Verdict
Melody of Memory is a loving homage to the legacy of Kingdom Hearts, aiming to honour virtually twenty years of absurd excellence while additionally forging a brand new path ahead. If any franchise goes to make a rhythm sport an integral a part of its general plot, it is Kingdom Hearts, and I would not have it another approach.
Pros
An absurd quantity of songs from virtually each sport within the sequence
Respects the sequence’ legacy for each followers and newcomers alike
Feels accessible but difficult in equal measure no matter mode
So many collectibles and secrets and techniques to uncover
Cons
Boss battles is usually a bit complicated to sort out
Simplistic nature of the enter system might flip some off
Key Specifications
Review Price: £39.99
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Square Enix/indieszero
Genre: Rhythm
Kingdom Hearts is beloved for its iconic characters, wondrous sense of creativeness and melodramatic storytelling, however none of this grandeur could be doable with out the musical stylings that underpin it.
Yoko Shimomura has helmed the franchise as a composer for nearly twenty years, and her work is instilled within the minds of hundreds of thousands. Even just a few choose chords of Simple and Clean or Dearly Beloved will cut back even essentially the most hardened of followers to tears, and that alone speaks to the ability Kingdom Hearts has, and why many maintain it so pricey.
I’m a type of individuals, with the franchise occupying a particular place in my coronary heart that hasn’t wavered over time. Kingdom Hearts may be totally absurd in a large number of how, however it presents itself with such emotional conviction that it’s inconceivable to not be swept up into its wondrous combination of cute anime boys and overblown Disney cameos.
Now, Square Enix plans to rejoice the sequence’ legacy with Melody of Memory. Developed by Indieszero, it is a rhythm sport which goals to retell the occasions of Sora’s journey to date, whereas additionally forging forward into new pastures which are but to materialise. It’s a passionate love letter of whimsical brilliance that is aware of tips on how to spoil followers, whether or not that’s by means of prolonged renditions of basic tracks or oodles of collectibles to uncover.
Melody of Memory is such a pleasant shock, and goes down clean after a delirious schedule of massive releases. Consider it a delicate heat blanket to sink into, simply be sure to don’t thoughts sharing it with a bunch of spiky-haired anime characters.
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As I discussed earlier, Melody of Memory takes on the gargantuan job of retelling the whole story of Kingdom Hearts, albeit in a significantly condensed method. This is completed from the angle of Kairi. The underappreciated damsel in misery acts because the narrator, surfacing after sure phases to spill some exposition alongside video packages of cutscenes from previous video games. It’s effectively executed, though it does omit quite a few vital particulars.
For newcomers, it’s a floor stage introduction to the proceedings, however I really feel Melody of Memory is designed round present lovers of Kingdom Hearts, therefore why it’s little greater than a light-weight recap earlier than diving into new territory amidst the marketing campaign’s finish. I received’t spoil any of that right here, and there’s nonetheless loads I’ve but to even uncover, however don’t count on Tetsuya Nomura to carry again with regards to thrusting the franchise into absurdity as soon as extra.
I adored revisiting numerous narrative arcs from a brand new perspective, a lot of which Kairi was absent from when initially advised. The crimson-haired heroine has typically been relegated to a damsel ready to be saved, seldom having an opportunity to shine past just a few particular moments. Because of this, it was nice to see her take the highlight, even when I might have welcomed additional alternatives for Kairi to shine. With any luck, future entries within the franchise will do exactly that.
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As a rhythm expertise, Melody of Memory is extremely simple to study, however this simplicity shortly evolves into some massively difficult phases, refusing to carry your hand even on the usual issue. All phases are executed with two shoulder buttons and a single face button, which serve to manage all three members of your occasion. You will often want to leap into air and soar into sequences of notes, whereas making certain these on the bottom aren’t distracted from dispatching the oncoming swarms of Heartless.
Stages are break up into three classes – Field, Boss and Memory. Field is well the commonest, taking over nearly all of Melody of Memory’s marketing campaign as you journey throughout worlds reliving the occasions of every sport. In these, you routinely run ahead with a trio of characters tackling notes to the rhythm. The majority of worlds encompass two of three tracks, every of which have targets you’ll want to finish so as to progress the story.
They’re by no means too intimidating, and I solely ever discovered myself replaying songs a few times so as to progress. Memory Stages are longer affairs, and are unlocked all through the marketing campaign as a beneficiant reward, or you’ll be able to craft them your self. These phases embody full renditions of Simple and Clean, Sanctuary and different basic vocal tracks from throughout the sequence, and I like them so, a lot. It’s doable I haven’t unlocked it but, however variations of those songs with Japanese vocals would have been the cherry on prime.
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Boss battles are the weakest of the bunch, with the structure making it laborious to each learn the oncoming notes and deal with no matter motion is happening behind them. Fortunately, these phases are few and much between, typically touchdown on the finish of every marketing campaign milestone. Because of this, it was simple sufficient to push by means of them and by no means look again. That is, till the completionist in me woke up and I wanted all of the bonus targets.
Characters achieve expertise with every passing stage, leading to a larger number of spells to make use of alongside respectable well being factors. The former is actually an aesthetic distinction greater than something, however it offers every stage with a larger sense of scripted spectacle. You will unlock new events of heroes all through Melody of Memory.
They hail from Birth By Sleep, 358/2 Days and different basic entries, and it’s lovely to take management of them whereas having fun with their respective tracks. Little RPG components like this serve to provide Melody of Memory a finer stage of substance, making it really feel like your workforce is rising alongside you when chasing excessive scores and collectibles. Speaking of, it is a sport stuffed to the brim with issues to unlock.
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Completing songs will reward you with character playing cards, story art work, bonus phases and extra – with most of the aforementioned goodies additionally having their one tiered rarities with a number of variations to earn. I used to be enthusiastic about this, and as a hardcore follower of all issues Kingdom Hearts, was determined to unlock each single one. The brief and candy nature of most songs alongside the rewarding nature of their issue signifies that hours will go by in mere moments, which is an accolade I can solely reward to the style’s brightest sparks.
Verdict
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a superb rhythm sport, and a worthy homage to the distinctive sequence it belongs to. While its core gameplay is simplistic, the mounting problem and sheer quantity of content material on supply helped to mitigate most complaints I might muster.
As somebody who has held this sequence pricey since they have been a baby, this proved to be an enthralling journey down reminiscence lane whereas additionally doubling as a daring glimpse into the franchise’s future. If you may have even a slither of nostalgia for Kingdom Hearts, it is a toe-tapping journey price taking.