Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

 PSP
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
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  1. Gamers' Temple
    71
    If you want a fun action game and don't care about the tale it has to tell, Birth By Sleep is a great choice. If you are a fan of the series, as I reluctantly am, the game is a no-brainer. If you are a PSP Go owner, that is Sony's finger poking you in the eye. No matter which category you fall into, I think you'll agree in hoping Square Enix has some new ideas for the inevitable Kingdom Hearts III, because what they've got now is pretty tired.
  2. Telegraph
    Oct 22, 2010
    70
    Disappointing too is the roster of worlds you visit, and the lack of exploration in each.
  3. Gamereactor Denmark
    70
    The story is drawn-out and not very interesting, and the loading times are often excruciatingly long and frequent. But high production values, the charm of the Disney universe and the depth and challenge of the combat system means that Kingdom Hears: Birth by Sleep is still worth picking up.
  5. Eurogamer
    70
    Developments to the battle system ensure that this is the most enjoyable Kingdom Hearts title in terms of its raw systems, but the storytelling and structure fail to delight in the same way.
  6. GamePro
    60
    It's a thoroughly middle-of-the-road entry that drips with potential but fails thanks to some deepseeded faults.
  7. Metro GameCentral
    60
    The potential for a great game is here, but the repetitive questing, arcane plotting and thoughtless battles means its never properly roused into action.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PSP Game of 2010
4
#4 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2010
6
#6 Most Shared PSP Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 551 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 452 out of 551
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 551
  3. Negative: 50 out of 551
  1. Saix7
    Sep 12, 2010
    10
    Square Enix does a great job with this Kingdom Hearts title. Birth By Sleep has improved its battle system and did a great job to createSquare Enix does a great job with this Kingdom Hearts title. Birth By Sleep has improved its battle system and did a great job to create something new. Soundtrack - - The music is excellent as usual with the talents of Yoko Shimomura reprising her role. Graphics - - For a PSP title you can't really complain about the graphics as it does look great for a portable title. Gameplay - - Gameplay is fun and exciting with probably the best battle scheme in the series, along with a few fun mini-games and multi-player options.
    Story - - An interesting past about characters from before the events of the first game and how it all started makes you want to more about what is happening as you progress (Unless you have read spoilers)

    Overall this game is one of the best PSP titles and one of the more Interesting KH titles.
    If you haven't played the series before this is probably a great start as it is a prequel to the original.
    If you're a Kingdom Hearts fan then you will definitely love this one.    … Full Review »
  2. Monkeyjump
    Mar 1, 2011
    4
    The game offers you three, Identical, scenarios in which you travel to Miniature versions of the previous Kingdom Hearts worlds. These worldsThe game offers you three, Identical, scenarios in which you travel to Miniature versions of the previous Kingdom Hearts worlds. These worlds offer neither the amount of Game play nor the awesome Keyblades at the completion of the level. You can burn through a world with 100% completion in less time than the average Gummy ship Mini Game (Which there isn't in this game)

    The Kingdom hearts franchise is known for mixing the Magic of Disney with the Solid Game play of Final Fantasy. With the only Final Fantasy cameo coming from a terrible remake of Zach (Crisis Core and 7) its hard to even call this a prequal to the original.

    In short:

    Three Identicle scenarios

    Quick game, 45 hours 100% completion

    Not enough Key Blades

    One Final Fantasy Character

    No Gummy Ship

    No replay Value

    Does Not compare with other Kingdom Hearts    … Full Review »
  3. tghm1801
    Sep 7, 2010
    10
    Easily the best game in the series - so far.
    The battle system is great, the graphics are fantastic for the PSP, and it rarely has any    Easily the best game in the series - so far.
    The battle system is great, the graphics are fantastic for the PSP, and it rarely has any slowdown.
    If you install data onto a memory card, load times are not a problem.
    This game is just amazing in general.
    If you're looking for something to keep you occupied for a while or are already familiar with the Kingdom Hearts franchise then stop reading this and go and buy it.
    Now.    … Full Review »
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