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Unlocking the Secrets of Kingdom Hearts' Iconic Keyblade Wielder in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Arrival of Sora in Smash Bros. Ultimate

Sora, the iconic protagonist from the beloved Kingdom Hearts series, has finally arrived in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the game's final DLC character. His inclusion is not only a dream come true for fans of the franchise but also a testament to the enduring popularity and significance of the Kingdom Hearts games.

Sora's introduction to Smash Bros. Ultimate has been nothing short of spectacular, with a beautiful cinematic trailer showcasing his journey from the beloved RPG series. His arrival marks the perfect way to conclude the game's roster, as he was one of the most requested fighters by the Smash community.

Who is Sora?

For those unfamiliar with the Kingdom Hearts series, Sora is the main character and the primary protagonist. He is a young boy who wields the iconic Keyblade, a legendary weapon capable of unlocking any door and sealing the hearts of worlds.

In the Kingdom Hearts games, Sora teams up with beloved characters from Disney and Final Fantasy to embark on epic adventures, battling against the sinister Heartless and Disney villains. He travels across various worlds, locking them to protect them from the encroaching darkness.

The Kingdom Hearts series is known for its unique blend of fantasy, action, and humor, making Sora's addition to Smash Bros. Ultimate a perfect fit. His inclusion is a significant achievement for Masahiro Sakurai, the game's director, as it required negotiating with both Square Enix and the entertainment juggernaut Disney, which owns the rights to almost everything.

Sora's Moveset and Playstyle

Sora's moveset in Smash Bros. Ultimate is a faithful representation of his abilities and fighting style from the Kingdom Hearts games. He wields his iconic Keyblade as his primary weapon, which he uses to unleash a variety of powerful attacks and combos.

As a fighter, Sora is a floaty swordfighter who excels in aerial combat. His moves are graceful and fluid, allowing him to navigate the battlefield with ease and chain together devastating combos.

Ground Attacks

Sora's ground attacks are a mix of quick strikes and powerful swings. His jab is a three-hit combo, replicating the first move players learn in Kingdom Hearts. His forward tilt is a quick swipe with decent range, while his up tilt is a spinning attack perfect for juggling opponents. Sora's down tilt is a classic sword swipe, making it an excellent combo starter. His dash attack utilizes his oversized feet to push enemies away, adding a unique quirk to his moveset.

Aerial Attacks

Sora's aerial attacks are where he truly shines. His neutral and forward aerials are multi-hit combos that excel at racking up damage. His back aerial is a slower but powerful killing move, while his up aerial is one of his best moves for juggling, comboing, and securing kills. Sora's down aerial is a meteor smash that forces opponents downward, making it a potent edge-guarding tool and a reliable kill move, even for Sora himself.

Smash Attacks

Sora's smash attacks pack a powerful punch. His down smash is a ground-smashing attack that excels at catching rolls and dealing immense damage. His forward smash is a satisfying keyblade smack that kills easily, while his up smash is a vertical strike that looks iconic and can hit enemies on platforms.

Special Moves

Sora's special moves draw heavily from his abilities in the Kingdom Hearts games. His neutral special cycles through three magic spells: Firaga, a spammable projectile; Thundaga, a ranged lightning bolt perfect for edge-guarding; and Blizzaga, a short-range ice attack that can freeze opponents. His down special is a counter move reminiscent of the Guard ability in Kingdom Hearts, but with a shorter range. His up special is a spinning attack that serves as an incredible recovery tool and a powerful kill move, allowing him to go deep for off-stage kills or recover from the depths. Sora's side special, while not as powerful as Bayonetta's Witch Twist, is still a versatile move that can be used after his up special for incredible horizontal and vertical recovery. It's spammable but punishable if missed, adding a layer of risk-reward to his gameplay.

Tips for Mastering Sora

To truly master Sora in Smash Bros. Ultimate, players should keep a few key tips in mind:

  1. Sora's falling forward aerial attack leads to exceptional combos, as it drags opponents down. Practicing this move and its follow-ups can open up devastating combo opportunities.

  2. Sora excels in the air and is highly floaty, making him strong on stages with platforms or lower ceilings. These layouts allow him to maximize his air combos and secure early kills.

  3. Sora's recovery is one of the best in the game, allowing players to go deep for kills without fear of being edge-guarded. Trusting his recovery options, including his side special, counter, and incredible jump height, can lead to high-reward playstyles.

  4. Sora's side special puts him in a state of freefall, so aiming towards the stage at the end of combos is crucial. The targeting system can sometimes be inconsistent, so players must be mindful of positioning.

Sora's Impact and Significance

Sora's inclusion in Smash Bros. Ultimate carries immense significance, both for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series and for the Smash community as a whole.

For many players, Sora's arrival evokes nostalgia and a deep emotional connection to their childhood experiences with the Kingdom Hearts games. His moveset and aesthetics in Smash Bros. Ultimate faithfully capture the essence of the beloved franchise, making his inclusion a dream come true for longtime fans.

Moreover, Sora's addition marks a monumental achievement for Masahiro Sakurai, the game's director. Negotiating with both Square Enix and the Disney corporation, which owns the rights to almost every major entertainment franchise, is a testament to Sakurai's dedication and passion for creating the ultimate crossover fighting game.

As the final DLC character and potentially the last fighter to be added to Smash Bros. Ultimate, Sora's arrival represents a fitting conclusion to Sakurai's work on the series. Sakurai has stated multiple times that he does not intend to return for future Smash Bros. games, making Sora's inclusion a poignant and emotional moment for both the director and the Smash community.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Sora's Inclusion in Smash Bros. Ultimate

Sora's arrival in Smash Bros. Ultimate is a momentous occasion for fans of both the Kingdom Hearts series and the Smash community. His inclusion not only satisfies the desires of countless players but also serves as a fitting conclusion to Masahiro Sakurai's illustrious career as the director of the Smash Bros. franchise.

Sora's moveset and aesthetics in Smash Bros. Ultimate are a love letter to the Kingdom Hearts games, capturing the essence of his character and abilities in a way that is both faithful and engaging. His playstyle as a floaty swordfighter with a strong aerial game and impressive recovery options makes him a unique and rewarding character to master.

As the Smash community bids farewell to Sakurai's involvement in the series, at least for now, Sora's inclusion stands as a testament to the director's dedication and passion for creating the ultimate crossover fighting game. His arrival serves as a reminder of the impact and significance that the Smash Bros. series has had on the gaming world, bringing together beloved characters from a multitude of franchises in a celebration of gaming's rich history.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Kingdom Hearts or a newcomer to Sora's adventures, his inclusion in Smash Bros. Ultimate is a moment to cherish. It marks the culmination of decades of passion, dedication, and a shared love for gaming among players and developers alike.

FAQ

Q: What is Kingdom Hearts?
A: Kingdom Hearts is a popular video game series where the main character, Sora, wields a magical Keyblade and teams up with Disney and Final Fantasy characters to battle darkness and evil.

Q: How did Sora become a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
A: Masahiro Sakurai, the director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, had to negotiate with both Square Enix and Disney to secure Sora's inclusion in the game.

Q: What makes Sora a unique fighter in Smash Bros. Ultimate?
A: Sora is a floaty swordsman with a versatile moveset, combining quick sword strikes with powerful magic abilities, and an incredible recovery that allows him to survive even when launched deep off-stage.

Q: What are some tips for playing as Sora effectively?
A: Practice using Sora's falling forward aerial attack for combos, take advantage of his floatiness with platforms, aim for deep kills with his incredible recovery, and be mindful of the end lag after his side special move.

Q: Why is Sora's inclusion in Smash Bros. Ultimate significant?
A: Sora's debut in Smash Bros. Ultimate marks the culmination of Masahiro Sakurai's work as the director of the series, and the fulfillment of a long-standing request from fans to include the iconic Kingdom Hearts protagonist.

Q: Is Sora easy or difficult to play for beginners?
A: Sora is relatively beginner-friendly, as his incredible recovery allows for more aggressive off-stage play without the fear of self-destructing. However, mastering his combos and maximizing his damage output requires practice.

Q: Does Sora have any alternate costumes from later Kingdom Hearts games?
A: Yes, Sora has alternate costumes representing his appearances in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts III, in addition to his iconic outfit from the original game.

Q: Can Sora summon other Disney or Final Fantasy characters as part of his moveset?
A: No, Sora does not have the ability to summon other characters from the Kingdom Hearts series in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. His moveset is focused solely on his own abilities and the Keyblade.

Q: How does Sora's recovery work?
A: Sora's recovery is exceptional. His up special is a powerful spin attack that can travel a long distance, and he can follow it up with his side special, a horizontal dash attack, for even greater distance and recovery options.

Q: What is Sora's counter move based on?
A: Sora's counter move is based on the Guard ability from the Kingdom Hearts games, which allows him to parry attacks from the front and deal damage in return.

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