Debuting in 2002, Kingdom Hearts is one of Square Enix’s most well-known and beloved series. What began as a fun mash-up of Disney and Final Fantasy with an original story and characters thrown in has become an extensive saga with a sprawling narrative and lore.
However, as the story spans more than a dozen games, it can be a little intimidating to approach if you haven’t been following along from the start. You might be wondering if it’s worth playing all the Kingdom Hearts games, if you just need to play the numbered titles and can skip the rest, or if it’s worth putting your time into at all. Hopefully, we can answer these questions.
Updated on June 17, 2024 by Rebecca Phillips: Kingdom Hearts has finally arrived on Steam. If you're thinking of jumping into the series for the first time because of this port, but aren't sure if it's worth your investment, we've broken everything down for you, from time commitment to pricing to player reviews.
Review
Up to and including Kingdom Hearts 3, there are 13 games in the series. The three numbered titles play out as classic fantasy RPGs, having you play as Sora and explore the various Disney worlds with Donald and Goofy in tow. The games between these entries vary in gameplay and often have a specific gimmick: in Chain of Memories, for example, you attack using decks of cards.
Each individual game has its own story, but they're all part of the same overarching narrative. While the stories can be cheesy, they have a lot of heart, and adventuring through the Disney worlds and meeting various Final Fantasy characters is always a lot of fun.
However, the one thing that many take issue with is how Kingdom Hearts' story is spread across these numerous games. To understand the events of the numbered titles, you will need to dedicate time to the other games. Key plot points are explained in these games, and while they might appear to be spin-offs, they are not. They're integral to understanding and enjoying the entire series.
In a similar vein, some find it difficult to follow the story, as main plot points are threaded throughout these different entries. Despite this, though, many people still adore the series, as Lead Features Editor Jade King discusses in her defence of Kingdom Hearts 2's opening, which many players initially found confusing without context.
“The narrative is defined by layers upon layers of convolution that have no right being this complex, […] But I still love it.”
Kingdom Hearts 3 is arguably the most divisive entry to the series. Fans waited 13 years between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3, and it's no secret that many were disappointed with end result. Lead News Editor George Foster and Features Editor Eric Switzer took opposing sides to debate whether the game is truly good or bad, but like any game, it has positives and negatives. Regardless of fan opinions on the game, it hasn't stopped the love for the series as a whole, especially so many years after the series launched.
“Kingdom Hearts has endured because it consistently delivers powerful moments.”
How Long Does It Take To Play Through Kingdom Hearts?
There is no denying that the entire Kingdom Hearts series is a time commitment. Each game averages between 20-30 hours depending on your playstyle, and with 13 games, that's easily more than 250 hours for the entire series if you take a leisurely approach.
However, The Story So Far bundle replaces 358/2 Days and ReCoded with cutscene movies featuring remastered graphics, cutting the time you would have spent playing those games. According to HowLongToBeat, the entirety of The Story So Far (consisting of six games and three movies) takes an average of 144 hours to complete. Add Kingdom Hearts 3's average of 29 hours and the Re:Mind DLC's estimated four hours, that's around 177 hours for the story alone.
On top of these, there are also the mobile games Kingdom Hearts Union X and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road. While both of these games take place before Sora's story begins, they contain important narrative information key to the overarching story. The rhythm game Melody of Memory has an additional cutscene in the game's ending, but the majority of the game just recaps the main story, and you could simply watch this scene elsewhere without playing the game itself.
How Much Does It Cost To Play Through Kingdom Hearts?
There are 14 games in the series (including two mobile games and one DLC), which can add up fast. Luckily, there are bundles available to make it slightly less overwhelming.
PS4 & PS5
For PlayStation 4 and 5 owners, the Kingdom Hearts series is more accessible than ever thanks to Kingdom Hearts: All-In-One Package. Retailing at just under $40, it includes The Story So Far bundle and Kingdom Hearts 3, though it doesn't include Melody of Memory, and the ReMind DLC, which are available separately for $59.99 and $29.99 respectively.
Xbox
If you play on Xbox, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix and 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue are available separately, the first retailing at just under $50 and the second for just under $60. Kingdom Hearts 3 comes in at $59.99, with ReMind available for an additional $29.99.
Nintendo Switch
The series is also available on Nintendo Switch; however, these are Cloud versions, not native ports. The total collection costs $90, but it suffers from performance issues, making the experience less than pleasant. There was an update to inform you of congested servers, but nothing to improve the main issue itself.
Melody of Memory is available natively for $60.
Steam
If you're looking to buy the Steam ports, the prices are:
- Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX — $49.99;
- Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Chapter Prologue — $59.99;
- Kingdom Hearts 3 + ReMind DLC — $59.99
The Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece includes every game up until and including the KH3 ReMind DLC and can be purchased for $99.99 at full price, rather than buying each one separately. If you're ready to commit to the series, this is the best offer.
Steam regularly has discounts, though, so it's definitely worth waiting for one to buy the bundle altogether.
The mobile games Kingdom Hearts Union X and Dark Road are not included in any of the bundles . However, you can download the Kingdom UX Dark Road mobile app and view the cutscenes for these games in the app.
What Players Are Saying
A Journey Like No Other — Rebecca Phillips
Kingdom Hearts has its ups and downs across the series, but it truly is a journey, and one I'm happy to be on the ride for. Its strengths lie in its original characters, some of which are my favorite from any game series ever — looking at you, Roxas. It is a commitment to play the entire series, but it's worth your time completely. I played the entire series back-to-back and didn't experience the hype and long wait for KH3, but in my opinion, it's a great game too. It has its weaknesses, sure, but I was so onboard and excited to finally see the whole cast come together. If you're thinking of trying the series but are scared of the time commitment or price, get the All-In-One Package when it's on sale (I got it for around $20, if I remember correctly). That way, you can dip your toes in without too much of an up-front cost.
Caring About Disney Helps, A Lot — Branden Lizardi
There's also no denying that Kingdom Hearts is literally full of Disney characters and concepts. Alongside plot beats for the invading darkness and the story of the original characters, there's Goofy. Great if you love Goofy, a bit distracting if not. If you don't much care for the media empire's cast of characters or settings, a lot of the magic might be lost on you.
Your Nostalgia May Vary — Hilton Webster
I love Kingdom Hearts, but I also hate Kingdom Hearts. It’s a very toxic relationship but one that any fan will feel. A beautiful blend of Disney and Square Enix, there really is nothing else like Kingdom Hearts. Now, before, and possibly ever again.The games are primarily action-rpgs, but cover those in various ways. But in many ways, they are a product of their time even up to the newest entries. Kingdom Hearts 3 feels like a game stuck in the mid 2000’s with the rest of the series, yet in the modern gaming landscape something like that is refreshing. Even the Disney worlds the games depict feel like they represent a version of Disney that doesn’t exist anymore.
A Truly Magical Journey (With Some Caveats) — Axel Bosso
While the general story is a convoluted mess and honestly not worth all the time you will need to experience it, Kingdom Hearts is a series whose entries are some of the best video games on the platforms they launched. Period. The first Kingdom Hearts and its sequel? Top ten PS2 games. Chain of Memories? A GBA gem. Birth by Sleep? My favorite PSP game. Embrace the nonsense and weirdness of watching silly Disney characters doing incredible stuff against the darkness of the series. Plus, you have some serious bangers here.
Can't Imagine Life Without Kingdom Hearts — Zoë J. Osik
In my biased opinion, Kingdom Hearts is actually the best. It's cheesy, but in a feel-good way that takes your mind off of anything that troubles you. Underneath the light-hearted Disney aesthetics are complex themes about how friendships develop and change. Learning to accept past mistakes, keep an open mind, and move forward plays a large role in the growth of the characters. While the series can be overly convoluted at times, you can always find something to love about it. Part of the fun comes from just rolling with whatever plot point is thrown at you next, because what otherseries includes time travel, identity theft, and Mickey Mouse?
