Square Enix’sKingdom Heartsseries has always been known for its references to other IPs and franchises. Naturally, a series that mixes theFinal Fantasyuniverse with that of Disney films is going to receive widespread attention for its crossover elements. As the franchise has continued to grow, Square Enix has not been shy about pulling from its history, notably bringing incharacters fromThe World Ends With Youin 2012’sKingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.
2019’sKingdom Hearts 3took this to an even greater level. Not only did Square Enix bring gamers back to the past with one of its older, forgotten titles, but it also brought in that team’s developers to contribute to that trip to the past. It shows how Square Enix has been able to turn the franchise into a celebration not only of Disney’s lineup of films, but also its own lineage and history as a developer and publisher.
Kingdom Hearts 3 Brings Gamers Back To Einhander
Kingdom Hearts 3’s Gummi Ship Gameplay Was Developed By Einhander’s Team
Before the release ofKingdom Hearts 3, one of the perennial criticisms of theKingdom Heartsserieswas its Gummi Ship missions. These short sections help players move to different worlds and takeKingdom Heartsaway from its action RPG gameplay in favor of ship-based rail-shooting segments. While a unique change of pace, these portions have seen criticism for being monotonous and immersion-breaking, with a clunky ship-creation tool that breaks the flow in a big way.
WithKingdom Hearts 3, Square Enix revitalized the Gummi Ship segments with heavy inspiration fromits 1997 scrolling shooterEinhander. So much so, in fact, that theKingdom Heartsteam even brought in the original development team who worked onEinhanderon its original PlayStation release. It’s a great homage to the team’s past and a fantastic improvement on a gameplay loop that desperately needed improvement.
Einhander’s Devs Lent A Ship To Kingdom Hearts 3
TheEinhanderinspiration inKingdom Hearts 3was more than skin-deep, too. Beyond revitalizing the gameplay of the Gummi Ship sections, theEinhanderteam lent one of its classic ships, the Endymion, toKingdom Hearts 3as a blueprint. Thus, players can find the Endymion without much hassle and go through these ship-shooting sections with an even greater throwback to this forgotten PlayStation title.
Perhaps intentionally, theEndymionis fairly easy to find and isone of the best ships in the game. It’s got very high HP and offense stats and even offers the Auto-Life ability, allowing players to revive the ship when its HP reaches zero. It’s a ship players can find pretty early in the game, and it’s powerful enough to carry them the rest of the way if they don’t feel like spending too much time building and customization a ship.
TheEinhanderinspiration inKingdom Hearts 3was more than skin-deep.
Kingdom Hearts 3 Lets Fans Fight A Classic Einhander Boss
The Endymion is not the only way that Square Enix referencedEinhanderinKingdom Hearts 3. Among the bosses in these sections of the game, players can find one of the classic game’s original major enemies, the Schwarzgeist. As long as the player’s ownGummi Ship has a Speed stat of 200or more - which the Endymion has - they can recreate theEinhanderfight in the Misty Stream zone.
It’s a testament to Square Enix’s legacy thatKingdom Heartshas become a means for the publisher to remind gamers of its history. Built initially as a bizarre crossover betweenFinal Fantasyand Disney,Kingdom Heartshas become just as much a love letter to Square Enix as it has to the Mouse House. With an obscure title likeEinhanderseeing the representation that it did inKingdom Hearts 3, perhaps even more Square Enix surprises are in store whenKingdom Hearts 4finally makes its way out.
Kingdom Hearts 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Sora is joined by Donald Duck and Goofy, two emissaries sent by King Mickey from Disney Castle, to stop an evil force known as the Heartless from invading and overtaking the universe. Through the power of positivity and friendship, Sora, Donald and Goofy unite with iconic Disney-Pixar characters old and new to prevail tremendous challenges and persevere against the darkness threatening their worlds. Also includes Re Mind - the other tale that unfolded during the climax of KINGDOM HEARTS III. In this additional chapter, Sora travels to the Keyblade Graveyard determined to rescue Kairi and discovers truths that he never before imagined.
