Review - Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (2020)

        Hey guys, Chuck here. It's been a bit since we last talked about Kingdom Hearts, and until the release of Kingdom Hearts IV, this will probably be the last time we talk about Kingdom Hearts for a while. So, in honor of twenty-two years of Kingdom Hearts, let's dive into the 2020 game Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.

        So, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a rhythm game that essentially recaps every entry of the Kingdom Hearts franchise since the first game in 2002. There are multiple team variations to play as throughout the game, including Sora, Donald, and Goofy, Roxas, Axel, and Xion, Terra, Ven, and Aqua, I think you get the idea. The point is that the game revisits the events of each of the different Kingdom Hearts games, and has players complete the various worlds from each of those games in the forms of rhythm tracks. And, completion of various segments of the game sees cutscenes recaps of said games being narrated over by Kairi. 

        In a way, Melody of Memory is really Kairi's game, as she's the one telling the story from the memorize of Sora and the others. In a final confrontation, Kairi has one last showdown with Master Xehanort, getting help in finishing the villain from Sora. And, Xehanort hints that Sora may be on "the other side." Other side of what? It's unclear, and something of a mystery to Ansem the Wise and his apprentices Even and Ienzo. However, the Fairy Godmother arrives and takes both Kairi and Riku to The Final World, where a spirit that Sora spoke to during Kingdom Hearts III when he was in The Final World looks to help Sora, and believes he could be in a place called Quadratum. Riku goes through a portal gate to this unknown world and goes in search for Sora. 

         Back at the Mysterious Tower, Kairi relays to Yen Sid, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy about what she's learned. Mickey initially looks to follow Riku, but is talked out of it by Yen Sid. Realizing the situation, Yen Sid dispatches Donald and Goofy to let their other allies know to call off the search for Sora. Also, he asks Kairi if she wishes to continue her Keyblade training as she did before the showdown at The Keyblade Graveyard, and she seeks to instead take up training under the tutelage of Aqua, which Yen Sid agrees to. Finally, believing Xehanort may have some information about Quadratum, and believing that the fabled Lost Masters may be involved, Yen Sid sends Mickey to dig up any information... beginning his search at Scala ad Caelum. 

       Okay, so what little story development we get in Melody of Memory is meant to act as a Coda to the "Dark Seeker Saga," and help sow the seeds for the forthcoming "Lost Masters Arc," which was teased at the end of Kingdom Hearts III. Something I do appreciate is that, for the first time in this series, we get a game that's completely from Kairi's perspective. The rhythm game mechanics of the actual gameplay are also very unique, and I do like how it's more than just keeping time with the music, but also defeating enemies, as Heartless, Nobodies, and such tend to appear on the music track. There are a few exceptions to this, as many of the songs from Kingdom Hearts III are pretty much "keep up with the music," with the most obvious example being "Let it Go" from Frozen.

       Overall, for a side game in the Kingdom Hearts series, I thoroughly enjoyed Melody of Memory. Not among the best of the spin-off games, but definitely up there with both Birth by Sleep and Dream Drop Distance as being a fun one for me. I'm giving Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory a rating of 4.5/5. It's available on the PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and computer, so check it out if you get a chance. 

        Anyway guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys next time with Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.

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