Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Despite the game's uncluttered arenas, the camera regularly manages to find a way to flip out and point you in the wrong direction. [Dec 2009, p.101]

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is, sadly, too PlayStation-style. The stylus is only used in the character customization, and it is a shame. Anyway, the sharp 3D engine and the huge number of missions are good elements, and the multiplayer option is a nice addition to the original design.

It's not a bad game, but we think that Square could have done a much better job with such an attractive material.

The story is vague and the gameplay repetitious. Just for series' fans.

A decent but shallow addition to the series.

A modest effort in bringing the franchise to the DS. The fighting system works fine and it's fun to build your character. The story actually feels like part of the complete picture told by all games, a big plus for a handheld game. But the quality of the original is never reached. The missions are a bit too repetitive and the camera irritates.

A soulless entry that's packed with fan service but lacks appeal for newcomers. [Dec 2009, p.63]

Without a goal or the feeling of adventure, doing the missions just feels like a chore.

It's got all the heart, some of the soul and a lot of missing plot pieces from the rest of the series, plus a unique gameplay concept. Too bad the control scheme and the camera suck.

With its confusing title and convoluted storyline, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has a lot going against it. Throw in some terrible pacing issues, awkward control scheme, repeating levels, dull characters and a complete lack of Final Fantasy, and you have game that shouldn't work. Yet I often found myself having a good time with this good, albeit flawed, adventure game!

A spinoff from the original game series that fills some of the gaps in the story between the first and second game. For those who longed for a continuation.

Another perfectly crafted adventure that puts to shame most other retail games at five times its price.

While it doesn't really add a great deal to the overall story of the series and recycles a lot of content from the previous games, what you'll find is a very enjoyable experience, chocked full of content that will keep you glued to your DS for a long while.

It's good to see Kingdom Hearts on the DS, but this is not up to the standard of previous efforts. [Dec 2009, p.84]

Fans of Organization XIII will enjoy some insight into their favorite characters' daily lives, but many fans of the series may be turned off by the lackluster controls and odd story directions taken with this portable spin-off.

If you can name every one of Kingdom Hearts' characters in your sleep, then 358/2 Days is certainly for you and you'd be foolish to miss out on an integral piece of the storyline puzzle. Just don't expect the average gamer to be able to relate to you.