00:08Welcome to Ms. Mojo!
00:10And with the first look of Kingdom Hearts 4 dropping alongside a 2027 release date,
00:15we're ranking all the Kingdom Hearts games that tie into the overall narrative while serving the plot.
00:2910. Kingdom Hearts Key
00:39Even for diehard fans, keeping track of every Kingdom Hearts game is easier said than done.
00:44Kingdom Hearts Key, in particular, has gone through a confusing journey.
00:48The original web browser version ceased availability in 2016.
00:52The game has since seen multiple rebrandings and new additions.
00:56This includes the follow-up Union Cross, Unchained Key, and the standalone Dark Road, which explores Xehanort's origin story.
01:10Aside from being convoluted even by Kingdom Hearts standards, this is probably the franchise's most repetitive experience.
01:16Past microtransactions haven't helped its legacy either.
01:20Nevertheless, the whole package offers a cute visual style, some key story points, and innovations unique to the franchise, like
01:27Avatar customization.
01:29Completionists will also want to watch the 60-minute companion film, Kingdom Hearts Key Back Cover.
01:34That's quite enough.
01:36Hey, maybe talking about the book will cheer you up.
01:40Number 9. Kingdom Hearts Point 2, Birth by Sleep, A Fragmentary Passage
01:54Aqua was the breakthrough character in Birth by Sleep.
01:57A fragmentary passage fills in the gap between Aqua's previous major appearance and her return in Kingdom Hearts 3.
02:03On a basic playthrough, fragmentary passage can be completed in less than three hours.
02:08This includes about an hour's worth of cutscenes.
02:10Despite being among the franchise's shorter titles, it's a solid addition to the HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Collection
02:17with satisfying gameplay throughout.
02:25Aqua soldiers herself as one of the series' most compelling characters as she explores the realm of darkness, encounters familiar
02:32faces like King Mickey, and confronts her inner demons.
02:35Being a PS4 release, the game was also a step up in the graphical department, setting a new standard for
02:41future titles.
02:48Number 8. Kingdom Hearts Re-Coded
02:59Originally released episodically on mobile phones in Japan only, Coded was eventually remade for the Nintendo DS under the name
03:06Kingdom Hearts Re-Coded.
03:08From a gameplay standpoint, both versions stand out with a mix of puzzles, platforming, and action RPG.
03:14Despite being made for handheld devices, the graphics are surprisingly pleasing for the time.
03:19There's just one important area where Coded falls short. The story.
03:30Taking place after Kingdom Hearts 2, the game mostly retreads on familiar territory as we follow a digital Sora debug
03:37Jiminy Cricket's journal.
03:38All revelations are reserved for the end, and even then, the player is left wanting more.
03:43While you can skip Coded without missing anything especially essential, fans who just want their Kingdom Hearts fix will get
03:49their money's worth.
03:57Number 7. Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
04:10Filling the gap between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, Chain of Memories chronicles Sora and Riku's individual journeys through Castle
04:17Oblivion.
04:17Although quite literally a trip down memory lane, the game also progresses the narrative with introductions of Organization XIII and
04:24a mysterious girl known as Namine.
04:26In addition to new characters, Chain of Memories instituted a card battle system that admittedly turned off some players.
04:39Once you get a hang of this system though, the strategic gameplay is quite rewarding.
04:44The original GBA version mostly consisted of detailed sprites, although the developers managed to work in a few FMV sequences
04:51that were pretty mind-blowing for the time.
04:53For a more cinematic version, the fully 3D remake might be more up your alley.
05:05Number 6. Kingdom Hearts 358 Slash 2 Days
05:17Kingdom Hearts 2 left us with several questions about Roxas' connection to Organization XIII.
05:23358 Slash 2 Days provides a few answers, while also leaving us with more questions.
05:28The plot is overly complicated, the dialogue can get even cornier than usual, and the DS controls occasionally make for
05:35an awkward gameplay experience.
05:36What keeps us invested is the game's heartfelt story of friendship.
05:47In a series full of memorable trios, Roxas, Axel and Xion share one of the most meaningful rapports.
05:53This makes the game's conclusion all the more tragic.
06:04Number 5. Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance
06:09Oh, sorry.
06:12Uh, it's no big deal. You know what they always say.
06:16Sometimes memories just need a little help getting out.
06:19After years of anticipation, Square Enix finally gave us Kingdom Hearts.
06:24Okay, it wasn't the sequel that we had been waiting for, but this 3DS exclusive did fulfill several dreams.
06:30At long last, Sora crosses paths with the Hunchback of Notre Dame gang.
06:35While some of the other characters are familiar, most of the environments are fresh to the series and they all
06:40look wonderful.
06:41Stop!
06:42What? Who? Me?
06:44I've never seen you before. Your name?
06:48I'm Sora.
06:49Although the hack and slash combat isn't anything new, creatures known as Dream Eaters help to distinguish this title's gameplay.
06:56The same can be said about the different perspectives from Sora and Riku.
06:59The result is not only one of the best handheld Kingdom Hearts games, but also one that drives the story
07:05forward in engaging ways.
07:06What are you talking about?
07:09Even if you are not the prisoner.
07:14Huh?
07:16Number 4. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
07:19So here we are. I need you two to get this situation under control.
07:25Eliminate the unversed.
07:27And find Master Xehanort.
07:30Originally released on the PSP, Birth by Sleep naturally transitioned to home consoles with its cinematic graphics, lush worlds, and
07:37flowing gameplay.
07:38Set before Sora's journey commenced, this prequel centers on Aqua, Terra, and Ventus, three very different Keyblade apprentices.
07:46Telling the story from each of their perspectives, the game plays out like the Kingdom Hearts equivalent of Rashomon.
07:51Instead of samurai swords though, we're taken to a Keyblade graveyard.
07:57Free!
07:59You want some?
08:02On the Disney-based worlds, the highlights include locales based on Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
08:09While the game predates Disney's acquisition of Star Wars, Birth by Sleep has a revenge of the Sith quality with
08:14its dark puppet master, friends drifting apart, and a new hope lying on the horizon.
08:18Terra will prove to you he's stronger!
08:23Aqua!
08:25Number 3. Kingdom Hearts 3
08:27I wonder who those guys are.
08:30What? Careful Sully! If they see the KID!
08:33That's fine. We got nothing to hide.
08:36Making fans wait over 13 years, Kingdom Hearts 3 couldn't possibly deliver on every expectation.
08:41For what we got though, Square Enix turned in the franchise's most visually stunning entry to date.
08:47The combat is the series' most varied, with summon attacks that replicate the spectacle of a Disney park.
09:00We wish there were more Disney-themed worlds, especially given how many properties that the mouse has acquired.
09:06Seriously, where are our Marvel and Muppet worlds?
09:09However, they did finally branch out with Pixar worlds based on Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
09:14But the piece de resistance is the city of San Fransokyo.
09:18Although we're left with yet another cliffhanger, Kingdom Hearts 3 wraps up numerous storylines in a satisfying manner while juggling
09:24dozens of characters.
09:26What? You're not smart?
09:29Well, you heard what Marley said. I don't have to be smart.
09:33Number 2. Kingdom Hearts
09:35Disney has become synonymous with crossovers, but the original Kingdom Hearts remains one of their most unlikely experiments.
09:50We love Disney's animated classics, we love Final Fantasy, but we never expected these elements to blend together.
09:56The combination didn't just work, however.
09:58It gave us one of the most vibrant, charming, and touching games ever to grace the PS2.
10:03Hey there, Donald! Good morning!
10:06We've got a problem, Goofy! But don't count anyone!
10:11The tagline reads, You never know who you will run into next.
10:15While that's part of the fun, we were surprised by just how invested we became in the original characters.
10:21Sora perfectly encompasses Disney's cheer and Square's spiky-haired edge, serving as a link between many worlds.
10:28Elevated by a majestic score from Yoko Shinomura, Kingdom Hearts unlocked a winning formula.
10:33I just can't wait. Once we set sail, it'll be great.
10:39Number 1. Kingdom Hearts 2
10:51As astounding as the first game was, a funky camera and monotonous gummy ship segments held it back from claiming
10:57our top spot.
10:59Kingdom Hearts 2 improves upon virtually everything, with polished graphics, diverse combat, and a wider roster of worlds.
11:05While the Beast's Castle and Pride Rock were obvious choices, we never imagined fighting alongside Jack Sparrow or taking on
11:12the master control program with Tron.
11:14You mean you don't know? My user is the user of this system. Anson the Wise.
11:21Is it perfect? Well, the prologue is at least an hour too long, and Atlantica's musical minigames are a drag.
11:28Otherwise, Kingdom Hearts 2 is the ultimate love letter to Disney fans, RPG fans, and everyone in between.
11:35The franchise has gotten lost in the darkness on occasion, but this sequel is the light that never goes out.
11:47Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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