.:: Kingdom Hearts II::.

Here are some review:

Developer(s) :Square Enix
Publisher(s) :Square Enix
Buena Vista Games
Designer(s) :Tetsuya Nomura
Writer(s) :Kazushige Nojima
Composer(s) :Yoko Shimomura
Series Kingdom Hearts
Native resolution 480i (SDTV)
Platform(s) :PlayStation 2
Release date(s) Kingdom Hearts II:
JP December 22, 2005
NA March 28, 2006
PAL September 29, 2006
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix:
JP March 29, 2007
Genre(s) :Action role-playing game
Mode(s) :Single-player
Rating(s) :CERO: A
ESRB: E10+
OFLC: PG
PEGI: 12+
Media :1 DVD-ROM
Input methods :DualShock 2 controller


Kingdom Hearts II (キングダムハーツII, Kingudamu Hātsu Tsū?) is an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix and published by Buena Vista Games and Square Enix in 2005 for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console. The game is a sequel to the 2001 Disney Interactive and Square collaboration, Kingdom Hearts, which combined Disney and Square elements into an action role-playing game. The game's popularity has resulted in a novel and manga series based upon it and an international version called Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, released in March 2007.

Kingdom Hearts II is the third game in the Kingdom Hearts series. It picks up one year after the events of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Sora, the protagonist of the first two games, returns to search for his lost friends. Like the previous games, Kingdom Hearts II features a large cast of characters from Disney films and Final Fantasy games. Organization XIII, a group introduced in Chain of Memories, also reappears to impede Sora's progress.

The game was well-received, earning year-end awards from numerous video gaming websites. In Japan, it shipped more than one million copies within a week of its release. One month after its North American release, it had sold over one million copies and was the second best-selling game of 2006. As of December 2006, Kingdom Hearts II had shipped more than 3.5 million copies worldwide.


Game Play

The gameplay of Kingdom Hearts II is similar to that of Kingdom Hearts, though developers made an effort to address complaints with the previous game. The player directly controls Sora from a third person camera angle, though first person perspective is available. Most of the gameplay occurs on interconnected field maps where battles take place. The game is driven by a linear progression from one story event to the next, usually told in the form of a cut scene, though there are numerous side-quests available that provide bonuses to the characters.

Like many traditional role-playing games, Kingdom Hearts II features an experience point system which determines character development. As enemies are defeated, the player gains experience which culminates in a "level up", in which the playable characters grow stronger and gain access to new abilities. As in the first game, Kingdom Hearts II allows a certain degree of character customization through a short tutorial found at the beginning of the game.

Combat in Kingdom Hearts II is in real-time and involves button presses which initiate attacks by the on-screen character. A role-playing game menu, similar to those found in Final Fantasy games, at the bottom left of the screen provides other combat options such as using magic, summoning beings to assist in battle, or executing combination attacks with other party members. A new feature is the "Reaction Command", special enemy-specific attacks that are triggered when the player presses the triangle button at the correct time during battle. Reaction Commands can be used to defeat regular enemies or avoid damage, and are sometimes necessary to complete a boss battle. In addition to the main character, two party members are usually present who also participate in combat. Although these characters are computer-controlled, the player is allowed to customize their behavior to a certain extent through the menu screen, such as attacking the same enemy Sora targets.

In response to criticism, the "Gummi Ship" feature of the first game was re-imagined to be "more enjoyable". Although retaining its basic purpose of travel, the previous system was completely redone to resemble a combination of rail shooter and "Disney theme park ride". In the world map, the player must now control the Gummi Ship from a top-down view and fly to the world the player wishes to enter. Worlds are no longer open from the beginning—the player must unlock the routes to them by entering a new level, controlling the ship from a third-person point of view, and battling enemy ships. After the route is opened, travel to the world is unimpeded, unless it is blocked again due to a plot related event.

Drive Gauge

Sora in Valor Form, one of the Drive Forms introduced in Kingdom Hearts II

One of the new features is a meter known as the "Drive Gauge". The Drive Gauge serves two functions: to transform into a "Drive Form" or to summon a special character. While in Drive Form, Sora bonds with party members to become more powerful and acquire different attributes; some Forms also allow the use of two Keyblades. While in a Drive Form, Sora's combat statistics are heightened. Drive Forms also give Sora new abilities that can be used outside of battle. At first, his Drive Forms only combine power with one party member, but as he gains new ones, he can bond with both party members. When allies are used in a Drive Form, they are temporarily removed from battle for its duration. Unlike hit points and magic, the Drive Gauge is not recharged at save points.

Like the first game, Sora can summon a Disney character to aid him in battle. A summoned character will replace the two computer-controlled characters and fight alongside Sora for as long as the Drive Gauge allows. Instead of being limited to only one action, summoned characters now have a menu of their own and are capable of performing solo actions or cooperative actions with Sora. The summon ability and each Drive Form are leveled up separately and by different criteria. Obtaining higher levels allows for extended use and in the case of Drive Forms, access to new abilities.

Characters

• Sora: A 15-year-old boy who was chosen as master of the Keyblade, a mystical key-shaped weapon with the power to combat darkness.
• Donald Duck: The court magician of Disney Castle
• Goofy: The captain of the Disney Castle guard
• Riku: Sora's Childhood friend
• Kairi: Sora's Childhood friend
• Roxas: Sora's Nobody ( Organization XIII)
• Namine: Kairi's Nobody, wizard who has power to change the memories.
• Mickey Mouse: King of Disney castle, Master of the golden keyblade.
• Other Disney character: Simba, Ariel, Jack Sparrow, Alladin, Mulan, Hercules, Beast, etc.
• Other Final Fantasy Char: Squall Leonheart, Sephiroth, Cloud, Vivi, Setzer
• Organization XIII