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Kingdom Hearts II

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Vorlage:Infobox CVG Kingdom Hearts II is an RPG video game sequel, the followup to the 2002 Disney Interactive/Square Enix RPG Kingdom Hearts, and its 2004 Game Boy Advance sequel, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It is, thus, the third game in the series, but only the second game released on the PlayStation 2. Directed by Tetsuya Nomura, the game continues Sora's adventures in finding King Mickey and Riku with the help of a large cast of characters from both Disney and Final Fantasy universes, including Donald, Goofy, Jack Sparrow, Tron, Aladdin, the Beast; and Final Fantasy's Squall, Auron and more. The in-game music is composed by Yoko Shimomura, who composed the music for the first game, and the theme song Passion (Sanctuary for the international release) is written and performed by Japanese pop music star Utada Hikaru.

Vorlage:Spoiler

Overview

Kingdom Hearts II begins where Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories left off. Sora and his companions have been asleep for about a year, regaining their memories. When Sora awakens, he eventually arrives in Twilight Town, the place where a mysterious boy, Roxas, who can use dual Keyblades, lived before he left suddenly. Gaining new clothes and powers, Sora began his journey anew, unaware of the events that have taken place in Chain of Memories. Sora continues his quest by unlocking paths to new worlds, fighting the Heartless and Nobodies, as well as facing the remaining members of the mysterious Organization XIII. As the game progresses, Sora learns how much he and Roxas have in common.

Worlds

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Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy and Jack Sparrow in the Port Royal world of Kingdom Hearts II.

As in the first Kingdom Hearts game, the player can access different worlds with themes based mostly on Disney films.

Disney-based worlds

Original worlds

New gameplay features

Gameplay has been revamped from the first game; there are various new features offering the potential of more interesting and diverse play than the original.

Drive Forms

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One of Sora's first drives, "Valor".

Sora can "fuse" with party members to become more powerful and acquire different attributes as well. Three out of the five forms allow Sora to use two Keyblades instead of one, and the second keyblade may be equipped in the items menu for this purpose. There are five drive forms in all, all with different methods of increasing their level.

The first two forms have Sora merge with one of his permanent party members, Donald or Goofy. One is Valor Form (known in the Japanese version as Brave Form), where Sora merges with Goofy, and dons red and black clothes. Although he cannot use magic in this form, Sora gains a boost to his physical ability. Sora wields two Keyblades which increases his combo potential and gives him additional attacks. Sora also runs twice as fast in this form and jumps much higher than normal. The other, Wisdom Form, is where Sora merges with Donald for this form, and he dons blue and black clothes. Sora gains a magic attack boost, and hovers across the floor instead of running, giving him superior movement control. Also, Sora is able to dash over the floor while in this form. Wisdom Form replaces the attack command with Shoot, which lets him shoot a blue magic bullet from the tip of the Keyblade in rapid fire if pressed continuously, making Wisdom Form specialized for long-distance attack.

The other two forms have Sora combine with both other party members to attain greater power than in the other two forms. Master Form combines the powers of the Valor and Wisdom forms. However, Master Form is weaker than Valor and Wisdom in raw physical and magical power. Sora's combo potential is increased beyond that of Valor Form, and his magic power is increased as well. Two Keyblades can be wielded, one psychokinetically and the other is held normally. His clothes turn yellow and black, and he is able to double jump. The drive meter will decrease quicker than the previous two drives. When in Final Form, Sora will merge with both other party members and don silver and black clothing. Wielding two Keyblades psychokinetically as well as the ability to fly incredibly fast, Sora wields incredible power in this form, dispatching enemies with ease and dealing increased physical and magical damage, and is able to glide in the air. Final Form is triggered randomly at first, and can be chosen afterwards.

AntiForm is a bizarre form that is a side-effect of driving too much in battle. The chance of going into this form increases when you use Valor, Wisdom, or Master Form, and in certain battles. When activated, Sora turns completely black like a shadow, walks on all fours, has yellow eyes, and shadowy tendrils flowing along his back, similar to a basic Heartless. While in this form, both partners disappear and Sora uses his "claws" for wide-range attacks that may be weak with individual attacks, but has a very high maximum combo count. His movement speed and jumping height are also increased, but Sora's defense is lowered, and is unable to use items, magic, gain experience, or heal himself in any other way while in this form. The Pause menu is also disabled. Unlike the other forms, when this form occurs it will cancel out Drive when entering a new area as opposed to staying in effect, and it cannot be cancelled at will. Both of the computer controlled partners will disappear regardless of who Sora drives with and the Drive becomes empty.

Reaction command

The reaction command, similar to the Resident Evil 4, Soul Calibur 3 and God of War real time reaction commands, is used during fights and can allow you to perform certain actions when timed correctly. For example, against "Dusk" nobodies, your character will slide behind the normally evasive opponents and set you up for a combo. Reaction commands can also trigger counter moves as well. For example, an enemy might shoot a red bullet at you, but with a well timed reaction command, Sora will kick the bullet back at it. Reaction commands are often pivotal in defeating bosses and certain enemies.

Limits

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Simba and Sora's team attack knock rocks up from the ground and have Sora and Simba roar intensely to do damage.

A gameplay addition gives Sora a special linked attack with any of the guest characters, and the effect varies depending on the character teaming up with Sora. In the Olympus Coliseum world, for example, Sora has the option to perform a linked attack with Auron when battling enemies. Later in the game Sora will also be able to perform team attacks with Donald and Goofy individually in similar fashion and later, with both. The combination attacks cannot be used simultaneously with any of Sora's Drive forms.

Magic abilities

Sora's magic spells from Kingdom Hearts has been modified and have been made stronger. MP (Magic Points) is now measured in a bar and starts at 100, with slight increases after certain story events are completed. When MP is depleted, an automatically filling pink bar appears and when it is completely filled, MP is fully restored. Fire, Blizzard, Thunder and Cure spells from the first Kingdom Hearts remain, although their effects have been changed. Gravity, Aero and Stop have been replaced by Magnet and Reflect. All spells also undergo the three stages of spell upgrades usually seen in Final Fantasy (e.g. Fire, Fira and Firaga). Spells also have differing effects in drive forms, although it is commonly a strength increase. They can also be used in combos.

Summons

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The Stitch summon involves music.

Like the previous game, Sora can summon a particular character to aid him in battle when attaining each of their respective items. Summoning however, uses the drive meter, so Sora can't drive and summon at the same time. The character will replace the two computer-controlled characters and fight alongside Sora for as long as the drive meter holds out. 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.

  • Chicken Little is the titular character of Chicken Little. Chicken, when summoned, chucks baseballs at enemies when on his own. His attack with Sora, called FPS, is, as suggested, a first-person shooter-like mode where Chicken can throw baseballs and firecrackers in rapid fire from a first person view. He also has other abilities, such as healing Sora when damage is dealt to enemies.
  • Genie is the blue genie in a lamp who helps the titular character of Aladdin. Genie attacks with a humorous recreation of the Keyblade, and has a command to mimick any one of Sora's drive forms. The drive form to mimick must be unlocked first.
  • Stitch is the cute but destructive antihero of Lilo & Stitch. He will climb around the menu screens as well as the screen itself (as if he were on the surface), and do various things while shooting the enemies with his plasma guns somewhat nonchalantly. His team attack with Sora is a ukulele jam session where different buttons can be pressed to prompt different musical attacks to cause damage. He also constantly heals Sora's MP and HP bars throughout the battle.
  • Peter Pan is the boy who never grows up and the titular character of Peter Pan. Peter comes with Tinker Bell, who was a summon by herself in the first Kingdom Hearts, while Peter was a temporary party member, and flies around attacking with a dagger, as he did in the first game. Tinker Bell constantly heals Sora at the same time, which she also did as a lone summon. His team attack with Sora is cinematic, as Sora will be reminded of his adventures in Neverland in the first game (with pictures floating across the screen) while Pan and Sora fly around hitting anything in their path.

Mickey's help

In certain boss battles, if Sora is knocked out, a second option may be available, called "I won't give up!" It allows you to play as Mickey Mouse. Mickey is fast and has a high amount of manuverability, as his size may indicate. He also can jump twice as high as Sora and has brutal attacks and combo ability. He even has the ability to shoot blasts of magic from the tip of his keyblade, both on ground and in air. These shots can pass through multiple enemies and even hit a single enemy more than once. Mickey's MP bar also recharges very quickly if ever reduced to "zero." However, you must revive Sora to finish off the boss; this is done by pressing the triangle button repeatedly near Sora to fill up his Drive bar. This can also be done by constantly attacking the opponent. After the Drive bar, which has a level of three, is full, pressing the triangle button will bring Sora back to life. If Mickey has his HP bar reduced to "zero", Sora will be automatically revived.

Different command menus

A new feature is that each world has its own command menu, some of which are animated. For instance, Olympus Coliseum's design shows an image of the top of the Coliseum, while Port Royal's design shows a ship's steering wheel and the Pirates of the Caribbean logo. If the player desires, the command menu's design can be changed to the original Kingdom Hearts design in the options menu. There are two different Command Menus; a normal one, used to access magic, items, attack, and drive, and a secondary menu, which is used to attack, summon, switch party members in and out, and perform combination attacks.

Maps

It is optional to have a map in the top-right corner of the screen. In addition, mini-maps can be found in each world. On these maps, a Keyblade indicates Sora's or Roxas' location.

Disney cameos

In addition to the Disney characters that return from Kingdom Hearts, there are also characters from Disney's movies including Megara, Pegasus, Pain, Panic and the Hydra from Hercules, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and Wardrobe from Beauty and the Beast, Eric from The Little Mermaid, and Santa Claus as depicted in The Nightmare Before Christmas. Stitch from Lilo & Stitch and the titular characters of Chicken Little and Peter Pan act as new summons. Characters from the previously unexplored worlds of Mulan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tron and The Lion King also play parts in the game.

Yen Sid the sorcerer, Mickey's master in the movie Fantasia, makes an appearance, inhabiting a mysterious tower. Merlin returns in Disney Castle and Hollow Bastion, revealing the existence of Timeless River to the heroes. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty give Sora his new outfit. Scrooge McDuck also makes an appearance trying to sell Ice Cream.

Pete is also in the game as an ever-persistent enemy to Sora, Donald and Goofy, appearing in many worlds. He works with the resurrected Maleficent, who refuses to relent in her desire for power.

Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow and Clara Cluck have cameos in the Timeless River.

Final Fantasy cameos

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Squall and Cloud in the Hollow Bastion world of Kingdom Hearts II.

Seventeen characters from the Final Fantasy series appear. Auron of Final Fantasy X can be Sora's partner in battle in Hercules' world. Yuna, Rikku and Paine from Final Fantasy X-2 appear as fairies at Hollow Bastion. Younger versions of Seifer Almasy, Fujin (called "Fuu"), and Raijin (called "Rai") from Final Fantasy VIII appear in Twilight Town, as a "disciplinary committee".

Squall Leonhart (Leon) and Selphie Tilmitt of Final Fantasy VIII, and Cloud Strife and Yuffie Kisaragi as depicted in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children return as cameos in Hollow Bastion. Aerith Gainsborough also appears, albeit wearing a modified version of her Before Crisis clothing. Tifa Lockhart of Final Fantasy VII also makes her first cameo in the series, wearing her Advent Children attire. Cid Highwind also returns, but he is still wearing the same attire as in the previous game; he has a speaking role this time around as opposed to caption bubbles in Kingdom Hearts. Sephiroth, Cloud's ever-present enemy, comes along as well, battling Cloud. Cloud Strife has his own side story, involving conflict with Sephiroth.

The Moogles, featured in many different Final Fantasy titles, serve as shopkeepers in the world of Hollow Bastion.

It had been stated by Nomura that, although the first game strictly stuck to characters Nomura designed, this time around they were going to "take some risks", which implied that characters from the Final Fantasy games without involvement from Nomura could make an appearance. One of these was Vivi Ornitier of Final Fantasy IX, who appears in Twilight Town as a member in Seifer's group. Another non-Nomura character included is Setzer Gabbiani of Final Fantasy VI, as a challenger in Twilight Town.

Critical response

The critical response of the game has been generally positive, most notably a score of 39/40 from Japanese game magazine Famitsu (the fact that Famitsu has only ever given six games 40/40 makes the near perfect score even more significant) [1] [2]. Other positive reviews include a 8.7/10 from Gamespot [3], a 4.5/5 from the Official Playstation Magazine, a 9/10 from 1up.com [4] as well as a 9/10 from Gamespy [5]. IGN.com gave the game a lower score of 7.6/10 [6]. Common criticisms of the game include a relative lack of difficulty in the Standard difficulty mode, over-extensive use of button-mashing during combat.

Voice cast

English language version

Japanese language version


Music

  • An original soundtrack CD for Kingdom Hearts II, composed by Yoko Shimomura was released on January 25, 2006 and its catalogue number is TOCT-25871~2.
Datei:KH2OST(Cover).jpg
The cover of the soundtrack.
  • The theme songs to Kingdom Hearts II, Passion and Sanctuary (the English version of Passion) are performed by Utada Hikaru, and according to Tetsuya Nomura it ties in even more closely with the game's story than Hikari (Simple and Clean) did with Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.
  • The CD single for Passion was released on December 14 2005, with a price of ¥1,050 (roughly 8.78 USD).

The tracklist for the single is as follows:

  1. Passion ~single version~ (4:36)
  2. Passion ~after the battle~ (5:57)
  • Click here to listen to a 46 second sample of Passion.
  • Certain aspects of gameplay are based on music and button coordination, such as the Atlantica world and the Stitch summon.

Trivia

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Xigbar's telescopic sight view has been altered from the Japanese version (top) to the English version (bottom).
  • A teaser for what appears to be a fourth title in the series can be seen if the player accomplishes certain tasks.
  • Allusions to deceased Organization members in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, such as Marluxia, are made in the game.
  • During its first week of availability in Japan, Kingdom Hearts II sold 727,591 copies. [7]
  • The name of the world "Space Paranoids" is a reference to one of the games that Kevin Flynn created in Tron.
  • The plot of Agrabah is loosely based on a direct-to-video movie, The Return of Jafar.
  • This is Pat Morita's last work prior to his death.
  • Besides typical English localization, the English version of Kingdom Hearts II differs from the original Japanese version.
    • The Hydra has its green blood from the Japanese version changed into black and purple smoke in the English version.
    • Xigbar's telescopic sight view has been edited from the Japanese version to replace its crosshair with three circles and remove the black shading around the sides that implied a telescopic sight.
    • The guns of pirates found in the Pirates of the Carribean world in the Japanese version have been altered into crossbows.
    • Scenes in the Pirates of the Carribean world have been edited to remove some of the violence.
    • Undead pirates do not react adversely to Fire magic as they would in the Japanese version.
  • The poem Sora reads from Kairi at the end is, word for word, from the original trailer of Kingdom Hearts.

Vorlage:Endspoiler

Vorlage:Kingdom Hearts Series

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