Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Game review by Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Unique GameBoy game (with a dose of Disney).

Game Boy Advance 2004
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Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 11 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this game encourages reading and strategizing, and it has a positive message. Parents should note that despite being blood-free, the game does contain some fantasy violence. Additionally, it uses well-known Disney and Final Fantasy characters, which creates some inherent commercialization concerns.

Community Reviews

yami0204
yami0204 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Good little game!

I like KH, I'll admit, but when I heard about this game I was a little iffy about whether it would be good considering previous card battle games weren't all that great. And I didn't have an SP, but it gave me good reason to get one! I had my thoughts that the card battle system would be tedious, but it actually allows for freedom for the player to utilize Sora however they want. The system isn't that difficult to learn, either. My seven year old cousin picked it up and understood it rather quickly. Beyond that, the story was good and a good lead-up to the second PS2 installment of the franchise. I actually have no big complaints about the game other than Riku. When you beat Sora's game you can play as Riku and he gets frustrating as you can't customize him like you can Sora, which forces you to think a little more. Otherwise, this is a solid game for the SP!
kmattson
kmattson Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age
See all 4 parent reviews

What’s It About?

KINGDOM HEARTS: CHAIN OF MEMORIES mixes well-known Disney and Final Fantasy characters for another card-based adventure. Led by a mysterious stranger, Sora and his friends Donald Duck and Goofy enter into Castle Oblivion, and he discovers that Castle Oblivion is actually the memories of friends he met and places he visited during the adventures of the first Kingdom Hearts game. The stranger explains that Sora will need to use special cards to defeat enemies and gain access to other memories.

Enemies change depending on Sora's location -- for example, they turn into palace guards in Agrabah. Sora uses real-time action (moving and jumping) and special cards to attack and defend. Players need to select the right card or cards from Sora's deck throughout the battle. Special moves can be created by grouping cards and using the right combinations of cards at the right time.

Is It Any Good?

Parents should know that battles are bloodless and free of gore. Enemies simply disappear when defeated. Also, the game's story is uplifting and positive, focusing on the importance of friendships, of being helpful and kind, and on being true to oneself and others. Finally, much of the story is told through text, which encourages reading and imagination.

This sequel to the successful PS2 game Kingdom Hearts proves to be fun and challenging to play, making it easy to see why it has become a hit in its own right. While there are Disney and Final Fantasy tie-ins that may warrant discussion, this is a creative and challenging title. Good readers ages 6 and up will get the most out of the game. Even for older players, the card-based fighting is a refreshing change from the simple mayhem of first-person shooters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about marketing with even their youngest children. Is playing a game featuring familiar characters and locations more fun? Does it make you think about these characters more? What do businesses like Disney have to gain by putting their characters in video games, or putting their images on other products like cereal, TV shows, or T-shirts?

Game Details

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