The gameplay of Kingdom Hearts II is similar to that of Kingdom Hearts, though developers made an effort to address numerous complaints with the previous game.[6][7] The player directly controls Sora from a third-person camera angle,[8] 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.
Like many traditional role-playing video games, Kingdom Hearts II features an experience point system which determines character development.[9] 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.[10]
