KINGDOM HEARTS TIMELINE - Episode 40: Arabian Dreams
774Some explanations to read after watching the video!
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Some of you have mixed feelings about the inclusion of Kurt Zisa in this episode. From a technical point of view, it's a secret boss that you can only encounter towards the end of the game. Story wise, it comes out of the Final Keyhole once it's opened by the 7 Princesses of Heart at Hollow Bastion, way later in the game. For these reasons, some of you don't agree with its inclusion at this stage of the story and I can see that, but I had my own point of view and I'm inviting you to fully understand it.
As always stated in the video descriptions, this Timeline project doesn't want to be a simple compilation of cutscenes, nor a basic playthrough... and not even both of them. Whenever I work on these episodes, besides the timeline basic purpose, my upmost priority is showing stuff that could be remembered, even years later, about what made this game special and worth to remember—especially to me. This goal is, in fact, the major reason for which I'm adding gameplay bits here and there. Those are not meant to show the fights themselves but to give a quick showcase of some of the locations of the world. For instance, there was no absolutely need to add that gameplay bit at 20:21—20:26, as I could just skip to the Jafar battle cutscene. However they were different locations of the Cave of Wonders I like/have a particular meaning to me (I remember getting lost in the water undergrounds over there when playing the very first time), and I did want to add a small reference in these videos. So that, whenever me or you come back to watch them in the future, we won't forget about them.
This could seem like an unneeded explanation to some of you but I think it's necessary to fully grasp my intentions with this project. Whenever I can, I want every great moment of the series to be etched in these videos, and secret bosses are no exception — if they fit, somehow, in the natural course of the story or if they don't contradict some of its nature.
Yes, Kurt Zisa is said in Jiminy's Journal to be released out of the Final Keyhole at the end of the game. As canon as this explanation might be from a story point of view (though it's, clearly, just a way to justify its presence in an old world at the end of the game), keep in mind — they never, ever, mention Kurt Zisa or state its origins in a story cutscene. So, I did want to give a refreshing sense of surprise for this episode, placing a secret boss in the only, reasonable moment for Sora to ever meet it. I like thinking that Jafar set a trap for Sora and the moment it was placed when going to the Cave of Wonders to stop him makes it even more believable.
Sora would have no actual reasons to to back to Agrabah after Hollow Bastion.
This is partly related to the Vanitas Remnant part, which was not included during the Birth by Sleep portion. Yes, he was a secret boss too, but its own identity was kind of contradictory with the flow of the story, and that's why I didn't fight him. The only moment Terra, Ventus or Aqua could meet Vanitas' Remnant was when they reached the Keyblade Graveyard. Their goal, for the whole game, was stopping Vanitas and Master Xehanort. If they stopped Vanitas, Ventus would be free and 50% of their problems solved. If I let, like, Terra win against Vanitas' lingering spirit, it would be EXTREMELY weird for the trio not to ever mention him like "Hey guys, I've already defeated a black Vanitas back there, we're safe, what now?". Kurt Zisa has, on the other hand, a completely unknown identity whose origins have no impact on the main story.
Of course, this is not trying to convince you I'm right or anything, nor wanting to go against the game laws or rules. I am just inviting you to take it easier and feel free to "neglect" some of the game aspects if they just don't contradict the flow of the proper story, especially if gameplay wise.
Yes, you get Mushu's summon stone way later in the game, but then again, you will never read "You obtained Mushu's Summon!" and he never gets mentioned in a cutscene. His summon purpose here is introducing him before we reach KH2.
Sora having a full list of summons for 0.75 seconds does not contradict the events of the story — the plot wouldn't be affected if I summoned Bambi or Dumbo. Of course, I couldn't summon Genie or Tinkerbell. These are technical features which are strictly and solely related to gameplay rules, so I'm inviting you not to mix potential gameplay issues with main story features.
Never think of these long messages of mine as a way to blame you guys for voicing your opinions! On the contrary, please keep feeling free to comment on what you think it's the best way to go.
Think of this project as a whole, with a greater nostalgia meaning behind it.
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