Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of memories starts off exactly right where Kingdom Hearts left off. It connects Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II and explains the beginning of the second installment.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy, follow a mysterious man in black coat Castle Oblivion, a place where 'to lose is to find and to find is to lose'. upon stepping into the castle, you are approached by the hidden man who gives Sora a card, stating, ' The more you find out, the more you lose.' The card he gives he shows a familiar place- Traverse Town- and upon activating the card, Sora is transported to the town where his adventures first began. Once he gets there, however, he realizes that this place isn't real and the friends he's made and the people he'd met had forgotten him. As he continues to revisit the worlds he had once saved from the ebbing darkness, Sora finds himself unable to understand if the memories he has are real or if they're make believe.

As he continues his journey, Sora finds is hard to remember the faces of the people he had traveled with-even forgetting about finding Riku. As you go along your adventure, stringing together lost memories and discarding old ones, you'll meet the characters from the first game- and even some new faces will appear. You'll encounter Organization XIII, realize what's truth and what's fiction, and, given the chance, unlock the second part of the game.

There are many things that separate this game from its prequel and sequel. The battling system is unique, how you play is absolutely genuine, and the very story line of the game is compelling. Now lets address these topics so one does not get confused as to exactly how different this game is.

First off, Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories isn't like your typical role playing game. It combines tactics with fighting and introduces a new way of defeating your obstacles: cards. In this games battle system you must use cards to release your attacks. There are many different types of cards ( ones for attacking, ones for combos, ones for magic, and ones to release finishing moves ). These cards can run out and to replenish them you have to 'charge' them so to speak by holding in a button. If you run out of cards you can't continue fighting. You can collect the cards, make decks, get rid of the ones you don't want, and combine them to form more powerful cards. Not only do these cards allow you to fight, but they allow you to proceed in the game. Certain cards unlock rooms and you can use these cards to 'synthesize' a room, changing it. They allow passage into other worlds-or memories of that world. And, if you give it enough time and patience, find secret cards to unlock sealed rooms that hold valuable treasure.

Another major change in the game is how you play it. Instead of fighting alongside Donald and Goofy, Sora fights solo, using his friends as special battle cards that come and aid you during battle.

Leveling up is, refreshingly, up to you. Once you achieve a level, you decide what you want to level up. Whether you want to give Sora more hp, allow him to hold more cards, or learn new abilities, is completely up to you.

The layout of the worlds is slightly different then Kingdom Hearts fans are used to. Each section of the world you are in is a room made out of Sora's memories. Now, what's interesting about knowing the layout of a room you'll only be in for a few minuets? Everything. Strategy is a crucial part in deciding the rooms you are in. For example, the cards you collect from enemies are used to unlock the door to the next 'room'. And each card has a different type. Green, red, blue, or yellow. And each type has a title which allows certain things to happen. If you use a card that slow heartless down, then that 'room' is designed to follow that card. As stated before, cards completely rule the game. So when the time comes to unlock a door, choose carefully as it can be in favor for you or against you.

Once you get the hang of the battle system, you can complete the game easily and then focus your attention on finding the hidden secrets through out the game. But even then, you're not quite done.

Once you finish the game, you're not completely done. Once you return to the main menu There will be a third option to choose from: Reverse/Rebirth. By selecting this option, you have engaged yourself in Riku's story. Playing as Riku you battle the darkness in you and try and stay discrete as you unknowingly fight in the same memories as Sora is. Playing as Riku is exactly like playing as Sora: cards as the battle system and playing solo, choosing what you want to level up ( Hp, dark power, or attack. )

Both sides of the game are equally challenging and engaging, promising a never before experienced game play.

Overall, Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories was a worthwhile experience. It features the voice cast of the original Kingdom Hearts and engaging music from all three games. The graphics are eye pleasing and the cut scenes allow you view the game as if it were an actual anime. However, if you want to forge ahead and skip these scenes, you are given the option if you pause the scene. Reaction commands are given when needed, and you choose the difficulty of your game.

The game itself comes packaged in a holographic game case, displaying Sora and Riku along with fragments of memory that display other important characters such as the artistic girl shrouded in mystery, Donald and Goofy, and the ever reliable King Mickey. Along with the game you receive three beautiful Kingdom Hearts postcards, each displaying a different image, along with a full color booklet that gives you all the information you need to start of. My only quelm about the game is that map system you are given. Basically it only shows you which way you're pointing so make sure to take note of the room your in as it can get confusing as to which door you have and haven't used yet.

Originally the second disk in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, North America finally presents: Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories.

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Being a big fan of Kingdom Hearts, I was excited when chain of Memoires was made in PlayStation form. So I bought the game and played it.

I was ultimately dissapointed.

The game is a sloppy recap of the preceeding game Kingdom Hearts. Sora loses his memories and travels to "fake" worlds generated by his memories, thus doing things and meeting people that he already did and met in the last game, but to him it's all new. The animation isn't as good, the storyline is weak and repeditive, there isn't much voice acting, the animators didn't bother to re-sync the animation to make the characters appear like they are speaking english (not a big issue but still...). In the occasional instance where they do have voice acting, it is slightly off (you play as young Sora but they use old Sora's voice).

Above all the gameplay is TERRIBLE! The card system, albeit unique, is very frustrating to learn. The bosses you fight are also very, very difficult. It took me a very long time to beat this game, longer than it should have. I was and still am very angry with this game and felt like I had just finished doing a bunch of math problems for school rather than the pride of beating a cool game.

Then they suprised me when I unlocked the secret Riku mode (sorry if this spoils anything but I must mention this). I was hoping this hidden story would be better. Instead, it's even worse! It's almost the exact same levels, bad guys and plot as the first side of the game! It's a sloppy recap of a sloppy recap! I was only playing to see how it ended, nothing more, and the ending wasn't so good...

Do yourself a favor. Play Kingdom Hearts or Kingdom Hearts II, but I implore you to avoid Chain of Memories at all costs. It's not worth the money or the 30+ hours you'll spend on it.

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Is it me or is anyone else getting tired of the method in which Enix has released this series? I do not understand why this series has to jump between different consoles and make giant leaps in game play. It's almost enough to draw more people away than to bring them in IMO.

Did I enjoy the card deck method? Yes. I felt it added some creativity and actual strategy and made the extra work enjoyable when you acquired cards that would increase the strength in your deck. The idea that the cards were memories reinforced the theme of Castle Oblivion. It does take some getting used to, but once you find the method of card stacking to create powerful sleighs, you will be entertained by the fresh approach.

The major concern I had with the game is repeating the same worlds as KH1 and KH2. There is no new areas, except if you include Castle Oblivion's tired repeated look on every floor. I have to mention that once I finished Sora's story, I only played 10 minutes of Riku's. I had no interest to repeat the same repetitive storyline again.

There is a part of me that thinks Enix Square is throwing this series on all different low graphic consoles b/c they are not taking this series as serious as they should. It gives them an excuse to re-use tired old worlds and add nothing new to the series. I find it evident in this game and in 358/2 days.

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Great third edition game. Different from the first two but a refreshing change. Well worth playing. Thanks!!!!

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You'll find the game repetitive and the card battle system very difficult. The bosses are brutal(You wont even make it past Larxenes second fight) and personally it could have done better. If the card system was removed this may be better and easeir but its not.

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Awesome game, battles are different than the 1st and 2nd games, you use cards to battle enemies. Graphics and characters are awesome. It is worth buying. I have the first and second game of this.

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I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this game. It's so different from the other kingdom hearts games.. yet it's like a breathe of fresh air. I'm glad I gave this game a chance. So far I like it. It's not that hard to figure out and easy to get the hang of. It's feels strange playing with the cards but also fun at the same time. I want to play more of it. It would have been cool if they just stuck to the orginal style of battle system yes.. but even so, I like it all the same. The acting is ok and at least you get to learn more of the story so overall the game is worth the time and money.

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I bought this product from amazon, but they only have the Greatest Hits version. I havent played it yet so I dont know if its good or not, but if you do buy this game from amazon, know that it is the greatest hits version, not holographic (as shown in image).

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This is a full PS2 remake of the original GBA Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It's much better than the original, mainly because of the graphics and the new voice overs. It's probably not as good as the Japanese version, which came out in March of 2007, but it's as perfect as you can get. It also definitely helps with the wait for Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.

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I love the Kingdom Hearts series and really enjoyed Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, I got this game to find out what happened between the two games, and this game starts off right where the first one ended (the last scene after the credits), like many have pointed out you use the card system to fight, which probably once I get used to it, it will be OK, but for right now it is still a tough change. Once you get used to the cards you find the story easy to follow and enjoyable, and you learn about many of the members of Organization XIII, if you do not know what this is, you need to play Kingdom Hearts 2 (or this game). One thing I have noticed that is not that great about this game, is that you receive the card to access multiple worlds at one time, you do not know how hard the world is and you may get frustrated if you pick the wrong world to start off with (I recommend using a walk through) so you know what world matches your experience level.

In the end this is good game to fill in the blanks about what has happened between Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2. While the card system makes this game weak compared to the others it is still an essential story for the series.

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I've been waiting to be able to play this game ever since it came out for the Game Boy Advance.

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Their are some details I couldn't see on the gba game. Also, what makes the ps2 game better is that theirs sound.

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This item arrived with the other two games in the same shrink-wrapped box. I was very impressed with the quality of the product and the care that was taken to ensure they arrieved in good shape when they were shipped. I was also pleased that these games were brand new! Very happy with this item!

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I should warn you up front, I am a MAJOR Kingdom Hearts buff, so expect this review to be biased accordingly.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is the game that bridges half of the gap between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II. (The rest will be explained in Kingdom Hearts: 385/2 Days, to be released in Japan in February, North America ???) This is the story of Sora's trek through the mysterious Castle Oblivion, his search for the friend he forgot he had (Naminé), and his encounter with the mysterious "Organization" of "Nobodies."

The original KH:CoM was released on the GBA system. Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories is a complete 3D remake of the GBA game (Originally released in Japan w/KHII Final Mix +)--including VOICE OVERS!!! That's right, the cutscenes between the floors/worlds are completely voice acted. Beautiful, right? It also incorporates new features to the game, like reaction commands with some attacks.

KH Re:CoM also includes a remake of the Reverse/Rebirth mode, also mostly voice acted. (Sadly the actual worlds in both game modes are "bubbled" not acted. *sigh*) This game mode also includes a new Card Duel system. Play the same ranked card as your opponent, and you're given the opportunity to unleash some seriously bad sleights.

Oh, I should have mentioned that Re:CoM (as the original CoM) has an entirely different gameplay system. In Castle Oblivion, every action is controlled by the Cards. What world you go to, generating new areas within the world, and even fighting. You have to construct a deck of Attacks, Magics, Items, and even Enemies to match your fighting stle and destroying your enemies. It took me the first floor or so before I got the hang of it, but it's really not that much harder. One aspect is that you can "stack" one-three cards and play them all simultaneously, resulting in a destructive combo, or ocassionally an even more powerful attack called a "sleight" that can have devestating effects.

Bottom line: if you like Kingdom Hearts, BUY THIS GAME. If you don't like Kingdom Hearts, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? (Just kidding! :p) If you've played the original CoM BUY THIS GAME. If you haven't, BUY THIS GAME!

I rate it two thumbs up (but only because I don't have a third!)

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this game is a must buy for a kingdom hearts fan! the camera could have been better but all in all its still awesome and better than the original gameboy advance release because its in 3-D!

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