Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 388 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sora, Donald and Goofy travel down a long road that meanders through endless fields, and come to a crossroads. As Sora stands in the crossroads, he gazes up at the night sky and thinks of his lost friends. Just then, a mysterious man approaches from down one of the branching paths. "AheadSora, Donald and Goofy travel down a long road that meanders through endless fields, and come to a crossroads. As Sora stands in the crossroads, he gazes up at the night sky and thinks of his lost friends. Just then, a mysterious man approaches from down one of the branching paths. "Ahead lies something you need," he says, "but to claim it, you must lose something dear." The man vanishes before a single path, leading to a castle that eerily resembles a girl's drawing... In the coming journey, what will Sora and his companions gain, and what will they lose? In addition to Sora, players can control Riku in this adventure that bridges the gap between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II
    A full 3D remake of the original GBA release, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories offers a refreshing rendition of the hit title for the PlayStation 2 system. The talented voice cast from the North American releases of KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II, including David Gallagher and Haley Joel Osment, return to breathe new life into the beloved characters. The mini-game catalog has been completely renewed, now with four brand new experiences accompanying the main adventure. [Square Enix]
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories for the PS2 is definitely worth checking out, especially if you haven't yet played the GBA original.
  2. 84
    An impressive remake that improves the presentation of the original GBA version by leaps and bounds while simultaneously streamlining the battle system.
  3. 80
    Even though it's not a wholly fresh experience, Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories is definitely worth a try, especially if you didn't play the original GBA release.
  4. games(TM)
    70
    If Birth By Sleep's twee story fails to impress, fans will be delighted to learn that it features the best combat in the series to date. Fast, fluid and featuring a variety of interesting mechanics, it's a huge improvement over past instalments. [Issue#101, p.122]
  5. 67
    Seriously, though -- for Kingdom Hearts fans who missed out on COM the first time, this is definitely the best way to play it. While the new stuff is small (a few so-so minigames in Hundred Acre Wood, additional voice acting from the Sixth Sense kid, etc.), my memory of Chain of Memories hasn't changed: It's a pleasant little title that reminds me how much I want Kingdom Hearts 3.
  6. This remake is solid fan service, but recycled content and disjointed exploration limit its appeal.
  7. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    40
    Rebuilding it using the PS2 game's engine just makes it a much more obvious retread. [Jan 2009, p.83]

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 56
  2. Negative: 20 out of 56
  1. Oct 18, 2010
    10
    I may be giving this a 10 because I'm biased due to the fact this is a Kingdom Hearts game, and I am a huge fan of the series. But once youI may be giving this a 10 because I'm biased due to the fact this is a Kingdom Hearts game, and I am a huge fan of the series. But once you get used to the cards, the rest will be smooth sailing. Expand
  2. Nov 18, 2011
    9
    Squareenix re-makes Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories from the 2D realm to the 3D Realm, if you played the original, there isnt much differenceSquareenix re-makes Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories from the 2D realm to the 3D Realm, if you played the original, there isnt much difference as the gameplay and storyline is pretty much the same. The only difference is the plane is 3D and that can be a good thing. Alot of the problems with positioning and aiming in the original has been fixed due to the graphic interface completely changing. The game feels like Part 1 but with less freedom as expected in its card based battle system. Expand
  3. Jul 24, 2023
    7
    *Flawed, but fun*
    Originally, I didn't play this game and watched the story cinematics because I just couldn't play it. However, I decided to
    *Flawed, but fun*
    Originally, I didn't play this game and watched the story cinematics because I just couldn't play it. However, I decided to give it a shot. Needless to say, I found some enjoyment out of it. It takes time to learn, but when you do, it feels great. However, if you're looking for a standard Kingdom Hearts experience, or just wanna get to Kingdom Hearts 2, just watch the story scenes on YouTube. This game has Gameplay>Story which makes sense because it was originally a GBA game, but it still feels empty in some spots. The bosses were the best part of the game because they actually provided challenge, and Riku's campaign provided challenge as well. What I liked a lot about this game is the deck building and how you could approach it however you want. But, it's not for everyone. 7/10, didn't expect it to be as good as it was.
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  4. Feb 19, 2015
    5
    i give the game a 4 i am a huge fan of kingdom hearts but this games gameplay just does not okay with the cards im okay with games tryingi give the game a 4 i am a huge fan of kingdom hearts but this games gameplay just does not okay with the cards im okay with games trying something new like dream drop distance added flowmotion but this is isn't the kind that i need for such a good series its decent but not as good as the other ones Expand
  5. Oct 26, 2013
    5
    sigh, this game is dissapointing and i'm a big kingdom hearts fan. the game feels linear, although you can go back to previous areas, theresigh, this game is dissapointing and i'm a big kingdom hearts fan. the game feels linear, although you can go back to previous areas, there really is no reason to. the storyline... the only parts i enjoyed were the parts that took place in castle oblivion, the disney storylines though... oh god they are terrible! they are literally the same from kingdom hearts 1, maybe only a slightly bit different. and the gameplay is annoying because now you play with F***ing CARDS! it is especially annoying with bosses, who can easily break your cards to do their own rediculously annoying attacks. and every time you run out of cards you have to reload them, but each time you reload you lose more cards from your deck, until you're stuck with one weak attack card that can't do SH*T against bosses. the bosses on the other hand have unlimited cards, that they can use as they please while you're stuck with your weak attack card. the only part where i started enjoying the game was the last floor in castle oblivion, and the final boss fight, which i gotta say had some pretty awesome music. after you complete Sora's story you can start a new game with Riku, with a different story, and slightly different battle system, playing as riku isn't much better though, the disney worlds have no storyline now, and all you do is run through the same areas you did as sora, and you can't customize your deck, the game does it for you. i suggest just watching the cutscenes on youtube if you want to know the story, because the game isn't worth playing through. Expand
  6. Oct 24, 2022
    3
    38/100
    Chain of Memories tells a story that is even better than its predecessor's, thanks to a captivating atmosphere, greater focus on old
    38/100
    Chain of Memories tells a story that is even better than its predecessor's, thanks to a captivating atmosphere, greater focus on old characters' inner struggles, fascinating new antagonists and a fantastic story pacing that has you constantly hooked. Alas, to this narrative upgrade corresponds an equally massiv gameplay downgrade. Gameplay has many exceptional ideas, but they all fail in some way. The progression is characterized by a unique, fun system that allows players to customize their path to the end of the level in interesting ways, but the potential of such an original idea is significantly squandered by some fundamentally dull Level Design structure. The Combat System is incredible: a wonderful balance of real time strategy and action thanks to the deeply addicting card system that rewards strategy and planning as much as reflexes, also adding some fun card-game collecting to the mix. This amazing blend is quickly ruined by some horrendous balancing, where a couple of easily obtainable powerful Abilities can be spammed, removing almost all challenge from the game.
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  7. Jan 20, 2020
    0
    Its mostly a retelling of the first game and made a lot of unnecessary bad decisions and changes. Ignore the fan boys that rate based onIts mostly a retelling of the first game and made a lot of unnecessary bad decisions and changes. Ignore the fan boys that rate based on nostalgia.
    All it does it lead up to the best kingdom hearts game and it doesnt have much more to be worth playing.
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See all 56 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

28
3
#3 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2008
3
#3 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2008