Kingdom Hearts II

Kingdom Hearts II is a video game of Action-RPG published on PlayStation 2 by Square Enix and Buena Vista Games, left on December 22nd 2005 in Japan (which ran out with more than 725000 units the weekend of its exit), on March 28th 2006 in the United States and on September 29th 2006 in Europe. It was about the continuation of the first episode and the episode Game Boy Advance which celebrated already collaboration between Square Enix and Disney Interactive.

Just like in the first episode (always on PS2) one finds the characters of the franknesses from the two companies, including last Disney productions such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of Black Pearl or Chicken Little , left a few days with the cinema before Kingdom Hearts II .

Kingdom Hearts II belongs to the series Kingdom Hearts.

Synopsis

The play proceeds one year after Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories . It follows the search of Sora, Donald and Dingo through various worlds. The history starts however with Roxas, new such a main character, him of Keyblade just like Sora, through the City of the Twilight. Roxas and Sora are now confronted with new enemies, the Simili whose Roxas is that of Sora, which works towards a mysterious end. Sora must now find his/her friends and protect the worlds which it crosses against those. But, in addition to the Imitation, a group of people are opposed to him, of the members of a secret organization seeking to bore the secrecy of the hearts, Organization XIII…

Graphics

The BVGgames label on the case could have made fear, but not. It is well Square which deals with the graph is it is a detail which has its importance; Indeed, more the good games are souveznt Square stamps (see FF10, FF12…). In short, here, in spite of visual a little less licked than at Final Fantasy, the emsemble proves to be of good invoice, exploiting the capacities of the PS2 well. The many fates & magics are particularly well returned and the graphic engine was improved compared to Kingdom Hearts first of the name (which appears now very ugly…). Lastly, although too much rare, the cutscenes or scenes kinematics is sublimes, like always at this developer.

Gameplay

Following the example elder sound, Kingdom Hearts II guard the system of action-RPG, i.e. it approaches the roleplay by its system to evolution to level and the existence to points to life and magic, but whose combat are held in real-time. However improvements are to be noted compared to the preceding opus, of which the system of aiming now allowing to make figures of more effective dodging and the management of the cameras, which clearly evolved/moved. Here the list of the main new things:

Fusions

Sora can, in this new opus, to amalgamate with its allies (it does not matter which, except for Valiancy and Wisdom) to transform itself into a “fusion” and thus to carry out attacks much more powerful. When these forms are used, they use a new bar, called gauge of flow. According to or companions, of his time of use as well as techniques used, fusion is likely to change. The gauge of flow is regenerated thanks to the yellow spheres delivered after having beaten an enemy or simply by striking an adversary; one can also obtain competences which will increase the duration of fusions. There exist five types of fusion:

Valiancy : Fusion with Nutcase, form of attack to the body-with-body. Sora passes then from a black behavior to a behavior bright red and can handle two keyblades with the choice among those which one can equip. The damage, in this form, is received by Dingo once the finished transformation. Its speed and its force are doubled, it controls more effective techniques of dodgings as well as new air raids. Only disadvantage: the magic is unusable. Its experiment is based on the blows carried to the enemies.

Additional competence: Super Jump. Gauges of consumed flows: 3

Wisdom : Fusion with Donald, magic form of attack. Sora has an indigo behavior and keeps only one keyblade, but it will be much more powerful during the use of magic attacks (however in the State card, one can notice that the magic is lower than other fusion rather often). Its new order " tirer" allows to send magic projectiles, Sora slips on the ground and thus goes much more quickly. Lastly, it can combine magic attacks to make them more powerful. Its experiment is based on the number of killed Heartless persons (1 Heartless persons killed = 1 point of experiment).

Additional competence: Sprint. Gauges of consumed flows: 3

Control : Fusion with the two companions, can imports which (Jack Sparrow, Aladdin…), form of physical attack ultimate. It has a yellow behavior like two Keyblades of which one which Levite around him and of which Sora is useful by the thought. The magic attacks of Sora are more powerful and it can use quasi-similar attacks with Valiancy but much more devastators. Its experiment is based on the acquisition of yellow spheres, the spheres of fusion (the small ones bring back 1 pts and grosses 3 pts of experiment).

Additional competence: Double Jump. Gauges of consumed flows: 4

Supreme : Ultimate fusion with the two characters of the team (Skelligton Jack, Mulan…), it has a behavior gray-white (like the Imitations), one gains it by chance, as soon as " was reached; the tower of the souvenirs" with " Illusiopolis" , where that one is while amalgamating. If Sora is transformed into Not-Form, it will have 50% of chance to gain the Suprême form during its next fusion. In this form, Sora controls its two keyblades by the thought and moves while lévitant. Its magic and physical attacks are long ranges, rapids and much more devastators that the preceding forms. The only defect of this form is that the gauge fusion becomes exhausted very quickly. Its experiment is based on the number of killed Imitations (As for the Sagesse form, 1 Imitation killed = 1 point of experiment).

Additional competence: Planed flight. Gauges of consumed flows: 5

Not-Form : Very random form of a power really devastator, it often appears when fusions are of low level. When a fusion is high level there is not almost more chance to change (One could interpret that with the fact that Sora controls its capacity of fusion completely.). The chances to change increase despite everything compared to the time and with the number of uses of the forms Vaillante, Sagesse and Control. In this form, Sora is let invade by the capacity of darkness and amalgamates with his/her two companions. It becomes a completely black creature (like certain Heartless persons), vaporous with two yellow spheres in the place of the eyes, goes to four legs like an animal and does not have any more a keyblade. In the place, it uses its hands to strike the frightening enemies and to carry out combos, all that accompanied by a capacity with téléporter close to the enemies (a mixture of all additional competences of preceding fusions) and better a speed. Unfortunately, the only order available is " attaquer". Even the orders reactions are impossible to carry out. Moreover, one can become again Sora only once the finished combat (moreover one cannot leave it in this form) and this form starting only by chance, one cannot gain it and thus involve it. Moreover, Sora loses many HP in this form. (each time it is made touch, the damage is more important)

Gauges of consumed flows: all

The synthesis of objects

The synthesis of objects was also re-examined. The mogs can now accumulate experience: the higher the experiment is, the more the mog will gain aptitudes like the creation of new objects or the use of special materials. Moreover once level 4 reached you will be able to thus have a specific object which will enable you to reduce by half the costs of synthesis of objects, you will be able to synthesize the ultimate weapon of the play: keyblade ULTIMA

The system of reaction

Previously useless, the key " triangle" is useful now much more than at the time of the precedent opus. Henceforth, that it is in combat or in exploration, the key " triangle" can be used when a green symbol in the shape of triangle appears on the screen. Thus one can carry out three things: - First of all, when an action is possible in relation to the decoration (to open a trunk, to examine, activate etc…) or a character (to speak, punish, retain, comfort…), it is enough to press on triangle to just carry out the action, described in a small green dial above the menu of the orders (Note: this function replaces the 4th bar of the sub-menu of the first episode).

- Then, in combat, the key triangle is used as short cut to carry out certain actions, as the attacks in co-operation, fusion or even an invocation according to the activation of competence concerned in the menu (and under certain conditions). In addition, a symbol of triangle appears on certain enemies when a competence specific to this enemy can be to carry out, as to use the adversary as arms or to make a figure of dodging.

- Lastly, there exists now a phase of combat (generally present at the time of a boss) which consists in striking an enemy at the good moment thanks to the key triangle for thus inflicting damage to him. These phases of play are rather frequent (in partnership with the appearance of many boss, of higher number compared to the first opus) and act almost as “kinematics of combat”.

The Gummi vessel

Just like the first, Kingdom hearts II has a phase of piloting of a spaceship: the vessel gummi. However this section of the play was re-examined and improved: they are longer, it exists more attacks, the vessel goes more quickly and the difficulty was re-examined with the rise. Moreover, there exists of the boss to fight. Other important details: the flight is carried out in three dimensions, one can indeed find “the upside down” or to go into reverse and the enemies tackle all shares now. The radar passes from 2D in 3D and makes the detection of enemies more effective. In short the developers carried out a work of “updating” of all the characteristics of this mini-play by keeping the basic system, i.e. a play of piloting where one destroys the enemy vessels while collecting their goods, to reach the following world.

Invocations

The invocations of the second episode are once again used to call of the heroes of Disney:

Stitch : by calling upon it, it is an ally useful to long distance thanks to these weapons (guns) but its special attack can also be used for short range (attacks with the guitar allowing to carry out sequences of blows on the enemies meadows of Sora). It also makes it possible to avoid certain attacks. Even very useful for defense thus.
Chicken little : drawn from film of the same name, it carries out attacks with short and long distance (its weapons are a bat and eggs)
Génie: Only invocation present on the two episodes, the genius can be used this time as combatant thanks to his handgun (similar to a keyblade) like by using its magic. According to fusions which one has it can change form, returning it equivalent with 4 invocations, it can thus become Valiant Génie, Génie Wise, Maître Genius and Supreme Genius; its limits change consequently. It becomes thus powerful allied.
Peter side: This invocation is actually the fusion of two characters coming from the first: Peter side (ally with the Imaginary Country) and the invocation Small bell. Thus, when this new invocation is used, Sora has the capacity to fly just like in the first opus, Clochette regenerates Sora and it is possible to carry out combos with the special blow of Peter side.

New playable characters

Roxas : As opposed to what everyone waits, it is not Sora which is available to the beginning of the part but Roxas, a second Master of Keyblade. This beginning of play resembles long a intro then putting in scene a character resembling Sora and having the same aptitudes as this one at the time of the first episode. After having begun again the control of Sora, this character is not however available any more.

King Mickey: Not only more present than in the first opus (where it appears only at the end) at the level of kinematics, it now forms part of the playable characters, but under certain conditions of appearance: it is playable only when Sora PERT against a certain boss and where it takes over (for that it is necessary, in screen “K.O against a boss” which appears after the defeat a certain boss, to choose the option “I must persevere! ”), or in the second case by using a Action Replay. Mickey has little HP, is (and his/her companions if necessary) sometimes invincible, has the same orders that Sora/Roxas (only if it appears at the time of a boss who is not special) and cannot kill a boss (it attacks it and reduces his life but cannot give him the final combo). However it has an extreme defense (its life decreases very little), it can jump very high, dodgings are easier (being given its small size) and its attacks are air, powerful, create long combos of blow and in premium are imparables. Moreover, when it replaces Sora, (this one is disappeared at the place of its defeat), it can ressuscite Sora, while pressing frantically on “triangle”.

Riku : In spite of the fact that it is less present than in the first opus (one speaks more him that we see it), Riku remains a central figure in Kingdom Hearts and will be also playable during a few moments at the time of the final combat against Xemnas.

Others

the magics are, for the majority, the same ones as in the first episode (Blazing inferno, Glacier, Foudre, Soin) but some changed effect (ex: the magic " Brasier" is a circle of fire which replaces the fireball) and two new magics make their appearance (Magnet and Mirror) of which the effects are those of gravity and the stop, the mirror avoids or reduces a blow.
the bar of MP is larger and it is regenerated automatically when this one is empty (once the emptied bar, it reloads time that the gauge of " charge MP" empties itself; it is thus impossible to thus launch a fate in this case) the magic is much easier to use.
It is possible to carry out combined attacks, called co-operation, with the various protagonists of the worlds that Sora visits (Mulan, Auron, ect.) like with the invocqués characters and Donald and Dingo and thus to connect very powerful blows. Only problem, this type of attack empties the bar of MP.
There are now two menus of action: the traditional one ( to attack , magic , objects and, in the place of the order " _" , the box fusion allowing to use a fusion) and the news ( to attack , invocation , to invert , to change the composition of the team into full combat, and co-operation with one of the allied character). These two menus are interchangeable via the left directional key.
In the general menu, the miter “Fusion” was added and makes it possible to manage fusions as well as possible.
the special attacks of the first episodes disappeared ( ragnarok , north wind , mystery …) and are replaced by the special attacks of fusions and competences of action and evolutions usable with the key " triangle".

Worlds

Disney worlds already seen in Kingdom Hearts

Colisée of Olympe ( Hercules )
Agrabah ( Aladdin )
Atlantica ( the Small Siren )
the Town of Halloween ( Strange Christmas of Mr Jack )
the Forest of the Blue Dreams ( Winnie the bear cub )
Island of the Destiny: Native world of Sora, here start the mishaps of Kairi.
Forgotten Forteresse (which will be famous Radiant Jardin after the second visit of the world of Tron (Space paranoids)) : Place where the final lock in the first shutter was. World with the characters of Enix Public garden. World of junction enters the two plays.

New Disney worlds

the Castle of the Animal ( the Beautiful one and the Animal )
Ground of the Dragons ( Mulan )
royal Port ( Pirate of the Caribbean )
Timeless River ( Steamboat Willie )
Ground of the Lions ( the King Lion )
Space paranoids ( Tron )
Castle Disney

Other worlds

Quoted of the Twilight: the equivalent of the town of Cross-piece in the first opus, birthplace of Roxas. This one appears in Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories .
Illusiopolis : World seen in the secret end of Kingdom Hearts . One the most voted by plebiscite of by the players.

A door at the end it play will allow Sora and of the companions to go to deliver the ultimate combat against Xemnas in the kingdom hearts.

History

Imitations

Roxas is the Imitation of Sora. Following reading of “Reports/ratios Secret of Ansem”, one includes/understands that, when Sora changed into heartless person - after having fought Riku had by the heartless person of Xehanort , the former disciple of true Ansem, which “borrowed” its name - in the Forgotten Fortress (Hollow Bastion), the heart of this one was separated from its body. What generated the birth of Roxas.

Note: Roxas is besides the Anagramme of Sora, with a X , sign of the unknown.

Naminé, it, is the Imitation of Kairi. The heart of this one had found refuge inside that of Sora, it was thus inanimate. When this one was transformed into heartless person, Kairi at summer brought back to the life. The fusion of its heart and that of Sora then gave rise to Naminé. The bond between the names of the two young girls is a little different from the others Similis: indeed, " kai" in Japanese can result in " mer" , while the word " nami" mean " vague" … (in addition, the presence of the X in the names is specific to the Organization, to which Naminé does not form part)

Note: Naminé plays the part of “malicious” in Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories , against its liking. It was captive Organization XIII and was regarded as a witch because it has the capacity to influence the memory of people while drawing.

the particular circumstances which surround the birth of these two Imitations generated “anomalies” in their creation: indeed, Sora life income thanks to Kairi after having lost its heart, and itself, although private of its heart during a time, was not swallowed by Darkness (as it should be the case normally) because as Princesse of Heart, her heart is pure. All that made Roxas and Naminé of the “special” Imitations. This is why, contrary to the others Imitations, they do not have any memory of their “life passed”, but also this why they have a heart…

Organization XIII

Hidden end

To obtain the hidden end, you will have, with the choice:

To fill at 100% the notebook of Jiminy with all the under-searches and mini-plays.

To finish the play in expert mode, (to be chosen at the beginning of part), i.e. simply to lock all the worlds.

As opposed to what one could think the second option is fastest!

This hidden end announces the continuation of the series, and the characters whom one sees are Terra (that who takes Keyblade de Sora and who goes down from the carcass), Venn, and Aqua. These three characters are the heroes of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep which will leave soon on portable playstation (PSP).

Japanese and North-American sales

Kingdom Hearts II was sold with more than 720.000 specimens the first three days of its launching on the Japanese archipelago. Kingdom Hearts II also received the palm of the best play 2005, decreed by the Famitsu magazine, with one 39/40 and while having left 9 days before the year 2006

In the United States, the sales exceeded the million specimens at the end of four weeks after the play returned in the signal of the best plays of the year 2006.

The series Kingdom Hearts was sold (about) to 10 million specimens in the world.

Audio

Certain aspects of the gameplay are based on the music and the coordination of the buttons, such as the world of Atlantica and the invocation of Stich. The soundtrack of Kingdom Hearts II , composed by Yoko Shimomura, at summer revealed on January 25th, 2006. The topic of Kingdom Hearts II is Passion , or Sanctuary in its english language version. They are both composed and interpreted by Hikaru Utada. Tetsuya Nomura also more narrowly took part in the musical accompaniment of the first opus of Kingdom Hearts as well as Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories whose topic was Hikari or Simple and Clean . The individual one of Passion was put at the sale December 14th, 2005 in Japan and is composed of two titles:

Passion ~single version~ (4: 36)
Passion ~after the battle~ (5: 57)

Merchandizing

A series of manga was completed in June 2006 (having begun on May 12th) in the magazine monthly Shonen Gangan , published by Square Enix. The artist is Shiro Amano, which also adapted in manga Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories . Currently, there is a new series of novels written by Tomoko Kanemaki and illustrated by Shiro Amano. The first volume, heading " Roxas - Seven Days " and left on April 22nd, 2006, the history of Roxas in the City of the Twilight recalls before the alarm clock of Sora. The novel also enjoyed additional scenes which were not seen in the play, such as the meetings between all the members of organization the ones with the others, and between Axel, Naminé, and Riku. It is currently available only in Japanese and there is no advertisement for a translation in English and even less in French. The second volume, " The Destruction off Hollow Bastion " , in June 2006 is appeared. The third, " The Tears off has Nobody " , is designed to be published this winter, and a fourth is still awaited.

The secrecy

Keyblades

Keyblade is a weapon which makes it possible Sora to fight them Without Cœur and the Imitations. Concretely it is about a large key that Sora uses to strike, launch fates, and to seal or open locks.

Keyblade can be modified and improved while changing of carry-key, which one gains with the wire of the adventure. Certain carry-key influence one parameter more than another (attacks, magic, defense). Others still confer on their owner special aptitudes or capacities, such as for example increasing the chances to obtain rare objects.

Keyblade Ultima is most powerful of all (Attack + 6 and Magic + 4, Compétence: Concentration X which decreases the time of refill of the bar of magic when it is empty). To obtain Keyblade Ultima, it should be synthesized at Mogs: It is initially necessary to find the Ultime formula hidden in a trunk in the City of the twilight, then to give it to Mog, then comes the most complicated phase: it is necessary to find the objects to make it. Here partly principal objects to be found:

1 Orichalch
1 Crystal of Mythril
7 Crystals of serenities
1 Nebulous Crystal
1 Crystal Chechmate
13 Orichalchs +

The 13 Orichalchs + are only there to frighten you, it has only 7 in the play of them there:

To finish Atlantica
Finishing the forest of the blue dreams
Finishing the first 4 tournaments with colized of the hells
Trunk in the chasm of despair, right before the semi-transparrante blue road, going on the left between the ravine and the cliff, a trunk hidden well
Trunk in the city of the twilight, the tunnel to go to the other end of the city, go up on the tram then you take will see a trunk on a terrace.
Trunk in Space Paranoïd, right before the combat against the MCP, in the heart of the central processing unit, where the solar sailing ship is travelled by.
To obtain all the kinds of materials (50), which one cannot do at the beginning, because we miss the orichalchs +.

Once all the found ingredients (with share 6 orichalchs + obviously untraceable), find a crystal of ardor. The place where one finds some more is the suburbs of the Forgotten Fortress (or Radiant Garden).

Now see the mog nearest and use your crystal of ardor to limit the comsommation of object in order to divide the orichalchs + into two.

You can now manufacture and equip you with Keyblade Ultima.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix + & Kingdom Hearts: Re Chain off Memories

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ is a more complete version of the play Kingdom Hearts II . This version integrates good number of additional no-claims bonus without to modify the history and the general screen of the scenario. The no-claims bonus are, inter alia, of the additional scenes kinematics, the new weapons, new mini-plays, the boss optional, as well as new playable zones. A very new secret end is also included if the play is supplemented at 100%.

Certain scenes kinematics of Kingdom Hearts II become playable in the version Final Mix.

It is possible for example to fight all the members of Organization XIII died or missing at the time of Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories , in a special zone envisaged for this purpose.

The play is doubled with the American voices and subtitles in Japanese, except for the additional scenes which, for practical reasons, are doubled in Japanese. No exit in the USA or in Europe for the moment is envisaged.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix + left to Japan on March 29th, 2007 on Playstation 2, sold jointly with Kingdom Hearts: Re Chain off Memories in same a pack of 2 DVD (and for the price of only one!).

Kingdom Hearts: Re Chain off Memories , is a version 3D (PS2 also) of the opus on Game Boy Advance, Kingdom Hearts: Chain off Memories . The history and the synopsis remained the same ones. The gameplay is also similar to its counterpart on GBA, by combat managed by a system of charts, but decorated new charts and system of reaction already tested in KHII.

The scenes kinematics on the other hand are doubled and subtitled in Japanese. This play leaving jointly with Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix + , a distribution external to Japan is not more planned for the moment.

We know moreover, that Square Enix Japan, following a request of the American branch, considers a Nord-Américaine export of Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix +

For the moment thus, an exit except Japan is not excluded.

Bonds

; Official sites

Official site European of '' Kingdom Hearts 2 '' - Public garden Enix
'' Kingdom Hearts II '' US Official site of Kingdom Hearts 2 - Public garden Enix
'' Kingdom Hearts II '' Japanese Official site of Kingdom Hearts 2 - Public garden Enix
Japanese Official site of Kingdom Hearts 2 - Disney Interactive
Official site Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix +

; Not-Official sites (All in French)

Kingdom Fantasy
Khisland
Kingdom Hearts Destiny
KH-Zone
KH2 on Plays Video.com
KH2 on Play France

Simple: Kingdom Hearts II Zh-yue: 王國之心 II

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