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Kingdom Hearts II: Difference between revisions
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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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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'' follows ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' and precedes ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'', with ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'' taking place during the epilogue. | ||
An enhanced version, ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'', features more enemies, additional scenes, and many other elements like expanded worlds, and was released in Japan on March 29, 2007. | |||
''Kingdom Hearts II'' | |||
==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. | |||
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]]''. | |||
[[ | ==Story== | ||
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. | |||
[[File:My Summer Vacation... 01 KHII.png|thumb|left|Roxas is unwittingly led to Sora, initiating their reunification.]] | |||
Roxas eventually makes his way into an abandoned mansion where a girl named [[Naminé]] informs him that he is a Nobody, like the strange white creatures, although he doesn't understand at the time. Finally, confronted by a mysterious, red-cloaked man called [[DiZ]], Roxas discovers Sora, [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]] sleeping in the hidden basement of the mansion, where they have been regaining their memories since their last adventure a year ago. Roxas merges with Sora, and Sora finally awakens, alongside his friends. | |||
[[ | [[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. | ||
In | |||
[[File: | [[File:Master Yen Sid 01 KHII.png|thumb|Yen Sid prepares Sora for his next adventure.]] | ||
The | 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''. | ||
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. | |||
[[File:The | [[File:The One Who Rules Over Organization XIII 01 KHII.png|thumb|left|Sora and his friends prepare to fight the army of Heartless.]] | ||
The | 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: | [[File:It's Not a Dream... 01 KHII.png|thumb|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. | |||
[[File:Ending 10 KHII.png|thumb|left|Sora, Riku, and Kairi reading Mickey's letter.]] | [[File:Ending 10 KHII.png|thumb|left|Sora, Riku, and Kairi reading Mickey's letter.]] | ||
Sometime later, Sora, Riku, and Kairi receive a letter from King Mickey | After defeating [[Xigbar]], Saïx and [[Luxord]], only Xemnas is left of the original thirteen members. Sora and Riku unite to defeat him. Confused how to return, Naminé appears and opens a portal which Mickey, Donald and Goofy pass through. Naminé reunites with Kairi, and a projection of Roxas reunites with Sora. However, it turns out Xemnas' defeat is a false alarm, and Riku and Sora have to finally defeat Xemnas. Afterwards, Xemnas' new Kingdom Hearts is closed. Sora and Riku rest on the Dark Margin. Sora and Riku inexplicably find a bottled letter from Kairi she sent before their reunion, and the Door to Light is somehow opened, which they pass through. Sora and Riku find themselves returned to their homeworld of [[Destiny Islands]]. The pair are welcomed by Kairi, Donald, Goofy and Mickey. Sometime later, Sora, Riku, and Kairi receive a letter from King Mickey. | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
==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 [[Master 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. It also allows the player to buy synthesis materials from the shop after certain requirements are fulfilled, but to also cash-in already-collected materials that the Moogle will select from to synthesize with (effectively freeing up inventory space unlike in the prior game). | ||
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 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: | ||
* 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 | [[File:Xigbar's Arrowgun Comparison KHIIFM.png|200px|thumb|The Japanese release on the left, Western release on the right.]] | ||
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 merges his [[Arrowgun]]s into a sniper rifle, which he uses to snipe the party during the telescoping sight sequence. In the English version, Xigbar instead twirls his Arrowguns around and shoots at Sora with a single gun while holding the other at his side. ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'' retains the sniper rifle. | |||
*[[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%" class="responsive-col" | ||
|valign="top" width="25%"| | |valign="top" width="25%"| | ||
;[[Dive to the Heart]] | ;[[Dive to the Heart]] | ||
;[[Twilight Town]] ([[ | ;[[Twilight Town]] ([[The Other 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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*[[Moogle]]s | *[[Moogle]]s | ||
|} | |} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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<!--Wayback replacement, please: | <!--Wayback replacement, please: | ||
*[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]] | ||