Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory Reviews

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 great game for the fans of the series, plunging the player deep into nostalgia to refresh the events and immerse them in the beloved universe. However, it might not be the best game to begin your journey in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Despite being a strong rhythm action game, the game’s biggest point is reliving memories that already have an emotional impact with its audience.

Overall, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an astounding take on the rhythm game genre, bringing the expertly crafted music of the Kingdom Hearts series to the forefront. Longtime fans of the series will find themselves drenched in nostalgia as they play through levels like Roxas' theme song or Simple and Clean. Meanwhile, newcomers will be able to discover the story and characters through the lens of great music and gameplay.

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 makes the series special, and it isn't what it needs to be for newcomers to feel that same love for the series moving forward.

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

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a musical romp set across the Disney-inspired universe of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. It’s a rhythm action game, reminiscent of titles like Guitar Hero or Beat Saber. Gameplay involves smacking monsters and dodging obstacles to the beat of the music. It serves as a recap of every game in the series until now, told through its excellent soundtracks. And if that sounds like this is a filler game that fans can skip, it’s not. This is also the canonical s...

Fan Service: Unchained,

Visually, Melody of Memory is a bit strange. It uses the PS2/PSP models for most of its characters, except in the end. It makes sense in a way since this isn’t a main title, but I would have liked to see them use the sharp Kingdom Hearts III models throughout. Either way, it looks fine and it’s a bit nostalgic to see the classic models again.

Verdict: Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an okay filler title in between main titles but feels out of date. The game’s rhythm mechanics would have been great during the early 2010s when Rockband and Guitar Hero were still prevalent; however, it does appear rhythm games are making a comeback, EX: Fuser. Ultimately, the game feels like a cash grab based on Kingdom Hearts nostalgia; it does a good job recapping the story but is not as fulfilling as playing through Kingdom Hearts 1.5, 2.5, 2.8, and 3. If you are a diehard fan of the music, then it’s worth picking up; otherwise, you should probably skip it or wait until it’s on sale.

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.

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.

When the issues of a game are rolled and stomped by its greatness, then it’s something to invest on if you have some spare.

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.

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.

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.

A loving musical tribute to the legacy of Kingdom Hearts.

While it’s very short on story, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is a neat celebration of the Dark Seeker Saga before moving on. With a huge selection of fantastic tunes and a fun yet simplistic control scheme, this game will keep fans busy until Kingdom Hearts IV.

Since its 2002 debut, the Kingdom Hearts series has taken players on an unpredictable ride, containing everything from human replicas to time travel. One thing has remained constant, though: Stellar music. Whether it’s the poignant character themes or heart-pumping battle tracks, composer Yoko Shimomura has stayed at the top of her game, creating arrangements that have become core to the series’ identity. Rhythm game Melody of Memory is the ultimate tribute to this musical talent, offering a massive catalog of over 140 tracks to relive. The end result is proof that moving the spotlight onto this component wasn’t unwarranted. While not without its faults, Melody of Memory is a refreshing way to look back at Kingdom Hearts’ long journey thus far, and even gives fans just enough breadcrumbs to anticipate what’s next.

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 music. Though there isn't much in the form of new worlds or music, it's a one-stop-shop to listen to Yoko's extraordinary music. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory may be too much memory and not enough new thoughts, but it's still an entertaining trip down memory lane.

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

Kingdom Hearts is a good rhythm game that meanders way too often with its presentation. If you’re a diehard fan who sings “Simple and Clean” to themselves in the shower, you’ll probably love a trip down memory lane, while humming all of the battle sequences that a lot of casual players might skip over. Just know that it might take some work to get to your favorite parts.

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.

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.