Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

[Sirgin]

I didn't even knew about this game until Tondog wrote about it in his RFG Release List topic, so thanks Tondog!

Here's some gameplay footage of Sora fighting Axel with a rather funny cut-scene before the fight.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43380.html


Note how Sora's voice is much more mature now, despite this game taking place between I and II. That's because the voice actor (Haley Joel Osment, from A.I. and The Sixth Sense) is now 20. I personally don't have a problem with letting him keep doing it. Replacing him with a random 12 year old kid would probably sound just as odd as Sora having an older voice.

[Tan]

My wife is looking forward to this one. She has the Game Boy Advance version but it's just not the same on a handheld.

[Darth Sidious]

Originally, this remake has been part of Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix +, a Japanese "international" version of Kingdom Hearts II (much like Final Fantasy VII or X International, or nowadays Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac or Final Fantasy X-2: International + Last Mission). While the Kingdom Hearts II portion of the package was basically the same as the original (except for some minor tweaks, like new boss battles or the secret ending hinting at Birth by Sleep), complete with the English voice cast, the Chain of Memories was practically a bonus disc...well, quite an impressive bonus.
It might sound weird at firtst that the West is "merely" getting Chain of Memories, but seeing as how the International Versions of S-E games have remained in Japan to this day, it's actually an improvement, and the price tag is pretty fair, too. I'm still thinking about getting the US version, even though I'm sure it will come to Europe sooner or later.

By the way, the reason for Square to do the impossible (release an International version near the end of a console's life cycle in the US) might be the fact that the new Kingdom Hearts games will soon show up in the US, too. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 days is scheduled for release in Japan in February, so perhaps a US release will follow shortly after, with Chain of Memories as some sort of advertisement.
Though I have to admit I'm more excited about Birth by Sleep on PSP at the moment...

[Sirgin]

My wife is looking forward to this one. She has the Game Boy Advance version but it's just not the same on a handheld.

I agree completely.

I personally don't understand why Square released this game on the GBA. I wouldn't mind if a spin-off was made for a handheld but not one in which the storyline matters to understand later console instalments. I don't own a GBA so I had to play KH II without knowing what happened in Chains of Memories.

[Sirgin]

Halloween Town gameplay:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43381.html

The music of The Nightmare Before Christmas is amazing.

[Sirgin]

Sora fighting Cloud at the Coloseum.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43372.html

[Zimbacca]

I really wanna get this one.  I've really liked all three of the Kingdom hearts games, but I really wanna play chain of memories in 3D.

[Shimra]

Been getting good reviews from the fans, but bad reviews from 'professional' videogame reviewers. Then again I hate Kingdom Hearts and think the gameplay is some of the most atrocious crap that has graced an RPG so I won't be getting it one wayor the other.

[jackttt]

Been getting good reviews from the fans, but bad reviews from 'professional' videogame reviewers. Then again I hate Kingdom Hearts and think the gameplay is some of the most atrocious crap that has graced an RPG so I won't be getting it one wayor the other.

For me i dont dislike it but i wont buy it either not played KH2 before so i cannot follow the story.

[Sirgin]

Been getting good reviews from the fans, but bad reviews from 'professional' videogame reviewers. Then again I hate Kingdom Hearts and think the gameplay is some of the most atrocious crap that has graced an RPG so I won't be getting it one wayor the other.

For me i dont dislike it but i wont buy it either not played KH2 before so i cannot follow the story.

That's alright. This game shows what happens between KH1 and 2, so it's perfect for you.

[Shimra]

Kind of elaborating on my earlier post... I really liked KH's world and characters, but I found the gameplay to be extremely shallow and the fighting was repetitive. My biggest complain though, is that the levels were very linear and not as expansive as I would have hoped. Granted I quit after the first 3 worlds, I would have loved to explore Wonderland or the Jungle from Tarzan instead of going on a straight course where you don't get to see any of the beautiful environments.

[Sirgin]

Kind of elaborating on my earlier post... I really liked KH's world and characters, but I found the gameplay to be extremely shallow and the fighting was repetitive. My biggest complain though, is that the levels were very linear and not as expansive as I would have hoped. Granted I quit after the first 3 worlds, I would have loved to explore Wonderland or the Jungle from Tarzan instead of going on a straight course where you don't get to see any of the beautiful environments.

I understand your complaints, but I recommend giving the game another shot. It's linear, true, but the environments are really nice.