Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

Kingdom Hearts: re-Chain of Memories
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Developer(s)	Square Enix
Publisher(s)	Square Enix
Release date(s)	March 29, 2007 December 2, 2008
Genre	Action role-playing game
Game modes	Single player
Ratings	CERO:A ESRB: TBA
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2

Kingdom Hearts: re-Chain of Memories is a remake of Kingdom Hearts sequel, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. It is packaged with Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ on a separate disc. A few changes has been done prior the remake's release. Fansubs of key cutscenes can be found at Youtube and KHVids.

A U.S. release was confirmed by Square Enix for December 2nd, 2008. It will be in PS2 format and will not be related to Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ (which never was released outside Japan) in any way. It will be sold for $30. [1]

Changes and Differences in the original and remake

As stated above there are some changes regarding on the game's remake. Notable changes include:

• 3D cutscenes, along with voice-actings.
• Updated music, including new ones.
• Theater Mode is unlockable, which allows you to view all cutscences in the game. (Replaced Link mode)
• Clearing Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ first will allow Sora to use sleights and Keyblades from Kingdom Hearts II. It will also unlock enemy cards of the Organization XIII members that were in Kingdom Hearts II, with the exception of Axel, who already has an enemy card.
• Riku is more powerful than in the original game.

File:ReCoM3DCutscene.png

A snapshot of a cutscene, which are all pre-rendered in 3D

Gameplay

• New Cards are available.
• Riku gains a new sleight which allows him to perform a combo with King Mickey.
• Reaction commands are implemented from Kingdom Hearts II.
• A special command, card duel (card breaking) that allows player to break stacks of opponents cards is a specific time and inflict massive damage. This is only available to Riku.
• Battles now take form in 3D, and object in rooms that fire projectiles, inflict damage or initiate battles when hit.
• In Reverse-Rebirth, when Riku finally accepts both his light and dark side during the fight with Zexion in Destiny Islands, he is constantly in Dark-mode.
• There is also a new version of Trinity Limit that can be accessed by stocking Goofy first; in this sleight, Sora and Donald, who use Goofy as a battering ram, run around bashing into enemies.
• Glide is now include in Sora's story.
• There are now map card premiums and wild map cards which could redeem any value.
• Lexaeus can go into a temporary state of power and invulnerability, similar to the battle in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
• The Riku Replica sometimes enters a battle with an orb of dark energy in his left hand.
• Riku has a Drive Bar.
• Whenever Sora enters a world that changes his appearance, he changes into his form for that world.
• Pluto is a party character in Sora's Story.

Bosses and Enemies

• Zexion can be fought in Destiny Islands.
• There is a third form for Marluxia while fighting him as a final boss.

Death scenes and Storyline Changes

• Instead of dragging Riku in the dark depth using his final strength, Lexaeus is killed when Riku's body was taken by Xehanort's Heartless temporarily.
• In the original game, Zexion was killed by Riku Replica offscreen (though a sound of striking blades can be heard), Naminé pleaded Riku Replica's mercy for Zexion before he was killed, and in the remake, Riku Replica simply forced his life force out of Zexion.
• In the original climax of Sora's storyline, when Axel attempts to execute Marluxia for his betrayal, Marluxia used Naminé as a shield after hearing Axel's threat. In the remake, they have a brief fight before Marluxia uses Naminé as a shield. Marluxia also never leaves the room.
• Axel finishes off Vexen by immolating him with a snap of his fingers. In the original, he just struck Vexen with his chakrams a second time, and Vexen died.
• In the original, the Riku Replica is seen lying on the ground on Floor 12, and moving to him will trigger a cutscene (followed by a boss fight). In the remake, he is standing up, and a Reaction Command triggers the cutscene and boss fight.
• In the original, Goofy knocks away Larxene when she tries to kill Sora. In the remake, he just throws his shield at Larxene, which temporarily distracts her.
• When Sora was hurt by Larxene in the original COM, Donald used Cure to heal him, but in RE-COM he uses Curaga to heal Sora.

Links

Official website

Official Japanese website of Kingdom Hearts games

Official American website of Kingdom Hearts games