Kingdom Hearts (series): Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
Further information: [[:Category: Characters|Characters of Kingdom Hearts]]
''Further information: [[:Category: Characters|Characters of Kingdom Hearts]]''


Kingdom Hearts features a mixture of familiar Disney and Final Fantasy characters, as well as several new characters designed and created by 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 storylines featured in their accompanying Disney films. In dialogue, Donald Duck tells Sora not to interfere with the worlds too much, since it would cause problems. Moogles, small creatures from Final Fantasy, are another common element in the games. They provide the player with a synthesis shop in order to create items for use in the game.
Kingdom Hearts features a mixture of familiar Disney and Final Fantasy characters, as well as several new characters designed and created by 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 storylines featured in their accompanying Disney films. In dialogue, Donald Duck tells Sora not to interfere with the worlds too much, since it would cause problems. Moogles, small creatures from Final Fantasy, are another common element in the games. They provide the player with a synthesis shop in order to create items for use in the game.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The Kingdom Hearts series games contain elements from both action and role-playing games. The games are driven by a linear progression to the next story event, usually told in the form of a cut scene, though there are numerous side quests available that provide bonus benefits to the characters. The player is primarily in control of the principal protagonist of the series, Sora. Sora is usually accompanied by Donald Duck and Goofy, who are non-playable characters that aid Sora in battle. In the first and third game, their behavior could be altered to fit the player's needs. The games featured real-time combat that incorporates physical attacks, magic, and summonings; though each game handled battles differently.
The Kingdom Hearts series contained elements both 3rd-person fighting and role-playing games elements. The games are driven by a linear progression to the next story event, usually told in the form of a cut scene, 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 abilities usage frequency. The combat system takes on real time, meaning Sora could engage the enemy directly, various actions, such as attack, magic, are executable, during the battle or after the battle.


Gummi Ships are another common theme in the series, though they are only featured in the first and third installment. The Gummi Ships serve as the main mode of transportation between worlds in the games. The gameplay for the Gummi Ships sections is more akin to a rail shooter. Because it received negative criticism in the first game, it was improved in the third installment. All three games also feature a journal which is accessible from the main menu. The journal keeps track of information regarding the story, characters, enemies, and locations. In the game the journal is kept by Jiminy Cricket, who was appointed by Queen Minnie as the royal chronicler.
In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the combat system was altered slightly, Sora is no longer aided with his friends, all of his combat commands, are only executable via Cards. The real time combat system was also taken away, where the scene flashes whenever Sora engages an enemy, taking them to a wider combat field.
 
Gummi Ships are another common theme in the series, where it serves as a transportation for Sora and co. to travel towards other worlds, players can modify, customize via blueprints and selected parts. In the release of Final Mix, the the first game contained Gummi Ship missions side quest. However, due to the criticisms regarding the Gummi Ship customization was too complex, 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 Kingdom Hearts series is Jiminy's Journal, which functions as a bestiary and provides hints and simple character informations. The journal also records Sora's mini-games' results, and unfinished sidequest, allowing players to have easier resolutions to track the game.
 
In Kingdom Hearts II, the battle system introduced a new gameplay element: Form Drives, which allows Sora to gain access to new abilities via his combat garment, and wielding two Keyblades in for a limited time. (However, only several forms have this ability). Magics are simpler to execute, and Sora's MP gauge will recharge automatically one it is used up. Another gameplay element introduced in the third series of the franchise is the ''[[Reaction Command]]'', various combat abilities only executable via several situations.  


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.
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.


==Story==
==Story==
The three main games in Kingdom Hearts series focus on the adventures of Sora and his search for his friends, Kairi and Riku. The first game shows how Sora is separated from his friends when their world is invaded by an army of corrupted hearts known as the Heartless. During the invasion, he obtains a special weapon known as a Keyblade. Soon after, Sora meets Donald Duck, the Disney Castle court magician, and Goofy, the Disney Castle captain of the royal guard. Donald and Goofy are searching for the "key" per instructions from King Mickey. The three band together and travel to different Disney themed worlds, sealing the hearts of the worlds to prevent more Heartless invasions. Along the way they encounter a group of Disney villains, led by Maleficent, that are controlling the Heartless. The three eventually discover that a man named Ansem is the true antagonist. Ansem's plan is to open the door to Kingdom Hearts. 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.
The three main games in Kingdom Hearts series focus on the adventures of Sora and his search for his friends, Kairi and Riku. The first game shows how Sora is separated from his friends when their world is invaded by an army of corrupted hearts known as the Heartless. During the invasion, he obtains a special weapon known as a Keyblade. Soon after, Sora meets Donald Duck, the Disney Castle court magician, and Goofy, the Disney Castle captain of the royal guard. Donald and Goofy are searching for the "key" per instructions from King Mickey. The three band together and travel to different Disney themed worlds, sealing the hearts of the worlds to prevent more Heartless invasions. Along the way they encounter a group of Disney villains, led by Maleficent, that are controlling the Heartless. The three eventually discover that a man named Ansem is the true antagonist. Ansem's plan is to open the door to Kingdom Hearts. 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.


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==Time Line==
==Time Line==
The events in [[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep]] occurred 10 years before [[Kingdom Hearts]]. [[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]] and [[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]] followed, somewhat simultaneously. [[Kingdom Hearts II]] started approximately one year after Sora's first adventure (and presumeably a few days after the culmination of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days). Finally, [[Kingdom Hearts coded]].
The events in [[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep]] occurred 10 years before [[Kingdom Hearts]]. [[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]] and [[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]] followed, somewhat simultaneously. [[Kingdom Hearts II]] started approximately one year after Sora's first adventure (and presumeably a few days after the culmination of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days). Finally, [[Kingdom Hearts coded]].


==Series of Games Released==
==Series of Games Released==
The Kingdom Hearts series consists of 8 games:
The Kingdom Hearts series consists of 8 games:
*''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]''
*''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]''
*''[[Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix]]''
*''[[Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix]]''
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There is also an unknown 9th game Nomura has brought up that will tie in Coded, 358/2 Days, and Birth by Sleep "sooner or later".
There is also an unknown 9th game Nomura has brought up that will tie in Coded, 358/2 Days, and Birth by Sleep "sooner or later".
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