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Kingdom Hearts (series): Difference between revisions
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{{Youmay|the series|[[Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation)|other uses of ''Kingdom Hearts'']]}} | {{Youmay|the series|[[Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation)|other uses of ''Kingdom Hearts'']]}} | ||
'''''Kingdom Hearts''''' (キングダムハーツ, ''Kingudamu Hātsu'') is a series of action role-playing games (''RPG'') developed and published by [[wikipedia:Square Enix|Square Enix]]. It is the result of a collaboration between Square and [[wikipedia:Disney Interactive Studios|Disney Interactive Studios]] and is under the direction of [[wikipedia:Tetsuya Nomura|Tetsuya Nomura]], a longtime Square character designer. ''Kingdom Hearts'' is a crossover of various Disney settings based in a universe made specifically for the series. In addition, it has an ensemble voice cast which includes many of the Disney characters' official voice actors. Characters from Square Enix's ''[[wikipedia:Final Fantasy|Final Fantasy series]]'' make appearances and interact with the player and Disney characters. The series centers around the main character, [[Sora]]'s, search for his friends and his encounters with Disney and ''Final Fantasy'' characters on their worlds. | '''''Kingdom Hearts''''' (キングダムハーツ, ''Kingudamu Hātsu'') is a series of action role-playing games (''RPG'') developed and published by [[wikipedia:Square Enix|Square Enix]]. It is the result of a collaboration between Square and [[wikipedia:Disney Interactive Studios|Disney Interactive Studios]] and is under the direction of [[wikipedia:Tetsuya Nomura|Tetsuya Nomura]], a longtime Square character designer. ''Kingdom Hearts'' is a crossover of various Disney settings based in a universe made specifically for the series. In addition, it has an ensemble voice cast which includes many of the Disney characters' official voice actors. Characters from Square Enix's ''[[wikipedia:Final Fantasy|Final Fantasy series]]'' make appearances and interact with the player and Disney characters. The series centers around the main character, [[Sora]]'s, search for his friends and his encounters with Disney and ''Final Fantasy'' characters on their worlds. As of ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'', though, the series is now incorporating characters and elements from non-''Final Fantasy'' video game series produced by ''Square Enix'' as well, turning the series into a more general hybrid between elements from Disney and the entire ''Square Enix'' multiverse. | ||
The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series currently consists of six games across different video game platforms, with three remakes, and three spin-off games. Future titles are planned. Most of the games in the series have been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, though each installment has seen varying levels of success. As of December 2006, the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series has shipped over ten million copies worldwide, with 2.0 million copies in PAL regions, 3.0 million copies in Japan, and 5.6 million copies in North America. There have been several types of merchandise released along with the games, such as soundtracks, [[Formation Arts Figures|figurines]], and companion books. In addition, the games have also been adapted into a manga series and novels. In the U.S., the manga stopped production after ''Kingdom Hearts II'' Vol. 2 because of company issues. Japan has already moved onto ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'' manga and the novels of all the games are only available there. | The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series currently consists of six games across different video game platforms, with three remakes, and three spin-off games. Future titles are planned. Most of the games in the series have been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, though each installment has seen varying levels of success. As of December 2006, the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series has shipped over ten million copies worldwide, with 2.0 million copies in PAL regions, 3.0 million copies in Japan, and 5.6 million copies in North America. There have been several types of merchandise released along with the games, such as soundtracks, [[Formation Arts Figures|figurines]], and companion books. In addition, the games have also been adapted into a manga series and novels. In the U.S., the manga stopped production after ''Kingdom Hearts II'' Vol. 2 because of company issues. Japan has already moved onto ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'' manga and the novels of all the games are only available there. | ||
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:''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'' | ''Kingdom Hearts'' features a mixture of familiar Disney and ''Square Enix'' characters, nearly all of them coming from the ''Final Fantasy'' series, as well as several new characters designed and created by Tetsuya 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 stories featured in their accompanying Disney films. In one of the dialogues, Donald Duck tells Sora not to interfere with the worlds too much, since such interference would cause problems. [[Moogle]]s, small creatures from the ''Final Fantasy'' series, are another common element in the games. They provide the player with synthesis shops in order to create items for use in the game. | ||
==Creation and Influence== | ==Creation and Influence== | ||
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The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series is directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who also works as the character designer of the games. Nomura has stated that unlike working with ''Final Fantasy ''characters, keeping the main character Sora alive and interesting over multiple games is a challenge. He has also stated that though many of the Disney characters are not normally dark and serious, there were not many challenges making them so for the story, and despite this, their personalities shine because they maintain their own characteristics. Though Disney gave Nomura freedom in the characters and worlds used for the games, he and his staff tried to stay within the established roles of characters and boundaries of the worlds. When deciding which worlds to include in the game, the development staff tried to take into account worlds with Disney characters that would be interesting. | The ''Kingdom Hearts'' series is directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who also works as the character designer of the games. Nomura has stated that unlike working with ''Final Fantasy ''characters, keeping the main character Sora alive and interesting over multiple games is a challenge. He has also stated that though many of the Disney characters are not normally dark and serious, there were not many challenges making them so for the story, and despite this, their personalities shine because they maintain their own characteristics. Though Disney gave Nomura freedom in the characters and worlds used for the games, he and his staff tried to stay within the established roles of characters and boundaries of the worlds. When deciding which worlds to include in the game, the development staff tried to take into account worlds with Disney characters that would be interesting. | ||
The inclusion of specific ''Final Fantasy ''characters was based on the opinions of fans and the development staff. Another criteria for inclusion was whether the staff felt the characters would fit into the storyline and in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' universe. Initially, Nomura was hesitant to use characters he did not design, because he was unfamiliar with the background work of such characters. For ''Kingdom Hearts II'', he changed his mind after receiving pressure from his staff. Throughout the development of the games, Nomura has often left certain events and connections between characters unexplained until the release of future games. Nomura did this because he feels that games should have room for fans to speculate and use their imagination. He stated that with speculation, even though a game gets old, people can still be happy with it. | The inclusion of specific ''Final Fantasy'' characters was based on the opinions of fans and the development staff. Another criteria for inclusion was whether the staff felt the characters would fit into the storyline and in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' universe. Initially, Nomura was hesitant to use characters he did not design, because he was unfamiliar with the background work of such characters. For ''Kingdom Hearts II'', he changed his mind after receiving pressure from his staff. Throughout the development of the games, Nomura has often left certain events and connections between characters unexplained until the release of future games. Nomura did this because he feels that games should have room for fans to speculate and use their imagination. He stated that with speculation, even though a game gets old, people can still be happy with it. As of ''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'', Tetsuya Nomura has begun to introduce characters from ''Square Enix'''s other produced game series, specifically ''The World Ends With You''. | ||
==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
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''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' introduced several new features to the series, such as [[Deck Commands]], which allow you to use several unique attacks as well as items and magic, and the [[Dimension Link]], which gives you access to several deck commands otherwise unavailable to the player. There is also the [[Shot Lock]], which allows you to attack a multitude of enemies with many attacks, and the Focus Gauge, which is what allows you to use the Shot Lock feature. It also introduces Command Styles where the player gains the use of a different and more powerful combo. By filling up the command gauge with either attacks or deck commands, the player will be able to execute a powerful finish command. Which command you use is different depending on if the player is using a D-link or a command style. | ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' introduced several new features to the series, such as [[Deck Commands]], which allow you to use several unique attacks as well as items and magic, and the [[Dimension Link]], which gives you access to several deck commands otherwise unavailable to the player. There is also the [[Shot Lock]], which allows you to attack a multitude of enemies with many attacks, and the Focus Gauge, which is what allows you to use the Shot Lock feature. It also introduces Command Styles where the player gains the use of a different and more powerful combo. By filling up the command gauge with either attacks or deck commands, the player will be able to execute a powerful finish command. Which command you use is different depending on if the player is using a D-link or a command style. | ||
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. | ||
Another recurring feature is the World music; all worlds have at least one normal field song and most have at least one battle theme. | Another recurring feature is the World music; all worlds have at least one normal field song and most have at least one battle theme. | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*The number thirteen is a recurring number throughout the series: | *The number thirteen is a recurring number throughout the series: | ||
**It is primarily associated with [[Organization XIII]] | **It is primarily associated with [[Organization XIII]] and, by extension, [[Mushroom XIII]], [[Finest Fantasy 13]], and the thirteen floors of [[Castle Oblivion]]. | ||
**Riku's Limit "Session" includes an ability named "XIII Blades". | **Riku's Limit "Session" includes an ability named "XIII Blades". | ||
**There are thirteen letters in "Kingdom Hearts". | **There are thirteen letters in "Kingdom Hearts". | ||
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**The same is true for Roxas, Sora, and Xion, and Roxas, Axel and Xion. | **The same is true for Roxas, Sora, and Xion, and Roxas, Axel and Xion. | ||
**In the opening movie of ''Kingdom Hearts'' the letter "M" in the word "Kingdom" surges towards the screen distinctly, with "M" being the 13th letter in the alphabet. | **In the opening movie of ''Kingdom Hearts'' the letter "M" in the word "Kingdom" surges towards the screen distinctly, with "M" being the 13th letter in the alphabet. | ||
**In each major installment of the series, the final world is the thirteenth: in ''Kingdom Hearts'', [[End of the World]] is the 13th world to be seen | **In each major installment of the series, the final world is the thirteenth: in ''Kingdom Hearts'', [[End of the World]] is the 13th world to be seen, including [[Disney Castle]]; in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', [[The World That Never Was]] is the 13th world; and in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', it is the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], counting [[Destiny Islands]]. | ||
**In ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' Castle Oblivion has thirteen floors. | **In ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' Castle Oblivion has thirteen floors. | ||
**There are thirteen letters in "End of the World", "Hollow Bastion", and "Radiant Garden". | **There are thirteen letters in "End of the World", "Hollow Bastion", and "Radiant Garden". | ||
**In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'', there is a System Sector in Hollow Bastion that contains | **In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'', there is a System Sector in Hollow Bastion that contains thirteen floors. | ||
**There are thirteen letters in "Terra-Xehanort" and "Ventus-Vanitas". | **There are thirteen letters in "Terra-Xehanort" and "Ventus-Vanitas". | ||