Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

 3DS
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 549 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 421 out of 549
  2. Mixed: 81 out of 549
  3. Negative: 47 out of 549
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  1. SuperkenGaming
    Jan 28, 2017
    4
    Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance
    Gimicky Garbage
    Dream Drop Distance takes place after the events of kingdom hearts coded and is by far the most frustrating and worse game in the entire kingdom hearts series. Here you play as both riku and sora who are in separate dream worlds while at the same time vitisitng the same people and places... This game follows the formula of Birth By    Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance
    Gimicky Garbage
    Dream Drop Distance takes place after the events of kingdom hearts coded and is by far the most frustrating and worse game in the entire kingdom hearts series.
    Here you play as both riku and sora who are in separate dream worlds while at the same time vitisitng the same people and places...
    This game follows the formula of Birth By Sleep which I feel is the best game in the series.. but it ads tons of gimmicks, wastes your time… and is the least inspired title in the series to date.
    Here like in birth by sleep all of your special attacks are in decks that increase in size as you level up.. you fill the slots with moves and magic you get from shops and off of enemies…
    You visit 7 boring locations, most of which you’ve seen before in past games…
    And by most I mean practically all but 1
    Void of the Disney charm almost completely…
    just generic feeling worlds kill generic feeling dream eaters.. and getting through this over complicated and unnecessary story that doesn’t get interesting until the very end of this 20 hour game.
    Again you play as riku and sora, you go back and forth and you go through the same places like in birth by sleep.. but unlike birth by sleep nothing but the story and bosses are different for the 2…
    so youre practically just playing the levels twice…
    but that isn’t the worst part…
    The worst part of this game is its gimmicks…
    Theres a drop mechanic here where once the times is up youre forced to go back and play as sora or riku,,,
    Youre literally timed at every single moment of the game..
    And we all know timers are the most fun thing in video game history to deal with
    ps sarcasm.
    That was sarcasm.. theyre not fun.. they were never fun.. they never wil be fun…
    And for how much this game loves to annoyingly not want interrupt combat with something actually useful like checking menu options, tutorials, or looking at the map.. it has no problem when it comes to plucking you out to force you to play as the other character..
    And the worst part is it doesn’t save your battle progress… weather its regular enemies or bosses… you have to start all over again when its your turn again…
    its aweful…
    I understand you wanted me to go through the story evenly.. but at the very least don’t allow drops to happen until I die or until a battle is over…
    One gimmick I don’t mind but again feel is unnecessary is the ability to link with a spirit..
    These are essentially pokemon sidekicks that join your party and allow you to do their attacks or team up with them mid battle…
    you can play with them.. pet them… name them… but again… completely unnecessary….
    The only improvement here over the past games is you dive with a challenge instead of do the gummy ship mini games….
    but it isn’t a large improvement.. its also not fun…
    and the icing on the cake here is that the final boss sequences are just as cheap as they’ve always been if not more..… one in particular can posin you as well as drain your health without warning and refill theirs fully with this drained health like you did no damage at all… take a wild guess what happenes when they do that move and youre poisned..
    And these final bosses aren’t the only cheap bosses here…
    Since developers thought it would be great to add a timer to the game.. they also thought it would be a great idea to make some boss battles in giant open areas with bosses that do ranged attacks that you have to chase… while they run away from you, go up to the ceiling and teleport around…
    Its not fun… none of it…
    watch the movie on youtube to get the story…
    don’t play this game.
    I Give Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance
    a 4.5/10    … Expand
  2. RepentantSky
    Feb 12, 2018
    2
    My least favorite KH game to date, and I mean by far. The story is so basic that only the last few hours matter, the worlds are mostly annoying, the 3DS' controls do not work well with Kingdom Hearts, unlike they did with the PSP, and probably would have with the Vita where this game should have been. But even with the control problems, the fact that the game can be so difficult just inMy least favorite KH game to date, and I mean by far. The story is so basic that only the last few hours matter, the worlds are mostly annoying, the 3DS' controls do not work well with Kingdom Hearts, unlike they did with the PSP, and probably would have with the Vita where this game should have been. But even with the control problems, the fact that the game can be so difficult just in general, especially during the parts that matter, is frustrating, and the drop system is the worst idea Square ever came up with. I'm glad they fixed it with the PS4 version, but that doesn't excuse this game at all. It should have either never been made, or made for a Sony system where the controls actually work.… Expand
  3. Kenmei
    Aug 21, 2012
    3
    This was a disappointing entry into one of my favorite gaming series right now. Frankly, the series desperately needs to get back onto consoles as these handheld filler games have done nothing but detract from what the original KH and KH 2 did way back in the day. While Birth by Sleep was a good game, this game really let me down in both the story and the mechanics of the game. First ofThis was a disappointing entry into one of my favorite gaming series right now. Frankly, the series desperately needs to get back onto consoles as these handheld filler games have done nothing but detract from what the original KH and KH 2 did way back in the day. While Birth by Sleep was a good game, this game really let me down in both the story and the mechanics of the game. First of all, the Drop system that was implemented here was a huge annoyance. This game probably would have been twice as good as it was, for me, without that one little part of the game. Being forced to switch characters mid-boss fight is beyond stupid and there are other ways you can go about wanting players to play as both Sora and Riku equally than to force them to switch when they don't want too. Lastly, the story has not aged very well. In today's age with games like Bastion where the story really carried the game, this story has lost alot of it's luster. The constant jabbering about Darkness and Light and Friendship makes this seem like a cutesy anime aimed at 10 year olds. It's not longer one of the better stories out there and the fact that they won't release KH 3, which should end the series, really hurts because your just teasing the real fans of the series with crap like this. I'm extremely disappointed with this game because this was one of the 3 games I originally bought my 3DS for and it hurt when I realized it was beyond boring. While some of the classic KH gameplay is still there, real fans of the series will be bothered by how utterly lackluster this game is and the fact that they keep forcing these filler games down our throats to appease us every 2-3 years is insulting. I for one will not play another KH filler game. The next KH game I'll play will be KH 3 because that will be the last hope for the series for me.… Expand
  4. Editman3
    Dec 5, 2016
    1
    Worst game in the series Plot Holes, Broken Gameplay, Dumb Story, Framerate Issue,Fans Overrating this game what the heck Square you're Ruining your franchise.
  5. dz9
    Nov 30, 2012
    4
    Coming into this game as a true KH fan, I was deeply disappointed in this performance. Let's start with the good, KH 3D brings the stunning presentation the series is known for onto the 3DS. The gameplay, although a double-sided sword, is the same from Birth By Sleep. That's where the good ends however, the new touch screen integration feel either tacked on, annoying, or brokenComing into this game as a true KH fan, I was deeply disappointed in this performance. Let's start with the good, KH 3D brings the stunning presentation the series is known for onto the 3DS. The gameplay, although a double-sided sword, is the same from Birth By Sleep. That's where the good ends however, the new touch screen integration feel either tacked on, annoying, or broken completely. The new pet system feels forced and becomes tedious quickly. However the worst aspect of this game is the story, KH1 kicked the series off in a simplistic touching nostalgic manner while only getting more confusing and con deluded as the series has progressed. KH 3D seems to have taken a story which has already seemed to have lingered on past its due date, and kicks it off a cliff. Another detriment to the story is the way it's told, being halfway through the game, I still didn't know why the game existed and the payoff at the end could've just been explained in a short cutscene in KH3. Birth By Sleep's successful gameplay returns in KH 3D but due to the layout of the 3DS's controls as compared to the PSP's, you have to completely stop moving in order to control the D-Pad to scroll to your healing/attack powers which will result in game over more than once. (May be better on 3DS XL). The Good: Presentation, voice acting, and gameplay. The bad: Confusingly told uninspired story, gameplay, touch screen controls, and the new pet system. In the End: Only hardcore fans should pick up this game, they will be the only ones that can bare the first half of the story. Casual fans and newcomers should stay away completely.… Expand
  6. VidsRule
    Sep 2, 2012
    2
    Buying this was my fault. I simply forgot how much I hate the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts. I actually bought the strategy guide for kh 2 and was determined to get deep into the game, only to regret it forever 10 hours later. The ambiguous nature of the game play and goels and literally constant enemies make this game a total waste of $40. And the 'drop' system will go down as one of theBuying this was my fault. I simply forgot how much I hate the gameplay of Kingdom Hearts. I actually bought the strategy guide for kh 2 and was determined to get deep into the game, only to regret it forever 10 hours later. The ambiguous nature of the game play and goels and literally constant enemies make this game a total waste of $40. And the 'drop' system will go down as one of the stupidest ideas I've ever seen in a videogame. The music, however, is amazing. I like it's dedication to old style rpg music. I'll never buy another kingdom hearts.… Expand
  7. hyun8801
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    the worst game in the whole franchise. Seriously, all the Kingdom hearts games suck but DDD is exceptionally **** up.
  8. Guitarsonic
    Dec 21, 2019
    1
    Dream Drop Distance is a horrible video game, probably one of the worst in the series.
    The game is just **** **** I cannot believe they made a game where you have such an amount of stagger and cheap mechanics to play through.
    Everytime you do a command and the enemy hits you, the command is not used. This makes boss fights infuriating because the boss would just spam moves all the time    Dream Drop Distance is a horrible video game, probably one of the worst in the series.
    The game is just **** **** I cannot believe they made a game where you have such an amount of stagger and cheap mechanics to play through.
    Everytime you do a command and the enemy hits you, the command is not used. This makes boss fights infuriating because the boss would just spam moves all the time while also teleporting to your location.
    The cutscenes are boring, they blindly follow the same story from their respecting movies and there are so many cutscenes that just have no overall point in the overarching plot.
    The way you get abilities is by playing a **** pokemon amie like minigame where you pet your monster friends and play games with them. It is boring, it takes forever and it just not right for the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

    I honest to god think this game was made by sadistic people, that wanted to **** with the fans.    … Expand
  9. Moriquendi
    Feb 21, 2022
    0
    Un juego que prometía mucho termino siendo relleno al mas puro estilo naruto con un deselnace horrible por no hablar de que vino sin traducción un trato al que nos tiene bastante acostumbrado square enix siendo el segundo idioma mas hablado del mundo el hispano.
  10. Vanta77
    Jun 13, 2020
    0
    The first game in the series to suck, but the more you play you start to enjoy it.

    The Osaka team was one of the biggest mistakes Square could've done. Something happened in this game that transfered over to KH3 and that is world design and story changes, i really dont like time travel, everyone dead or seemed dead are to be brought to life. Nobody can die and you feel stupid for being    The first game in the series to suck, but the more you play you start to enjoy it.

    The Osaka team was one of the biggest mistakes Square could've done.
    Something happened in this game that transfered over to KH3 and that is world design and story changes, i really dont like time travel, everyone dead or seemed dead are to be brought to life. Nobody can die and you feel stupid for being emotional in past games and up until 2011 (which is quite a few years since KH1) you actually thought these scenes were meaningful.

    This game is a good reason why sequels suck. They're just messing to much with the story and adding nonsensical stuff that even confuses Nomura, why is my question. KH was always a little complex to understand but they had to bump it up from 3 to 100 for some reason

    Pros:
    -The battle system is great once you ignore flowmotion.
    -The gameplay can be fun and grinding for better Pokemons
    -Challenging gameplay and bosses on critical.
    -Just overall enjoyable game with bunch of stuff to do, tons of grinding. I definetly like that
    -1 good map: Musketeer World.

    Cons:
    -Pokemon concept from FFXIII-2 and Time Travel added from the same development team. Basically KH got same treatment and it sucks but somehow people like it, thats why they use the same ideabox. Both games are very identical in many ways.
    -Petting pokemons and that sucky song that i have to turn off everytime i go into the pet menu.
    -Abilities are stuck on your pets, its interesting but also very tedious. I dont hate it but its definetly a con.
    -Super large empty maps, that was also used for KH3.
    -KH story had great buildup until this game, and then we get time travel and nobody cant die, everyone will be rescued and blablabla.

    Basically KH3 ignores the games before BbS, the ideas are lacking so time travel is the answer and the terrible storyplot are hidden in Dream Drop Distance and phone games, it sucks because its only a shadow of what KH can be. The quality isnt there anymore but these games are still enjoyable.    … Expand
  11. Elanif
    Sep 25, 2021
    2
    Worst gameplay, music, story of all the Kingdom Hearts games. The drops and dream eaters are boring and useless. The command menu is its worse version of the series. The story is probably the most redeeming part, but only because the Xehanort lore is somewhat important.
  12. Devicra
    Feb 13, 2022
    0
    En este juego empezaron todas las criticas hacia la compañía no salió al español en 3ds pero si al frances, ley del mínimo esfuerzo y encima vendiéndolo al mismo precio elevado europeo.
    Durante días la gente heiteo el foro square enix y prometió no volver a comprar nunca ningún juego de esta compañia.
  13. ZangBang
    Oct 24, 2022
    3
    36/100
    Dream Drop Distance's Level Design is the best of the series up to this point, echoing the original KH1 with huge open areas, developing in interesting ways both vertically and orizontally, with a solid platforming component and pleasantly rich of secrets. Sadly, all of this is undermined by Flowmotion, a mechanic that makes traversal more dynamic and fun but gives the player    36/100
    Dream Drop Distance's Level Design is the best of the series up to this point, echoing the original KH1 with huge open areas, developing in interesting ways both vertically and orizontally, with a solid platforming component and pleasantly rich of secrets. Sadly, all of this is undermined by Flowmotion, a mechanic that makes traversal more dynamic and fun but gives the player excessive movement power, rendering all platform challenges trivial. Flowmotion is somewhat problematic even in combat, being a high damage low cost attack with easy spamming. Speaking of combat, the Deck from BBS makes a return bringing the much welcome variety and customizability options with it, but the balancing problems return as well with tremendous severity, and Abilities being tied to party companions makes Ability acquisition a quite tedious and annoying process. The story is possibly the worst in the series thus far, with great character interactions and a captivating mood, but extremely shallow writing and sluggish pacing, distasteful retcons and graceless, convoluted plot twists.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best 3DS Game of 2012
5
#5 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
2
#2 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 54
  3. Negative: 1 out of 54
  1. Games.cz
    Nov 12, 2012
    60
    A solid action RPG with tons of great mechanics. However, the mechanics have been over-combined, the game is very difficult and the controls should have been tuned up.
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  2. Gamer.no
    Oct 27, 2012
    90
    With it's seventh main game, the Kingdom Hearts-franchise switches things up quite a bit, making room for some exciting new elements, like the flow motion and the including of characters from The World Ends With You. At the same time it manages to keep things like they have been for the past six games, with plenty of beautiful Disney-worlds, great characters and a good mix of action and roleplaying.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 14, 2012
    80
    Although the game is more an action-adventure than an RPG, this iteration of the Kingdom Hearts franchise is by far the best pocket adaptation yet. It ties all the loose ends, so that the Kingdom Hearts 3 can have a fresh start. [Sept 2012]
See all critic reviews »