Kingdom Hearts II
Third Kingdom Hearts game, released 2005 for PlayStation 2.
Kingdom Hearts II is an action role-playing game released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. It was developed and published by Square Enix in partnership with Buena Vista Games. As the third installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, the story picks up one year after the events of *Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories*. The protagonist, Sora, returns to search for his missing friends and confront the villainous Organization XIII, a group first introduced in the previous game. Like its predecessor, the game blends characters and settings from Disney films with those from Square Enix's *Final Fantasy* series.
Development concepts began near the end of work on *Kingdom Hearts Final Mix*, with full production starting in 2003 and an announcement at that year's Tokyo Game Show. Most of the original team returned, including director Tetsuya Nomura, and the game was built alongside *Chain of Memories*. The developers aimed to address player feedback from the first game by offering more freedom and combat options, while also crafting a deeper, more mature narrative.
Critics received the game very positively, awarding it several honors. Praise was directed at its visuals, soundtrack, voice acting, and emotional impact, though opinions on the gameplay and story were divided. Within weeks of its launch, it shipped over a million copies in both Japan and North America, and by April 2007, worldwide shipments exceeded four million. It is frequently listed among the greatest video games ever made.
**Gameplay**
The core gameplay remains similar to the original's action RPG and hack-and-slash style, but the team addressed complaints about the previous game's map and camera issues. Players control Sora from a third-person perspective, with an option to switch to first-person view using the Select button. Most action takes place on interconnected field maps where battles occur. The story progresses linearly through events and cutscenes, though numerous side-quests offer character bonuses.
The game uses an experience point system for character growth. Defeating enemies grants experience, allowing Sora and his allies to level up, grow stronger, and unlock new abilities.
Combat is real-time and hack-and-slash, with button presses triggering attacks.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Kingdom Hearts II
- Developer
- Square Enix Product Development Division 1
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Director
- Tetsuya Nomura
- Producer
- Shinji Hashimoto · Yoshinori Kitase
- Programmer
- Hiroshi Harata · Kentaro Yasui
- Artist
- Takayuki Odachi · Tetsuya Nomura
- Writer
- Kazushige Nojima
- Composer
- Yoko Shimomura
- Series
- Kingdom Hearts
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2
- Released
- JP · December 22, 2005 · NA · March 28, 2006 · AUS · September 28, 2006 · EU · September 29, 2006Final MixJP · March 29, 2007
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kingdom Hearts II is the third game in the Kingdom Hearts series and takes place one year after the events of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. The protagonist Sora returns to search for his lost friends while battling Organization XIII, a group of antagonists previously introduced in Chain of Memories. The game features a large cast of characters from Disney and Square Enix properties, including returning characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy, Riku, and Kairi, as well as new characters like Roxas, Naminé, and DiZ.
Reader's Guide
Concepts for Kingdom Hearts II began during the end of development of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, with full development starting in 2003 and the game being announced at Tokyo Game Show 2003. Most of the first game's development team returned, including director Tetsuya Nomura, and the game was developed concurrently with Chain of Memories. The development team sought to address user feedback from the first game, giving the player more freedom and options in combat and presenting a deeper and more mature plot. The game was released to a very positive reaction from critics, earning several awards upon release. Reviewers praised the visuals, soundtrack, voice acting, and emotional weight, but assessments of the gameplay and narrative were mixed. In both Japan and North America, it shipped more than one million copies within weeks of its release, with over four million worldwide by April 2007. It has been cited as one of the greatest video games of all time.
Did You Know?
- Kingdom Hearts II was developed concurrently with Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.
- An expanded re-release, Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, was released exclusively in Japan in March 2007.
- The game introduces worlds based on live-action franchises such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron.
- The 'Reaction Command' feature allows special enemy-specific attacks triggered by pressing the triangle button at the correct time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kingdom Hearts II?
Kingdom Hearts II is a 2005 action role-playing game made for the PlayStation 2, developed by Square Enix in collaboration with Buena Vista Games. It is the third mainline entry in the Kingdom Hearts series and continues the story one year after Chain of Memories.
Who is the main villain in Kingdom Hearts II?
The central antagonists are the members of Organization XIII, a shadowy group led by Xemnas. Sora must confront them across multiple worlds while searching for his missing friends.
What platform was Kingdom Hearts II released on?
The original 2005 title was exclusive to the PlayStation 2. It has since been remastered for later consoles and PC, but the initial release is a PS2 game.
Why is Kingdom Hearts II considered a crossover game?
It weaves together characters, worlds, and storylines drawn from Disney films with those from Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise. This dual-universe approach is the defining identity of the entire Kingdom Hearts series.
More in Crossover role-playing video games 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced