Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

 PlayStation 2
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 388 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 232 out of 388
  2. Mixed: 101 out of 388
  3. Negative: 55 out of 388
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  1. gm101
    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 you get used to the cards, the rest will be smooth sailing.
  2. tacticalcraptic
    Dec 9, 2012
    9
    This is an interesting game. I played it when it first came out on GBA several times and just finished playing through this PS2 version. I love this game because I think it has the single best combat system in any Action-RPG. Period. However, I can understand the polar opposites in terms of reviews. There is an enormous amount of depth to the combat system. The game requires you to thinkThis is an interesting game. I played it when it first came out on GBA several times and just finished playing through this PS2 version. I love this game because I think it has the single best combat system in any Action-RPG. Period. However, I can understand the polar opposites in terms of reviews. There is an enormous amount of depth to the combat system. The game requires you to think om a wide range of strategic levels very quickly. The PS2 version even more so because it requires more spacial thinking due to the fact that it is in 3D and, unlike the GBA version, you cannot always see everything that is occurring at once, forcing you to predict and anticipate enemy movements (whom you cannot always see if they are behind or above you) on the fly, while also card counting, adding card values, dodging, attacking, blocking, keeping track of your HP and more. On top of it all, the combat difficulty forces you to grasp all concepts and use them or you will die. It is not forgiving in any way. The strategy and customization goes far beyond the standard swing swing block, shoot shoot roll of even some of the greatest Action-RPG (in terms of challenge and strategy it out does even Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls) This depth is what may turn a lot of would be fans away though. It is several times more complex than what Kingdom Hearts folks are used to.
    Other parts of the game don't quite live up to the one of a kind battle system, however. The main overall story is pretty interesting and well done but has many of the trappings of a JRPG which is not necessarily bad but tends to push away some. The small plots in each of the worlds are kind of a throw away though. The world exploration, while very unique, is not it's strongest point. I understand that it is a carry-over from the GBA which had it's technical limitations. What I would like to see happen is for Square to take combat system of Chain of Memories and apply to a Action-RPG with a bigger scope. Something with a larger and more open world to explore. There is a lot Square could do in terms of evolving the gameplay concepts they started with Chain of Memories and I would love to see it happen (I don't care if is within the Kingdom Hearts franchise or not) It seems any people couldn't quite grasp the game. This is apparent by the fact that there are many people on here rating this game a "0" because they don't like the fact that enemies can defend themselves and counter-attack any attack made by the player that is not thought out. Due to the fact that the general attitude of big game developers is that they must appeal to as many people as possible, the chances of Square picking a concept back up that was so divisive is slim to none.    … Expand
  3. KimyKun
    Sep 16, 2009
    10
    I think that this game is great... i don't like the cards battle... but the graphic is great. I don't know why didn't he came out in ITALY to,i hope some day that this fantastic game will arive in ITALY soo i can play the game...I think that this game is great... i don't like the cards battle... but the graphic is great. I don't know why didn't he came out in ITALY to,i hope some day that this fantastic game will arive in ITALY soo i can play the game... XOXO… Expand
  4. BasilZero
    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 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 completelySquareenix 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
  5. Greenicey
    Dec 14, 2013
    8
    First, let me just say, do NOT compare this any other game in the franchise. This game is the black sheep of Kingdom Hearts, but that doesn't have to be bad. The story of Castle Oblivion is ultimately an intriguing one and will be what keeps you going forward. Graphically the game looks good, despite that fact that everything is reused and room layouts don't change dramatically. The reasonFirst, let me just say, do NOT compare this any other game in the franchise. This game is the black sheep of Kingdom Hearts, but that doesn't have to be bad. The story of Castle Oblivion is ultimately an intriguing one and will be what keeps you going forward. Graphically the game looks good, despite that fact that everything is reused and room layouts don't change dramatically. The reason the game is sometimes disliked is due to it's radically different card-based combat. It's handled way differently than any other thing you've seen. You have to manage your deck while fighting in real-time, keep track of numbers, and use sleights to the best effect. It can get extremely chaotic and difficult if you can't keep up. Now the system isn't bad, if you know exactly what you're doing you can have a lot of fun. If you don't think you'll be able to manage it, play it on beginner mode.… Expand
  6. Connorcox1997
    Feb 15, 2019
    10
    I honestly don't know why people hate this game, I though this was a fantastic game. I might be a little bit biased, but I think KH Re:Chain of Memories is the fourth best game in the series to date in my
    opinion. This game has great stages, great story, and great combat with the card system. Even the bosses in this game is fun to face against in this game. I totally enjoyed playing this    I honestly don't know why people hate this game, I though this was a fantastic game. I might be a little bit biased, but I think KH Re:Chain of Memories is the fourth best game in the series to date in my
    opinion. This game has great stages, great story, and great combat with the card system. Even the bosses in this game is fun to face against in this game. I totally enjoyed playing this game from start to finish. I highly recommend it.    … Expand
  7. MudRipChar
    Mar 5, 2019
    9
    Most people will play this game for a couple hours, get frustrated and quit, and say it's a terrible game. If you take the time to learn the very complex battle system, this game will surprise you with how great it is. It's very challenging but also extremely rewarding. I've played through every Kingdom Hearts game and this one always stands out as the toughest but the most satisfying.
  8. Kingdomhear
    Dec 5, 2020
    10
    Bellissimo ! Gameplay innovativo e ottimo livello di sfida!! Trama intrigante !! Fenomenale
  9. tadnid
    Mar 15, 2022
    10
    PS4 version here. That's a really sweet game, great story, I seem to be in the minority that enjoyed this one more that Kh1. This one is more concise, has some strategy elements. But honestly you can just spam your way with Sonic Blade and Lethal Frame through most of the game, the only boss that gave me a *really* hard time is the final boss for Sora (I play on Proud). I'm still midway inPS4 version here. That's a really sweet game, great story, I seem to be in the minority that enjoyed this one more that Kh1. This one is more concise, has some strategy elements. But honestly you can just spam your way with Sonic Blade and Lethal Frame through most of the game, the only boss that gave me a *really* hard time is the final boss for Sora (I play on Proud). I'm still midway in Riku's story, his gameplay is different, and I'm looking forward to finishing it.

    You must play Kh1 before this one, and it is recommended you also play 358/2 Days (I mean watch) before this one.    … Expand
  10. Endory
    Oct 10, 2020
    10
    Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories is a remake of a Gameboy Advance game with the Kingdom Hearts 1 graphics. The game has a card based battle system where you collect and equip them to build a deck and use it during battles.

    It's a bridge game to tell the events between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 and intruduces new characters and gives more insight to them. The Disney worlds are sadly    Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories is a remake of a Gameboy Advance game with the Kingdom Hearts 1 graphics. The game has a card based battle system where you collect and equip them to build a deck and use it during battles.

    It's a bridge game to tell the events between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 and intruduces new characters and gives more insight to them.

    The Disney worlds are sadly just a rehash of Kingdom Hearts 1 and the Level Design is due to being a Gameboy Advance Game, very limited.

    I still enjoyed the Story Cutscenes and messing around with my deck and trying new combos.

    If you don't like the systems I would recommend to watch the cutscenes on youtube before playing Kingdom Hearts 2.

    All in all I enjoyed the game a lot.    … Expand
  11. Jasse3
    Feb 28, 2022
    9
    Super Spiel! Dafür das es ein Remake von einem GBA Spiel ist, ist es nicht schlecht. Das Kampfsystem ist vielfältig, wenn man es verstanden hat und es vernünftig benutzt. Die Story ist fantastisch und die Sicht von Sora als auch Riku zu erleben ist toll. Das Einzige was mich stört ist, dass der Weltenaufbau zu schnell repetitive wird. Man hat zwar verschiedene Möglichkeiten, einen Raum zuSuper Spiel! Dafür das es ein Remake von einem GBA Spiel ist, ist es nicht schlecht. Das Kampfsystem ist vielfältig, wenn man es verstanden hat und es vernünftig benutzt. Die Story ist fantastisch und die Sicht von Sora als auch Riku zu erleben ist toll. Das Einzige was mich stört ist, dass der Weltenaufbau zu schnell repetitive wird. Man hat zwar verschiedene Möglichkeiten, einen Raum zu erstellen, jedoch fällt der Erkundungsdrang im Gegensatz zu anderen Kingdom Hearts Spielen fast komplett weg.… Expand
  12. sakaiclan
    Nov 28, 2022
    8
    Really loved it but there are definitely problems. I don't like when there's moments where you have to fight random enemies for hours trying to get a card to unlock a door. It's all random so if you don't have the roulette card, you're **** Also the music can make you want to go crazy if you stay in a world for too long like Atlantica for example.
  13. aaronnmp96
    Jan 31, 2023
    8
    I really like the idea of ​​the cards, the story meets and exceeded my expectations, they are two very different campaigns in Gameplay and history

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. 1UP
    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.
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  2. IGN
    84
    An impressive remake that improves the presentation of the original GBA version by leaps and bounds while simultaneously streamlining the battle system.
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  3. GamePro
    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.
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