<P> The game was critically acclaimed and earned year - end awards from numerous video gaming websites . In Japan, it shipped more than one million copies within a week of its release . One month after its North American release, it had sold over one million copies and was the second best - selling game of 2006 . By April 2007, the game had shipped over four million copies worldwide . The game has been included by gaming publications in lists of the greatest video games of all time . </P> <P> The Final Mix version of the game was re-mastered in high definition and released globally in 2014 as a part of the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix collection for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 . </P> <P> The gameplay of Kingdom Hearts II is similar to the action RPG and hack and slash gameplay of the first Kingdom Hearts game, though developers made an effort to address some of the complaints with the previous game . The player directly controls Sora from a third - person camera angle, though first - person perspective is available via Select button . Most of the gameplay occurs on interconnected field maps where battles take place . The game is driven by a linear progression from one story event to the next, usually told via cutscenes, though there are numerous side - quests available that provide bonuses to characters . </P> <P> Like many traditional role - playing video games, Kingdom Hearts II features an experience point system which determines character development . As enemies are defeated, the player and allies culminate experience to "level up", in which the playable characters grow stronger and gain access to new abilities . </P>

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