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The short version: Kingdom Hearts III follows Kingdom Hearts II and brings the Dark Seeker saga to its conclusion. Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy travel through Disney and Pixar worlds as Master Xehanort’s plan threatens to trigger a Keyblade War. You can start with that broad setup; the publisher has described its recap videos as helpful, not essential.
What happened before Kingdom Hearts III?
Square Enix introduced Kingdom Hearts III in 2013 as “the first core sequel to Kingdom Hearts II.” Its announcement said that Sora and his friends would learn that the conflicts surrounding Kingdom Hearts were part of Master Xehanort’s plan to cause a Keyblade War. That is the publisher’s early framing of the story, not a complete account of every event between the games.
In that setup, Sora, Donald, and Goofy search Disney worlds for the “Key to Return Hearts,” while King Mickey and Riku look for previous Keyblade wielders. The many games and other story releases between Kingdom Hearts II and III add context to that conflict, but this overview does not attempt a verified, beat-by-beat recap of them.
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The central stakes are the coming Keyblade War and the effort to gather seven guardians of light to oppose Master Xehanort. Square Enix’s later retrospective described Kingdom Hearts III as the long-awaited conclusion to the Dark Seeker saga, with Sora facing Xehanort in a final battle. The retrospective’s author, Duncan Heaney, also said the game answered long-running series questions.
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![KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-Ojve+89L._SL160_.jpg)
- KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- A value packed bundle featuring three collections: KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC).
- This product is also included in other bundle sets. Please ensure you do not purchase the same content more than once.
- Platform-exclusive Keyblade "Long Night" included with purchase!
- GAME-KEY CARD. 128 GB – Full game download via internet required.
That gives you the essential orientation without filling in character histories, revelations, or individual game events that require a fuller recap. Expect the story to draw on a larger series than just the two numbered games.
Who travels with Sora, and where does the game take them?
Sora’s immediate companions are Donald Duck and Goofy. Square Enix’s product description frames their adventure as a fight against the Heartless across Disney and Pixar worlds, naming properties including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Big Hero 6, Tangled, and Hercules.
Do you need to play the other games first?
You do not have to complete the entire series before starting. Square Enix called its five Memory Archives videos a saga recap and described them as useful context, but “not essential to enjoy the game.” The publisher discussed them in connection with the 2019 Kingdom Hearts III demo; that information does not confirm that the videos remain accessible on every platform today.
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If you want more of the story in its original game and movie form, Square Enix’s North American PS4 listing for Kingdom Hearts – The Story So Far groups two compilations that cover substantial earlier material. It is a catch-up route, not a claim that every release in the franchise is included.
Which catch-up option fits your needs?
| Option | What it offers | Best fit and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Start Kingdom Hearts III | The publisher’s stated essentials are the looming Keyblade War, the search for seven guardians of light, and Sora’s journey with Donald and Goofy. | Best if you want to begin playing now and can accept that this is broad orientation rather than a detailed account of every prior story. |
| Memory Archives | Square Enix described five videos summarizing the saga; the retrospective called them helpful but not essential. | Best if you prefer a short video recap, if you can access it. The cited demo-era information does not establish present availability across platforms. |
| Kingdom Hearts – The Story So Far | The North American Square Enix store listing identifies it as a PS4 compilation containing HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX and HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. | Best if you want to play earlier material and have a compatible PS4 edition. Check the platform and current edition before purchase. |
| KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I~III] | Square Enix currently lists a collection described as a way to play I–III together. | Could suit someone seeking the numbered games, but the listing alone does not settle the precise included editions or whether a physical format is offered. Verify details before choosing it. |
What is included in The Story So Far?
The North American PS4 store listing names these contents:
- KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX
- KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories
- KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (HD remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX
- KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX
- KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded (HD remastered cinematics)
- KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD
- KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep –A fragmentary passage–
- KINGDOM HEARTS χ Back Cover (movie)
Because two entries are presented as remastered cinematics and another as a movie, the set is not nine full games to play. Confirm the current listing for your region and platform; the documented The Story So Far listing is for PS4.
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