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]

Story(Sora)

After being separated from his friends, Sora wandered down on a long, meandering path with Donald and Goofy searching for a way to find Riku and Mickey, encountering Pluto on the way. When they reached a crossroad and called it a night, a mysterious man in a long black hooded cloak appeared and informed Sora, "ahead lies something you need, but to claim it, you must lose something dear." The man disappears and only one path remains. The trio followed the path which lead them to a mysterious castle known as Castle Oblivion. They entered the castle hoping to pick up some clues as to the whereabouts of their friends only to discover, as they ascended the floors of the fortress, they were beginning to lose their memories and became more and more uncertain of themselves.

Little did they know, their memories were being manipulated by a mysterious organization that sought to capture and manipulate Sora. To do this, they used Naminé, a young witch who could rearrange the chains of memories and create new links. In order to make Sora forget Kairi, Naminé begins to replace his memories of her with herself. Meanwhile, a conflict between the Organization's members leads to several encounters between Sora and Riku, whose memories of Kairi had also been replaced with ones containing Naminé.

The trio's uncertainty builds to a point where they ended up in Twilight Town, a place that Sora is fairly certain that he has never been in, thus should not exist in his memory. Organization member IV, Vexen, revealed that it is a place that exists on the other side of Sora's heart, but is eliminated by Axel, another member of the Organization, before he can explain anything.

Axel ends up betraying Marluxia, the lord of Castle Oblivion, revealing that Marluxia and Larxene, the newest members of their group, intended to use Sora to overthrow the Organization. Axel manipulated Naminé into doing what she believed was right. She revealed to Sora that she never existed in his memory and that she had been replacing the person most important to him. Riku appeared to them again and was defeated by Sora. When Sora tried to help the injured Riku, he attacked Sora. Naminé used her power to break Riku's memories, and it caused him to collapse. Larxene came forth to eliminate Sora and Riku, who was revealed to actually be a Riku Replica, created by Vexen.

Sora defeated Larxene and forgave a regretful Naminé for her actions. She promised to restore the memories of the trio once they reached the 13th Floor of Castle Oblivion, where Marluxia was waiting for them. Axel attempted to destroy Marluxia himself, but then Marluxia used Naminé as a human shield. Sora stepped in and defeated Axel. Once Marluxia was defeated, Naminé asked that they step into machines that would rearrange their memories back to the way they were at the cost of breaking the links she created. She also informed him that the process will take some time, during which Sora, Donald, and Goofy would sleep as their memories were slowly restored. While they knew that they would forget Naminé, Sora promised her that while she was forgotten, she would remain in his heart, never lost.

Story(Riku)

Riku awakes in the lowest basement of Castle Oblivion, being led there by his heart resonating with Sora, who also happens to be in Castle Oblivion, though on the ground floor. A dark card and a disembodied voice present themselves. The Voice offers Riku the chance to sleep and forget his troubles as well as the light, or take the card and take the first steps toward the truth. Riku takes the card confidently.

Riku arrives in none other than Hollow Bastion, though only a version of it crafted from his memories. However, though Hollow Bastion is the same as he remembered it, he is unable to find anyone. All the while he searches, the Voice speaks to and mocks the young teenager.

At long last, Riku meets someone: Maleficent. Maleficent taunts him and his refusal of the darkness, but Riku fights Maleficent, hoping to prove that he is above the darkness. He is victorious.

Riku leaves Hollow Bastion, only to see the true form of Castle Oblivion. The Voice again comes to Riku, but this time reveals himself to be Xehanort's Heartless, who wants to take over Riku again. However, though Xehanort's Heartless is powerful, King Mickey comes to aid Riku with his light. Riku then manages to fend off Xehanort's Heartless for the time being. But before he leaves, the Heartless leaves Riku with some world cards and the ability to wield his inner darkness as a weapon.

• Meeting the Replica

I bet it's not every day you meet your twin. Too shocked to speak? This should come as a relief, then: I'm a replica of you that Vexen made." —Riku Replica Riku soon realizes that he has the power to detect the "smell" of darkness, and is discouraged by it, though King Mickey comforts him. However, King Mickey can only appear to Riku as a projection, for he is still in the Realm of Darkness. Still, with King Mickey's encouragement, Riku ascends the basements of Castle Oblivion in order to rid himself of his darkness. Meanwhile, as Riku travels through the lower levels of Castle Oblivion, Sora ascends the upper floors, being manipulated by Marluxia, a member of the mysterious Organization XIII and the lord of Castle Oblivion. But three other Organization members, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion work to counter Marluxia by using the dark-wielding Riku against the light-wielding Sora.

To further the trio's goals, Vexen independently appears before Riku and Riku wonders if Vexen is with Xehanort's Heartless. But Vexen cryptically responds that he is with "another Ansem". Still, Riku fights with Vexen, seeing him as an enemy. But the battle only helps Vexen, who uses the data he gathered from the battle to create a Riku Replica. The replica soon comes to battle Riku, mocking Riku's fear of the darkness while the replica embraces it. However, Riku proves victorious, and the replica runs off.

Soon, Xehanort's Heartless appears again, saying that the replica is a model of what Riku should be. But Riku only reaffirms his desire to conquer his darkness.

Passing through much of the castle (the bulk of Sora's story is complete, and Larxene and Vexen are dead) Riku finds Lexaeus and, like the others, tells him that he should accept the darkness again, because if he doesn't, his journey will end here. The two fight, and Riku barely finishes the mighty brute. As a last move, Lexaeus covers the room in darkness as Xehanort's Heartless moves in to take his heart. Mickey saves him again and manages to bring him out of the darkness.

Riku comes closer to the ground level, just as Marluxia's scheme fails and Sora finishes him off. Riku senses Marluxia's defeat, and Zexion quickly arrives on the scene to explain it. But he also reveals that Sora is the one who did the deed, much to Riku's surprise. Zexion quickly asks if Riku is capable of seeing Sora, for Riku shouldered the darkness for so long, and Xehanort's Heartless still resides in his heart. Riku tries to resist Zexion's comments, but Zexion ultimately gives him a world card...of Destiny Islands. Riku enters.

• Twilight

You hated being an islander, cut off from other worlds. So you opened the door to darkness and destroyed the islands. YOU did that! And now you belong to the darkness. Look at what you are!" —Zexion, exclaiming Riku's hypocrisy to Darkness In Destiny Islands, Riku meets all of his friends, but they are all silent and they eventually disappear, even Kairi. Zexion throws all of Riku's fears at him at once, telling him he's responsible for causing them to disappear, and that he belongs to the darkness now. He finally transforms an illusion of him into a Darkside Heartless, telling him this is what he has become. Riku beats back the Heartless as Zexion disguises himself as Sora. He tells him that it's finally time to face the light.

Riku sinks into the light as he begins fade, but Kairi appears and tells him that he can't. Light can't beat him, neither can darkness, so he should accept both, then he won't be afraid anymore. He awakens his dark power again, admitting that it's a part of him and not evil, beating back Zexion. He disappears, but is quickly killed by the Riku Replica with Axel.

Riku nearly makes it to the main floor as Xehanort's Heartless appears to control him, but King Mickey beats him back again and finally appears for real. Riku is relieved at finally having a real friend with him. Mickey explains that he found a card which showed him Riku's heart and he followed it back to him. Riku uses the card, and ends up in Twilight Town. Xehanort's Heartless appears again, but Riku tells him that he's not "Ansem", because his scent is not darkness--it is something else. Riku also sees that this man is the Voice that presented itself at the beginning of his journey. The Voice finally introduces himself as DiZ. Riku asks him what he really wants from him, and DiZ tells him he wants him to choose between Light and Darkness, because he lies in-between. The decision will be decided with Naminé, who Riku looks for.

However, the Riku Replica manages to find him, and demand another fight to prove him "worthy". The replica intends to kill Riku in order to become real, but fails. However, Riku comforts him by saying that the replica's heart will go to the same place as the real one's, before the replica vanishes out of existence.

Riku meets up with Naminé. who is with Sora in his memory cell, and explains the situation. She offers to seal away Xehanort's Heartless and Riku's darkness, so that he may forget them, but will have to sleep to do so. Riku refuses, hoping to win on his own, and leaves a satisfied Naminé. However, before he departs, he tells Naminé that he knows that it was her who appeared to him as Kairi, commenting that they smell the same.

• Way to the Dawn

Your darkness belongs to you. Just like your light. Until now, I thought darkness was nothing but bad. But my time with you made me change my mind. You've chosen a road I never thought of. Light and Dark, back to back. With you, they mingle in a way no one's ever seen before. I want to see where that road leads. And if it's okay, I want to walk the road with you." —Mickey, comforting Riku

After meeting Naminé, DiZ appears again to Riku and the King (who notes that DiZ seems familiar). Knowing his choice, DiZ gives Riku a card that will draw out Xehanort's Heartless. After DiZ leaves, Riku tells King Mickey to destroy him if Riku fails to stop Xehanort's Heartless, but the King refuses, saying he'll only help him regain control, and never harm him. Riku concedes.

Riku faces Ansem for one final battle alone. Ansem asks why he still refuses him if he accepts darkness now, but Riku merely says "you just really stink". They fight and the last of Xehanort's Heartless is destroyed, but not before he says a part of him is still in Riku, and he shall return.

Riku and Mickey wait at the front entrance. Riku tells him that he can't go home yet as "Ansem's" shadow still lingers in him, but Mickey says the darkness is a part of him. Darkness is not all bad, because Riku has a chosen a road he never thought of before, one of both Light and Darkness. They leave, taking Organization cloaks that DiZ gave them prior to confronting Xehanort's Heartless, and DiZ appears for one final question: if he shall take the "road to light" or the "road to darkness". Riku chooses neither, he'll take the middle road, "The Road to Dawn". Riku and King Mickey eventually made it out of the plains and separate after Riku realized he couldn't completely rid himself of the darkness festering in him. Deciding to return to DiZ and offer his help, Riku dons a blindfold, for "his eyes couldn't lie" about his darkness which he is preparing to use and wished Mickey not to witness firsthand.

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-acting.
• 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. It is currently unknown if these cards will be obtainable in the US release due to the lack of Final Mix 2.
• 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

Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories follows a totally new battle system as well as gameplay. The battle system now revolves around Sora's memories, represented as cards. Using these cards is the only way to attack.Each card has a number from 0 to 9. When a card is played against the enemy's card, the card with the lower value "Breaks" and is discarded. This leaves enemies vulnerable for a few seconds. Cards with a value of 0 can break any attack, but can also be broken by any card played afterwards. If a 0 is played before another high level card it will not be broken and will leave your opponent wide open for attacks.

Extras

• 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 included 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) 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.

Map cards

Map Cards are used to create rooms on each floor of the castle. What appears in each room depends on what card used to get in. To obtain a map card you must defeat Heartless. Some map cards can only be obtained after getting further into the story for each of the different worlds.

Summon Cards

• Simba

• Cloud

• Bambi

• Mushu

• Genie

• Dumbo

• Tinker Bell

Enemy cards

Are based off of enemies or bosses. Can temporarily give Sora or Riku better offensive or defensive capabilities

List of enemy cards:

Normal Enemy Cards

Shadow Effect: Incremeter Description: Increase the value of all cards by 1. Duration: 2 reloads.	Soldier Effect: Combo Plus Description: Add an extra hit to normal combos. Duration: 3 reloads.
Large Body Effect: Guard Description: Deflect frontal physical attacks and completely nullify damage. Duration: 1 reload.	Red Nocturne Effect: Fire Boost Description: Increase the strength of Fire abilities. Duration: 1 reload.
Blue Rhapsody Effect: Blizard Boost Description: Increase the strength of Blizzard abilities. Duration: 1 reload.	Yellow Opera Effect: Thunder Boost Description: Increase the strength of Thunder abilities. Duration: 1 reload.
Green Requiem Effect: Cure Boost Description: Increase the strength of Cure abilities. Duration: 1 reload.	Powerwild Effect: Retrograde Description: Reverse the value of all cards. 1 becomes 9, 2 becomes 8 etc. Duration: 1 reload.
Bouncywild Effect: Draw Description: Attract fallen cards and items for easy retrieval. Duration: 5 reloads	Air Soldier Effect:Reload Kinesis Description: Reload while in motion. Duration: 3 reloads.
Bandit Effect:Combo Finish Description: Make any normal attack as strong as a finishing blow. Duration: 1 reloads.	Fat Bandit Effect: Back Attack Description: Increase attack damage when striking enemy from behind. Duration: 2 reloads.
Barrel Spider Effect: Quickload Description: Reload cards instantly Duration: 3 reloads.	Search Ghost Effect: Drain Description: Absorb enemy's HP while striking with attack cards, but enemy drop lesser items. Duration: 1 reload.
Sea Neon Effect: Random Values Description: Randomize the value of the cards you use. Duration: 1 reload.	Screwdiver Effect: Decrementor Description: Decrease the values of all cards by 1. Duration: 1 reload.
Aquatank Effect: Auto-Reload Description: Automatically reload cards when they run out. Duration: One reload.	Wight Knight Effect: Float Description: Alter gravity to increase jumping ability. Duration: 3 reloads.
Gargoyle Effect: Vanish Description: Becomes invisible and reduce your chances of being hit. Duration: 1 reload.	Pirate Effect: All Zeros Description: Changes the value of all cards to zero. Duration: 1 reload.
Air Pirate Effect:Item Bracer Description: Stop enemies from breaking the Item Cards you use. Duration: 3 reloads.	Darkball Effect: Card Blind Description: Hide the cards you hold from hostile eyes. Duration: 3 reloads.
Defender Effect: Protect Description: Decrease physical damage inflicted by enemies. Magical attacks inflict normal damage. Duration: 1 reload.	Wyvern Effect: Reload Lock Description: Reload cards without increasing the reload counter. Duration: 3 reloads.
Wizard Effect: Magic Boost Description: Forfeit summon card use to power magic cards. Duration: 1 reload.	Neoshadow Effect: Bio Description: Causes enemy(s)'s HP to drop gradually. Duration: 1 reload.
White Mushroom Effect: Hyper Healing Description: Restore some HP every time you use a friend card. Duration: 3 reloads.	Black Fungus Effect: Random Flush Description: Activate a random card effect. Duration: 1 reload.
Creeper Plant Effect: Leaf Bracer Description: Stop enemies from breaking Cure abilities you use. Duration: 1 reload.	Tornado Step Effect: Reload Haste Description: Subtract two digits from the reload counter. Duration: 1 reload.
Crescendo Effect: Summon Boost Description: Forfeit magic card use to power up summon cards. Duration: 1 reload.

Boss Enemy Cards

Guard Armor Effect: Wide Attack Description: Slightly increase the range of attack cards. Duration: 30 attacks.	Parasite Cage Effect: Dispel Description: Breaks an opponent's card without fail. Nothing happens if your opponent has no cards in play.
Trickmaster Effect: Value Break Description: When you lose a card break, reduce the value of the enemy's card by the value of your broken card. Duration: 10 breaks.	Darkside Effect: Mimic Description: Copy the cards your opponent is using. Nothing happens if your opponent has no card in play.
Card Soldier Effect: Attack Haste Description: Increase the swing speed of attack cards. Duration: 30 attacks	Hades Effect: Berserk Description: Boost the power of attack cards when low on HP (when the gauge is flashing red). Duration: 30 attacks Other Information: Immune to fire; stunned by Ice element.
Jafar Effect: Attack Bracer Description: Stop enemies from breaking the attack cards you use. Duration: 20 attacks.	Oogie Boogie Effect: Regen Description: Gradually restore HP. HP returns more quickly when low. Duration: 10 uses
Ursula Effect: Shell Description: Halves the Magical attacks from the enemy. Summon Magic deals normal damage. Duration: 5 hits taken.	Hook Effect: Second Chance Description: Retain 1 HP after receiving a critical hit, provided that you have two or more HP left. Duration: 3 uses. Other Information: Resistant to Lightning; Stunned by Fire element.
Dragon Maleficent Effect: Overdrive Description: Sacrifice reload speed to power up attack cards. Duration: 30 attacks.	Riku Replica Effect: Sleight Lock Description: Keep cards used in sleights available for reloading. Duration: 5 sleights Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lightning element.
Axel Effect: Quick Recovery Description: Use cards even while staggering from damage. Duration: 10 hits taken Other Information: Immune to fire element; stunned by Ice elemental.	Larxene Effect: Dash Description: Increase running speed Duration:15 cards Other Information: Immune to Lightning; Weak to special attacks.
Vexen Effect: Auto-Life Description: Revive automatically when your HP reaches 0. Only a small amount of HP is restored. Duration: 1 use Other Information: Immune to Ice; Stunned by fire.	Marluxia Effect: Double Sleight Description: Use stocked cards and sleights twice in a row, however, during versus battle it bumps up the reload counter. Duration: 3 sleights Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.
Lexaeus Effect: Warp Break Description: Obliterate enemies with the finishing blow of a combo with a high success rate. During versus battles you can stun your opponent. Duration: 50 attacks Other Information: Immune to Ice; Resistant to physical attacks; Weak against special attacks.	Ansem Effect: Sleight Blind Description: Conceal your stocked cards from your opponents. Duration: 10 sleights Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lightning element.
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ Exclusive Note: All of the cards listed below (with the exception of Zexion) cannot be unlocked until Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix is completed. They can then be acquired in Sora Mode in Key to Rewards rooms as Kingdom Hearts II clear bonuses.
Zexion Effect: Confuse Strike Description: Chance to confuse enemy as you attack. Duration: 50 attacks Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, Lightning element and special attacks.	Xemnas Effect: Quick Barrier Description: Guard the 2nd hit and on of a combo attack. Duration: 3 reloads Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.
Xigbar Effect: Shot Charge Description: Power up projectile attacks like Strike Raid, Fire...etc. Duration: 2 reloads Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.	Xaldin Effect: Aero Guard Description: Aero remains in effect for a short period. Duration: 3 attacks Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.
Saix Effect: Combo Boost Description: Attack cards are powered up. Duration: 20 attacks Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.	Demyx Effect: Water Charge Description: Power up water attacks like Aqua Splash, Blizzard...etc. Duration: 2 reloads Other Information: Resistant to Lighting element and special attacks.
Luxord Effect: All-Break Description: Always Card Break regardless enemy's Card Numbers. Duration: 15 cards Other Information: Resistant to Fire, Ice, and Lighting element and special attacks.	Roxas Effect: Double Hit Description: One Attack Card can inflict twice as much damage. Duration: 20 attacks