Game - Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
 Terry Bartley  rates it:    Community rates it:
   167 of 346 readers found this review helpful.

Way back in 2002, "Kingdom Hearts," a game combining Final Fantasy gameplay with Disney characters was released. None of us knew what to expect. Would this game be a Disney wonderland, a Square work of art, or just a flop waiting to happen. We all got something we didn't expect, one friggin' awesome game.

This game was amazing, many scoffed at the Disney characters in such an otherwise flawless game, but I found them refreshing. Something new, a good game released by Disney Interactive.

"Kingdom Hearts" stared a very Final Fantasy-like boy named Sora. He grew up on a deserted island with his two friends, Riku and Kairi. Insanity ensued and their perfect, almost Disney, world was shattered. Kairi and Riku were nowhere to be found and Sora found himself in a town filled with Disney and Final Fantasy stars alike, who all ended up there the same way he did. The Heartless, an enemy driven by hatred, Disney villains, and a madman named Ansem destoryed their world.

As the story progressed, Sora discovered two companions, Donald and Goofy, yes the classic Disney stars. They too lost someone, their King Mickey. This group continued on making their way through various Disney worlds, helping people along the way, trying not to meddle too much in these beloved stories. Eventually, our stars found themselves in a world none of them knew, an evil castle. As any RPG ends, they defeated the evil, saved the universe, blah, blah, blah.

That is where Chain of Memories picks up. Although the world was saved, they never found their lost friends. For fans of the original, you'll love this one. There is one element in this handheld version that fans of any game series cringe to hear. The battle system is, dare I say it, card battling! I know, its a terrible thing to do to any game, but believe it or not, the card battles are not all that terrible. The battles start out as button mashing, but eventually develop into a detailed game of strategy. Another miracle from Square-Enix, a good card battle system.

As far as the story goes, this one is very nice. You'll get very tired of hearing about memories, but they are an ongoing part of the story. You will get confused until you really realize what's going on, but isn't that what RPGs are for. I admit that Goofy and Donald without real voice actors are, albeit more understandable, not as lovable. You will enjoy seeing them again, but I really missed hearing them.

All in all, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, is another masterpiece from Disney and Square-Enix. Any fans of the original probably already owns this, but if you don't, you definitely should pick it up. I have to take some points away for making me endure a card battle system, but I think I'd give it 4 out of 5 cans.

Added:  Saturday, April 09, 2005

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