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The theme song for the game is "[[Sanctuary]]" (Japanese version: "Passion") performed by Utada Hikaru. | The theme song for the game is "[[Sanctuary]]" (Japanese version: "Passion") performed by Utada Hikaru. | ||
Chronologically, ''Kingdom Hearts II'' | Chronologically, ''Kingdom Hearts II'' is the eighth game in the timeline, after ''[[Kingdom Hearts χ]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]'', ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', and ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'', during ''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]'' and before ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''. | ||
==Development== | ==Development== | ||
After the sudden and meteoric success of the original game, a sequel went into conceptualization immediately after ''Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix'' wrapped development, and the concept was finalized around July of 2003. Most of the original staff returned for this sequel. The original plan was for this game to canonically take place one year after the events of the original. The team also wanted Sora to lose a majority of his abilities gained in the previous game. To offer an in-universe explanation for the ability reset and elaborate on the year in between, an interquel was created to bridge the gap. Titled ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', this title was outsourced to Jupiter so the team can have less of a work load. | After the sudden and meteoric success of the original game, a sequel went into conceptualization immediately after ''Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix'' wrapped development, and the concept was finalized around July of 2003. Most of the original staff returned for this sequel. The original plan was for this game to canonically take place one year after the events of the original. The team also wanted Sora to lose a majority of his abilities gained in the previous game. To offer an in-universe explanation for the ability reset and elaborate on the year in between, an interquel was created to bridge the gap. Titled ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', this title was outsourced to Jupiter so the team can have less of a work load. | ||
The team read and considered feedback they received from players of the original game and took them into account when making the sequel. These included tying the camera to the right analog stick and completely reworking the Gummi Ship segments. The combat was also reworked, with no animations from the first game being reused. Nomura explains that he wanted gameplay and presentation to reflect that the characters are older and have matured. Other changes that were initially planned to be in the original game but were scrapped due to time and technological limitations include different forms Sora can take, smoother integration between exploration and combat, and the inclusion of | The team read and considered feedback they received from players of the original game and took them into account when making the sequel. These included tying the camera to the right analog stick and completely reworking the Gummi Ship segments. The combat was also reworked, with no animations from the first game being reused. Nomura explains that he wanted gameplay and presentation to reflect that the characters are older and have matured. Other changes that were initially planned to be in the original game but were scrapped due to time and technological limitations include different forms Sora can take, smoother integration between exploration and combat, and the inclusion of Live-action Disney properties due to new technology that generated the actors' real likenesses into 3D models. One major hurdle the team ran into is their desire to showcase Mickey Mouse more, which required approval from Disney and temporarily slowed down production. | ||
While the original game hinted at the possibility of a sequel, ''Kingdom Hearts II'' was officially revealed alongside ''Chain of Memories'' at the 2003 Tokyo Game Show. The game also appeared at the 2004 at the Square Enix E3 showcase, where they confirmed that "many mysteries of the first game would be answered." A Japanese website was launched in May, 2005, with an English | While the original game hinted at the possibility of a sequel, ''Kingdom Hearts II'' was officially revealed alongside ''Chain of Memories'' at the 2003 Tokyo Game Show. The game also appeared at the 2004 at the Square Enix E3 showcase, where they confirmed that "many mysteries of the first game would be answered." A Japanese website was launched in May, 2005, with an English webiste launching in December of that year. The game finally released on PlayStation 2 on December 22, 2005, with it releasing in the rest of the world throughout 2006. | ||
==Story== | |||
''Kingdom Hearts II'' begins almost a year after ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', and immediately after ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''. | |||
A boy named [[Roxas]] wakes up in his room at [[Twilight Town]]. Roxas has dreams of Sora's adventures while increasingly mysterious activities begin taking place in Twilight Town during Roxas's summer vacation with his friends [[Hayner]], [[Pence]] and [[Olette]]. After obtaining the [[Keyblade]] to defend himself from strange white creatures, Roxas comes in contact with a young man in black named [[Axel]]. Axel appears to know Roxas, though Roxas has no recollection of him. | A boy named [[Roxas]] wakes up in his room at [[Twilight Town]]. Roxas has dreams of Sora's adventures while increasingly mysterious activities begin taking place in Twilight Town during Roxas's summer vacation with his friends [[Hayner]], [[Pence]] and [[Olette]]. After obtaining the [[Keyblade]] to defend himself from strange white creatures, Roxas comes in contact with a young man in black named [[Axel]]. Axel appears to know Roxas, though Roxas has no recollection of him. | ||
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[[Jiminy Cricket]], who had previously chronicled the trio's adventures, finds that his journal is now completely blank, save for the note: "Thank Naminé", which Jiminy had previously left as a clue to their adventure in [[Castle Oblivion]]. The group begins their journey anew and arrive in the real Twilight Town, instead of the virtual simulation Roxas lived in. The group crosses paths with King [[Mickey Mouse]], who orders them to board a train, before running off. In the station, the real Hayner, Pence and Olette say their farewell to Sora, who cries because of Roxas inside of him, although he does not understand it at the time. | [[Jiminy Cricket]], who had previously chronicled the trio's adventures, finds that his journal is now completely blank, save for the note: "Thank Naminé", which Jiminy had previously left as a clue to their adventure in [[Castle Oblivion]]. The group begins their journey anew and arrive in the real Twilight Town, instead of the virtual simulation Roxas lived in. The group crosses paths with King [[Mickey Mouse]], who orders them to board a train, before running off. In the station, the real Hayner, Pence and Olette say their farewell to Sora, who cries because of Roxas inside of him, although he does not understand it at the time. | ||
[[File:Master Yen Sid 01 KHII.png|thumb|Yen Sid prepares Sora for his next adventure.]] | [[File:Master Yen Sid 01 KHII.png|thumb|right|Yen Sid prepares Sora for his next adventure.]] | ||
The train takes them to the [[Mysterious Tower]]. After meeting [[Pete]], a new villain, and speaking with [[Yen Sid]], the party is informed that they must once again visit many [[world]]s to protect them from both the [[Heartless]] and the Nobodies in an attempt to stop [[Organization XIII]]. These include both old but greatly changed places, like [[Hollow Bastion]], along with new ones. Sora gains new clothes and powers from [[Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather]], and Yen Sid summons the [[Gummi Ship]] for them to use. After Sora, Donald and Goofy leave, [[Maleficent's Raven]] brings her tattered cloak to the fairies, who unwillingly remember Maleficent, thus bringing her back from the past as shown from the ending of ''Kingdom Hearts Union X''. | The train takes them to the [[Mysterious Tower]]. After meeting [[Pete]], a new villain, and speaking with [[Yen Sid]], the party is informed that they must once again visit many [[world]]s to protect them from both the [[Heartless]] and the Nobodies in an attempt to stop [[Organization XIII]]. These include both old but greatly changed places, like [[Hollow Bastion]], along with new ones. Sora gains new clothes and powers from [[Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather]], and Yen Sid summons the [[Gummi Ship]] for them to use. After Sora, Donald and Goofy leave, [[Maleficent's Raven]] brings her tattered cloak to the fairies, who unwillingly remember Maleficent, thus bringing her back from the past as shown from the ending of ''Kingdom Hearts Union X''. | ||
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The Heartless, led in two separate groups by a revived Maleficent and the Organization, regain power, eventually forcing Sora to [[Battle of the 1000 Heartless|battle a massive army of Heartless]] that are attacking Hollow Bastion. Along the way, they learn that the [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|Ansem]] they fought a year ago was actually the Heartless of [[Terra-Xehanort|Xehanort]], and that the Nobody of Xehanort, [[Xemnas]], is the leader of Organization XIII. They also learn that Xehanort was an apprentice of the real Ansem, who is missing. After the battle of the Heartless, Xemnas appears and leaves with a cryptic note that King Mickey knows where Riku is. When Xemnas leaves, another member of the Organization, [[Saïx]], appears before the group and reveals their ultimate goal: the Nobodies' plan to create another [[Kingdom Hearts]], a doorway to the heart of all worlds that will presumably allow the Nobodies to get their hearts back. | The Heartless, led in two separate groups by a revived Maleficent and the Organization, regain power, eventually forcing Sora to [[Battle of the 1000 Heartless|battle a massive army of Heartless]] that are attacking Hollow Bastion. Along the way, they learn that the [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|Ansem]] they fought a year ago was actually the Heartless of [[Terra-Xehanort|Xehanort]], and that the Nobody of Xehanort, [[Xemnas]], is the leader of Organization XIII. They also learn that Xehanort was an apprentice of the real Ansem, who is missing. After the battle of the Heartless, Xemnas appears and leaves with a cryptic note that King Mickey knows where Riku is. When Xemnas leaves, another member of the Organization, [[Saïx]], appears before the group and reveals their ultimate goal: the Nobodies' plan to create another [[Kingdom Hearts]], a doorway to the heart of all worlds that will presumably allow the Nobodies to get their hearts back. | ||
[[File:It's Not a Dream... 01 KHII.png|thumb|Sora reunites with Kairi after a year.]] | [[File:It's Not a Dream... 01 KHII.png|thumb|right|Sora reunites with Kairi after a year.]] | ||
After confronting and defeating more members of the Organization including Axel, Sora goes to [[The World That Never Was]] to settle the score with the Organization for good. Sora blanks out and briefly battles Roxas in his heart. In the castle, he finally reunites with his friends Riku and Kairi, although Riku is in Ansem's body. Sora learns the truth about Roxas as well; he and Naminé are, respectively, Sora and Kairi's Nobodies, created when they lost their hearts in the original ''Kingdom Hearts'' game. The group cross paths with Mickey, Ansem the Wise and Xemnas. Ansem's [[Kingdom Hearts Encoder]] explodes, apparently killing him and returning Riku to his original form, and Xemnas has disappeared. Maleficent and Pete also appear to hold off a mass of Heartless so that Sora's group can fight Xemnas, and the duo are not seen again. | After confronting and defeating more members of the Organization including Axel, Sora goes to [[The World That Never Was]] to settle the score with the Organization for good. Sora blanks out and briefly battles Roxas in his heart. In the castle, he finally reunites with his friends Riku and Kairi, although Riku is in Ansem's body. Sora learns the truth about Roxas as well; he and Naminé are, respectively, Sora and Kairi's Nobodies, created when they lost their hearts in the original ''Kingdom Hearts'' game. The group cross paths with Mickey, Ansem the Wise and Xemnas. Ansem's [[Kingdom Hearts Encoder]] explodes, apparently killing him and returning Riku to his original form, and Xemnas has disappeared. Maleficent and Pete also appear to hold off a mass of Heartless so that Sora's group can fight Xemnas, and the duo are not seen again. | ||
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==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
=== Combat changes compared to first game === | === Combat changes compared to first game === | ||
[[File:Master Strike KHII.gif|thumb|Sora fighting Heartless in | [[File:Master Strike KHII.gif|thumb|Sora fighting Heartless in his "Master" Drive form.]] | ||
''Kingdom Hearts II'' offers a number of key differences from the original ''Kingdom Hearts''. While the core gameplay remains the same, new features have been added to improve the experience. | ''Kingdom Hearts II'' offers a number of key differences from the original ''Kingdom Hearts''. While the core gameplay remains the same, new features have been added to improve the experience. | ||
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The [[Trinity Mark]]s and [[99 Puppies]] from the first game have been completely removed. For collecting, there are [[Treasure Chest]]s present in the first game, and it is now required that the player open every single chest in order to complete the Journal. If the player is playing the ''Final Mix'' version, there are 144 [[Puzzle]] pieces scattered throughout the world. | The [[Trinity Mark]]s and [[99 Puppies]] from the first game have been completely removed. For collecting, there are [[Treasure Chest]]s present in the first game, and it is now required that the player open every single chest in order to complete the Journal. If the player is playing the ''Final Mix'' version, there are 144 [[Puzzle]] pieces scattered throughout the world. | ||
[[Item synthesis]] is also retained from the original game, but has been made more complex by allowing the player to use catalysts in the recipe, as well as requiring the player to find hidden [[Recipe]]s or training the Moogle in order to create the more powerful items | [[Item synthesis]] is also retained from the original game, but has been made more complex by allowing the player to use catalysts in the recipe, as well as requiring the player to find hidden [[Recipe]]s or training the Moogle in order to create the more powerful items. | ||
As with Treasure Chests, the Journal now tracks the player's prowess in the synthesis sidequest. | As with Treasure Chests, the Journal now tracks the player's prowess in the synthesis sidequest. | ||
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=== Gummi Ship === | === Gummi Ship === | ||
[[Gummi Ship]]s reappear, but are far more divorced from the main quest than in the original. Sora's progress within the main game is only relevant to the Gummi portion of the game by unlocking | [[Gummi Ship]]s reappear, but are far more divorced from the main quest than in the original. Sora's progress within the main game is only relevant to the Gummi portion of the game by unlocking no routes, and no longer has any effect on the options available to him in building a Gummi Ship; in return, progress in the Gummi quests have absolutely no effect on the main quest. Changes in the Gummi Ship system include: | ||
* The Gummi Ship is faster paced. Routes themselves are less uniform and monotonous, varying from space battles against a massive pirate ship, to flying through floating islands and waterfalls. | * The Gummi Ship is faster paced. Routes themselves are less uniform and monotonous, varying from space battles against a massive pirate ship, to flying through floating islands and waterfalls. | ||
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==Censorship== | ==Censorship== | ||
[[File:Xigbar's Arrowgun Comparison KHIIFM.png|200px|thumb|The Japanese release on the | [[File:Xigbar's Arrowgun Comparison KHIIFM.png|200px|right|thumb|The Japanese release on the top, North American on the bottom.]] | ||
Besides typical English translation and localization, the English version of ''Kingdom Hearts II'' differs from the original Japanese version in the content of gameplay and several scenes: | Besides typical English translation and localization, the English version of ''Kingdom Hearts II'' differs from the original Japanese version in the content of gameplay and several scenes: | ||
*When Sora battles the [[Hydra]] in [[Olympus Coliseum]], green blood gushes out whenever Sora harms it. The green blood was changed to black and purple smoke or drool in the English version. The green blood, however, is retained during the cutscene where [[Hercules]] is fighting it. | *When Sora battles the [[Hydra]] in [[Olympus Coliseum]], green blood gushes out whenever Sora harms it. The green blood was changed to black and purple smoke or drool in the English version. The green blood, however, is retained during the cutscene where [[Hercules]] is fighting it. | ||
*[[Xigbar]]'s {{w|telescopic sight}} was changed from a view with a cross-hair and black shading around the sides to three glowing circles. | *[[Xigbar]]'s {{w|telescopic sight}} was changed from a view with a cross-hair and black shading around the sides to three glowing circles. | ||
:*An attack animation was also altered; in the Japanese version, Xigbar combined his two hand-held guns to create a sniper rifle, which was used to shoot the player's party during the telescoping sight sequence. In the English version, Xigbar does not combine his guns, but twirls them around and shoots at Sora with a single gun, holding the other at his side. However, this was reverted in ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]''. | |||
*[[Axel]]'s demise is slightly edited; in the original Japanese version, he bursts into flames during his {{w|suicide attack}}, and the flames are consuming his body as he fades away. | *[[Axel]]'s demise is slightly edited; in the original Japanese version, he bursts into flames during his {{w|suicide attack}}, and the flames are consuming his body as he fades away. | ||
:* This is reverted in the credits for ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX]]'': Axel bursts into flames during a brief clip of his suicide attack, though the aftermath is not shown. | :* This is reverted in the credits for ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX]]'': Axel bursts into flames during a brief clip of his suicide attack, though the aftermath is not shown. | ||
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Like the previous game, Sora can summon certain Disney characters to aid him in battle once he has attained each of their respective items. As summons use the Drive Gauge instead of the MP bar, Sora cannot Drive and summon at the same time. The summoned character will replace the two computer-controlled characters and fight alongside Sora for as long as the Drive Gauge allows. Instead of the summoned character being limited to only one action, the summoned character now has a menu of his own to perform multiple actions, some solo actions and some cooperative actions with Sora. There are four summons total in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', [[Chicken Little]], [[Genie]], [[Stitch]], and [[Peter Pan]] with additional help from [[Tinker Bell]]. | Like the previous game, Sora can summon certain Disney characters to aid him in battle once he has attained each of their respective items. As summons use the Drive Gauge instead of the MP bar, Sora cannot Drive and summon at the same time. The summoned character will replace the two computer-controlled characters and fight alongside Sora for as long as the Drive Gauge allows. Instead of the summoned character being limited to only one action, the summoned character now has a menu of his own to perform multiple actions, some solo actions and some cooperative actions with Sora. There are four summons total in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', [[Chicken Little]], [[Genie]], [[Stitch]], and [[Peter Pan]] with additional help from [[Tinker Bell]]. | ||
===World | ===World Party Members and Assistance=== | ||
World-specific party members appear in almost every world in the game; there are nine in total, offering a huge leap from the original game's six. Notable among them are [[Auron]], the first ''Final Fantasy'' character to be a party member, and Sora's best friend Riku. Also notable are assistance characters, who are not part of the party, but can fight alongside of it; they usually appear during key battles and plot moments. | World-specific party members appear in almost every world in the game; there are nine in total, offering a huge leap from the original game's six. Notable among them are [[Auron]], the first ''Final Fantasy'' character to be a party member, and Sora's best friend Riku. Also notable are assistance characters, who are not part of the party, but can fight alongside of it; they usually appear during key battles and plot moments. | ||
==Worlds and | ==Worlds and Characters== | ||
{|width="100% | {|width="100%" | ||
|valign="top" width="25%"| | |valign="top" width="25%"| | ||
;[[Dive to the Heart]] | ;[[Dive to the Heart]] | ||
;[[Twilight Town]] ([[ | ;[[Twilight Town]] ([[Simulated Twilight Town]], [[Mysterious Tower]]) | ||
*[[Roxas]] | *[[Roxas]] | ||
*[[Hayner]] | *[[Hayner]] | ||
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*[[Moogle]]s | *[[Moogle]]s | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Other releases== | |||
===''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''=== | |||
{{main|Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix}} | |||
''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'' is an enhanced re-release of ''Kingdom Hearts II'' featuring more enemies, additional scenes, and many other elements like expanded worlds. | |||
In Japan, it was released in a package called ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+]]'' also containing ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]'', which gives the player access to more cards if there is a cleared ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' save file on the memory card. | |||
===HD Remaster=== | |||
The ''Final Mix'' version of the game was ported to PlayStation 3 as part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]''. It was later ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC as part of ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX]]'', this time with the ability to run at 60 frames per second. | |||
==Trivia== | |||
*In the English version, Sora's Wisdom Form differs from that depicted in the Bradygames guide, in that the pattern on his pants is different. If players look closely, the pattern resembles Sora's Master Form rather than its own design. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*[http://www.kingdomhearts2.eu.com/ Official EU website]--> | *[http://www.kingdomhearts2.eu.com/ Official EU website]--> | ||
{{KH2}} | {{KH2}} | ||
{{KH series}} | {{KH series}} | ||
[[fr:Kingdom Hearts II]] | [[fr:Kingdom Hearts II]] | ||
[[de:Kingdom Hearts II]] | [[de:Kingdom Hearts II]] | ||
[[Category:Games]] | [[Category:Games]] | ||
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts II]] | [[Category:Kingdom Hearts II]] |