Kingdom Hearts 2 is one of the best action games ever made, and it was made even better by its enhanced Final Mix version. And now this amazing game is available on a vast collection of different consoles and systems, thanks to the recent Steam re-release of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX.
But it’s important to keep in mind that Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix is an RPG, meaning that Sora needs to constantly raise his level in order to get stronger. He also needs to level up his five different Drive Forms, which players can do by meeting specific requirements for each one of them. This list will compile some of the best grinding spots that are scattered throughout the game, both for regular Sora and for his Drive Forms.
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7 Peak
Pride Lands
Within the Pride Lands (the world based on the Lion King) there's a room called Peak. This is one of the best spots for players who are looking to quickly level up during the first half of the game. Upon entering, players may find a single Rapid Thruster Heartless. But the player defeats it and then re-enters the area, a massive swarm of the same enemy may spawn instead.
This is a decent place to earn a lot of EXP without too much effort, by defeating this massive gathering of enemies. It’s important to keep in mind that Sora cannot use the Experience Boost ability efficiently in the Peak, because the Rapid Thrusters drop HP orbs. This contrasts the original PS2 version of the game, in which dropped MP orbs that prevented Sora from automatically healing himself. Nevertheless, this spot is still useful for less experienced players.
6 Cavern of Remembrance
Radiant Garden
The Cavern of Remembrance is one of the best additions in the Final Mix version of this game, with its impeccable level design and a collection of challenging optional bosses. But the best part is that it's also one of the most useful places to level Sora up. It's especially great for players who have already beaten the game and want to get stronger in order to face the aforementioned Data Organization XIII.
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The Transport to Remembrance is the best room in this cave to grind Sora’s level. It’s filled with Nobodies who only drop MP orbs, so players can use the Experience Boost ability to its full extent. Keep in mind that these enemies are extremely powerful and challenging, so players should not go in unprepared. On the other hand, there are a few pillars scattered throughout the level that drop Drive Orbs when hit, which is also a solid way of leveling up Sora’s Master Form.
5 The Cave of Wonders: Treasure Room
Agrabah
Valor Form is the first Drive Form that Sora has access to. It’s one of the most memorable ones too, since it lets the players fight while wielding two Keyblades at the same time. Valor Form gains experience every time Sora hits an enemy with it, meaning that players will need an HP sponge enemy if they want to level it up fast.
The Treasure Room in Agrabah’s Cave of Wonders is the best place to do this, since the fifth member of Mushroom XIII is here. Seeing as it constantly regenerates its own health when its mini-game is activated, Sora can hit it with Valor Form many times in order to level it up. Not to mention, this is also a great spot for leveling up Limit Form, by spamming its four Action Abilities as much as possible.
4 Cornerstone Hill
Timeless River
Wisdom Form may not be as popular as Valor Form, but leveling up is still important, because it gives Sora access to the convenient Quick Run ability. This magic-focused form earns experience every time it defeats a Heartless. In theory, this shouldn’t be hard, considering that Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix is riddled with these iconic enemies.
But the best spot to level up Wisdom Form is in Timeless River, specifically in Cornerstone Hill. Here, Sora has access to four different doors that lead him to small rooms, which are full of Heartless that he can deal with quickly. While all of them are useful for this task, Mickey’s House is the best, since it spawns a lot of small Shadow Heartless that players can defeat with very few attacks. Also, the Drive Gauge will be instantly reset if the player returns to Disney Castle via the magic door. This is a great way to save on Drive Recovery items.
3 Moon Chamber
Mysterious Tower
Master Form is one of the best Drive Forms in the game, seeing as it combines the best aspects of both Valor and Wisdom. As previously mentioned, it earns experience every time Sora collects a Drive Orb, so the Cavern of Remembrance is a good spot to level it up. However, there’s an even better place to do this: the Moon Chamber of the Mysterious Tower.
In this room, players can face a good number of Luxord’s Gambler Nobodies. If the player beats these enemies at their own mini-game, Sora can earn a lot of munny. However, if the Drive Converter ability is activated, most of that munny will transform into Drive Orbs instead. Another helpful tip is to equip the Follow the Wind Keyblade, which will help gather all those orbs even faster.
2 The Great Maw
Radiant Garden
As mentioned above, Sora can level up his Limit Form by using its four Action Abilities — Sonic Rave, Last Arcanum, Strike Raid and Infinity — on enemies. While players can do this in many different locations throughout the game, the best one is the Battle of the 1000 Heartless of Radiant Garden, which takes place in a room known as The Great Maw.
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It’s important to clarify that the Battle of the 1000 Heartless is a one-time event that can only occur once during the game’s storyline. However, if players go into this encounter prepared, they can easily raise the Limit Form by 3 or 4 levels in an instant, provided that they keep spamming the four different Action Abilities on the Heartless over and over.
1 Naught’s Skyway
The World That Never Was
Lastly, there’s the Final Form, which is arguably the most powerful Drive Form in the game. This one earns experience every time the player defeats a Nobody. This means that The World That Never Was is the best place to level it up, since this world is riddled with these enemies. But players who are looking for a specific place to grind should do it in the room known as Naught’s Skyway.
This large area hosts a lot of small Nobodies that Sora can defeat with very few attacks. Bear in mind, though, that there's there’s also a good number of Berserkers at the top that should only be fought by the most experienced players. To make things even better, Naught’s Skyway is close to two different save points, where Sora can get out of the world before the Drive Gauge is emptied in order to reset it. To top it all off, Naught’s Skyway is also one of the best places to regularly grind Sora’s level by using the Experience Boost ability, since all of those Nobodies only drop MP orbs.
