Development on Kingdom Hearts III is moving along “full throttle,” according to co-director Tai Yasue.
Speaking with Game Informer, Yasue said, “We’ve been working full throttle. It’s moving along. We structured our team in a way that development of [Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix] doesn’t impede Kingdom Hearts III. I’m actually very excited about Kingdom Hearts III.”
Yasue said he is most excited about the “technology and creative stuff” that the team has “never ever done before.”
“There’s a lot that’s the same, but there’s a lot that’s changed,” Yasui said. “We’re moving from a totally different console to [a new] console. The technology has evolved; it’s very new and everyone is doing a lot of research.
“And look-wise, it looks amazing as well. We’ve shown you some of the trailers and teasers. There are a lot of Disney-themed attractions, so that’s exciting as well. It’s very exciting for me and I want to tell you more about it, but I really can’t at this moment.”
When we last saw Kingdom Hearts III, Square Enix demonstrated the game’s new Disney attraction-themed attacks. According to Yasue, the developer wants to implement many different types of attractions.
The game will have a “mix” of worlds new and old, each within “diferent categories” that will make the game “feel fresh, like you’re having an adventure.”
“There’s a lot of Disney content that’s new and coming out and we’re considering which ones to use, which would be good from a gameplay perspective,” Yasuie said. “This is not an announcement or anything, but personally I enjoyed watching Frozen. It was magical: the stories, the songs, the ice expressions.”
As for Kingdom Hearts III skipping this year’s E3, Yasui said 2014 is the year of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix, and that Square Enix wanted that to be the focus of the show.
“Making teasers and trailers really does require a lot of work, and we just wanted to get the development moving along quickly on Kingdom Hearts III, so this year we really focused on 2.5,” he said.
Asked when we’ll next see the game, Yasui said Square Enix is in planning for appearances at game shows and such, but “really say which ones at this moment.”