Editing Kingdom Hearts (series)

{{Youmay|the series|[[Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation)|other uses of ''Kingdom Hearts'']]}}

{{nihongo|'''''Kingdom Hearts'''''|キングダムハーツ|Kingudamu Hātsu}} is a series of action role-playing games (''RPG'') developed and published by {{w|Square Enix}}. It is a collaboration between Square Enix and {{w|Disney Interactive Studios}} under the direction of [[Tetsuya Nomura]], a longtime Square character designer. ''Kingdom Hearts'' is  a crossover between Square Enix and Disney based in a fictional universe.  The heroes of the series clash against the multiple incarnations of the primary antagonist, Xehanort, throughout the series. The series centers around the main character, [[Sora]]'s, search for his friends and his encounters with Disney and Square Enix characters in their worlds. ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'' included characters from ''{{w|The World Ends with You}}'', another Square Enix property, while properties from {{w|Pixar}} and  ''{{w|Einhänder}}'' were included in  ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''.

The series consists of various games across different video game platforms which was initially a point of contention for many players who could not afford all the platforms, although in the 2010s, most of the games were released in compilations on the PlayStation 3 and later, the PlayStation 4. The main bulk of the series can all be played on PlayStation 4, and those that can not such as ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]'' were adapted into movies for these compilations. Some of the games were re-released as remakes or enhanced ports with the subtitle "Final Mix". There are currently 14 main installments released in the series (bolded in the "Games" section below, although note that the [[Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover|tenth]] is a movie).

There have been several types of merchandise released along with the games, such as soundtracks, [[Formation Arts Figures|figurines]], and companion books. In addition, the games have also been adapted into a [[Kingdom Hearts series (manga)|manga series]] and [[Kingdom Hearts (novels)|novels]].

Most of the games in the series have been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, though each installment has seen varying levels of success. As of December 2006, the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series has shipped over ten million copies worldwide, with 2.0 million copies in PAL regions, 3.0 million copies in Japan, and 5.6 million copies in North America.

''Kingdom Hearts'' features a mixture of familiar Disney and ''Square Enix'' characters, nearly all of them coming from the ''Final Fantasy'' series, as well as several new characters designed and created by Tetsuya Nomura. Though the series features locations unique to the ''Kingdom Hearts'' franchise, worlds from Disney films are heavily explored. Sora must visit these worlds and interact with popular Disney characters to protect them from enemies. Often, Sora's actions in these worlds follow closely to the stories featured in their accompanying Disney films. However, in later games in the series, there is less focus on the ''Final Fantasy'' aspects and more focus on the ''Kingdom Hearts'' characters, instead making small nods and references to ''Final Fantasy''. In one of the dialogues, Donald Duck tells Sora not to interfere with the worlds too much, since such interference would cause problems. [[Moogle]]s, small creatures from the ''Final Fantasy'' series, are another common element in the games. They provide the player with synthesis shops in order to create items for use in the game.

==Creation and Influence==

[[File:Sora, Kairi, and Riku (Concept Art).png|thumb|right|250px|Early sketch of Riku, Sora, and Kairi.]]

The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series is directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who also works as the character designer of the games. Nomura has stated that unlike working with ''Final Fantasy ''characters, keeping the main character Sora alive and interesting over multiple games is a challenge. He has also stated that though many of the Disney characters are not normally dark and serious, there were not many challenges making them so for the story, and despite this, their personalities shine because they maintain their own characteristics. Though Disney gave Nomura freedom in the characters and worlds used for the games, he and his staff tried to stay within the established roles of characters and boundaries of the worlds. When deciding which worlds to include in the game, the development staff tried to take into account worlds with Disney characters that would be interesting.

The inclusion of specific ''Final Fantasy'' characters was based on the opinions of fans and the development staff. Another criteria for inclusion was whether the staff felt the characters would fit into the storyline and in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' universe. Initially, Nomura was hesitant to use characters he did not design, because he was unfamiliar with the background work of such characters. For ''Kingdom Hearts II'', he changed his mind after receiving pressure from his staff. Throughout the development of the games, Nomura has often left certain events and connections between characters unexplained until the release of future games. Nomura did this because he feels that games should have room for fans to speculate and use their imagination. He stated that with speculation, even though a game gets old, people can still be happy with it. In ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'', Tetsuya Nomura used characters from ''The World Ends with You'', another Square Enix series, and in ''Kingdom Hearts III'' a boss from Eihander was used.

==Gameplay==

[[File:Firaga KH.gif|thumb|250px|left|Once protagonists have obtained the Keyblade, they are able to fight using various spells inspired by the ''Final Fantasy'' series, such as "Firaga".]]

The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series contains both 3rd-person fighting and role-playing game elements. The games are driven by a linear progression to the next story event, usually told in the form of a cutscene, though there are numerous side quests available that provide bonus benefits to the characters. Furthermore, there are allies to aid the main character, Sora. The allies in play rely fully on A.I. controls, though players could later modify and customize their ability usage frequency. The combat system takes on real-time, meaning Sora could engage the enemy directly; various actions, such as attack and magic, are executable, during or after the battle.

In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]'' the combat system was altered as Sora is no longer aided by his friends, and all of his combat commands are only executable via [[cards]], with special attacks being executed with [[sleight]]s. Additionally, combat no longer takes place in the same space as exploration; rather, whenever Sora engages an enemy, he is taken to a confined field for combat.

The [[Gummi Ship]] is another common theme in the series, where it serves as a means of transportation for Sora and company to travel towards other worlds. Players can modify and customize these ships via blueprints and selected parts. In the release of ''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]'', the first game contained Gummi Ship side quests. However, due to the criticism regarding the complexity of the Gummi Ship customization, the third game's Gummi Ship was toned down, providing easier and wider modifications, allowing players to customize it into either a small classed battle ship, or a grand carrier.

Another recurring element of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series is [[Jiminy's Journal]], which functions as a bestiary and provides hints and simple character information. The journal also records Sora's minigame results, as well as unfinished side quests, allowing players to have easier resolutions to track the game.

In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', the battle system introduced a new gameplay element: [[Drive Form]]s, which allow Sora to gain access to new abilities via his combat garment, and wielding two Keyblades for a limited time (however, not every form possess this ability). Magic is simpler to execute, and Sora's MP gauge will recharge automatically once it is used up. Another gameplay element introduced is the [[Reaction Command]], various actions only executable in several specific situations. These actions vary from talking to a character to performing combat abilities in battle.

''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' introduced several new features to the series, such as [[Deck Command]]s, which allow you to use several unique attacks as well as items and magic, and the [[Dimension Link]], which gives you access to several deck commands otherwise unavailable to the player. There is also the [[Shot Lock]], which allows you to attack a multitude of enemies with many attacks, and the Focus Gauge, which is what allows you to use the Shot Lock feature. It also introduces Command Styles where the player gains the use of a different and more powerful combo. By filling up the command gauge with either attacks or deck commands, the player will be able to execute a powerful finish command. Which command you use is different depending on if the player is using a D-link or a command style.

The games are influenced by their parent franchise, ''Final Fantasy'', and carry its gameplay elements over into their own action-based, hack-and-slash system. Like many traditional role-playing games, ''Kingdom Hearts'' features an experience point system which determines character development. As enemies are defeated, the player gains experience which culminate in a "level-up", where the characters grow stronger and gain access to new abilities. The amount of experience is shared with all party members and each character grows stronger as experience is gained.

Another recurring feature is the World music; all worlds have at least one normal field song and most have at least one battle theme.

===Before The Age of Fairytales===

Long ago before the great war was fought with Keyblades, it was fought by the physical manifestations of light and thirteen darknesses for great periods of times. Eventually, the Darkness removed their physical form becoming a single entity to defeat their counterpart, but its will could not be maintained and in order to expand and propagate their number, they slowly corrupted people’s hearts creating Pureblood Heartless. [[The Master of Masters]] and other Keyblade wielders begin to fight against the Heartless.  

The Master trained six apprentices of his own, [[Ira]], [[Aced]], [[Invi]], [[Gula]], [[Ava]] and [[Luxu]]. Through the power of his [[Gazing Eye]], the Master could see into the future. With this knowledge he created the [[Book of Prophecies]] and save for Luxu gifted the other five a copy of the book, upon reading it they were horrified of the last entry of the world's end in Darkness. Realizing that the passage was true; to prepare them the Master gave each apprentice their role; Ira taking over as the leader, Aced supporting Ira, Invi as the mediator, Gula to discover the traitor, Ava create another group of devoid unions called the [[Dandelions]]. As for Luxu, he was tasked to guard the [[Black Box]], take the [[No Name]] keyblade to record and watch everything unfold between the others.

Before he disappeared the Master created the first Dream Eater [[Chirithy]] to help the Foretellers in their endeavors but warns them if a wielder's heart is corrupted by darkness or disappears, so will Chirithy. When the day came for the Foretellers to take their roles they created their unions each filled with countless wielders and one of them is the [[Player (KHx)]]. During Player's adventures they come across a boy with ever growing curiosity named [[Ephemer]] who wondered about their world and the two become friends. Overtime darkness crept it's way into the world causing a rift between the Foretellers and soon their unions causing them to fight, meanwhile Player tells Ephemer about the dream they had about them and decide to investigate the Clock Tower but after their first exploration he continues alone (unknown to Player he was invited to the join the Dandelions and one of the five new Union leaders).

Soon Ephemer's curiosity was right about the incoming Keyblade War and tried to warn Player through [[Skuld]], they tried to search for him yielding no luck. Then, they come across Master Ava, informing them that Ephemer is with the Dandelions and invited them to join while Skuld accepts Player is indecisive worried about everyone else and asks their Chirithy for advice. When they decide not to join the war; Nightmare Chirithy gives Player a reason to fight and after fighting the Nightmare the creature claims that it was always apart of them as well as responsible for what is going on and after being defeated despite combining with the [[Darkling]]s the bond is now severed. Dishearteningly Player ends up fighting in the war against all the Foretellers and countless wielders until they are the last survivor.

Then, as the ground is littered with Keyblades turning into the Keyblade Graveyard, soon Player is reunited with their Chirithy and as a light shines down on them they were shocked with tears of joy to they see Skuld and Ephemer again as they leave for the new world.  

After the war the duty of preserving the light is passed down to Ephemer, Skuld and their friends [[Brain]], [[Lauriam]] and surprisingly Ventus as we learn of his time as a dandelion before Master Xehanort found him. To begin their new status as Union Leaders and aware of Player's nightmares alongside Chirithy they created new dream eaters called pets that would help the wielders forget the past (save for the Union Leaders). While reliving old along with new adventures the wielder's peaceful tranquility was broken when Darkness found them again but this time with ghostly apparitions appearing everywhere and the Darklings still pursuing them. Soon Lauriam noticed his younger sister [[Strelitzia]] was missing. Through Brain's deductive reasoning the Union Leaders discovered that they were trapped in a data version of Daybreak Town and the glitches were a result of another world trying to connect, along with the Darklings, aware of the future ahead Brain promised to free them. In pursuit of the creatures into the new world Ephemer and Player learn that the Darklings like Lauriam were looking for someone too.

 

As Lauriam, continued to search for his sister with the help of her fellow member [[Elrena]] it led him to Brain and the others. Explaining the situation they knew that Strelitzia was suppose to be in their group but was hesitant and that she had a great admiration for "someone" that she tried to save them from the war. Hearing that match Player's description, Ephemer takes Lauriam to meet them but was saddened that they didn't know her either. As the mystery unravels even more Brain consults the book of prophecies and finds a note inside with a startling discovery he summons Ephemer to inform him of his findings revealing that Strelitzia was the missing Union Leader.  

Knowing of her intentions but Player being here already Brain figured out that there is an imposter in their ranks and with Ventus and Skuld arriving he asks them to remember their encounter with Master Ava. However hearing that Ven's encounter was different Brain reveals to him the shocking truth that he is the imposter. Knowing this wasn't Ava's plan and that he didn't know the Union Leaders suspected that Darkness may have done this and by pushing their comrade to remember Ventus recalls meeting Master Ava inside an abandoned building and left together heading towards the Clock Tower but not much else except for Strelitzia dying with that they resolve to help him and tell Lauriam what happened to his sister.

Meanwhile unknown to them, Maleficent came into their world led by the [[Darkness (character)|Darkness entity]] and despite Lauriam's efforts she escaped in one of the lifeboat pods unknowingly beginning the world's destruction. As the others returned to the tower the strain of remembering puts Ven to sleep while Brain, Ephemer and Skuld tried to figure out Darkness' next move aware that it was here but didn't know why or what it tried to gain by striking down Strelitzia and replacing her with Ventus. Through his dreams Ventus remembered what really happened, Darkness used him as a scapegoat and it struck her down waking up distraught that he couldn't do anything to save her. Then, their conversation was misunderstood by a vengeful Lauriam who demanded to know what happened to Strelitzia but before his friends could explain Ventus reveals that he is responsible for her demise despite the other's protest. But the grief and anger knock him unconscious again revealing the true culprit to the group.

Meeting the entity the group discovered why it targeted Strelitzia as it played on Ven's hidden desire power but knowing of their comrade's gentle heart they knew he would never resort to such means. But when Darkness believed gaining what was more important than how, realizing that his sister was gone for nothing Lauriam tried to avenge her but was easily defeated. The reason why Darkness hid inside Ventus was because it was written in the book by the Master discovering that the two were friends. Discussing further the Union Leaders also find out that there is more than one willful darkness around and the only reason they couldn't be seen was because they weren't acknowledged yet until now hearing enough Brain and the others decide to fight against the entity but with no physical form it couldn't be destroyed.

Backed into a corner with Ephemer only standing despite being told that the entity had no goal Brain didn't believe it as it was still here. They found out that it was Darkness' intention to infect and expand by using Ventus' body they could separate from the whole and act independently. Lauriam finally accepts the truth about Strelitzia's fate and fights alongside the others with Player joining their ranks. Brimming with confidence the Union Leaders believed they could return to the real world only to be dashed when Darkness told them of the lifeboat's real purpose to be used as a last defense if Darkness couldn't be defeated and when used the world will be destroyed and sealed off with it already starting. Regardless they still fight briefly beating it back, the Darklings appear and come for Ventus but he awakens enveloped in light dispelling the creatures believing himself to be “pure light”. With that he decided to his power to give Darkness a form they could beat and fights the entity alone.

With a brief reprieve, the Union Leaders wonder if everything Darkness said is true meanwhile the fight against the entity left Ventus unconscious again with Lauriam apologizing to him for his actions. Then, he was alerted with news that his sister is alive by Elrena and her Chirithy seeing her walking with someone in a [[Black coat|black coat]]. Shocked at first but aware that they are in data Daybreak Town and remembering the Pride Shift the Union leaders knew that all their data was here as well meaning someone could've accessed Strelitzia's. Hopeful that Strelitzia could be alive and worried about the stated of the world. The group head to basement below and found what Darkness said was true as the world was being destroyed seeing the condition of the Ark room there were five pods left but with so many trapped, little time left and trying to keep hope alive the Union leaders separate. Brain heads to the real world with Lauriam, Elrena and Ventus while Ephemer, Skuld and Player watch over the dandelions until Brain can free them before leaving he gives the [[Master's Defender]] keyblade and the Book of Prophecies to Ephemer.  

Once in the real world Brain tries to figure how he can save everyone but isn't able to so he resolves to save Ephemer and the others, so he sent Lauriam, Elrena and Ventus into the future. Soon after Brain is met upon Luxu who warns him that the Ark is incomplete and to use it properly the senders must have a medium and someone who remembers them at their destination and as for the data world being locked. Meanwhile the three friends are attacked by the remaining willful darknesses who wanted them to open the gate so they can spread but Ephemer, Skuld and Player refused but remembering their first encounter realizing they had little chance to survive and desperate to save their friends. In a ploy to seal the darknesses away Player pretended to controlled by them and attacked Skuld and Ephemer before delivering the final blow Ephemer tearfully sends them through a gate along with the remaining darknesses. Inside the cable Player revealed deception and seals the gate trapping them and reunited with their Chirithy one more time enveloped in light. Meanwhile as the two pods appear Ephemer and Skuld head for the real world to find them alone checking on the condition outside they see the world is being destroyed and like the others they attempt to leave for the future as the tower crumbles around them.

After the destruction, Daybreak Town is left underwater with Ephemer waking up, Lauriam wakes up in a field of flowers, Elrena is still unconscious on a stormy mountain, Ventus is still unconscious in the Keyblade Graveyard found by an unknown person leaving Skuld unaccounted for. As for Player, inside the veil of light they see the remaining sleeping Dandelions and their hearts being given to their Chirithys where Player's explain their other purpose when their wielder sleeps they assume another form to protect their heart but the dream eater gives it's friend a choice to go to sleep or reincarnate as a new heart. When Player sees a glimpse of the future they decide to reincarnate saying goodnight to their Chirithy. Soon Luxu is seen walking through the Keyblade Graveyard with the Black Box and No Name Keyblade revealing that he has Brain's face.

Meanwhile Brain wakes in an unknown town and is met upon by [[Sigurd]] who explains that he is the only one to make it to this time and before he takes Brain to his group's headquarters; Sigurd takes him to the fountain square to explain that he is in [[Scala ad Caelum]] and the mysterious person shows Brain a statue of the town's founder and first keyblade master. Upon seeing it Brain was happy to see that it was his old friend Ephemer.   

Overtime the Player's heart merges with a new one in Scala ad Caelum revealing said heart to belong to a baby named [[Xehanort]].  

===Xehanort's Path as a Dark Seeker===

For unknown reasons as a baby Xehanort was sent to [[Destiny Islands]] by a cloaked figure who watched him grow into a young man until he passed away. Over the years growing up due to the merging of hearts Xehanort continued to have dreams of Player's memories of the Keyblade War as well as seeing people and worlds he didn't know wanting answers and viewing his island to being so small he desired to see these worlds. Until one day he was visited by [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|his future self]] who offered him a way off the island and accepted soon Xehanort experienced his first taste of darkness his heart being affected by powerful negative emotions despite being horrified he was fascinated too aware that his heart could still feel. He also believed that with a strong enough heart darkness could be channeled and controlled.

He returned to his birthplace Scala ad Caelum, where he was taken in by Keyblade [[Master Odin|Odin]], becoming his seventh apprentice. Through his training, Xehanort eventually came to see his fellow pupil [[Eraqus]] as a brother and as their favorite pastime the two often played a chess game called [[Alba & Ater]]. Then Xehanort and his fellow classmates were taught the ways of the Keyblade and their role as Keyblade wielders was to protect the worlds of light from darkness. However, he was unsatisfied with this ideal so he often visited other worlds without permission to learn more. To protect himself from the darkness between worlds during his travels, he was gifted [[Keyblade Armor]].

Then, one day Xehanort and his classmates were informed by Master Odin that the upperclassmen of Keyblade wielders went missing, including Baldr's sister. In an effort to find them they split up into two groups to search the worlds with him, Eraqus and another apprentice, heading to Agrabah once there he realized that the world was still rebuilding from the destruction of the Keyblade War, as no humans were here. Then moved onto Wonderland, where they avoided the insanity of the Queen of Hearts, but Xehanort wondered if slaying those controlled by darkness was needed to protect the world.

Four years later, Xehanort was visiting the graves of his four fallen comrades believing their demise was his fault until Eraqus told him otherwise. Then, he planned to go out into the worlds to learn more before their Mark of Mastery exam and was told by his comrade to return before the exam. Returning to Wonderland, Xehanort found that time barely passed since his first visit. Still seeing the Queen of Hearts being influenced by darkness, her willingly approached her.

Then he met his future self again who gave himself the power to time travel to gather 12 other incarnations of himself for the [[Real Organization XIII]]. However after doing so he had forgotten the memories he experienced except for them being etched into his heart and with the exam drawing closer Xehanort saw to travel to again seeing darkness as something the worlds need and wanting to be on par with Eraqus wishing the worlds to be in equal balance. During his travels he met the Master of Masters gave him the black coat continuing to travel he believed that the world's were under a "false light" wanting to change it but soon overtime he possessed true strength over the darkness no longer needing his coat or armor anymore.

When the Mark of Mastery exam arrived Xehanort and Eraqus passed gaining the titles of Masters. Continuing his adventures he traveled throughout the worlds gaining vast knowledge and in the midst of trying to unravel the mysteries of the keyblades, the war and more Xehanort became obsessed. Diving deeper he came across something called the [[χ-blade]] and wanted to reenact the Keyblade War to forge it, to obtain the power of Kingdom Hearts so that he may create a world in balance. However, Xehanort had grown very old, and he devised a plan to use his Keyblade to extract his own heart and transfer it to a younger body to prolong his life until his ambitions were fulfilled. So he discussed his ideas about the Keyblade War with Eraqus, but when his comrade refused he continued on his own.

Then, he came across his pupil Ventus so Xehanort trained him to use as a vessel in the [[Badlands]] but when Ventus refused to use the darkness inside of him the elderly master extracted the darkness out of him creating [[Vanitas]]. With Ventus in his condition Xehanort brought him to Destiny Islands so his pupil could die in peace however soon Ven's heart comes across the heart of a new born [[Sora]] seeing that the merge allowed Ventus to live Xehanort continued to use him to forge the legendary blade and looked for a new vessel for his body.

Soon he brought his comatose pupil to train under his old friend Master Eraqus.

As Xehanort begins to sink into the Realm of Darkness, Aqua follows and sacrifices her armor and Keyblade to save Terra's body while she remains in the darkness. Xehanort, now with amnesia, is found by the sage king of Radiant Garden, [[Ansem the Wise]], and taken in as his apprentice. Mickey passes his Mark of Mastery Exam under his master, [[Yen Sid]], and is awarded the title of Keyblade Master. Inside Xehanort, Terra continues to counter Master Xehanort, vowing not to stop until he has foiled Master Xehanort and expelled him from his body.

Along the way, they encounter a group of Disney villains, led by [[Maleficent]], who is controlling the Heartless. Though they eventually defeat Maleficent, the three discover that Ansem, who has apparently succumbed to the darkness, is the true mastermind. Ansem's plan is to open the door to "Kingdom Hearts", a door which holds the hearts of all worlds, in the hopes of attaining eternal darkness. Sora, Donald, and Goofy defeat Ansem, and seal the door with the help of Riku and King Mickey on the other side of the door.

Riku tracks Sora to the World That Never Was and finds him in the castle, where he battles and manages to defeat Young Xehanort with help from Mickey. Following the fight, Master Xehanort is finally revived, and reveals his true intentions: following his failure to use the χ-blade to summon Kingdom Hearts by pitting a heart of pure light against a heart of pure darkness, he has learned an alternate way of creating the χ-blade, since years before, after the Keyblade War, the χ-blade was shattered into thirteen darknesses and seven lights, and if Master Xehanort creates an Organization out of thirteen incarnations of himself, he will be able to recreate the χ-blade and start another Keyblade War. As Master Xehanort moves in to turn Sora into the thirteenth and final vessel for the Organization, Lea, Donald and Goofy arrive to aid Riku and Mickey, and Master Xehanort is forced to retreat with Young Xehanort, Ansem, Xemnas, Xigbar, Saïx and his other six hooded vessels.

 

 

 

 

#'''''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''''' (2002)