Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

It's pure KH fun, and it will immediately remind you why this most unusual clashing of worlds works so well.

An impressive remake that improves the presentation of the original GBA version by leaps and bounds while simultaneously streamlining the battle system.

Yes, the graphical upscaling is certainly worth it, but unless you really dig the original plot of Sora and friends, or if you're interested in a new type of challenge involving real-time action-based battles and numeric-value cards, it's not worth playing.

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.

Taking a page from other "from the ground up" remakes of other Square-Enix remakes like Final Fantasy IV on the DS, Re:Chain of Memories is a great way to check out an adventure that many may have missed the first time around.

Whether for first timers or double dippers, Re: Chain of Memories is a worthy addition for fans and newcomers alike.

The card battle system isn't exactly fresh considering it was similar on the GBA, but for new players it will be a challenge they must experience.

Things also get tough.

Considering the source material, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories is an impressive effort that is certainly worth playing for every fan of the series that missed it on Nintendo's retired handheld. The game is far more familiar in 3D, and translates into a more addicting and satisfying experience on the PS2.

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]

A serviceable, inexpensive RPG that will satisfy fans curious about this "lost" chapter in the KH series and the few people who really enjoyed the ­original CoM.

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.

But in the end, it only feels like a bad idea superimposed over an ongoing good idea. So unless you're a hardcore fan, we say pass on Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories, and lie in wait for Kingdom Hearts III. Yeah, we still hope it's coming.

This remake is solid fan service, but recycled content and disjointed exploration limit its appeal.

The card battling system works, although not as well as it did on the GBA. Sadly, this re-imagining has come a bit too late for a series ready for its PS3 debut.

Gamers interested in dabbling in a little card battling should give the game a spin or at least seek professional help.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is really for the dedicated, the kind that enjoy fanfiction, and repetitive gameplay.

I enjoyed the story the first time and I even enjoyed hearing it replayed this time; but the card game battles threw me. I believe this game will appeal to those people who have not played it on the DS and that are big fans of the series.