Nomura Hints at KH2 HD Remake & More in Latest Famitsu Magazine

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX

In the newest issue of Famitsu magazine, series director Tetsuya Nomura was asked about the possibility of a Kingdom Hearts II HD remake, Nomura simply replies with a smile: “It’ll be unusual if there wasn’t.”

Nomura also revealed more information about the remake:

Nomura also shared new details on Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix. Sora and the other character models for Kingdom Hearts have been replaced with character models from Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. And play operation is closer to Kingdom Hearts II. Regarding the Theater Mode, 70 percent are mainly old scenes made to be new cutscenes with voice.

“I’m happy to be restarting this title,” said Nomura. (Literal translation: “If this title becomes a restart, I’m happy.”)

Thanks to SQEXGAL, we have more information:

• The screen ratio and gauge placement have also been revised.
• Nomura thought of doing a full remake for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, but since it was too late to start work on a new title, it was done in the form of Theater mode.
• The series so far has been scattered on various hardware, by the time new fans came to know Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II was already out.
• “I figured since there were people who had a hard time keeping up with the sequels, we had to start from the beginning with Kingdom Hearts HD,” said Nomura.
• “I also thought that familiar fans might make new discoveries seeing everything in chronological order with the sequels side by side.”

Goldpanner has translated more information from Sokuhou@Hokanko(Alt) via KH13.com:

– HD 1.5 ReMIX will be co-directed by Tai Yasue, who previously co-directed Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. The producer is Rie Nishi, and the director is, of course, Tetsuya Nomura.

– Famitsu asked “Is there gonna be a high-definition version of Kingdom Hearts II later?”, and Nomura replied “It’d be unusual if there wasn’t.”

– Various character models for Kingdom Hearts, including Sora, have been replaced with character models from Kingdom Hearts 3D.

– The two titles included as games will have trophy support. Various aspects of Kingdom Hearts have been changed to be more like Kingdom Hearts II. The screen ratio and gauge placement have also been revised. The controls are made to be a little closer to the Kingdom Hearts II controls.

– Nomura thought of doing a full remake for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, but since it was too late to start work on a new title, it was done in the form of Theater Mode. 70% of the main story has been put to video with freshly-recorded voicing, and they are currently working on around 100 scenes.

– The series so far has been scattered on various hardware, by the time new fans came to know Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II was already out. Before turning to the conclusion of the present series, the ‘Seeker of Darkness Chronicles’ (same as what has been called the Xehanort Chronicles up until now), Nomura wanted to bring the whole story together.

– Nomura: “I figured since there were people who had a hard time keeping up with the sequels, we had to start from the beginning with Kingdom Hearts HD. I also thought that familiar fans might make new discoveries seeing everything in chronological order with the sequels side by side.”

– Nomura said that because the series so far has been scattered over different consoles, there have been people who found it difficult to access sequels. Seeing as you will now be able to enjoy the story in HD quality right from the beginning, he would absolutely love for those who haven’t played yet to do so. Even those who have already played it all may make new discoveries regarding foreshadowing and lines that reference previous lines and such. He would be happy if this title turns out to be a ‘restart’ for the series.

– Kingdom Hearts for PC Browsers is not a title with an emphasis on story, but they are working in a set-up. You can enjoy the content as something completely separate from the main series. The card battling is different from Chain of Memories. They are filling this title with new elements for this type of customisation-based title.

The latest issue is to be released soon in Japan so we will bring you more information as it progresses.

Source: Gematsu & Game Nyarth & SQEXGAL & Sokuhou@Hokanko(Alt) & Goldpanner