Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is such a unique breath of fresh air in the video game world. It’s a cleverly sleeved rhythm game, which makes full use of the regular Kingdom Hearts series combat system. It’s an action RPG with real time combat, magic, items, and level gains set to over 100 musical pieces from the series. It’s a very addictive experience, and one that should be played by all Kingdom Hearts and rhythm game fans.

The Kingdom Hearts franchise has a long history. Twisting and turning through a huge cast of characters and worlds, main games and spin-offs, you’d be forgiven for losing track of what’s been happening over the last 18 years. As such, Square Enix’s latest title in the franchise recaps the entire storyline so far. The catch is it isn’t the traditional RPG fans would usually expect. Instead, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is a rhythm music title.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a great rhythm game that is sure to be enjoyed by newcomers and veteran players of the genre. However, if you’re buying it for the story you should probably skip this. This isn’t the Kairi game fans have been pining for since the Re:Mind DLC.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a pleasant, nostalgia-packed experience providing a plot recap which fans of the series probably need right about now

Melody of Memory is a nostalgic, rhythmic celebration of Kingdom Hearts that fans of the series and the genre will adore.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory has been long time coming. Even with its faults, Square Enix and indieszero deliver a rhythmic fantasia that captures the series' music at its very best.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is exactly what it needs to be: A quality rhythm game experience that lets fans of the series look back on it fondly. It's flaws are minor, and its strengths lay the groundwork for a promising future of bigger and better spin-off titles in the genre.

While definitely not for everyone, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is truly a trip down memory lane full of the best songs that the series has to offer. With more than 140 tracks and a relatively minuscule new story involving Kairi thrown into the mix, the game is a must play for long time fans of the series, especially if you love rhythm games.

Overall, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is great for looking at the past and reminiscing at the whimsical times with all the impactful music that came along with it. It's a solid rhythm game that blends the gameplay that fans of the series know and love. However, for those new to the franchise, it would be better to play through the games and get maybe too much information that you might be wanting than not getting enough. Kingdom Hearts has a great story, but it is the characters that define it and have made early fans stick around for this long. Melody of Memory only has one piece of what ...

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a nostalgia-heavy reflection of a triumphant but persistently jumbled-up franchise about spell-slinging ducks and Final Fantasy characters living in Disney castles, but it lovingly memorializes its legacy and honors the fans who have grown to love it. While it doesn’t do anything remarkable or exciting with its rhythm gameplay, and it may not be the most alluring for those who don’t have the same understanding and love of Kingdom Hearts, it’s certainly a delightful experience that’s well worth the time spent.

In terms of gameplay mechanics, there are undoubtedly better rhythm games out there than Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. Being able to use any of three buttons just feels a bit slapdash. And as fantastic as the Kingdom Hearts’ soundtrack is, much of it doesn’t feel particularly suited to rhythm play. As such, you should probably think twice before jumping in if you’re simply after a new rhythm game. But if you’re a fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, its issues are easily overlooked, making it much more of an interesting prospect.

The wait for the next Kingdom Hearts game is sure to be agonizing and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory only does so much. As a continuation of the story, Melody of Memory falls flat with only a brief taste unlocked at the end. If you want to get Melody of Memory to learn a few tidbits about where the plot might go, you're better off just looking up the scenes elsewhere. Melody of Memory succeeds as a fun, well-made rhythm game that successfully adapts Kingdom Hearts' combat into the genre. The gameplay is fast, fluid and frantic, giving players a new way to experience the franchise's excellent...