Gateway

The Gateway is an important aspect of gameplay in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. They are placed on overworld map shaped after the world of the original Final Fantasy.

Story
Gateways appear to be constructions built by Chaos or his troops, judging by dialogue. They act as obstacles to the traveling Warriors of Cosmos, who are forced to pass through them and clear the Stigma of Chaos or other insignia within in order to proceed through areas. Warriors of Chaos seem to be able to move freely in and out of them, and appear deep within them, waiting for their foes to pass through to battle.

Gameplay
Gateways take the place of the tiled boards that dominated the gameplay of Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. They serve as "dungeons" in the world map, generally placed between locations, forcing the player to go through them before carrying on to the next spot. A gateway may be entered from the world map by pressing when standing next to it.

While similar in appearance to the game boards of the previous game's story mode, the gateways function significantly differently. Characters themselves now appear on the boards and move between tiles by dashing, rather than having a game-piece-like render simply shifting position. Movement no longer has a cost, and Destiny Points have been replaced by KP, which can be acquired by completing a requirement given in each Gateway, and can be multiplied by performing chains, either by battling adjacent pieces or by using Chain Skills. Treasure Chests and Potions still appear, as well as new "Emblems" that change battle stats and Assist characters who offer dialogue when interacted with. Interacting with a Stigma of Chaos, a Chaos Piece, or a Cosmos Piece will all you to exit the Gateway back to the World Map.

Red Gateways
Gateways in red are mandatory to participate in and complete Dissidia 012 storyline. They can only be completed one time in a specific chapter, after which they become empty gateways for the remainder of the chapter.

In Main Scenario 000, after you complete the gateway, the gateway becomes blue and can be available through out the game.

Blue Gateways
Gateways in blue are bonus dungeons which can be entered at will. They can be completed multiple times. Useful for level grinding early on.

Closed Gateways
These gateways are enclosed with iron bars in order to prevent the player from passing into that area. Some closed gateways become open during certain chapters and are closed for others.

"Empty" Gateways
These gateways don't serve any role other than being an element of the world's landscape while empty. Empty gateways can become closed gateways in other chapters, and red gateways become empty gateways upon completion.