Dream Drop Distance
HD 2.8
Sora and Riku take their Mark of Mastery exam and discover Xehanort's plan for 13 vessels.
Sora and Riku arrive at Yen Sid's tower to take their Mark of Mastery exam. With Ansem and Xemnas defeated, Master Xehanort can return as a complete person. To prepare for him, the two must unlock seven Sleeping Keyholes and gain the Power of Waking, an ability that can restore sleeping hearts.
They return to Destiny Islands just before it falls to darkness and enter the Sleeping Worlds. These are worlds that were restored after Kingdom Hearts but have not fully awakened. Sora and Riku travel separately through their dreams, visiting many worlds. They are helped by friendly Dream Eaters known as Spirits while fighting hostile ones known as Nightmares.
Throughout the exam, a young version of Xehanort appears alongside Ansem and Xemnas. He has been gathering versions of Xehanort from different points in time. Their plan is to gather 13 vessels containing Xehanort's heart.
Eventually, Sora reaches the World That Never Was, where the Organization draws him further into sleep. Xemnas reveals that Nobodies can grow hearts and that the original Organization was lied to about being unable to have them. Its real purpose was to prepare vessels for Xehanort. Several members proved unsuitable, and Sora has been chosen to fill the final place. Sora defeats Xemnas, but falls into a deep sleep and is taken to the Organization's castle.
Meanwhile, Riku learns that he has been traveling within Sora's dreams as a Dream Eater, protecting him from the Nightmares. He defeats Ansem and reaches the Organization's meeting place, where Mickey joins him. Master Xehanort returns and explains that the χ-blade must be recreated through a clash between 13 darknesses and 7 lights.
Before Xehanort can place his heart within Sora, Lea Axel's original self, restored after his Nobody was destroyed intervenes and saves Sora. Donald and Goofy also arrive, and the group escapes with Sora. The time travelers return to their own eras, but Xehanort intends to gather the Organization again for the coming clash.
Back at the Yen Sid's Mysterious Tower, Riku uses the Power of Waking to enter Sora's heart and awaken him. He also meets a version of Ansem the Wise, who gives him research hidden within Sora that may help recover the people connected to him. Yen Sid names Riku a Keyblade Master, while Sora does not pass the exam.
In the end, Lea reveals that he can summon a Keyblade. Riku brings Kairi to the tower so that she can begin training as well, while Sora returns to thank the Dream Eaters who helped him.
Releases
| Release | Platforms | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dream Drop Distance | Nintendo 3DS | March 29, 2012 (JP) · July 20, 2012 (PAL) · July 31, 2012 (NA) |
| Dream Drop Distance HD (2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) | PS4 | January 12, 2017 (JP) · January 24, 2017 (worldwide) |
| Dream Drop Distance HD (2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) | Xbox One | February 18, 2020 |
| Dream Drop Distance HD (2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) | PC (Epic Games Store) | March 30, 2021 |
| Dream Drop Distance HD (2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) | Nintendo Switch (cloud) | February 10, 2022 |
| Dream Drop Distance HD (2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) | PC (Steam) | June 13, 2024 |
| Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] | PS5 · Xbox Series X|S · Nintendo Switch 2 · PC (Epic Games Store) · PC (Steam) | October 8, 2026 |
Related
Tagged in
- Dream Eater (Story & Lore)