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|ratings = {{w|ESRB}}:[[File:Ratingsymbol e10.gif|12px|Everyone 10+]]Everyone 10+<br> {{w|PEGI}}:[[File:PEGI 12.png|12px|12+]]12+<br> USK: 6+<br> {{w|OFLC}}:[[File:OFLC small PG.png|12px|PG]]PG<br> {{w|ELSPA}}: 11+
|ratings = {{w|ESRB}}:[[File:Ratingsymbol e10.gif|12px|Everyone 10+]]Everyone 10+<br> {{w|PEGI}}:[[File:PEGI 12.png|12px|12+]]12+<br> USK: 6+<br> {{w|OFLC}}:[[File:OFLC small PG.png|12px|PG]]PG<br> {{w|ELSPA}}: 11+
|platforms = {{w|PlayStation 2}}
|platforms = {{w|PlayStation 2}}
|style=kh2
}}
}}
{{Q|The story is not over.|Tagline}}
{{Q|The story is not over.|Tagline}}
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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]]''.
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==
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 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 website 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==
==Story==
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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, activating the spell she left to resurrect herself.


Sora continues his quest by unlocking paths to other worlds, learning of Nobodies and fighting the Heartless, as well as facing the remaining members of the mysterious Organization XIII. As the game progresses, Sora learns about Roxas and how much they have in common. He also gets leads that [[Riku]] may still be alive and out there somewhere. Meanwhile, it is also revealed [[Kairi]] is being dragged into the events by Axel, both of them eventually finding their way to Twilight Town. Although Kairi meets Hayner, Pence and Olette, she ends up being abducted by Axel and taken into a portal.
Sora continues his quest by unlocking paths to other worlds, learning of Nobodies and fighting the Heartless, as well as facing the remaining members of the mysterious Organization XIII. As the game progresses, Sora learns about Roxas and how much they have in common. He also gets leads that [[Riku]] may still be alive and out there somewhere. Meanwhile, it is also revealed [[Kairi]] is being dragged into the events by Axel, both of them eventually finding their way to Twilight Town. Although Kairi meets Hayner, Pence and Olette, she ends up being abducted by Axel and taken into a portal.
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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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* The basic combat and leveling systems have also been redesigned. In order to facilitate low-level playthroughs, bosses no longer offer experience upon defeat; rather, they reward the player with boosts to their HP, MP, or AP, or with specific abilities.
* The basic combat and leveling systems have also been redesigned. In order to facilitate low-level playthroughs, bosses no longer offer experience upon defeat; rather, they reward the player with boosts to their HP, MP, or AP, or with specific abilities.
* Bosses can no longer be defeated by mere depletion of HP, and must be finished off with a combo finisher.
* Bosses can no longer be defeated by mere depletion of HP, and must be finished off with a combo finisher.
** Any hit from Magic, Limits, or Summons will also count as a finisher for this purpose, even if the hit is not at the end of a combo.
** In fact, many bosses that can be staggered by basic hitstun animations have the ability to break out of Sora's combos if they go on too long. Each consecutive attack by Sora raises a hidden value, colloquially called "Revenge Value" by fans. Once a boss's Revenge Value is hit, they will instantly retaliate by teleporting out of a combo, performing an instant invulnerable attack, or both. If Sora's offense on a boss is dropped before hitting the Revenge Value, the Value will be reset and the boss will instead retaliate with a random attack upon recovering. This is one aspect that has made ''Kingdom Hearts II'' more challenging.
* Many bosses that can be staggered by basic hitstun animations (mainly humanoid ones) have the ability to break out of Sora's combos if they go on too long. Each consecutive attack by Sora raises a hidden value, colloquially called "Revenge Value" by fans. Once a boss' Revenge Value is hit, they will instantly retaliate by teleporting out of a combo, performing an instant invulnerable attack, or both. If Sora's offense on a boss is halted before hitting the maximum Revenge Value, the Value will be reset and the boss will instead retaliate with a random attack upon recovering. This is one aspect that has made ''Kingdom Hearts II'' more challenging, but arguably more intricate.
[[File:Curaga KHII.gif|thumb|The redesigned MP Gauge in action.]]
[[File:Curaga KHII.gif|thumb|The redesigned MP Gauge in action.]]
* The [[MP Gauge]] has also been retooled to ensure that the player is never left without magic. This now prevents abuse of powerful spells like [[Cure]]—instead of being a quickly refillable gauge that is difficult to refill during battle, the MP Gauge can easily be depleted by three or fewer spells, and refills automatically. Several abilities can empower Sora's offensive abilities during this period to compensate for his temporary inability to heal.
* The [[MP Gauge]] has also been retooled to ensure that the player is never left without magic. This now prevents abuse of powerful spells like [[Cure]]—instead of being a quickly refillable gauge that is difficult to refill during battle, the MP Gauge can easily be depleted by three or fewer spells, and refills automatically. Several abilities can empower Sora's offensive abilities during this period to compensate for his temporary inability to heal.
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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 new 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:
[[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 top, North American on the bottom.]]
[[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.
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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 party members and assistance===
===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 characters==
==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]] ([[The Other Twilight Town]], [[Mysterious Tower]])
;[[Twilight Town]] ([[Simulated Twilight Town]], [[Mysterious Tower]])
*[[Roxas]]
*[[Roxas]]
*[[Hayner]]
*[[Hayner]]
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*[[Oogie Boogie]]
*[[Oogie Boogie]]
*[[The Experiment]]
*[[The Experiment]]
*[[Christmas Elves]]


;[[Pride Lands]]
;[[Pride Lands]]
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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.
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===
===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.
The ''Final Mix'' version of the game was ported to PlayStation 3 as part of the ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]''. It was later ported to PlayStation 4 as part of the ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX]]''.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In the English version, Sora's [[Wisdom Form]] slightly differs between the official artwork and in-game; in the artwork, his sleeves and pants bear a flame emblem, while in-game the sleeves erroneously bear [[Master Form]]'s emblem. This is corrected in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''.
*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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