Getting Started

First Hour Walkthrough

Kingdom Hearts III begins with a cinematic prologue, then throws you directly into the action. Here's a step-by-step of your first hour:

1. Start a New Game – Select "New Game" from the main menu. There is no character creation; you play as Sora, the series' main protagonist. Difficulty options: Beginner, Standard, Proud, and Critical (unlocked after clearing the game). For first-timers, Standard is recommended – it's balanced for learning mechanics.

2. Prologue – Olympus – You land in Hercules' world. Follow the walkway and trigger the first cutscene. You'll fight a few Heartless (shadows) to learn basic attacks (press Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox). The game will introduce Flowmotion – wall-running and sliding – use it freely.

3. Tutorial Combat – Before the first real boss (a giant rock titan called the Rock Troll), practice basic combos, guarding, and dodging. HP and MP are shown in the top-left corner. When you see a glowing circle around an enemy, press Triangle (PS) / Y (Xbox) to execute a Situation Command – a powerful special move.

4. First Boss – Rock Troll – Use your Keyblade combos (attack, attack, attack + pause + attack for finisher). Dodge its slams with Circle (PS) / B (Xbox). After depleting its health, press Triangle to finish it with a team attack alongside Hercules.

5. Return to Olympus – You'll briefly explore the mountain path. Pick up Munny (currency) and Synthesis Materials from glowing objects. Save at a save point (golden Mickey head) after the boss.

6. Twilight Town – After Olympus, you'll visit Twilight Town. This is a safe hub. Talk to characters, explore shops, and collect items. The game will teach you about Keyblade Forging (upgrading weapons) and Synthesis later, but for now just follow the story marker.

Character Creation

Kingdom Hearts III does not offer character creation. You play exclusively as Sora – a teenage boy with spiky brown hair and a giant key-shaped sword. His appearance is fixed, but you can change Keyblades and equipment to alter his stats and combat style. Cosmetics are limited to purchasing different Keyblade skins (later in the game) and unlocking outfits for party members.

Controls – All Platforms

Kingdom Hearts III supports controllers on all platforms. The PC version also has keyboard/mouse controls, but a controller is highly recommended. Below are the default button maps:

PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5

Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S

PC (Keyboard & Mouse)

Tip: Remap controls in the Options menu if you prefer different layouts, especially on PC.

User Interface (UI) Overview

1. Health Bar (Top-Left) – Green bar = HP; yellow bar = MP (for magic). When HP reaches zero, you faint (Game Over unless revived).
2. Command Menu (Bottom-Center) – Four commands: Attack, Magic, Item, Summon (and later, Formchange). Cycle with L1/R1 (LB/RB).
3. Situation Command (Center Screen) – Appears as a large circle when conditions are met (e.g., after a combo). Press Triangle/Y to activate powerful moves like team attacks, transformations, or finishers.
4. Sora's Level – Displayed next to HP. Leveling up increases stats and unlocks abilities.
5. Mini-Map (Top-Right) – Shows the current area and objectives (golden marker for story progression).
6. Party Member Status – Icons for your two companions (e.g., Goofy, Donald) appear at the right side. Their HP is shown as small bars.
7. Focus Gauge (Bottom-Left) – A blue bar that charges when you attack or get hit. Used for special commands and abilities.
8. Lock-On Indicator – When you hold R1/RB, a reticle appears on the nearest enemy. You can switch targets with the right stick.

Essential Early Objectives

• Complete the Olympus tutorial – Master basic combat, guarding, and dodging. This world is linear and teaches everything.


• Learn Flowmotion – Wall-run, slide on rails, and use speed boosts to traverse areas quickly. It's vital for exploration and some puzzles.


• Unlock Keyblade Transformations – After a few battles, you'll receive a new Keyblade that can transform (e.g., Shooting Star becomes a magic cannon). Watch for the Situation Command after hitting enemies.


• Explore Thoroughly – In Twilight Town, check every alley and chest. Items like Hi-Potions and Phoenix Downs are abundant and free.


• Synthesize Early – As soon as you meet the Moogle in Twilight Town, use materials to craft accessories that boost HP or defense. Don't hoard materials early.




What to Do First / What to Avoid





Do:



• Save often – Use save points (golden Mickey heads) before and after any boss.


• Change equipment – Equip better Keyblades, accessories, and armor as soon as you find them. They dramatically affect survivability.


• Use Situation Commands – Don't ignore the big circle prompt. They can turn the tide of battle.


• Experiment with magic – Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder are your tools. They hit enemy weaknesses and can stagger groups.




Avoid:



• Button mashing – Memorable but inefficient. Use pauses between attacks to trigger finishers and avoid getting hit.


• Neglecting guard/dodge – Sora is vulnerable without blocking. Learn enemy patterns.


• Skipping optional battles – They drop Synthesis materials and EXP. Even a few levels make bosses easier.


• Ignoring the Synthesis shop – Crafting accessories and items is critical for late-game. Start collecting materials from world chests and enemy drops.


• Trying to take on bosses without healing items – Always carry at least 5 Potions/Curaga spells in your shortcut.




Early Resource Priorities




• Munny – Used to buy items, equipment, and materials. Spend it first on Potions and Phoenix Downs (revive items). Later save for expensive accessories.


• Synthesis Materials – Drop from most enemies and appear in sparkly spots. Focus on Iron Ore, Fuligin Ore, and Mythril Crystal early. These are used for powerful equipment.


• AP (Ability Points) – Not a resource per se, but abilities are unlocked via leveling and accessory slots. Prioritize abilities that increase Combo Plus, Air Combo Plus, and Leaf Bracer (heal without interruption).


• Synthesis Recipe Items – The Moogle will give you recipe scrolls from chests. Unlock them as soon as possible to see what materials you need.




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Ignoring the ability menu – Open the menu and equip abilities from the "Customize" tab. Many useful ones (like "Scan" to see enemy HP) are not auto-equipped.
2. Not using team commands – Hold L2/LT and press a face button to order your party (e.g., "Focus" for combo attacks, "Heal" for healing). This is essential for tough fights.
3. Sticking with one Keyblade – Different Keyblades have different stats and transformations. Switch based on enemy weaknesses (e.g., magic-focused Keyblade vs fire-weak enemies).
4. Forgetting to block – Many attacks are telegraphed. Just holding L1/LB negates damage from most physical attacks.
5. Selling materials – Never sell Synthesis materials. They're harder to farm later. You'll need them for the best gear.
6. Skipping prologue cutscenes – The opening is long but contains critical story context. If you skip, you'll be confused about the plot.



Day-One Checklist



Complete the following on your first play session (1–2 hours):


• [ ] Create a new game – Choose Standard difficulty.


• [ ] Complete the Olympus prologue – Fight the Rock Troll and reach the save point.


• [ ] Equip the new Keyblade (Hero's Origin) from the chest after the boss.


• [ ] Learn Flowmotion – Practice wall-running and sliding on the rocky paths.


• [ ] Save at the save point – Do this after the boss and before moving to Twilight Town.


• [ ] In Twilight Town:

- [ ] Visit the Synthesis shop (Moogle) and craft a Hi-Potion or bracelet.
- [ ] Buy Potions (at least 5) from the item shop.
- [ ] Open all chests in the town (there are 3-4 easy ones).
- [ ] Talk to Kairi and Riku for story progression.
- [ ] Equip the new abilities – Go to Menu > Customize > Abilities. Turn on Combo Plus and Leaf Bracer if you have them.

• [ ] Practice blocking – Find a heartless and practice holding L1/LB to block attacks.


• [ ] Adjust camera sensitivity – Go to Options > Camera > set Horizontal/Vertical speed to 8-10 for better responsiveness.


• [ ] Save again – Before leaving Twilight Town for the next world.

This checklist ensures you have a solid foundation. Remember: exploration is rewarded, and the game is forgiving on Standard. Enjoy the journey!