User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1489 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Feb 17, 2018
    10
    Even better than the first. The first one was great. This one improves on everything the first Kingdom Hearts was missing. It has better gameplay, graphics and controls. The game expands and grows for the better. If you play the first and second one, there is a strong attachment to the characters. Great game. I went to GameStop to buy another PS2 because my other one broke just so I couldEven better than the first. The first one was great. This one improves on everything the first Kingdom Hearts was missing. It has better gameplay, graphics and controls. The game expands and grows for the better. If you play the first and second one, there is a strong attachment to the characters. Great game. I went to GameStop to buy another PS2 because my other one broke just so I could play this and the first one. Simply great. Expand
  2. Dec 23, 2017
    7
    Kingdom Hearts 2 is a hard game to review. On the one hand, when the combat decides to legitimately challenge you, it is undeniably some of the most fun I've had with a game; on the other hand, most of this game can come down to mashing x, and the story is not good enough to keep me entertained throughout the whole game. Also, on a third mutated hand, this game also has some of theKingdom Hearts 2 is a hard game to review. On the one hand, when the combat decides to legitimately challenge you, it is undeniably some of the most fun I've had with a game; on the other hand, most of this game can come down to mashing x, and the story is not good enough to keep me entertained throughout the whole game. Also, on a third mutated hand, this game also has some of the cheapest, most annoying boss fights I've ever played in a video game. As someone who has platinumed Crash Bandicoot, I feel that I have extreme patience. The data battles in this game are so horribly designed and utterly cheap, that after I had lost to Xemnas one time too many (who after a certain point becomes nigh unhittable, meanwhile he's comboing you to oblivion as you try and land a single attack. Not to even mention the attack that in the PS4 version is actually undodgeable, or the thing where he can take Sora and make you be Riku. If either one has low health, you lose. Sora will die before you can rescue him from Xemnas or Riku will die because Sora's dying and you don't have time to avoid the attacks) I deleted my save file without even a tinge of hesitation or remorse. Expand
  3. Dec 12, 2017
    9
    Kingdom Hearts is the pinnacle of action RPG games. This game defines the idea of a perfect sequel.Graphics are vastly improved, the drive system is a welcome addition and everything from the way you acquire skills, to the diverse cast of characters that partner with you is essential to creating this fundamentally perfect game. The mix between Final Fantasy and Disney created a child thatKingdom Hearts is the pinnacle of action RPG games. This game defines the idea of a perfect sequel.Graphics are vastly improved, the drive system is a welcome addition and everything from the way you acquire skills, to the diverse cast of characters that partner with you is essential to creating this fundamentally perfect game. The mix between Final Fantasy and Disney created a child that exceeded the expectations of myself, and many other Rpg fans. The soundtrack is by far one of the best of all time. Almost everything about Kingdom Hearts 2 is wonderful, however, the introduction of the game where players play as Roxas is far too long of introduction before playing as Sora and is disappointing. and this game deserves to be considered one of the best even after more than 10 years. Expand
  4. Oct 6, 2017
    6
    It doesn't quite capture the magic of the first game, and while its narrative exploits are interesting they can also feel too arcane at times, leaving the player confused about what's going on. It's also a bit too easy compared to the first game. But at the same time, it's still a great action fantasy game that retains many of the features that made the first Kingdom Hearts amazing.
  5. Jul 5, 2017
    0
    nie nawidze tej gry bo muj kolega jom lubi nie nawidze tej gry bo muj kolega jom lubi nie nawidze tej gry bo muj kolega jom lubi nie nawidze tej gry bo muj kolega jom lubi nie nawidze tej gry bo muj kolega jom lubi
  6. Mar 24, 2017
    9
    Like every player of KH has learned the game play is an acquired taste is quite often frustrating but probably to add effect to the hard and long journey of the crew that included's traveling other dimensions of time and place the story follows Sora back in business and thats all I can truthfully tell you as the entirety of the KH story is a mystery to me.Tedious and quite time consumingLike every player of KH has learned the game play is an acquired taste is quite often frustrating but probably to add effect to the hard and long journey of the crew that included's traveling other dimensions of time and place the story follows Sora back in business and thats all I can truthfully tell you as the entirety of the KH story is a mystery to me.Tedious and quite time consuming its all in a good days work? I feel it pays off for the amazing story that once again square enix provides come for the story dont look forward to the gameplay. Expand
  7. Jan 14, 2017
    8
    Kingdom Hearts 2
    Not All changes are good.
    Kingdom Hearts 2 in a way feels like an entirely different game... mostly for better... but slightly for worse… You still visit a variety of Disney lands, but theres more emphasis on the original kingdom hearts story this time around than just helping out Disney characters… This time youre after a group known as organization 13.. The group
    Kingdom Hearts 2
    Not All changes are good.
    Kingdom Hearts 2 in a way feels like an entirely different game... mostly for better... but slightly for worse…
    You still visit a variety of Disney lands, but theres more emphasis on the original kingdom hearts story this time around than just helping out Disney characters…
    This time youre after a group known as organization 13..
    The group that caused all of the memory loss problems of soar in the past games that you fought so hard to re earn…
    There also after the kingdom hearts... for reasons I wont say…
    Youre still taking out the heartless and resealing doors in different Disney worlds… but now youre dealing with a new set of enemies known as nobodies… who are pretty much just white versions of the heartless…
    Theyre not in any way harder to deal with…
    The deliver of this game is miles better than the original kingdom hearts.. it’s about 8 hours longer clocking in at around 33 hours but doesn’t feel nearly as long thanks to the near perfect pacing of this game that only hiccups towards the end when you have to fight through 90,000 boss battles to get to the credits much like the original kingdom hearts…
    but the other 30 hours is fast paced and despite the open world style like the original, feels much more linear and there’s little to no back tracking at all.. you can play through this game without a guide easily as it doesn’t waste your time… the game even does a great job most of the time stopping you from going in the wrong direction reminding you where you should be going next in the world…
    The draw for most people is the Disney properties, and you won’t be disappointed as you go to a variety of new locations to meet characters like Mulan, and jack sparrow.. Even finally going to the places of characters you meet in past games like beasts castle….
    And the gummi ship part is back and somehow worse than the last time... seriously... get rid of them.. There still not fun...
    There are a handful of locations from the past games too such as atlantics and Halloween town... but they all feel fresh and tell new stories of the characters.. Even during the 2nd half of the game when you have to revisit each location all over again... the game still manages to deliver a fresh experience each time…
    the delivery of the story isn’t the only thing that got a makeover…
    Unfortunately the game play style did as well…
    The original kingdom hearts had a great deal of 3d platforming elements, epic boss battles and a watcher 3 style combat system where it was all about strategy.. Dodging attacks parrying…
    Kingdom hearts 2 has practically erased all 3d platforming elements and turned this into more of a baby’s first god of war game…
    Its heavily hack and slash and combat encounters as insanely easy compared to the original... which is a shame because it kills all satisfaction…
    They also got rid of the ability to roll and high jump outside of this new system called a drive form…
    You literally have to fill up a meter to be able to roll in combat.. awful idea and makes it feel slow and again hack and slash like a god of war game rather than fast and fluent like a watcher 3 style…
    And the boss battles here aren’t these epic showdowns with villains…
    your fighting generic heartless bosses for the most part and members of organization 13… and the game ads time trials and other gimmicks to encounters rather than having unique showdowns the original head…
    There’s nothing memorable in the gameplay….
    Sure it’s more fun to go through kingdom hearts 2 than kingdom hearts one…
    But the original kingdom hearts felt more satisfying to get through...
    A mix of the 2 and you have a perfect game…
    You just feel too handcuffed here…
    The game chooses when you can and cant use your drive forms, it chooses when you can and cant call in a summon… it locks off simple abilities like rolling.. .
    The new MP gauge is 1 line instead of broken up leading to a lot of guess work when using the magic which honestly discouraged me from using it at all…
    But the story pulled me through… the charm of the Disney worlds and characters pulled me through…
    This is my favorite kingdom hearts game so far…
    I just hope to see a marriage of 1 and 2 in Kingdom Hearts 3
    I give Kingdom Hearts 2
    an 8/10
    Expand
  8. Jan 3, 2017
    9
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln verstanden?
    Dann sind hier meine Punkte.

    Mein persönlicher Score = 93/100
    Mein User Score = 9/10
    Expand
  9. Dec 5, 2016
    6
    While the gameplay is good there is no excuse for the story being so bare-boned it has some good parts that is if you are a fan not only that the game lacked tactics for an action RPG you use Reflect and Magnet to win even on drives. :(
  10. Nov 11, 2016
    9
    GAME WONDERFUL.
    let's start by saying that it's my favorite kingdom hearts. This game has managed to keep me on the screen for many hours. I liked almost everything, from the lore, to the gameplay that proposes. The main character has lots of skill and lots of synergies, both alone and with other characters in the game. Each boss fight is different from the other with the moonset all
    GAME WONDERFUL.
    let's start by saying that it's my favorite kingdom hearts. This game has managed to keep me on the screen for many hours. I liked almost everything, from the lore, to the gameplay that proposes. The main character has lots of skill and lots of synergies, both alone and with other characters in the game. Each boss fight is different from the other with the moonset all different and very important for the history.
    I recommend the game to anyone for any aspect, even for those who do not like the genre.
    Expand
  11. Oct 18, 2016
    10
    Best game ever. Seriously, no contest. I've been playing games for over a decade now and this one still manages to be my absolute favorite. It's aged well not just from a graphical perspective but also from a gameplay perspective.
  12. Jul 5, 2016
    10
    If you're a real fan of video games, then this is a must-play before you die. It features incredible combat mechanics, knockout graphics, epic boss battles, and a great story, making it one of the best games I've ever played.
  13. Jun 2, 2016
    8
    This is a good game but I was a little disappointed. Graphics are good and you can apreciate a little improvement if you compare it with the first Kingdom Hearts. Soundtrack is good but the story is becoming really complicate. Yes, if you search and read in some websites it fits but is very complicate and at first you can get lost with DiZ, Riku, Ansem, etc (I don't want to be a spoiler).This is a good game but I was a little disappointed. Graphics are good and you can apreciate a little improvement if you compare it with the first Kingdom Hearts. Soundtrack is good but the story is becoming really complicate. Yes, if you search and read in some websites it fits but is very complicate and at first you can get lost with DiZ, Riku, Ansem, etc (I don't want to be a spoiler). The game is short (30 hours) and when it's finished you feel that you want to continue the story, like in Kingdom Hearts I. In Spain, voices have been dubbed and this is always good. What I didn't like it is that Sora is always saying the same in every planet: "We are Sora, Donald and Goofy". You feel that the creators of the game didn't have anything more interesting to say... And I also hope that in the next Kingdom Hearts the designers put some cinematic in the middle of the game and not only at the beginning and at the ending. Expand
  14. Feb 19, 2016
    10
    Just love, LOVE, U GOTA LOVE KH2, if u don't love kh2 u don't love it, JUST DO IT, MAKE U DREAMS COME TRU JUST DO IT JUST DO IT JUST DO IT JUST DO IT JUST DO IT
  15. Jan 9, 2016
    10
    this game is **** better than any of the xbox one ps4 and pc games coming out right now so **** STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT AND ALL THOSE **** GAMES PLAY THIS RIGHT NOW YOU DUMB ****s
  16. Nov 24, 2015
    10
    This is the game I grew up with, this is my favourite game to EVER exist on this PLANET, and it is the only half linear game i have play for more than 250hrs!!!

    I do sound like a fanboy but I promise you all this game is worth it. The graphics for the time of release was spectacular and the gameplay is much more complex than the first game. The story is probably most disappointing
    This is the game I grew up with, this is my favourite game to EVER exist on this PLANET, and it is the only half linear game i have play for more than 250hrs!!!

    I do sound like a fanboy but I promise you all this game is worth it.

    The graphics for the time of release was spectacular and the gameplay is much more complex than the first game. The story is probably most disappointing but that is mainly because most people haven't played the other games in the series.

    PROS:
    Amazing graphics
    Heavy emotion
    Large variety of enemies
    Most worlds out of any Kingdom Hearts games
    Difficult bosses (if you play on the harder difficulties)
    Multiple epic moments during the game (Like come on, if defeating 1000 heartless at once isn't epic well then I don't know what is)
    Good balancing with delay between dodge rolls, and uses for every attack
    Adverse environment
    Lovable and relatable characters
    Lots of stuff to do (completing the journal, finding all the chests, reaching lv100, forging the ultimate weapon, ect. ect.)
    Smooth mechanics (everything feels as if it is actually happening)
    Very well done voice acting (most of the time)
    Damn the drive forms (changes up the gameplay a fair bit, and another thing to do! Lv them up!)
    User friendly menu with a simple but effective display)
    Gummi ship missions DRAMATICALLY improved from the first game
    Gummi ship maker menu DRAMATICALLY improved from the first game
    Massive variety of equipment including armor, accessories, potions and weapons
    The synthesis has been improved since the first game
    There are so many things you can make by synthesizing (hey guess what you can lv this up as well! =D)
    Better Magic set up compared to the first game
    Better enemy health bars (more obvious what % health they are on)
    Limit commands, just adds more variety and also is very helpful on harder difficulties
    Extra variant of enemies: the nobodies

    OKAY I'LL STOP, lets get on with the negatives

    CONS:
    Atlantica world (although i liked it for some reason i know pretty much everyone hated it)
    gummi ship missions still need improvement
    Could be a harder game (fixed in Final Mix version, with a harder difficulty setting and the ability to cap your lv at 1)
    More hidden bosses (once again fixed in Final Mix version, added 20 new bosses!!! YES 20!)
    simple gameplay (compared to KH1, it is about 10x more complex)

    That is all i can think of, I literally sat here for 10 minutes trying to think of another fault, but sorry nothing.
    Expand
  17. Oct 6, 2015
    10
    An excellent sequel, it is also on my list of the best games ever. The story was amazing as were the characters. The worlds are bigger and better. The game features many talented voice actors and actresses.
  18. Aug 28, 2015
    10
    This game is a masterpiece that I grew up playing. The combination of gameplay, story, visuals and everything else is just great, and perfectly done. Easily my favorite Kingom Hearts game alongside Birth By Sleep.
  19. Aug 19, 2015
    7
    Giving this game 0 is a huge stretch. The game is far from perfect but what it does, it does well. The story is really good but slow and the whole FF/Disney thing is well put together. However combat really lacks and is quite easy and simple even on the highest difficulty. There are also small design issues like losing changes to abilities and stats when trying a segment again. The mainGiving this game 0 is a huge stretch. The game is far from perfect but what it does, it does well. The story is really good but slow and the whole FF/Disney thing is well put together. However combat really lacks and is quite easy and simple even on the highest difficulty. There are also small design issues like losing changes to abilities and stats when trying a segment again. The main story is spread to far out between the cute disney worlds. Expand
  20. Aug 12, 2015
    10
    If you have anything bad to say about this game then please... PLEASE get the hell away from my beloved Kingdom Hearts and go back to 360 no scoping in COD. This is a nice thing so no touching.. This is not for you.
    Now onto the review. This game is amazing. I had waited what felt like an eternity to see the next chapter in this amazing series. The game play was more fluid, the drive
    If you have anything bad to say about this game then please... PLEASE get the hell away from my beloved Kingdom Hearts and go back to 360 no scoping in COD. This is a nice thing so no touching.. This is not for you.
    Now onto the review. This game is amazing. I had waited what felt like an eternity to see the next chapter in this amazing series. The game play was more fluid, the drive forms added a nice new aspect to it. The reaction commands made for eye candy visual attacks. The major bosses like ORG13, Sephiroth and Lingering Will presented great challenges. What's such a nice little Easter egg to these games is how so much is made clear in future titles and you slowly realise that the entire story has been planned out ahead. Even this game had references to Dream Drop Distance. A game that wasn't even announced until 6 years later. It's the little touches like this along captivating story unveiling before you that makes this game great... And with the many moments to tug on heart strings too it's a brilliant sequel to one of the best games ever made.
    Expand
  21. Aug 9, 2015
    10
    "Video games make kids stupid." - every whiny parent alive. BS. This game is fukin poetry, and beauty at it's finest. The only video game to ever make me cry. 10/10 Best game of all time
  22. Aug 5, 2015
    9
    By far my favourite Kingdom Hearts game to date. I love the new characters and the fact that the old characters have aged helps give this game a more mature atmosphere than the one before it. The soundtrack is my favourite of any video game, ever.
  23. Feb 25, 2015
    6
    This game was really boring to me. The bland colors of the level and just the darkness of the game really turned me off. I wanted to like this game but I couldn't.
  24. Dec 31, 2014
    9
    Leaps and bounds better than the first game, as far as gameplay. It's also amazing how much better the graphics are, even on the same platform. The camera has been fixed, the difficulty doesn't spike unexpectedly, and combat is much smoother/more action-packed. The hardest difficulty is not quite as difficult as one would expect.

    The ridiculous Winnie the Pooh side quests are back
    Leaps and bounds better than the first game, as far as gameplay. It's also amazing how much better the graphics are, even on the same platform. The camera has been fixed, the difficulty doesn't spike unexpectedly, and combat is much smoother/more action-packed. The hardest difficulty is not quite as difficult as one would expect.

    The ridiculous Winnie the Pooh side quests are back but they're not quite as boring as the first game's.

    New Disney-themed areas, with a revisit to a couple redone areas. I will say that if you plan to play 358/2 Days, prepare to replay some of the same exact maps from this game. If you had issues with the first game, and believe me I certainly did, I still urge players to give this one a chance.
    Expand
  25. Dec 30, 2014
    8
    Kingdom Hearts 2 manages to fix the problems of the first game and, as a whole, makes the experience better. However, the game suffers through its story, dialogue, and Atlantica in general. It's still a wonderful game that's a lot of fun.
  26. Oct 5, 2014
    10
    kingdom hearts 2 is one of the best games i played in my life, the story fits so well together, if you look at the other games, and how huge the story is, it is a miracle that there is almost no plot-holes, the fighting style isn't just pressing a button, its about deflecting and guarding when you have to and get a strategy so you won't get your ass whooped! it improved all the flaws inkingdom hearts 2 is one of the best games i played in my life, the story fits so well together, if you look at the other games, and how huge the story is, it is a miracle that there is almost no plot-holes, the fighting style isn't just pressing a button, its about deflecting and guarding when you have to and get a strategy so you won't get your ass whooped! it improved all the flaws in kingdom hearts 1 (they explain almost nothing about what you have to do, which i like, but dont make me talk twice to a character without telling me i have to talk to her again after a cutscene) Expand
  27. Sep 30, 2014
    8
    Kingdom Hearts 2 is probably one of my favourite games of all time. A step up from the two games before it, KH2 brings a whole new story with the same classic elements that made Kingdom Hearts so popular. Well-developed original characters are mixed with characters from the Disney franchise and the Final Fantasy franchise to craft a plot that isn’t childish, as many would think the momentKingdom Hearts 2 is probably one of my favourite games of all time. A step up from the two games before it, KH2 brings a whole new story with the same classic elements that made Kingdom Hearts so popular. Well-developed original characters are mixed with characters from the Disney franchise and the Final Fantasy franchise to craft a plot that isn’t childish, as many would think the moment they hear “Disney”. Graphics and gameplay mechanics are superb, with amazing visual effects and a camera that functions properly (unlike the one in the first game, I shudder at the memory). But many people argue that the storyline, although captivating, is linear and repetitive. Go to a new world, fight some enemies, seal the keyhole, lather, rinse and repeat. While that is true, you don’t even realize that it’s happening until more than halfway through the game. And even with the pattern, each world has something unique and different that lessens the similarities. One bad thing I will say about the game is that the difficulty is very low. Compared to the first game, where the triangle and square combos are essential to progress, you can beat this game by mashing only the ‘x’ button. And even if you haven’t played the first game, it’s pretty obvious that this game in and of itself is simple. Expand
  28. Sep 21, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved the first KH game,and this one also has exciting disney worlds to explore. The only main thing that makes me dislike the game is that the cutscenes are wayyyy too common and way to long. I find myself skipping them and missing the story line because I don't have that much time to play per day. Also the battle is too simple; autolocks on an enemy and press x as much as possible. The maps are very simple, nothing much to explore. The worst part of the game was the beginning. I spent 3 hours on the introduction tutorial before getting the real Sora, before the actual game started. I like the different abilities the characters can get and how you get a different character helping you in each world. I'd say the game is ok, and the parts i don't like are understandable since it's aimed at young people. Expand
  29. Sep 16, 2014
    9
    I love this game, but it's a little too easy compared to its predecessor KH (that is). I can see how good it is because what I see is Square trying something new so it is supposed to be slightly easier, and if you want it to be harder play on the harder difficulties but either way I still had to use the square button still when I face bosses more than when I pressed the triangle. ForI love this game, but it's a little too easy compared to its predecessor KH (that is). I can see how good it is because what I see is Square trying something new so it is supposed to be slightly easier, and if you want it to be harder play on the harder difficulties but either way I still had to use the square button still when I face bosses more than when I pressed the triangle. For example, the boss battle with Sephiroth, Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Sai'x, and Xemnas (final form/3rd form) Expand
  30. Aug 16, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of my favorite Kingdom Hearts games and my second favorite PS2 game. The first being KHI. I loved the way that it brought back some old worlds and also brought in some amazing new ones like Pride Rock and the Land of Dragons. One of the things I didn't like was that the Olympus Colosseum games were moved to the Underworld which in my opinion took the feel out of that world. Also, there was no Traverse Town. I don't mean that the world should have came back, I just wanted a hub world. I know that Hollow Bastion was supposed to be that but it again didn't have the same feel to it and I didn't visit that world unless the game took me there. Another thing is that there was no real plot. In KH1, Sora was looking for his friends, in KHCOM pm he was looking for Namine but on the second one, I had no idea. However, again I loved the new world additions especially Port Royal but if in KH3 is like KH2, then I won't be rushing out to but a Playstation 3 Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
2
#2 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
3
#3 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 64 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 64
  2. Negative: 0 out of 64
  1. An all around excellent game. It looks phenomenal and plays even better. What started out as a crazy fan based experiment for Square-Enix has panned out to one of the most entertaining titles of the year. [JPN Import]
  2. 95
    From the amazing opening cg cinema (oh god, I think I just soiled myself it was so good) with Utada Hikaru's newest song, Passion, to the kick ass ending, this game rocked and set itself a more than worthy successor to the first Kingdom Hearts. [JPN Import]
  3. It has an excellent battle system, more variety than almost any game out there, great graphics, and an interesting story. The title isn't perfect though. The story lacks a bit of cohesiveness and the auto-camera still can't seem to track everything that's going on. [JPN Import]