The Kingdom Hearts franchise has launched on Steam, leaving many players with the question of what order to play this massive 13-game (and counting) series. Square Enix itself have now stepped in to answer this very question.
In a new YouTube video, Square Enix describes the order it recommends for playing the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The video is prefaced with the idea that any Kingdom Hearts game is a fair starting point and specifically points out the latest major release, Kingdom Hearts III, as a common starting point. However, the Dark Seeker Saga is then described as the recommended order for a full and complete story.
The Dark Seeker Saga is centered around the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 and 2.5 HD Remixes, a collection of the games fully remastered for modern systems. The original Kingdom Hearts is mentioned as the first stop in your journey as it introduces the characters and worlds of Kingdom Hearts. Then, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories is suggested as it introduces the group known as Organization XIII, which will be a major player in the games to come. Note that this is a remastered version of the PlayStation 2 remake of the original Chain of Memories on the Game Boy Advance. Both versions tell the same story.
Kingdom Hearts II is the next step, introducing fan-favorite character Roxas, and also happens to be widely regarded by the Kingdom Hearts community as the best game in the franchise. Next, Kingdom Hearts 358-2 Days is a cutscene compilation that fills in the gaps between Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II. Note that these are remade cutscenes from a full-fledged title of the same name on the Nintendo DS. Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep is a prequel that adds more information on the main villain and the role of a keyblade wielder. There are three playable characters that can be played in any order but Square Enix was kind enough to provide a recommended playing order of Terra, then Ventus, then Aqua.
After all of these games are completed, you will need to purchase the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue which also collects three different experiences starting with the HD Remaster of Nintendo 3DS title Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance. Next, players should watch the prequel film Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover which takes place hundreds of years prior to the entire series. Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage is the last of this collection which serves to complete Aqua’s story prior to Kingdom Hearts III in a short and sweet experience. Finally, Kingdom Hearts III can be played with full knowledge of the entire franchise prior.
Square Enix also provides a chronological order starting with Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover, followed by the various mobile titles, Kingdom Hearts Union X and Kingdom Hearts Union X Dark Road, followed by Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 0.2, Kingdom Hearts, 358/2 Days, Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II, Re:Coded, Dream Drop Distance, and Kingdom Hearts III.
Funny enough, despite having a cutscene compilation, Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded was not mentioned along with their recommended Dark Seeker Saga play order. Many fans of the franchise bemoan Re:Coded for being the least important in the franchise and often the only “skippable” title. The mobile games were also not mentioned despite their important connection to the Foretellers who are shown in the Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover film.
Kingdom Hearts is a massive, ever-growing, and often confusing series. Square Enix providing a streamlined play order for players provides much needed guidance outside of Twitter threads and Reddit posts. Square Enix has already announced Kingdom Hearts 4 with rumors that more information perhaps being on the way soon.
The entire Kingdom Hearts franchise is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Epic Games, Steam, and as Cloud versions on Nintendo Switch.
