Characters:

Sora

Role: Main Character {protagonist}
Alignment: Good
Age: 14
Hair color: Light brown
Eye color: Blue
Home World: Destiny Islands
Weapon: the Keyblade

Sora is a young man of fourteen, an extremely optimistic and cheerful teenager. While a bit naive, he has good intentions, an endearing sort of innocence about him, and an uncommon sense of justice. He was born and grew up on a secluded chain of islands with best friends Riku and Kairi, and like most teenagers, begins to question the world around him as time goes by.

His relationship with Riku, while the longest, is best described as a friendly rivalry. They've been lifelong best friends, exploring the Destiny Islands together even at five years old. However, Riku has a bit of a superiority complex, which Sora is forced to try to keep up with to level the playing field. While they compete over everything from sword sparring to vying for Kairi's attention, they still manage to stay on good terms.

Kairi and Sora have been friends ever since she appeared on the Islands at the age of five, washing up on shore on the night of a great meteor shower. They played together with Riku, but seemed to share a special bond, even drawing pictures of one another on the walls of their Secret Place. As teenagers, Sora is a little unsure of his feelings toward Kairi, showing signs of a very obvious crush on her. This becomes increasingly evident throughout his storyline. Kairi seems to feel the same way about him.

Sora is also the chosen wielder of the Keyblade, a very unique weapon said to have been passed from generations to generations. It has the ability to unlock a great many special objects, and its wielder is also given the duty of using the blade to seal the Keyholes of worlds being threatened by the darkness. Sora seems to have obtained the weapon by mere chance, but in dreams he often hears a voice calling to him: "You are the one who will open the door."

Role: Main Character
Alignment: Good
Age: 14
Hair color: Dark red
Eye color: Blue
Home World: Destiny Islands
Weapon: -none-

Kairi is a strong-willed, cheerful, spunky girl of fourteen. She arrived on the Destiny Islands as a young girl of five, washing up on shore to the islanders' surprise. She was taken in by the Mayor of the islands, meeting Sora and Riku when they came to the house, curious about the mysterious new girl who had appeared out of nowhere.

Kairi remembers nothing about her life before she arrived at the Destiny Islands, despite frequent pestering from best friends Sora and Riku. Despite not knowing her origins, she is quite content with her home and doesn't hesitate to say so. However, it's her appearance that sparks Riku's interest in exploring other worlds, so the three friends make plans to sail away from the islands to discover more about her past.

Kairi shares a special bond with Sora, often confiding things in him that she prefers not to say around headstrong Riku. While she's quite in-tune to the boys constantly competing for her attention, she doesn't mind them doing so. However, she seems to have the same growing feelings for Sora as he does for her.

Kairi is also one of the seven Princesses of Heart required to open the door to everlasting darkness.

Role: Main Character
Alignment: Varies (mostly evil)
Age: 15
Hair color: Silver
Eye color: Aqua
Home World: Destiny Islands
Weapon: Soul Eater; dark Keyblade

Riku, Sora and Kairi's elder by a year, is a cool and collected youth said to be particularly gifted. Considered mature for his age, he's not easily angered or excited--he prefers to keep his feelings suppressed within. He has an insatiable curiousity about the world outside his secluded home, and Kairi's appearance spurs him to new heights in trying to discover what lies beyond the Destiny Islands.

Riku and Sora have been best friends their entire lives. The two share a friendly rivalry in almost every situation, competing to come out on top. Sometimes this leads to friction in their relationship, but the two still remain close. He also has a bit of a crush on Kairi, though he's much more reserved about it than Sora is. His confidence and aptitude at most everything tend to catch Kairi's attention, much to Sora's resentment.

Riku seems to fear nothing, as he proves when he takes a very daring leap into the darkness in pursuit of his wild dreams of reaching the outside world.

Role: Main Character
Alignment: Good
Age: Unknown
Home World: Disney Castle
Weapon: Mage's Staff

Donald is the stubborn, headstrong Court Mage of Disney Castle, a close friend to the monarch of the world, King Mickey. He specializes in the art of both white and black magic, using his trusty staff. Things are turned upside down in his homeworld when he finds a letter from his missing King, telling him to travel with Captain Goofy to the outside world and seek the bearer of the Key.

Role: Main Character
Alignment: Good
Age: Unknown
Home World: Disney Castle
Weapon: Shield

Goofy is the cheerful, clumsy, easy-going Captain of the Royal Knights of Disney Castle. He despises fighting, having a very endearing sort of cheerfulness about him, and uses weapons only to defend himself and others. He is considered one of the most loyal friends anyone could ever ask for. He is a close friend of the King, and follows his orders to travel with Donald to Traverse Town in search of "a man named Leon" and the bearer of the mysterious Keyblade.

Role: Minor Character
Alignment: Good
Age: 25
Hair color: Dark brown
Eye color: Blue
Home World: Hollow Bastion; Traverse Town
Weapon: Gunblade
First appeared: Final Fantasy VIII

Leon, whose real name is Squall Leonhart, is an expert swordsman who originally grew up in Hollow Bastion. He gave himself the false nickname "Leon" to distance himself from his past: a young man who, at 16, was unable to keep his home from being consumed by the darkness. He's the stoic and quiet type, hardly ever smiling, but still amiable if he's in a good mood. He currently lives in Traverse Town, in the Green Room of the hotel with roomate and fighting partner Yuffie. He, too, has been searching for the wielder of the Keyblade.

Role: Minor Character
Alignment: Good
Age: 23
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Green
Home World: Hollow Bastion; Traverse Town
Weapon: -none-
First appeared: Final Fantasy VII

Aerith is a gentle flower girl who was displaced from her homeworld at the young age of 14. She may appear delicate and mild, but her quiet eyes belie an unbreakable will. She aids friends Yuffie and Leon with their search for the Keyblade master. She seems to know a great deal about the philosopher Ansem, whose reports are scattered throughout the worlds. She translates his scribbled notes to try to make sense of his studies on the Heartless.

Role: Minor Character
Alignment: Good
Age: 16
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Violet
Home World: Hollow Bastion; Traverse Town
Weapon: Shuriken
First appeared: Final Fantasy VII

Yuffie is a perky, talkative, and somewhat clumsy ninja living in Traverse Town away from her destroyed home. She's often seen with her roommate and fighting partner Leon, whom she insists on calling Squall, much to his annoyance. She also is searching for the Keyblade master, and while she doesn't remember much of her former home, she would very much like to see it again. She fights with her deadly ninja stars and martial arts.

Role: Minor Character
Alignment: Good
Age: 42
Hair color: Blonde
Eye color: Blue
Home World: Hollow Bastion; Traverse Town
Weapon: -none-
First appeared: Final Fantasy VII

Cid is the foul-mouthed, warm-hearted gummi specialist of Traverse Town. After he arrived in Traverse Town with three young kids under his care (Leon, Aerith, and Yuffie), he set up shop in the First District selling accessories to finance the small group. He also knows more about Gummi Ships than any other resident of the town, and often aids Sora with getting to new worlds. Cid loathes the Heartless and says they're "bad for business".

Role: Main character (antagonist)
Alignment: Evil
Age: Unknown
Hair color: Silver
Eye color: Amber
Home World: Hollow Bastion (as a human)
Weapon: Varies

Ansem was once the wise philosopher who ruled the world of Hollow Bastion. However, his ventures into the darkness and experiments with the Heartless went awry and he ended up sacrificing his own heart to his research. He is one of the two persons ever to become a Heartless and retain his thoughts, memories, and feelings (the other being Sora). He, however, lost a physical body to the darkness that consumed him, and thus is seeking to manipulate another puppet--one who he can use greatly to his advantage in facing off against Sora.

Worlds:

Destiny Islands

Main Characters: Sora, Kairi, Riku, Selphie, Tidus, Wakka
Disembark Points: -none- (never traveled to by Gummi ship)
Originally Seen: N/A (original world)
Playable: Yes

The Destiny Islands is a tiny world consisting of a chain of tropical islands in a vast ocean. No one who has ever sailed out into these waters has ever found anything except endless sea.

The world consists of, at the least, one large residential island and one small children’s island. All the world’s inhabitants live in a coastal beachside community on the larger island. Sora and Riku live with their families, while Kairi lives in the Mayor’s house. Children often go in their rowboats to play on the smaller island, which is a speck of land with a beach, a tree house, a series of stairs, ladders, and decks, as well as several hidden coves. The island also has two docks: one for boats, and one broken one that the children often use as an obstacle course. There is also a zipline to ride on.

One distinguishing feature about this world is the Secret Place, a hidden cave deep in the island’s core. Inside is a large wooden door, the origins of which are not known. As a child of six, Riku once saw the shape of a keyhole appear in it. It is also, supposedly, the means by which Sora met the mysterious stranger in the cave while he was looking for supplies for the raft.

As of the beginning of the Kingdom Hearts storyline, this world has been eclipsed by the darkness.

The location of the Keyhole is implied as being in the door in the Secret Place, but it is not positive, as the world is never sealed.

Main Characters:: Donald Duck, Goofy, King Mickey, Queen Minnie, Lady Daisy, Pluto, Jiminy Cricket, Chip and Dale
Disembark Points: Gummi Garage
Originally Seen: N/A (original world)
Playable: No

Not much is known about King Mickey’s kingdom. It is a small, isolated world; a castle with a small town surrounding it. Mickey and Minnie rule as monarchs, with Lady Daisy assisting the Queen. Donald Duck is the Court Wizard, and Goofy is the Captain of the Royal Knights. Chip and Dale take care of the gummi ships, and are quite specialized technicians in their field. As always, the King’s loyal dog Pluto follows him everywhere—except off-world.

The world is closest to Traverse Town in terms of location. Queen Minnie and Lady Daisy hold down the fort as the adventure begins.

Main Characters:: Cid Highwind, Squall “Leon” Leonhart, Yuffie Kisaragi, Aerith Gainsborough, Merlin, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Moogles
Disembark Points: First District, Accessory Shop, Merlin’s House
Originally Seen: N/A (original world)
Playable: Yes

Traverse Town is a bustling little city on the edge of one of the many corridors of darkness scattered thoughout the universe. Comprised of three districts, it's made up of a combination of scraps and sections from worlds that have been lost to the darkness.

The first district is a very German-esque town with cobblestone paths, with an accessory shop (run by Cid) and an item and weapon shop (run by Huey, Dewey, and Louie). The first district is also home to the Moogles' synthesis shop and Gepetto's home, where he and Pinocchio develop new blueprints for gummi ships. Cid can be found near the postal center to purchase new gummi blocks.

The second district is vulnerable to Heartless, unlike the first district. It is home to the Gizmo Shop, an abandoned old place where Heartless love to roam. Pongo and Perdita, two dalmatian dogs with quite a few puppies, live in a small house near the entrance to the third district. The town hotel is in this district as well, and the Green and Red Rooms are the temporary home of Leon, Yuffie, and Aerith. There is a door to the Alleyway here also, which gives quick access to the back of the Hotel and the secret waterway that Leon and the others use for training.

The third district is the smallest and most abandoned area of the town. It is mainly open space, with some broken wiring and a great many neon structures. There is an entrance here to Merlin's house, which is contained in a large watery cavern accessed by using Fire magic on the door. Merlin's upper floor is a practice arena for magic users, and also has a more convenient staircase down to the secret waterway. Cid also rents a small house in the Third District, which is used as the group's secret base.

The secret waterway is a bit of a mystery. For all intensive purposes, it just seems to be the sewer of the town, but there is a transforming mural at the end of its longest tunnel. Cid discovered its magical properties and used it to save certain gummi blocks for the most dire of need; Sora turned out to be the one to require the nine-year-old block to travel to the penultimate world, Hollow Bastion. Sora and Kairi also made a special promise in this location.

Traverse Town mainly functions as a home base for purchasing items, leveling up, and figuring out where to go next during the adventure.

The Keyhole of Traverse Town is found by ringing the old church bell in the Second District three times, in the fountain in the corner of the main courtyard.

Sora obtains the Wishing Star, the Shooting Star, and the Oathkeeper keychains while in Traverse Town.

Main Characters:: Alice, Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat, Card Soldiers
Disembark Points: Courtyard, Rabbit Hole
Originally Seen: Alice in Wonderland
Playable: Yes

Wonderland is a bizarre world very near to Traverse Town. It is home to a host of zany characters, and amidst this chaos Sora, Donald, and Goofy walk in. One room requires them to drink from a vial to shrink them small enough to enter the next door, in which they find the Queen of Hearts' courtroom. Alice is on trial...but for what?

The Lotus Forest is adjacent, a dense forest with multiple entrances back into the Bizarre Room, except with various walls and even the ceiling functioning as the floor each time. A small garden can also be found in the rear of the forest, with an item-generating table reminiscent of the film's mad tea party.

The Keyhole of this world is found in the mouth of the Doorknob, who exposes it when he yawns, complaining Sora and his friends woke him up.

Main Characters:: Tarzan, Jane, Clayton, Terk
Disembark Points: Campsite, Treetops
Originally Seen: Tarzan
Playable: Yes

Deep Jungle is situated deep in the African jungle, where English researchers Jane and Clayton have set up camp to study (or in Clayton's case, poach) gorillas. However, the jungle is a treacherous place...until Jane meets Tarzan, a man raised from infancy in a family of gorillas.

The world is mainly jungle environments, with a civilized campsite in the middle. Sora gets around by climbing or swinging on vines.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy do not have a smooth entrance into Deep Jungle; a disagreement on the Gummi Ship causes them to crash-land, and the three are separated. Sora is face-to-face with the vicious jaguar Sabor when he meets Tarzan, who more or less indicates Riku and Kairi are there. Donald is also convinced the King may be found in the depths of the jungle.

The Keyhole of Deep Jungle is found in a cave buried deep behind a waterfall, underneath a curtain of glowing blue butterflies.

Sora obtains the Jungle King keychain in this world.

Main Characters:: Hercules, Philoctetes, Hades, Cloud
Disembark Points: World Gate
Originally Seen: Hercules
Playable: Yes

Olympus Coliseum is the center of tournaments that span the universe, drawing heroes and baddies alike. Hercules is the son of Zeus and Hera, two gods, but is himself mortal. His incredible strength is of great use to him in the tournaments Phil, his trainer, runs.

The Coliseum is a vast, Roman stadium with stone bleachers. Tournaments and training take place here, and there is a small lobby with a save point.

Tournaments Sora can enter include the Phil Cup, Pegasus Cup, Hercules Cup, and Hades Cup. Each of them is increasingly difficult, but after meeting certain demands, these tournaments can be reentered with Sora alone or on a time limit to increase quality of prizes.

The Keyhole of the world is found under the previously unmoveable stone block in the coliseum lobby.

Sora can obtain the Olympia, Metal Chocobo, and Lionheart keychains by participating in tournaments. (One-Winged Angel and Diamond Dust can be obtained here in Final Mix)

Main Characters:: Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar, Abu, Genie, Maleficent
Disembark Points: Storage Room, Cave of Wonders, Aladdin's house
Originally Seen: Aladdin
Playable: Yes

Agrabah is a sprawling, desert city reminiscent of Arabian architecture. The Sultan reigns supreme in his palace, and bazaars and shops line its streets. The desert sands contain secrets of their own, however; the mysterious Cave of Wonders can be opened to moutains of treacherous traps and treasure beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

The world consists of the city of Agrabah, where Aladdin lives as a "street rat", as well as the desert sands and the Cave of Wonders. There seems to be a villain from another world stalking around the area, however...and she is keenly interested in the Princess Jasmine.

The Keyhole of this world is located deep inside one of the treasure-filled chambers of the Cave of Wonders.

Sora obtains the Three Wishes keychain in this world. Also, the world houses the Gummi Ship while Sora and co. are inside Monstro.

Main Characters:: Pinocchio, Gepetto, Figaro, Maleficent, Riku
Disembark Points: Mouth, Intestinal Chamber 4
Originally Seen: Pinocchio
Playable: Yes

Monstro is, as Jiminy puts it, a "whale of a whale, and vicious besides". He is a monstrously huge whale who drifts about the Universe, swallowing anything that comes in its path. Sora, Donald, and Goofy are swallowed up en route to Halloween Town, and end up in the great whale's mouth, where they stumble upon Jiminy's friends: Pinocchio, the wooden puppet with a heart of his own, and his father Gepetto.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy would not have even thought of traveling into the Whale's intestines, stomach, and throat if not for the sudden appearance of Riku, who claims he's there just to have some "fun" with Pinocchio. He abducts the puppet boy, resulting in a wild goose chase through the pulsating bowels of the great beast. It is here Riku finally reveals his true intentions, and leaves suddenly.

Monstro, being a living thing, has no Keyhole, though Heartless still appear there to impede the Keyblade master.

Main Characters:: Jack, Sally, Dr. Finkelstein, the Mayor, Zero, Oogie Boogie, Lock, Stock, Barrel
Disembark Points: Bridge, Halloweentown Square
Originally Seen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Playable: Yes

Halloweentown is the macabre, darkly humorous world where Halloween is every day. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, is busy orchestrating the great Halloween celebration, complete with dancing Heartless. However, he finds it's not as easy as it looks to get those without hearts to dance with him--he enlists the help of his special lady friend Sally and her creator, Dr. Finkelstein, to make it the most spooktacular Halloween yet.

Halloweentown resembles any normal town, except for a few ghastly differences--for instance, the guillotine in the town square. Everything has an air of dark Gothic architecture and, of course, everything is decorated to thrill and chill. It is eternally night in this world, and graveyards and creepy crawlers are found everywhere. Oogie Boogie, the baddie of the world, is found in his mad funhouse on the outskirts of town, where he enlists the help of Lock, Stock, and Barrel with their enchanted moving bathtub to further his evil intentions to control the Heartless.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy change appearance when entering this world. Sora dons black clothes, striped stockings, boots, small bat wings, a large quantity of black eyeshadow, false fangs, and a large pumpkin tied over his hair to blend in. Goofy takes on the appearance of a battered and macabre scarecrow, and Donald disguises himself as a bodiless mummy.

The Keyhole of the world is exposed underneath the remains of Oogie's house, and Sora seals it by reflecting the Keyblade's sealing beam off of the moon.

Sora obtains the Pumpkin King keychain here.

Main Characters:: Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, King Triton, Ursula, Flotsam, Jetsam
Disembark Points: Cove, Underwater Grotto
Originally Seen: The Little Mermaid
Playable: Yes

This is the first world Sora, Donald, and Goofy encounter in which they have to completely transform to blend in and survive. With the help of Donald's magic, Sora transforms into a half-dolphin (keeping his upper torso normal), Donald into a half-octopus, and Goofy into a sea turtle.

Atlantica is the dominion of King Triton, the reigning monarch of the seven seas. Ursula, a previous confidante of Triton, has been exiled as a sea-witch and now plots to reclaim her rightful place by seizing his Trident. However, Ariel and her friend Flounder have been repeatedly ambushed by the frightening appearance of Heartless, and the King's advisor Sebastian decides to bring the Keyblade master along with them to help out.

King Triton is the first out of all the worlds to recognize that Sora and his friends are from off-world. He rebukes Sora, telling him he is interfering in the world order and that the Keyblade master shatters peace and brings ruin. This unnerves Sora quite a bit, especially when Ariel's dreams of seeing outside worlds reminds him of the horrible happenings that resulted from his friends' similar curiosity so recently.

The world is comprised of Triton's undersea kingdom.

The Keyhole of the world is located in Ariel's secret grotto.

Sora obtains the Mermaid keyblade in this world.

Main Characters:: Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Smee, Crocodile, Maleficent, Riku, Kairi
Disembark Points: Clock tower, Cabin
Originally Seen: Peter Pan
Playable: Yes

Sora, Donald, and Goofy never actually reach Neverland: their gummi ship is hijacked by a huge pirate ship en route. They are separated, and Sora finds himself face-to-face with Riku, who has finally located Kairi...but she is without heart, a helpless puppet of a human being who only responds in the slightest when she hears Sora's voice.

The world consists of the cabins and lower decks of the ship, where Sora, Donald, and Goofy meet Peter Pan and his pixie companion, Tinkerbell. Wendy has been captured by Captain Hook and his first mate, Smee, and Peter is desperate to rescue her from Hook's clutches. Here, Sora and Riku's enmity is only increased when Riku abducts the sleeping Kairi, and as Sora finally ascertains where to find the source of all their trouble, Maleficent.

The group also briefly visits Big Ben, the towering clock of London.

The Keyhole is found by striking the arms of the clock multiple times, behind the number 3.

Sora obtains the Fairy Harp keychain here.

Main Characters:: Riku, Kairi, Maleficent, Ansem, Beast, Belle, Cinderella, Alice, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora (Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cid, Cloud later)
Disembark Points: Rising Falls, Waterway, Library, Castle Chapel
Originally Seen: N/A (Original world)
Playable: Yes

Hollow Bastion is the penultimate of worlds, the ruin of a fallen castle and countryside where a great many people used to live. It is here the orchestrations of all the villains took place, and it is the former home of the scientist Ansem, whose identity has been pried at by the gang in Traverse Town (who used to live there).

Sora spends some time in this world armed with nothing but a wooden sword, a forgotten plaything from the Islands. Sora, Donald, and Goofy also split up, as one fateful event causes his two friends to leave him as mandated by their King's orders to "stick with the bearer of the Key". The castle is vast and treacherous, home to many of the most dangerous Heartless in all the worlds. There is a massive keyhole in its Grand Hall, and its completion will spell disaster for the remaining worlds, as darkness will spill out of it once all the Princesses of Heart are gathered together.

The library of the castle houses many important documents on the Heartless and research on darkness. The various areas of the castle can be reached more easily by using the castle's systems of lift stops.

This world consists of the Rising Falls, a maze-like Waterway beneath the castle, an entrance hall, library, system of lift stops, castle chapel, and Grand Hall.

The Keyhole of this world is hidden inside the massive Keyhole in the Grand Hall, in the Dark Depths.

Sora obtains the Oblivion and Divine Rose keychains in this world.

Main Characters:: Ansem, Chernabog
Disembark Points: Entrance, World Terminus, Final Rest
Originally Seen: N/A (original world)
Playable: Yes

The End of the World is essentially an apocalypse in and of itself, an abyss of darkness into which all the fallen worlds are gathered. Within it is contained a veritable prison for the worlds, the World Terminus, which contains portals to each world to be utilized by the Heartless. There is also a "gummi garden", a vast cavern entirely comprised of Gummi material--which is only generated by the consumption of worlds by darkness. It's also the material seen falling through the sky when the world borders fall.

It's also home to Bald Mountain, the Chernabog's haunt. After defeating him, Sora and friends descend into a final lair of Heartless before a safe haven--the last safe spot before they continue to find the ultimate battles ahead. Final Rest contains one last save point and a portal back to other worlds, and a door also waits closed in its rear. Sora has an odd feeling he's seen it before, and once he opens it, what he finds is both wonderful and devastating.

The End of the World also opens to the endless abyss in which Kingdom Hearts, the door to eternal darkness, is found.

The End of the World has no Keyhole and grants Sora no keychain prizes.

Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+

For all the confirmed information that KHInsider has gathered on the game, please scroll down until you see a list. It is recommended that you do not read the following if you have not completed Kindom Hearts II. There will be spoilers periodically through the article. This section will be updated constantly.

In Fall 2006, rumors began to fly about on a Final Mix version of Kingdom Hearts II. The original Kingdom Hearts had a Final Mix version of itself, adding new enemies, scenes, battles and weapons to the mix. This version was never released outside of Japan. The reason being was that others countries had received the game with additions to it, so Square-Enix (Square Soft at the time) treated the Japenese fans with a better version of the game. Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix has yet, and will likely never, reach stateside.

On September 20, 2006, we finally had received some confirmation on Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ by V-Jump Magazine. However, Nomura had an extra surprise in for his fans, a completely remade version of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. The magazine revealed some exciting new content and images that were said to be added to the game. The magazine stated that the game will feature full English Voice Acting, more scenes regarding Namine and new stories developing deeper into Organization XIII.

Wouldn't you know it, Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2006 was right around the corner. We got more tidbits of information and some beautifully done artwork on Final Mix+ and Re: Chain of Memories. The show promised that more scenes with Roxas would be added to the mix, that and promising more interaction with Roxas and Axel, showing their friendship. The enemies will be in different colors like they were in the original Final Mix. Re: Chain of Memories was told to be sold together with Final Mix+, which excited many fans. What everyone wanted to know, yet wasn't revealed, was will this be reaching Europe and the U.S.?

Could we possibly ask for a better remake? Well no, because Square just could not stop delivering. In one of the last interviews for the month of september, we learned that the original Kingdom Hearts team would be returning to give Kingdom Hearts II another go. Now square was planning on raising the difficulty. Additional Organization XIII battles would be fought, an entirely new enemy stronger than Sephiroth was added and a new difficulty level was going to be introduced. New drive forms, new enemies, what could be better?

The month of September was indeed a good month for Kingdom Hearts II. On the very last day of the month, more scans arrived. It was strongly hinted in the new article that the Roxa's battle would indeed be playable this time around. Most of the new cutscenes are of Roxas but that doesn't mean you get more playtime as him. Also, new areas and maps would be added to worlds, making you have to make good use of all your abilities to reach them. Some new unnamed reaction commands have appeared, along with Nomura's personal favorite heartless. The secret movie at the end of Kingdom Hearts II has been completely remade, so no new scenes just added on at the end. But the requirements for getting this secret ending were undecided, so you may not have to go through the grueling process of completing Jiminy's Journal.

In early November, Dengeki Magazine revealed more upcoming information on the title. The Re: Chain of Memories disc was to be seperate from the Final Mix+ disc. "Search" mini-games like the trinity marks from Kingdom Hearts will return for Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix. Since many people complained on how easy the game was, Nomura increased the difficulty. So just how can they fit so much into KH2:FM? After the North American release of KH2, they were able to delete any unneccessary data, freeing up space for the new things. This was about the only important information brought up in the month of November.

Mid-way through December we received more scans showing off Sora's new look, appropriate for the month no?. It seems that when Sora enters Christmas Town, he dawns a new outfit. The outfit resembles the one of Sandy Claws, except much less colorful. As for Nomura's favorite heartless mentioned earlier, the Mushroom type heartless make a return. An odd quirk to the old enemies was the fact that their costumes resembled that of the Organizations. Speaking of the Organization XIII, a fight between No. 11 Marluxia has been rumored to be taking place in Final Mix and Chain of Memories. And last, but not least, confirmation of new keyblades being added.

A trailer was shown at Jump Fiesta and we got the translations and description of the whole thing. In possibly a memory, Xemnas walks to Roxas in Twilight Town and shines the words Sora over his face. As the letters spin around him, they eventually stop and spell out Roxas. Roxas' tough new battle also had its own special preview. Reaction commands were said to be plentyful and Roxas could also shoot balls of light from afar. Roxas displayed some simlar moves and attacks as Sora.

We got more insight on the rumored new form which had the ability Ragnarok, which also still had "Shot, Impact, and Gigaimpact" reaction commands. Disney characters were reported to be able to venture out from their own worlds. New maps of Hollow Bastions and Castle Oblivion were told to be shoved into the trailer. One of the more interesting things in the trailer was that you can fight Marluxia and Lexaeus. Another interesting note was the armored man in the secret trailer was seen with Xemnas, with Xemnas refering to him as 'friend'.

One of the biggest scoops of 2007 was only just a few days into it. A scan was revealed showing off Sora's new form. The form was Sora's old clothes, seemingly revamped. The torso remained the same, but his shorts were bigger and had insignias on it. The main reason why this form was created was so Nomura could give his fans a little old school. Ragnarok, Dodgeroll, Ars Arcanum were the abilities showed off and they seemed to stay true to the original Kingdom Hearts moves. Dodgeroll is now an offensive and defensive move. The new form has been dubbed 'Limit Form'.

As if the new form wasn't enough to excite you, a scan also revealed the Marluxia and Lexaeus battle. Lexaeus' battle had some point system, which has yet to be properly explained. Marluxia's battle was supposed to be tricky. A reaction command involves Sora stealing Marluxia's scythe and hurling it back from where it came. Very similar to the battle shown in the Kingdom Hearts II opening.

Deeper into this year, more surprising weapons were introduced. Donald would end up using the tomahawk that Lexaeus wields in his battle with Sora, but the tomahawk seems to be much smaller in size and primarily used as a magical weapon not a physical one. Goofy's newest weapon was the very shield that Vexen wields. So is Vexen going to be fightable? No doubt these weapons will be very powerful, but there is no telling how they will measure up to Save the Queen and King weapons that the two have. Sora's weapon didn't seem to be one directly taken from an Organization member, but just another keyblade. The keyblade is obtained when defeating an Organization Mushroom. The special search option mentioned earlier seems to be a crown search, which helps open up some new areas.

More Organization battle information. The battles with the Organization members take place in enclosed areas, which are located near previously visted areas. I'm assuming that means you venture into an area not possible before. Marluxia will use more speed tactics against Sora, which includes a Nobody symbol appearing in front of him, while Marluxia appears right above his head. The Lexaeus battle will play similar to how you fought Luxord (point wise). Lexaeus will be able to generate force fields and his health is much higher than Soras.

Up to now we only know of a battle against two of our former buddies from Chain of Memories. A newer scan showed us scenes from a battle with all the members from Chain of Memories. That's right, Larxene, Vexen and even Zexion. But of course, everyone's focus goes on the Zexion battle. Mainly because his weapon is finally revealed, which just so happens to be a book. Nomura has stated that Zexion's weapon is a spoiler, so you can asume that the content inside the book should be very important to the series. Vexen's battle includes him making copies of Sora, similar to Riku Replica. Larxene has super speed, and low health, but the battle has been said to be very difficult. Zexion's battle takes place in a book, where Zexion can also trap Sora and co. in his pages. Sephiroth has been said to be weaker then the new battles with the old members. However there is still a boss out there stronger than Organization XIII that hasn't been revealed yet.

There are also 13 types of Organization Mushroom Heartless. The numbers inscribed in the back of those heartless means that they correspond with that numbered Organization member. The mushrooms also have the special abilties from the member that they represent. There is a special reward for killing all XIII Organization Members throughout the game. Whether or not this is the keyblade mentioned earlier has yet to be decided. The Organization XIII Mushroom fighting can be considered a mini game in a way. It is not exactly difficult, but the player needs to find out different ways to defeat each one.

Two new abilities: Round Break and Magnet Splash have been revealed, along with an Axel battle. The Axel battle might have Sora at critical health throughout the whole battle, but it's unconfirmed. Make no mistake though, this isn't a Roxas vs. Axel battle but one featuring Sora vs. Axel. As for Roxas, his battle is said to give you a new keyblade upon beating him. The keyblade he gives you sparks off nobody symbols when attacking. A new quest in Kingdom Hearts 2 is to collect crowns scattered across all worlds. It is unknown exactly how many crowns there are in each world, but there is a lot. This will be another thing needed to complete your Journal.

That is all for now, expect the release of Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ and Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories release in Japan in the Spring. As for others countries: there are rumors of a fall release for the US, but nothing can be confirmed until we get some news from Square-Enix themselves. Here's to hoping, expect this section to grow more as time goes by.

Here is a list of gathered information that we have collected for you.

• Full English Voice Acting.
• Japenese Subtitles.
• New cutscenes.
• New enemies.
• New world?
• Develops Organization XIII more.
• Roxas and Axel's Friendship expanded.
• Enemies recolored.
• Being worked on by original team.
• Will be sold with Re:CoM.
• Will be on the PS2.
• Much more additional content from the original game.
• Most new scenes involve Roxas.
• Secret movie remade.
• Requirements for secret movie undecided.
• Deleted unnesscessary dated for more room.
• New costume for Christmas Town.
• Mushroom Heartless return.
• Mushroom Heartless represent Organization XIII members.
• Roxas battle added.
• New areas in Hollow Bastion.
• Castle Oblivion revisit?
• Marluxia battle added.
• Lexaeus battle added.
• Limit Form performs old abilties.
• Armored man 'friend' to Organization XIII?
• Dodge Roll offensive and defensive move.
• New Weapons.
• Vexen's Shield for Goofy.
• Lexaeus' Tomahawk for Donald.
• New keyblade from Organization Mushrooms.
• Lexaeus battle similar to Luxord's battle.
• Zexion battle added.
• Larxene battle added.
• Vexen battle added.
• Vexen uses clones of Sora against Sora.
• Larxene has super speed.
• Zexion's weapon is a book.
• Zexion's book can trapt party members.
• Stronger unknown enemy.
• Axel battle added.
• Crown search for exploring.
• Roxas Keyblade.
• Release March 27 for Japan.
• Fall release for US?

Mushroom XIII: Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix+ features a new sidequest where the player must hunt down Mushroom Heartless, that appear similar to Organization XIII members, throughout various worlds, and complete specific tasks to defeat them. Below you will find specific information on each mushroom, including their location, the objective needed to beat them, and strategies. You may also enlarge the images to get a better idea on their locations.

Mushroom I:

Location: The World That Never Was
Objective: The player has 30 seconds to attack the Heartless 70 times.
Best Method: Use wisdom form! The shot ability allows you to attack the heartless extremely quickly. Also, make sure to take care of the slide dash reaction command against this heartless.

Mushroom II:

Location: Christmas Town
Objective: The player must avoid the enemy attack 80 times.
Best Method: Dodging moves can be tricky, that is, unless you put your abilities to good use. Use moves that dodge or bounce back attacks, we recommend using reflect. If you have levelled up your Limit Form enough, then dodge roll is the best option.

Mushroom III:

Location: Beats's Castle (Outside)
Objective: The player must pick up 450 prizes that the mushroom drops.
Best Method: Use the draw ability to draw in all of the prizes. Then, use a combination of glide and dodge roll to pick up the prizes.

Mushroom IV:

Location: Land of Dragons
Objective: The player must push the heartless 85 times, without getting attacked by it.
Best Method: Your best bet would be either Wisdom or Final Forms, as they both provide ways to distance yourself from the enemy quickly.

Mushroom V:

Location: Agrahbah (Cave of Wonders)
Objective: The player must defeat the recovering enemy in a limited amount of time.
Best Method: Do your best to attack it. Valor form is a safe bet.

Mushroom VI:

Location: Hades Underworld
Objective: The player must defeat the continuously appearing organization members in 45 seconds.
Best Method: Final Form attacks quickly and efficiently.

Mushroom VII:

Location: Twilight Town
Objective: The player must defeat the enemy within 10 seconds.
Best Method: This is where your magic will come to good use. Switch to Wisdom Form and get ready to use Fire of Blizzard.

Mushroom VIII:

Location: Yensid's Tower
Objective: The player must attack the enemy 80 times without letting it touch the ground.
Best Method: Final Form should do the trick.

Mushroom IX:

Location: Radiant Garden
Objective: Attack the enemy enough to make it spin 80 times.
Best Method: This one provides a bit more preparation. First of all, equip the Rumbling Rose Keyblade along with any Minus Combo abilities. Switch to Wisdom Form during the battle.

Mushroom X:

Location: Port Royal
Objective: Find the real enemy and defeat it.
Best Method: Equip as many minus combo abilities as possible to make this significantly easiar.

Mushroom XI:

Location: Timeless River
Objective: Attack the enemy 99 times in 19 seconds.
Best Method: Wisdom Form can attack extremely quickly. Make sure your drive meter is at it's maximum!

Mushroom XII:

Location: Twilight Town
Objective: Defeat 40 heartless in 30 seconds.
Best Method: This one seems tought! First, make sure your drive meter is at it's maximum. Use Wisdom Form and the Shot move to attack them quickly.

Mushroom Showdown:

Location: Radiant Garden
Objective: Once you defeat all 12 Mushroom Heartless, go to Radiant Garden where you fought the 1000 Heartless, and all 12 will appear there.
Best Method: Reaction Command's are your friends in this fight! Upon completetion of this sidequest, the player recieves the Winner's Proof