To prepare for the release of Kingdom Hearts 4, below is a synopsis of the story of Kingdom Hearts thus far. I will expand this section and do more in-depth discussions of each individual game at a later date.
Kingdom Hearts (2002)
The journey begins on Destiny Islands, where Sora, Riku, and Kairi dream of exploring beyond their world. When the islands are consumed by darkness, Sora becomes the wielder of the Keyblade and teams up with Donald Duck and Goofy to find his friends and stop the Heartless. They travel to various Disney worlds, sealing Keyholes and battling the sinister Organization XIII. Sora eventually confronts Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, to save his friends and restore the worlds.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004)
Sora, Donald, and Goofy enter Castle Oblivion, where they lose their memories as they climb its floors. They encounter members of Organization XIII and fight to regain their lost memories. Sora is manipulated by Naminé, a witch who can manipulate memories, and eventually enters a deep sleep to have his memories restored. Meanwhile, Riku also explores the castle, battling his inner darkness and Organization XIII members.
Kingdom Hearts II (2005)
Sora awakens from his slumber to find a new threat from the Heartless and Organization XIII. He reunites with Donald and Goofy, journeying through familiar and new worlds to stop the Organization’s plan to create Kingdom Hearts and harness its power. Sora ultimately faces Xemnas, the leader of Organization XIII, in a final showdown. Along the way, he learns more about the nature of Nobodies and the connections between hearts.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (2009)
This game focuses on Roxas, Sora’s Nobody, and his time in Organization XIII. It explores his friendships with Axel and Xion, another Keyblade wielder. As Roxas learns more about his origins and the true intentions of the Organization, he begins to question his role. The game culminates in Roxas’s departure from the Organization and his eventual absorption back into Sora.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (2010)
Set ten years before the original Kingdom Hearts, this prequel follows Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, three Keyblade wielders training under Master Eraqus. They face the manipulative Master Xehanort and his plans to create the legendary χ-blade. The story reveals the origins of many characters and sets the stage for the events of the series, with Terra’s heart being taken over by Xehanort, Aqua trapped in the Realm of Darkness, and Ventus’s heart falling into a deep sleep.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded(2010)
After the events of Kingdom Hearts II, Jiminy Cricket discovers a mysterious message in his journal. King Mickey digitizes the journal, creating a digital Sora to investigate. Digital Sora explores the Data Worlds, uncovering a plot by a digital version of Organization XIII. The game concludes with a message about a threat to those connected to Sora, setting up the events of future games.
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (2012)
Sora and Riku undertake the Mark of Mastery exam to become true Keyblade Masters. They travel through sleeping worlds to awaken them from their slumber. Along the way, they encounter various members of the true Organization XIII and learn about Master Xehanort’s plan to form the χ-blade. The game ends with Riku becoming a Keyblade Master, while Sora must continue his training.
Kingdom Hearts III (2019)
The final chapter in the Dark Seeker Saga sees Sora, Donald, and Goofy searching for the “Guardians of Light” to combat Master Xehanort and his Organization. They travel through various Disney and Pixar worlds, gathering allies and preparing for the final battle. The game concludes with an epic showdown in the Keyblade Graveyard, where Sora defeats Xehanort and saves his friends. However, Sora disappears afterward, setting the stage for future adventures.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (2020)
A rhythm-action game that recaps the series’ events through music and gameplay. Kairi reflects on her memories, hoping to find clues about Sora’s whereabouts. The game concludes with a hint about Sora being in another world, suggesting a new journey ahead to find and rescue him.
