Kingdom Hearts (キングダムハーツ, Kingudamu Hātsu) is a series of action role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix Co., Ltd. (formerly Square Co., Ltd.), for the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Game Boy Advance. It is the result of a collaboration between Square and Disney Interactive Studios. The series is under the direction of Tetsuya Nomura, a longtime Square character designer.
Kingdom Hearts is a crossover of "alternate" Disney universes set in a universe made specifically for the series. Alternate versions of characters from the Final Fantasy series also appear in the series, interacting with the player and Disney characters. Each game in the series has been critically and commercially successful, though each installment has seen different levels of success. As of December of 2006, the Kingdom Hearts series has shipped over 5.6 million copies in North America and 10 million copies worldwide.[1][2]
Development
The idea for Kingdom Hearts came about when Shinji Hashimoto met with a Disney executive in an elevator; Square and Disney had previously worked in the same building in Japan.[3] The first Kingdom Hearts began development in February of 2000[4] and was announced at E3 in May of 2001.[5] It was produced by Shinji Hashimoto, and directed by Tetsuya Nomura. Nomura had been a character designer for Square since Final Fantasy VII, and this marked his transition into a directional position. He also served as the game's character designer. Kazushige Nojima worked as the scenario writer and had been a scenario writer for Square since Final Fantasy VII until he left Square Enix in 2003.
Nomura placed an unlockable trailer in Kingdom Hearts in hopes that fans would want a sequel. After Kingdom Hearts Final Mix was completed, plans for Kingdom Hearts II began.[6] Nomura had planned for the sequel to take place a year after the first. To bridge the gap between the two games, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories was developed.[7] Nomura was hesitant about releasing a game on the Game Boy Advanced because he felt that the 3D graphics of the original game would not translate well into 2D. Nomura changed his position after hearing that children wanted to play Kingdom Hearts on the GBA.[8] The two sequels were announce at the Tokyo Game Show in September of 2003[9]
Each game in the main series were also re-released in Japan with additional content and served as canonical updates to the series. Normally the re-release had the term "Final Mix" added after the title, the one notable exception was Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It was re-released as Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories and released on the PlayStation 2 with 3D graphics, voice overs during some cutscenes, as well as additional game content.
Common gameplay elements
The Kingdom Hearts series games contain elements from both action and role-playing games. The games are driven by a linear progression to the next story event, usually told in the form of a cut scene, though there are numerous side quests available that provide bonus benefits to the characters. The player is primarily in control of the main protagonist of the series, Sora. Sora is usually accompanied by Donald Duck and Goofy, who are non-playable characters that aid Sora in battle. In the first and third game, their behavior could be altered to fit the player's needs. The games featured real-time combat that incorporates physical attacks, magic, and summonings; though each game handled battles differently.
Gummi Ships are another common theme in the series, though they are only featured in the first and third installment. The Gummi Ships serve as the main mode of transportation between worlds in the games. The gameplay for the Gummi Ships sections are more akin to a rail shooter. Because it received negative criticism in the first game, it was redone in the third installment. All three games also feature a journal which is accessible from the main menu. The journal keep tracks of information regarding the story, characters, enemies, and locations. In the game the journal is kept by Jiminy Cricket, who was appointed by Queen Minnie as the royal chronicler.[10]
RPG elements
The games are influenced by their parent franchise, Final Fantasy, and carries gameplay elements over into its 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.[11] The amount of experience is shared with all party members and each character grows stronger as experience is gained. The game also features numerous side quests available that provide bonus benefits to the characters.[12]
Disney and Final Fantasy cameos
Because Kingdom Hearts was a collaboration between Disney and Square, it features a mixture of familiar Disney and Square characters, as well as several new characters designed and created by Tetsuya Nomura.[5] Though the series features some original 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 storylines featured in their accompanying Disney films. In dialogue, Donald tells Sora not to interfere with the worlds too much, since it would cause problems.[13][14] Moogles, from Final Fantasy, are another common element in the games. They provide the player with a synthesis shop in order to create items for use in the game.
Games
The main games in the series were released in chronological order, with each new installment following the events of the previous installment. The one exception is the V CAST mobile game, which was developed independently of Square Enix's games.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts is the first game in the series, and was released in Japan on March 28, 2002 for Sony PlayStation 2.[15] Kingdom Hearts introduced most of main characters for the series and set up the plot framework involving hearts and Heartless. This was longtime Square character designer Tetsuya Nomura's first time in a directorial position. It also established the presence of previous Disney fiction, with character cameos from the Final Fantasy series. Kingdom Hearts was released in North America in September 17, 2002,[15] and featured additional content that was not in the original Japanese version. It was later re-released exclusively in Japan as Kingdom Hearts Final Mix on December 26, 2002.[15] Final Mix included the content from the North America version and additional enemies, cutscenes, and weapons.[16] Various added elements foreshadowed later plot elements in the series.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
The second mainstream game in the series is Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It was released on the Game Boy Advance in Japan on November 11, 2004 and in North America on December 7, 2004.[17] Chain of Memories was touted as a bridge between the two PlayStation 2 installments, introducing and previewing plot elements that would be played out in the next game.[18] The gameplay was based on a card system; player composed decks of cards, each card allowing the player to perform an action in battle, such as attacking or using magic. It was remade into a PlayStation 2 game titled Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, which was released in Japan as a second disc packaged with Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix on March 29, 2007.
Kingdom Hearts II
Despite the being numbered "two", Kingdom Hearts II is the third game in the series. It was released in Japan on December 22, 2005 for Sony PlayStation 2.[19] It furthered the "heart" concept by involving the Nobodies and "bodies". The gameplay is based on the first Kingdom Hearts's, with the addition of more options to attack enemies and the Reaction Command, which utilized the triangle button to perform preset actions in battle and interaction with characters and the surroundings.
Kingdom Hearts II was revised into Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, which contained more material than the original release, such as additional cutscenes and bosses. Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix was released with Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories, a remake of Chain of Memories for the PlayStation 2, containing polygon graphics instead of the sprites used in the original Game Boy Advance game. This collection is titled Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ and was released in Japan on March 29, 2007.[20]
Kingdom Hearts (V CAST)
A Kingdom Hearts game was developed exclusively for V CAST, Verizon Wireless's broadband service, and was released on February 4, 2005. The game, developed by Superscape and published by Disney Mobile, with no involvement from Square, features the original Kingdom Hearts's gameplay, modifed to the input method of mobile phones.[21]
The first Mission pack begins with the protagonist of the original Kingdom Hearts, Sora, shipwrecked on a seemingly uninhabited island, his friends Goofy and Donald missing. Sora must now find a way to escape the island, as well as reunite with Donald and Goofy. Reception towards the first playable mission pack is mixed. The game was criticized for its awkward controls and availability. The visual appeal was praised. GameSpot stated that Sora "is very detailed and well animated" and complimented the 3D environments.[22]
Future installments
Tetsuya Nomura stated he has ideas for another installment. However, he did not state exactly what he would like to do with a new installment.[23] The Kingdom Hearts team is postponing Kingdom Hearts projects to be able to work on Final Fantasy Versus XIII, but a new Kingdom Hearts project will be revealed in summer 2007.[24] In Famitsu, Nomura stated that there are multiple Kingdom Hearts projects in the works, although what those projects consist of is not known.[25]
With the release of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+, a new teaser further hinted at the potential plot of the next installment in the series. According to Nomura, it will be a whole new series and stated, "The next title won't just be Kingdom Hearts III. If it were III, we wouldn't call it a new series." [26] The new series is set to be announced at this year's Tokyo Game Show. [27]
Audio
Musical score
The music of the video game series was primarily composed by Yoko Shimomura. Kaoru Wada works as the arranger for orchestral music in the Kingdom Hearts series, including orchestral renditions of the main vocal themes and the ending themes.[28][29] The orchestral music was performed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.[28] and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.[29] Soundtracks were released for the first and third installments following the release of their respective games. A compilation soundtrack was later released that included soundtracks for the entire series, including reworked tracks for the re-released Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.[30]
While some Disney-based world themes are taken directly from their Disney film counterparts, most of them are given entirely original musical scores. In addition to each world having unique background music, each is given its own battle theme rather than a common music piece to cover all fights. Several of the Disney villains get themes based on the film they originated in, and the final boss of each game has several themes played in the various phases of those fights. The fights with Sephiroth feature Nobuo Uematsu's One-Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII.[29]
The main theme songs for the Kingdom Hearts games were composed and performed by Japanese pop star, Utada Hikaru. The two main themes are Hikari, from Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories,[31] and Passion, from Kingdom Hearts II.[32] Each song had an English counterpart, Simple and Clean and Sanctuary respectively, for the North American and European releases. Utada was the only singer Tetsuya Nomura had in mind for the first Kingdom Hearts theme song.[33] This marked the first time Utada had produced a song for a video game. Both theme songs reached notable popularity in Japan. On weekly Oricon charts, Hikari hit #1 in 2002[34] and Passion hit #4 in 2005.[35]
Voice acting
The English release of the Kingdom Hearts games featured an all-star voice cast which included many of the Disney characters' original voice actors. Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, and Bill Farmer voiced Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.[36][37] Several high profile actors provided the voice acting of the main characters. The first game featured Haley Joel Osment as Sora, David Gallagher as Riku, and Hayden Panettiere as Kairi.[38] The third game saw the return the main character voice actors and added Jesse McCartney as Roxas, Brittany Snow as Naminé, and Christopher Lee as DiZ.[39] Other notable actors included, Sean Astin, Steve Burton, Will Friedle, Ming-Na, and James Woods.[36][37]
Literary adaptations
Manga
A manga based on the Kingdom Hearts storyline has been released in Japan and the United States. The story and art are done by Shiro Amano, who is also known for his manga adaptation of the Legend of Mana video game. The story follows the events that took place in the video games with differences to account for the loss of interactivity a video game provides. The manga was originally serialized in Japan by Square's Monthly Shonen Gangan and eventually released in tankōbons. The first tankōbon was released in Japan in October of 2003.[40] The manga was released in the US by Tokyopop two years later in October of 2005.[41] It was divided up into three manga series based on Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts II. The first series, Kingdom Hearts, was broken up into four volumes, while the second series, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, was broken up into two volumes. The third series, Kingdom Hearts II, is currently still being serialized. The first volume was released in Japan in December of 2006[42] and is scheduled to be released in the US on July 10, 2007.[43]
Novels
A novel series has also been released. It is written by Tomoco Kanemaki and illustrated by Shiro Amano. Like the manga series, it is divided up into separate series based on the games. Kingdom Hearts is divided up into two volumes; "The First Door"[44] and "Darkness Within".[45] They are scheduled to be released in the United States in August of 2007. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories has currently been released only in Japan and it divided into three volumes. Kingdom Hearts II has also been released only in Japan and is divided into four volumes; "Roxas - Seven Days",[46] "The Destruction of Hollow Bastion",[47] "Tears of Nobody",[48] and "Anthem-Meet Again/Axel Last Stand".[49]
References
- ^ SquareSoft (2007-02-05). "Kingdom Hearts Series Ships over 10 Million Worldwide". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
- ^ "スクウェア・エニックス、イベントなど追加「KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX+」「キングダム ハーツ」 シリーズ累計出荷本数1,000万本達成" (in Japanese). Game Watch.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Anoop Gantayat (2004-09-23). "TGS 2004: Tetsuya Nomura Q&A". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "KINGDOM HEARTS キングダム ハーツ" (in Japanese). Final Fantasy 2000.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "E3 2001: Square announces Disney RPG for PS2". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ GameSpot staff (2003-10-10). "Kingdom Hearts II's Tetsuya Nomura Q & A". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Raymond Padilla (2004-12-08). "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Review". GameSpy.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts II's Tetsuya Nomura Q & A". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Justin Calvert (2003-09-26). "TGS 2003: Kingdom Hearts sequels announced". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Minnie: Oh, and to chronicle your travels, he will accompany you. / Jiminy: Over here! Cricket’s the name. Jiminy Cricket, at your service. Square Co., Limited. Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square Co., Limited.
- ^ Square Co. (2002). Kingdom Hearts Instruction Booklet. Square Co., Limited.
- ^ "Kingdom Hearts for PlayStation 2 Review". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Donald: But we can’t. If we take him to another world, we would be... / Goofy: Muh... Mudd-- / Donald: Meddling! Square Co., Limited. Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2). Square Co., Limited.
- ^ Kingdom Hearts manga, Volume 1. Page 99. Tokyopop.
- ^ a b c "Kingdom Hearts Info". GameFAQs.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts Final Mix Images".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|pulbisher=ignored (|publisher=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Info". GameFAQs.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories - Square-Enix continues its Disney-based adventure on the GBA. New screens and details". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts II Info". GameFAQs.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts II Update For PS2". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts - Disney Mobile presents the future of wireless gaming". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Bethany Massimilla (2005-02-09). "Kingdom Hearts for Mobile Review". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Nomura Discusses Kingdom Hearts and Future Titles". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Tetsuya Nomura on FF Versus XIII - More background story details, plus mention of the next Kingdom Hearts". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "More Kingdom Hearts in 2007". Joystiq.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Nomura Talks Kingdom Hearts Sequel: Square Enix Planning an All New Series". IGN.
- ^ "Square Enix Party 2007 announces when next Kingdom Hearts game will be announced". IGN.
- ^ a b Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack CD insert. Toshiba-Emi Limited. 2002.
- ^ a b c Kingdom Hearts II Original Soundtrack CD insert. Toshiba-Emi Limited. 2006.
- ^ "Game Music / Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete". CD Japan.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ IGN Staff (2002-01-10). "Hikaru Utada Sings Kingdom Hearts Theme". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Hirohiko Niizumi (2005-07-29). "Kingdom Hearts vocalist returns for sequel". GameSpot.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Stephen Coleman (2002-08-22). "Square, Disney and Japanese Pop Star Utada Hikaru Collaborate on Kingdom Hearts". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "CDTV PowerWeb! : 宇多田ヒカル - 光". Tokyo Broadcasting System.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "CDTV PowerWeb! : 宇多田ヒカル - Passion". Tokyo Broadcasting System.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Full cast and crew for Kingdom Hearts (2002)(VG)". IMDB.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Full cast and crew for Kingdom Hearts II (2005)(VG)". IMDB.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ GamePro Staff (2003-04-30). "Kingdom Hearts Voice Talent Announced". GamePro.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Stephen Coleman (2006-02-08). "Kingdom Hearts II Gets All-Star Cast". IGN.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "キングダムハーツ (1) (コミック)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts Volume 1 Product Info". Tokyopop.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "キングダムハーツ2 1 (1) (コミック)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts II Volume 1 Product Info". Tokyopop.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts: The First Door - #1 (Kingdom Hearts) (Paperback)". Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kingdom Hearts: Darkness Within - #2 (Kingdom Hearts) (Paperback)". Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "GAME NOVELS キングダム ハーツII Vol.1 Roxas-Sevendays (単行本)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "GAME NOVELS キングダム ハーツII Vol.2 The Destruction of Hollow Bastion (新書)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "GAME NOVELS キングダム ハーツII Vol.3 Tears ofNobody (新書)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "GAME NOVELS キングダム ハーツII Vol.4 Anthem-Meet Again/Axel Last Stand (単行本)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
| Media |
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characters | |||||||
| People | |||||||
| Related | |||||||
