Summary
Kingdom Heartsis one of the most storied and prolific franchises in gaming. The series spans thirteen distinct mainline games, alongside a number of remasters and re-releases that have helped it retain relevance for more than two decades. Having said that, thewide variety ofKingdom Heartsgamescan sometimes make the series a bit hard to parse, as players may not know where to start, or which games are important to the overall story.
One release that has been missed by more casual fans of the franchise isKingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Set between the first and second mainline releases,Chain of Memoriesfollows Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they explore the mysterious and inexplicable Castle Oblivion. The story is characterized by Sora’s amnesia and his reliving of various memories through the transformative effects of the castle. It was initially released on the Game Boy Advance, though it later got a remake for the PlayStation 2, which was naturally more similar to the otherKingdom Heartsgames in terms of mechanics and visuals. Though this PS2 remake is great in its own right, the original GBA game is primed for another sort of reprisal.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Should Get an HD-2D Remake Like Dragon Quest 3
Dragon Quest’s Erdrick Trilogy Is Being Rebuilt in Stunning Fashion
Dragon Quest 3is getting a remake this November, and similar remakes of the two precedingDragon Questgames will follow it next year. Unlike some otherDragon Questremakes, which take the narrative and mechanics of one of the classic entries and set it in a high-fidelity, 3D world akin to other, contemporary JRPGs, these will be what Square Enix is dubbing “HD-2D” remakes. What this means is that, though they are getting a major visual overhaul,these newer gameswill be retaining much of the originals' retro aesthetics, melded with modern visual effects and 2.5D environments.
The result of this design choice is a striking art style reminiscent of theOctopath Travelerseries.The announcement of these newDragon Questremakeshas been met with excitement and intrigue, as it’s an unexpected approach in this modern climate of remakes, which can often feel overly similar to one another and uninspired. Such a unique spin on the remake trend could be a breath of fresh air, and may be a perfect fit forChain of Memories.
Why Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Should Get the HD-2D Treatment
Although the PS2 remake ofChain of Memorieshas its merits, the original GBA version stands out as one of the most visually and mechanically distinct entries in the broader series. The pixelated art style shows iconic characters and locations in a new light, and the deck-building mechanics give combat a quasi-turn-based feel that stands in stark contrast to thehack-and-slash gameplay of otherKingdom Heartstitles. Both the visuals and gameplay staples of the originalChain of Memorieswould make an HD-2D remake likeDragon Quest’s a great fit.
One of the most interesting aspects of the GBA version ofChain of Memorieswas how it showed iconic settings from the firstKingdom Heartsin a new light. Narratively, these locations and characters only exist in Sora’s shattered memories, and this is reflected by their unique appearance on the less-powerful Game Boy. Whether intentional or not, the pixelated art style ofChain of Memorieshelped distinguish its story as a unique take on the established lore. This element is lost in the PS2 version, which feels more like a recycled version of the first game in some ways. Asfans wait forKingdom Hearts 4, this sort of creative yet artistically faithful recreation ofChain of Memoriescould be a great pit stop.
Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix and represents the fifteenth installment in the franchise. Players once again are put in the shoes of Sora who is suddenly trapped in a more realistic world called Quadratum, with companions like Donald and Goofy attempting to rescue him. Kingdom Hearts 4 is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
