Kingdom Hearts Re:coded Critic Reviews

But if you're looking for a game that's filled with breezy fun, excellent graphics, solid characters, and all the worlds of Disney in the palm of your hand with a lot of The Matrix thrown in for good measure, then Kingdom Hearts: ReCoded should absolutely be in your collection.

Thanks to its familiar settings, independent storyline, and range of gameplay styles, Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded works well not only as an introduction to the series, but also as a continuation of what is most likely the zaniest storyline in gaming today.

While Re:coded never does anything that's particularly groundbreaking, it does what it sets out to do very well and adds some fun and interesting twists on the standard formula.

The dense, self-serious plot will mystify new players, but they'd be hard-pressed to say they didn't have a good time while getting lost.

But when it comes to action, variety, and the sheer fun of obliterating Heartless with a Keyblade, Re:coded is a more-than-worthwhile entry in the beloved Kingdom Hearts saga.

The game feels like classic Kingdom Hearts, and it stars all the characters that made me like the first game. I had fun the entire time because the game kept giving me something new to do.

With just over a dozen hours of clever and varied gameplay, Kingdom Hearts Re:coded will appeal to many an RPG fan, including those who are yet to experience the Kingdom Hearts world.

A good example of what a remake should be: an enhanced version of a previously non-released game incorporating the best elements from past games in the series.

Plagued with camera problems, but it's still a decent adventure for Kingdom Hearts fans.

Once again, Kingdom Hearts offers a slew of interesting changes to its gameplay system, providing a solid entertainment value. That said, it contains roughly a third of the content of previous titles.

Re:Coded is an entertaining adventure for the Nintendo DS, which retains the best values from one of the most celebrated sagas of Square-Enix.

The combat system is fun, the gameplay is varied and the growth system works. Better than 358/2 Days, but recommended almost exclusively for diehard fans.

At no point in the adventure do you ever suspect you're playing a cellphone game, nor do you feel like the experience is ever less than it can or should be. It's fun to play with a cool (if formulaic and linear) tale to tie the various levels together. If you're at all interested in Kingdom Hearts and have a DS, there's no reason to leave this one on the shelf - just make sure you've played through Birth by Sleep before you do!

Kingdom Hearts: Re: Coded is an odd beast. On one hand, it tells a story that will be confusing to newcomers and too familiar to series experts, with some frustrating gameplay elements. On the other hand, the battle system remains as fun as always, the stat matrix is a fun way to develop your character, and the story does have its endearing moments.

This remake of a Japan-only mobile phone title is a great piece of fan service and a decent RPG to (re)boot, but it's definitely not for the uninitiated.

It's a funny sequel, allthough the all times fans should be asking for something more (or new) from the developers. Despite the lack of innovation, Re: Coded is literallly filled with content, and still worth its price if you love the brand.

Despite new gameplay features and the visual overhaul, it is still seems quite like the mobile version it was, and it is a pity that its good ideas don't shine as they deserve.

It's a good game with some very solid elements – mostly those seen in past KH titles. But its lackluster storytelling, poorly paced stage progression, jarring gameplay changes, and ever-present, misbehaving camera leave it removed from the greatness we associate with some of the franchise's previous outings.

Ultimately your enjoyment of Re:Coded will stem from how much you like or loathe the Kingdom Hearts side-stories.

The camera constantly needs babysitting -- my index finger was a near-permanent fixture on the repositioning trigger--and platforming sections can be a frustrating nightmare; floating, disappearing and jump-boost blocks require the sort of precise controls only games with "Super Mario" in the title can claim.