is a cooldown time for skills and abilities unlock as you level your keyblade. The appearance also changes as you level it up. 

 There two types of areas mentioned that you can explore. The town and the field. In town apparently, you can talk to one person for missions.

Gatcha system is back and 3* seems to be the highest rarity to get right now for the chess-like pieces, as seen in the trailer. 

 Treasure chests in the shop are a great use for jewels and net you various rewards. Helpful in leveling up. The shop seems very similar to KHUX.

There is an opening movie, but it is a short story scene instead of CG. This was confirmed by Aitaikimochi.  There is a beautiful new stained glass in the opening. Implied there is a Dive to the heart like in KHUX. Skuld may be in the stained glass, but this is unconfirmed. 

GPS is needed for certain features such as gaining activity tokens. In GPS mode you gain access to an Activity gauge. By filling it up through motion and fitness steps you can earn Activity coins for prizes.

Dodge roll and a charge attack can be completed with the touchscreen/a flick of of your finger. 

AP is a bit difficult to obtain in the beta. Hopefully this will change in the final version. 

Battery consumption is lower depending on the model, the mode you’re playing (GPS or trackpad mode) and how you use your phone while in GPS mode, (setting to power save mode, locking the screen etc.) 

Certain chests require tickets to open them. If you run out you can purchase them in the shop. Normal chests include materials to upgrade your pieces. Some treasure chests are easier to open than others. “Gorgeous” treasure chests include 3* pieces. 

This will add a higher photo limit

Bug fixes

NEW GAME+

An higher difficulty than proud

Treasures are now tracked on the frozen mini game

The patch will be available at 7 pm pst/ 10 pm est/ 8 pm mt.

Japan: 11 am JST

The Kingdom Hearts 20th ichiban kuji items have been announced! Starting July 16th items will be released sequentially with a double chance campaign for a special Sora Statue- Last One edition releasing in October. Kairi and Sora throne statues, hand towels, glasses, keyblade keychains, a design clock, canvas board prints, and plush keychains will be available via lottery for 750 yen per ticket. Items will be sold at Seven-11 and Ito-Yokado stores until stock runs out.

Square Enix’s Cafe will soon be celebrating KH20th with a new set of goods! Starting March 26th the cafe will be serving new food and drinks themed around the series! Only placemats and coasters have been announced so far. Details on new goods, food, and drinks for sale will be announced at a later date. There’s also a new placemat design being teased for March 28th. A stamp rally has also been revealed. If you visit the cafe between March 26th- April 16th and again from April 16th- May 6th and collect the two stamps, you can trade them for a special coaster. This is a similar campaign to the exclusive KH3 Sora and MoM Kairi coasters for the Melody of Memory Cafe. 

(source for pic)

The link to the actual article leads to is all in Japanese (aside from ads). I put it through Google Translate. It’s very wonky with sentences randomly cut off and the like so while this might not be the most sound translation of the article, I think I am able to summarize the key points from Google’s translation. 

I’ll also provide a link (article - released on July 18, 2017 it says) so that those who understand Japanese and wish to confirm or deny or make a more thorough translation can access it. Summary of the Google translation under cut as well as pictures of the translation at the very end. Parts that were too muddled for me to summarize in a easy-to-read manner can be found ind [brackets] or are omitted completely (mostly to get this out as quickly as possible). I admit to any and all mistakes in this summary, but I hope my attempts will pass until someone better at translating gets their hands on the article. At the time of making this post, I do not know yet if anyone has translated the whole thing.