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Kingdom Hearts (series): Difference between revisions
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{{game|FA}} | {{game|FA}} | ||
{{Youmay|the series|[[Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation)|other uses of ''Kingdom Hearts'']]}} | {{Youmay|the series|[[Kingdom Hearts (disambiguation)|other uses of ''Kingdom Hearts'']]}} | ||
{{nihongo|'''''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 | {{nihongo|'''''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 {{w|Square Enix}}. It is the result of a collaboration between Square and {{w|Disney Interactive Studios}} and is under the direction of {{w|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 ''{{w|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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In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', the battle system introduced a new gameplay element: [[Drive Form]]s, which allow Sora to gain access to new abilities via his combat garment, and wielding two Keyblades for a limited time (however, not every form possess this ability). Magic is simpler to execute, and Sora's MP gauge will recharge automatically once it is used up. Another gameplay element introduced is the [[Reaction Command]], various actions only executable in several specific situations. These actions vary from talking to a character to performing combat abilities in battle. | In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', the battle system introduced a new gameplay element: [[Drive Form]]s, which allow Sora to gain access to new abilities via his combat garment, and wielding two Keyblades for a limited time (however, not every form possess this ability). Magic is simpler to execute, and Sora's MP gauge will recharge automatically once it is used up. Another gameplay element introduced is the [[Reaction Command]], various actions only executable in several specific situations. These actions vary from talking to a character to performing combat abilities in battle. | ||
''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' introduced several new features to the series, such as [[Deck | ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' introduced several new features to the series, such as [[Deck Command]]s, 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. | ||
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==Games== | ==Games== | ||
The series is mostly in sequential order. The first game in the timeline is '''''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''''', which tells the story of three Keyblade wielders (Terra, Ventus, and Aqua) after the Keyblade War. Ten years later is where the first '''''Kingdom Hearts''''' picks up, revolving around the first adventure of Sora. Next are '''''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''''' and '''''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''''' which take place around the same time as each other. '''''Kingdom Hearts II''''' follows ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' & ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', and takes place one year after ''Kingdom Hearts''. '''''Kingdom Hearts coded''''' takes place briefly after ''Kingdom Hearts II'' but before the latter's final ending, seen after the end credits. Following ''Kingdom Hearts coded'' is '''''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance'''''<ref>[http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/21/kingdom_hearts_3ds_next Kingdom Hearts 3D is Next]</ref> | The series is mostly in sequential order. The first game in the timeline is '''''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''''', which tells the story of three Keyblade wielders (Terra, Ventus, and Aqua) after the Keyblade War. Ten years later is where the first '''''Kingdom Hearts''''' picks up, revolving around the first adventure of Sora. Next are '''''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''''' and '''''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''''' which take place around the same time as each other. '''''Kingdom Hearts II''''' follows ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' & ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', and takes place one year after ''Kingdom Hearts''. '''''Kingdom Hearts coded''''' takes place briefly after ''Kingdom Hearts II'' but before the latter's final ending, seen after the end credits. Following ''Kingdom Hearts coded'' is '''''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''''',<ref>[http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/21/kingdom_hearts_3ds_next Kingdom Hearts 3D is Next]</ref> and the game's ending will lead fairly directly into '''''Kingdom Hearts III''''',<ref>Weekly Famitsu interview, Novermber 17, 2010: '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "Kingdom Hearts 3D connects to Kingdom Hearts III; I plan on showing how they evolutionarily progress. [...] both the system and the story are tied to Kingdom Hearts III. It’s likely that the ending of 3D will continue into the story of KH3."</ref> which will serve as the final chapter of what Tetsuya Nomura calls the "Xehanort Saga". | ||
The release dates of the games within the series: | The release dates of the games within the series: | ||
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*''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' (2004) | *''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' (2004) | ||
*''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' (2005) | *''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' (2005) | ||
*''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]'' ( | *''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]'' (2008–2010) | ||
*''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' (2009) | *''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' (2009) | ||
*''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' (2010) | *''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'' (2010) | ||
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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]] and, by extension, [[Mushroom XIII]], [[Finest Fantasy 13]], and the thirteen floors of [[Castle Oblivion]]. | **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". | ||
**The ability that Sora uses in the first ''Kingdom Hearts'', "[[Ars Arcanum]]", consists of thirteen attacks if you select the follow-up attack. | **The ability that Sora uses in the first ''Kingdom Hearts'', "[[Ars Arcanum]]", consists of thirteen attacks if you select the follow-up attack. | ||
**In ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', not counting the additional matches in the ''Final Mix'' version, the [[Mirage Arena]] has thirteen matches. | **In ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', not counting the additional matches in the ''Final Mix'' version, the [[Mirage Arena]] has thirteen matches. | ||
**The [[Ultima Weapon]] in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' requires 13 [[Orichalcum+]] for item synthesis. | **The [[Ultima Weapon]] in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' requires 13 [[Orichalcum+]] for item synthesis. | ||
**The sum of all the letters in the names Sora, Riku, and Kairi is thirteen. | **The sum of all the letters in the names Sora, Riku, and Kairi is thirteen. | ||
**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. | ||