Ashwin Lewis
Playing Birth by Sleep before Kingdom Hearts 3 is not necessary, but it is highly recommended. The plot of Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding KH3, and many players consider it essential to play the game to fully appreciate the story. However, if you don't enjoy the gameplay, an alternative is to watch the cutscenes on YouTube or play the game on beginner mode to get through it quickly. Additionally, there are other games that are important to play before KH3, such as Dream Drop Distance, as they introduce new villains and continue the main story.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it necessary to play Birth by Sleep before playing Kingdom Hearts 3? | Yes, the plot of Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding Kingdom Hearts 3. |
| Alternative to playing Birth by Sleep | Watching cutscenes on YouTube |
| Birth by Sleep's impact on Kingdom Hearts 3 | The majority of Kingdom Hearts 3 is based on what Birth by Sleep introduced. |
| Other games that are important to play before Kingdom Hearts 3 | Dream Drop Distance, 358/2 Days, Re:coded, Union X, Fragmentary Passage, Chain of Memories |
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What You'll Learn
- Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding KH3's story
- Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days, Re:coded, Dream Drop Distance, Union X, Fragmentary Passage, and Chain of Memories all influence KH3's plot
- KH3's combat is different from Birth by Sleep's
- Birth by Sleep's combat is similar to Dream Drop Distance's
- Birth by Sleep is not necessary but recommended
Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding KH3's story
Playing Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding the story of KH3. The game introduces Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, three key characters in the search for the wielders in KH3. It also provides the backstory for Xehanort, one of the main villains, and another antagonist, Vanitas.
The majority of KH3 is based on what BBS introduced, with the rest featured in Dream Drop Distance. BBS is required to understand KH3, and it is recommended to play the games in release order. BBS is essentially KH0 and sets the foundation for the entire KH3 storyline.
BBS also has a unique combat system, which is similar to Chain of Memories but without the cards. It uses a Command Deck system, where your spells and abilities are equipped to a deck and do not consume MP. Instead, they go on a cooldown once used, and you must wait until the cooldown period is over before using them again. BBS also introduces Command Styles, where a gauge fills up as you attack and use commands, and once full, you can either use a special finishing move or transform into a temporary, more powerful, attack style.
BBS is not everyone's cup of tea, and if you are not a fan of the gameplay, you can always watch the cutscenes on YouTube to understand the story.
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Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days, Re:coded, Dream Drop Distance, Union X, Fragmentary Passage, and Chain of Memories all influence KH3's plot
While it is not necessary to play Birth by Sleep before playing Kingdom Hearts III, the game does introduce several key elements that are important to the plot of Kingdom Hearts III. Birth by Sleep, along with 358/2 Days, Re:coded, Dream Drop Distance, Union X, Fragmentary Passage, and Chain of Memories, all influence the plot of Kingdom Hearts III in various ways.
Birth by Sleep sets the stage for the events of Kingdom Hearts III by introducing the main antagonist, Master Xehanort, and exploring the origins of his plan to recreate the χ-blade. The game also establishes the importance of the Keyblade and the role of its wielders in the conflict to come. Additionally, Birth by Sleep introduces the concept of "Command Styles," which is a precursor to the "Keyblade form changes" in Kingdom Hearts III.
The events of 358/2 Days take place concurrently with the first Kingdom Hearts game and Chain of Memories, filling in gaps in the story and providing context for the actions of certain characters in Kingdom Hearts II. The game also introduces the character Xion, who plays a significant role in the overall narrative arc.
358/2 Days also explores the relationship between Roxas and Axel, two important characters in Kingdom Hearts III. Roxas is the Nobody of Sora, the protagonist of the series, and his experiences in 358/2 Days help to shape his motivations and decisions in Kingdom Hearts III. Axel, meanwhile, undergoes a significant character arc across the games, transitioning from an antagonist to an ally of Sora and his friends.
Re:coded serves as a direct sequel to 358/2 Days, continuing the story of Sora and his friends as they deal with the lingering hurt and unresolved emotions from their previous adventures. The game also introduces the concept of data worlds, which become important in Kingdom Hearts III and Union X.
Dream Drop Distance focuses on Sora and Riku's "Mark of Mastery" exam, in which they must protect parallel worlds in preparation for the return of Master Xehanort. The game introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as the "Drop" system and "Flowmotion," which give players a glimpse of what to expect in Kingdom Hearts III. The plot of Dream Drop Distance also sets up the return of Master Xehanort and the formation of a new Organization XIII, comprised of incarnations of Xehanort from across time.
Union X, while not essential to the main plot of Kingdom Hearts III, provides additional context and backstory for certain characters and events. The game explores the origins of the Keyblade War and introduces important characters such as the Master of Masters and the Book of Prophecies.
Fragmentary Passage takes place after the events of Dream Drop Distance and reveals what happened to the protagonist Aqua during her time lost in the Realm of Darkness. This story was originally intended to be included in Kingdom Hearts III but was instead released as part of the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue collection to avoid slowing down the main game with too much backstory.
Chain of Memories, while not directly referenced in Kingdom Hearts III, introduces several important characters and plot points that carry over into the later games. The game explores the concept of memory manipulation and its impact on the characters, particularly Sora and Naminé. It also establishes the importance of Castle Oblivion and the Organization XIII.
In conclusion, while it is not necessary to play all of these games to understand the plot of Kingdom Hearts III, they do provide valuable context and backstory that enhance the overall narrative experience. Each game contributes to the rich lore and world-building of the Kingdom Hearts series, and their influence can be seen in the final chapter of the Xehanort saga.
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KH3's combat is different from Birth by Sleep's
While Kingdom Hearts 3 (KH3) and Birth by Sleep (BBS) share similarities in their combat systems, there are several key differences that set them apart. Here is a detailed comparison:
Magic and Abilities: In BBS, magic and special abilities are merged and referred to as "commands." Instead of consuming MP, these commands have individual cooldowns and are equipped to up to eight "command slots." In contrast, KH3 retains the traditional MP bar for magic usage.
Command Styles vs. Drive Forms: BBS introduces "Command Styles," which are temporary transformations that depend on the type of commands used. Filling the command gauge will trigger a powerful style-based finisher or a special finishing move. On the other hand, KH2 and KH3 feature "Drive Forms," which allow players to transform into different forms at their discretion.
Dimension Link (D-Link): BBS replaces summons with D-links, which change your command deck to match a specific character. Using a D-link grants special abilities and increases the likelihood of finding Star-shaped item drops that permanently power up that particular D-link. KH3 does not feature D-links.
Shotlock Mechanic: BBS introduces the shotlock mechanic, which allows players to lock onto multiple enemies and unleash a barrage of attacks while invincible. This mechanic proved popular and was brought back for KH3.
Combat Feel and Complexity: BBS's combat system is considered simpler and more streamlined than KH3's. BBS's base combos are described as "vanilla" and not meant to be the primary source of damage. In contrast, KH3 offers more combo modifiers and a wider range of options for dealing damage.
Overall, while BBS and KH3 share some similarities in their combat systems, they differ in various mechanics, abilities, and transformations. BBS's combat is often described as simpler and more streamlined, while KH3 offers more complexity and options for players to experiment with.
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Birth by Sleep's combat is similar to Dream Drop Distance's
Playing Birth by Sleep and Dream Drop Distance is essential to understanding the Kingdom Hearts 3 storyline. While Birth by Sleep is considered crucial to the plot of Kingdom Hearts 3, Dream Drop Distance is also considered one of the most important games to understand Kingdom Hearts 3.
Both Birth by Sleep and Dream Drop Distance have been described as having "garbage bosses" and "rough gameplay". However, one user states that the Birth by Sleep super bosses are some of the hardest in the series, whereas Kingdom Hearts 3 is considered the easiest in the series. Another user states that the Birth by Sleep bosses are "cheap and annoying", while the Dream Drop Distance bosses "don't react to your attacks".
In terms of similarities, one user states that the gameplay and action commands in Birth by Sleep are "super similar" to Kingdom Hearts 3. Another user mentions that the Osaka team, who developed Birth by Sleep, also developed Dream Drop Distance, and that the mission structure in both games felt similar to Crisis Core.
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Birth by Sleep is not necessary but recommended
Playing Birth by Sleep is not necessary to play Kingdom Hearts III, but it is highly recommended. While it is possible to play Kingdom Hearts III without prior knowledge of the series, players may find themselves confused about certain plot points and character backstories.
Birth by Sleep is a prequel to the Kingdom Hearts series and introduces players to three key characters that are central to the plot of Kingdom Hearts III: Terra, Ventus, and Aqua. It also provides players with insight into the origins of the villain Xehanort and another antagonist, Vanitas. Therefore, playing Birth by Sleep will greatly enhance the player's understanding and appreciation of the story and characters in Kingdom Hearts III.
Additionally, Birth by Sleep introduces gameplay mechanics that are similar to those found in Kingdom Hearts III, such as the Command Deck system, Command Styles, and Shotlocks. Playing Birth by Sleep can help players familiarise themselves with these mechanics and make the transition to Kingdom Hearts III smoother.
For players who are not interested in playing Birth by Sleep, an alternative option is to watch cutscene movies or playthroughs on YouTube. This can provide a good overview of the story and help fill in any gaps in the player's understanding of Kingdom Hearts III. However, it is worth noting that simply watching cutscenes may not be sufficient to fully grasp the complex narrative of the Kingdom Hearts series.
Ultimately, while it is possible to play Kingdom Hearts III without prior knowledge of Birth by Sleep, doing so may detract from the overall experience. Playing Birth by Sleep or, at the very least, familiarising oneself with its story and characters, will greatly enhance the player's understanding and enjoyment of Kingdom Hearts III.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the plot of Birth by Sleep is crucial to understanding KH3.
You won't be able to follow the story of KH3 and will be confused about who or what certain things are.
Yes, you can watch cutscenes from the game on YouTube.
Birth by Sleep uses a Command Deck system where your spells and abilities don't consume MP but have a cooldown period after use.
