| 33bits |
Fernando Sánchez |
75 / 100 |
11-24-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a musical and rhythm game that serves as a reminder of the saga, and as a tribute to the great Yōko Shimomura, composer of most of the songs. With an easy gameplay to assimilate, the title comes loaded with content, although this can be a bit irregular due to the nature of some themes, which lend themselves little to a rhythm game. Regardless, any fan of the franchise should enjoy this musical tribute to the saga of Sora and his friends. |
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| Atomix |
Sebastian Quiroz |
70 / 100 |
11-23-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a good mobile rhythm game, which has the downside of being sold at full price. Along with this, the original content is limited to just 20 minutes in a 10-hour adventure. |
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| Attack of the Fanboy |
Dean James |
4 / 5 stars |
11-12-2020 |
While definitely not for everyone, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is truly a trip down memory lane full of the best songs that the series has to offer. With more than 140 tracks and a relatively minuscule new story involving Kairi thrown into the mix, the game is a must play for long time fans of the series, especially if you love rhythm games. |
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| Bazimag |
Sina Golabzade |
7.4 / 10 |
11-20-2020 |
Music has always been a very important part of Kingdom Hearts and a rhythm game is a very understandable step for this series and it kind of works. The problem is that the story which has always been the core of this franchise is totally forgotten here because about two third of it is the recap of story so far and the new material doesn’t really move the story as much as a 10-hour full priced title should. |
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| Checkpoint Gaming |
Pedro Cooray |
7 / 10 |
11-24-2020 |
Considering how bloated and convoluted these games often feel, Melody of Memory is hopefully the beginning of a new trend for the series. Even if the music isn’t nostalgic for you, there’s a lot of fun to be had thwacking monsters to a catchy rhythm. |
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| Chicas Gamers |
Estela Villa |
Recommended |
11-14-2020 |
We could summarize Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory as a game that reviews the entire saga through its soundtrack. With a simple, but effective gameplay, it’s a game that will delight fans of the series. Completing the story mode will take us about 6 hours, although we will have other extras such as duels or cooperative to get more fun. |
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| COGconnected |
Stephan Adamus |
90 / 100 |
11-12-2020 |
Overall, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a phenomenal experience. It has truly unique gameplay wrapped in a Triple A Kingdom Hearts presentation. The music featured is among the most memorable scores in video game history, and the amount of content will keep players getting much more than their money’s worth. If you’re at all curious about Melody of Memories, rest assured that it’s a must buy. |
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| Cultured Vultures |
Jimmy Donnellan |
7 / 10 |
11-17-2020 |
With that said, Melody of Memories is still somewhat enjoyable and the IP it represents is doing the game a lot of favors. Fans will be able to sink several hours into it and I think it is better played in short bursts anyway. I’ll definitely fire the game up again for that couch co-op — even though both parties have to be at the same difficulty level — or to play against my wife or AI to see more of the mechanic that lets the player throw extra hurdles and tricks at their opponent. It isn’t the best game in the rhythm genre (that’s Gitaroo Man), but Melody of Memories is going to entertain a lot of people, make a ton of money, and get fans playing through the whole series again. |
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| DASHGAMER.com |
Dan Rizzo |
8.5 / 10 |
11-24-2020 |
Melody of Memory attest to these facets with every symphony that adorns each world. While it may not demonstrate a traditional exposition, nor does it present Kingdom Hearts in the best of ways, it’s an additional chapter and one that hardcore fans of Kingdom Hearts will appreciate, while awaiting its impending grand finale. |
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| Destructoid |
Chris Carter |
7 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts is a good rhythm game that meanders way too often with its presentation. If you’re a diehard fan who sings “Simple and Clean” to themselves in the shower, you’ll probably love a trip down memory lane, while humming all of the battle sequences that a lot of casual players might skip over. Just know that it might take some work to get to your favorite parts. |
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| Digital Chumps |
Sienna Douglas |
8.7 / 10 |
03-30-2017 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an amazing way to pay tribute to not only the music of the series but also the story. It is a great way to prepare fans for the newest chapters in the series while also taking a look back at the journey we’ve all had with Sora and the others. Although there is a lack of new content, customization, and the pacing was a little off, the creative rhythmic gameplay is worth trying out if you love rhythm games! But if you don’t and are just wanting to buy for the story, it’s best if skip this one. |
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| Digitally Downloaded |
Matt Sainsbury |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-25-2020 |
I haven’t been as conflicted about a rhythm game as I have Melody of Memory. On the one hand, the rhythm game action itself is wonderful and the music, across 140 tracks, is sublime. On the other hand, being forced to play through a truncated and baffling summary of the Kingdom Hearts narrative just to unlock those tracks has done little to enamour me to the series, and there are far, far too many little additions that distract from what the game does best (i.e. the rhythm action). The grand sum of it is that Melody of Memory is much more a game for existing fans of Kingdom Hearts than it needed to be, and once again Square Enix has struggled to fully capitalise on the rich opportunity that the Disney license provides them. |
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| DualShockers |
Cameron Hawkins |
7.5 / 10 |
11-26-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a wonderful catalog of some of gaming’s best music, but it fails to inform new players about what makes the franchise special. |
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| Game Informer |
Kimberley Wallace |
8 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Melody of Memory provides a fun and energizing way to celebrate the franchise’s fantastic music and greatest moments |
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| Game Rant |
Anthony Puleo |
4 / 5 stars |
12-03-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory brings the expertly crafted music of the Kingdom Hearts series to the forefront in a compelling rhythm action game. |
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| Gameblog |
Filipe Da Silva Barbosa |
8 / 10 |
11-16-2020 |
With no less than 150 unlockable tracks, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory lives up to its name : it’s a sincere tribute to both the story and the music of the whole series. The gameplay requires great skill and regular involvement from the player, who can also practice with others online or on the same couch, with the coop mode. |
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| GameCrate |
Angelo D’Argenio |
6.5 / 10 |
11-16-2020 |
If you are a die-hard Kingdom Hearts fan that loves the music and needs to play every game, then yeah, this game is for you. However, it just feels sloppy for a full-priced game. There are better rhythm games out there, and better Kingdom Hearts games out there, so unless you really need a combination of the two, you can safely pass this one up. |
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| Gamefa |
Amirmehdi Namjoo |
8.2 / 10 |
12-04-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a great rhythmic game based on the series, which is known for its complex story and masterpiece music. Melody of Memory succeeds in summarizing past Kingdom Hearts games’ story and makes it ready for future installments. This game features about 140 excellent musical scores and offers a great experience. There are some minor issues like the item system, which seems redundant, but it is an enjoyable game for fans of Kingdom Hearts and rhythmic games despite these issues. |
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| GameGrin |
Dylan Pamintuan |
8.5 / 10 |
01-20-2021 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a great rhythm game that is sure to be enjoyed by newcomers and veteran players of the genre. However, if you’re buying it for the story you should probably skip this. This isn’t the Kairi game fans have been pining for since the Re:Mind DLC. |
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| GameSkinny |
Henry Stockdale |
8 / 10 |
11-13-2020 |
Melody of Memory is a nostalgic, rhythmic celebration of Kingdom Hearts that fans of the series and the genre will adore. |
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| GameSpace |
Catherine Daro |
7 / 10 |
01-06-2021 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a great game for the fans of the series, plunging the player deep into nostalgia to refresh the events and immerse them in the beloved universe. However, it might not be the best game to begin your journey in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Despite being a strong rhythm action game, the game’s biggest point is reliving memories that already have an emotional impact with its audience. |
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| GameSpew |
Kim Snaith |
7 / 10 |
11-13-2020 |
In terms of gameplay mechanics, there are undoubtedly better rhythm games out there than Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. Being able to use any of three buttons just feels a bit slapdash. And as fantastic as the Kingdom Hearts’ soundtrack is, much of it doesn’t feel particularly suited to rhythm play. As such, you should probably think twice before jumping in if you’re simply after a new rhythm game. But if you’re a fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, its issues are easily overlooked, making it much more of an interesting prospect. |
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| GamingBolt |
Ravi Sinha |
8 / 10 |
11-14-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory has been long time coming. Even with its faults, Square Enix and indieszero deliver a rhythmic fantasia that captures the series’ music at its very best. |
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| GamingTrend |
David Flynn |
70 / 100 |
11-12-2020 |
While it’s very short on story, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is a neat celebration of the Dark Seeker Saga before moving on. With a huge selection of fantastic tunes and a fun yet simplistic control scheme, this game will keep fans busy until Kingdom Hearts IV. |
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| Geeks Under Grace |
Adam Mueller |
9 / 10 |
12-01-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory isn’t perfect, but the fanservice is so good, I can almost overlook my disappointment in Kingdom Hearts 3. |
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| God is a Geek |
Chris White |
7 / 10 |
11-17-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory takes a stripped back look at the story of the series whilst putting the fantastic music at its core, although the timing issues can effect the enjoyment of revisiting the past. |
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| GotGame |
David Poole |
7.5 / 10 |
11-27-2020 |
Again, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a pretty great rhythm game, providing solid and challenging gameplay as well as a stellar tracklist. It may be missing a lot of fan favorite elements, but if you overlook it, it’s still an impressive recap of the series. If you’re a casual fan and you want to experience the music, it’s a fun enough time. For those that are the die-hard fans, you’ll mostly be playing this for the new clues at the end. |
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| Hardcore Gamer |
Kevin Dunsmore |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-12-2020 |
The wait for the next Kingdom Hearts game is sure to be agonizing and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory only does so much. |
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| Hey Poor Player |
Josh Speer |
4.5 / 5 stars |
11-17-2020 |
Considering I wasn’t a fan of KINGDOM HEARTS before I tackled Melody of Memory, I’m shocked by how much fun I had playing it. Not only did it bring back fond memories of Theatrhythm, but it made me more than a bit eager to dive into some other KINGDOM HEARTS games. This mixture of Square Enix and Disney is a novel idea in a world full of pale imitations, if nothing else. While the game isn’t quite perfect, it came pretty darn close. If you’re a fan of music games or just love KINGDOM HEARTS, you really can’t go wrong here. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
José David Muñoz |
86 / 100 |
11-12-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory it’s the new game in the Kingdom Hearts series, making a stop in it’s classical APRG style, to focus in musical rythm games. It works, it’s a solid game, entirely because the OST it’s a masterpice built since the first Kingdom Hearts came to us in Playstation 2. |
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| IGN |
Gabriel Moss |
7 / 10 |
11-18-2020 |
Rhythm-based spinoff Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a nostalgia-heavy love letter to the RPG series, but doesn’t have much by way of depth of its own. |
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| IGN Italy |
Marco Esposto |
8.5 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
A very good rhythm game, for who love the soundtrack of the KH saga. |
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| IGN Spain |
Oriol Vall-Llovera |
7.5 / 10 |
11-27-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is exactly what you would like a musical game in the Square Enix saga to be. A simple, direct, accessible and very funny title. It’s so simple, the repeatability could take its toll soon, but if you commune with its extraordinary soundtrack, you won’t mind too much. Still, it does not innovate anything within the genre and not all melodies offer the same rhythm with each beat. |
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| Impulsegamer |
Rabi Attaii |
4.3 / 5 stars |
11-12-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is a nostalgic trip down memory lane while also offering a well-crafted rhythm game that is absolutely addicting. While there is barely any new story in the game, it offers well-summarised recaps of past games without feeling intrusive. The game gives you a lot to do. There are many well-made tracks and levels, many game modes that will appeal to certain audiences, many collectibles that are fun to get, and much more. The game is pretty and the audio is superb. I do wish some more tracks from Kingdom Hearts III were in this game but other than that and some other minor problems, this game is wonderful. I will definitely be playing more of this as the months go by. |
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| Just Push Start |
Mark Fajardo |
4 / 5 stars |
11-20-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is honestly a very straightforward experience. Regardless of what Sora, Goofy, Donald, or whomever you decide to play as are doing, it’s a game that comes down to pushing specific buttons at exact times. Cute visuals and an interesting idea, along with good music, make it easy to get into and enjoy. Toss in a couple of difficulties, some items to make things easier and it is a cute game that is fun to play both in short and long durations. |
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| LevelUp |
Fernando Salinas |
7.6 / 10 |
11-24-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory takes advantage of the emotional mastery of Tetsuya Nomura’s work and offers us an uncomplicated rhythm game. An entertaining option that was able to take advantage of the world and the charisma of an established franchise. |
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| MonsterVine |
Spencer Legacy |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-20-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a fun but flawed rhythm game that focuses more on gameplay than plot. |
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| Nintendo Enthusiast |
Steven Rollins |
9 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Though I still think it’s a bit strange to put Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory on Nintendo Switch, given that there are currently no plans to bring others in the franchise over, there’s almost no better home for it. The short bursts of gameplay mesh well with the pick-up-and-play nature of Switch. No matter whether you’re a longtime fan of Kingdom Hearts or a newcomer looking to get in before the next main game, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Melody of Memory. It may not be the Kingdom Hearts game we wanted, but this is one love letter that definitely deserves to be read. |
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| Nintendo Life |
Mitch Vogel |
8 / 10 |
11-20-2020 |
Is Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory for you? Well, that depends on a variety of factors. This is a game that’s obviously designed as a love letter to longtime fans of the franchise, but it also bears almost no resemblance at all to the gameplay that made the preceding titles such a hit. As a rhythm game, it’s a perfectly enjoyable and content-rich entry in the genre, but a substantial amount of its meaning and appeal will be lost on rhythm fans who don’t have a background with the previous games. Either way, we think Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is certainly worth your time. What we have here is a fun and engaging rhythm game with potentially hundreds of hours of replayability and a killer setlist of music to back it up. |
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| Nintendo Wire |
Ricky Berg |
8 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
If there’s ever a Curtain Call (or Final Mix) for this one that rectifies its omissions and lack of play style variety, it would be the makings of a must have. For now though, this one stands as an enjoyable dive into the heart of the series that keeps things simple and clean. |
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| NintendoWorldReport |
Joe Devader |
8.5 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
The co-op mode more than makes up for this, however, featuring levels custom made for local two-player action that is incredibly well implemented. If you like Kingdom Hearts, and you like the music of Yoko Shimomura, I would personally call Melody of Memory a must buy. Just don’t expect to find a blowout story reveal buried in this title, and you should find yourself bopping along to the rhythm and having fun in no time. |
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| Noisy Pixel |
Jacob Kavanaugh |
8.5 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Memory of Melody is an incredibly charming game that finally brings the stellar array of music from the series into the spotlight. Its various options and modes allow any Kingdom Hearts fan to enjoy, but it doesn’t completely make up for some of the missing tracks. Still, the memories that these songs hold are represented brilliantly by a competent and addictive rhythm system that you’d be hard-pressed not to love. |
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| Paste Magazine |
Grace Benfell |
4.5 / 10 |
11-18-2020 |
Whatever profound or resonant thought about selfhood or nostalgia or the trauma of remembering is buried in summary, in lulling, tired melodies. Fundamentally, Kingdom Hearts recurs in the way capital recurs, pushing on despite its contradictions and always banking on something new. We deserve better stories than this, but now, more than ever, I know we won’t find them here. |
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| PlayStation LifeStyle |
Rebecca Smith |
8.5 / 10 |
11-19-2020 |
Melody of Memory is worth playing for both newcomers and veterans alike. While the game might not be an expected entry into the Kingdom Hearts franchise, it’s a competent rhythm title with a varied selection of music. The accessibility options mean it’s great for players of all abilities. Those who are then intending to play the RPG games for the first time may want to consider playing those beforehand unless you want the entire storyline spoiled. For fans, the extra content gives a fascinating idea of where the franchise is going next as long as you’re prepared to put in the time to get there. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
Mark Kriska |
7.5 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
While it is unclear who Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is truly made for, the hardcore player or the newcomer, the game is undeniably charming. Playing through some of my favourite songs of any video game franchise won’t get old any time soon. Meanwhile trying to three-star each level and collect everything to fill up the museum gives players even more reason to replay each song. While Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory missteps in its delivery, the game’s presentation and quality shine enough to overlook some of its shortcomings. I cant wait to see what’s next. |
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| PSX Brasil |
Eric Oliveira |
84 / 100 |
11-13-2020 |
Using the impeccable soundtrack of the entire saga, Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is, in addition to a great rhythmic game, an excellent recap of everything that has happened in the the series so far. |
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| Rice Digital |
Trent Cannon |
2.5 / 5 stars |
11-17-2020 |
Melody of Memory is a competent if simple rhythm game that serves as a solid recap of the series for existing fans, making it a worthwhile purchase if you’ve followed the escapades of Sora, Donald, and Goofy through the years. However, it does showcase how impenetrable the plot has become, but even seasoned fans will get enjoyment out of the confusion. Its what we’ve done all this time anyway, right? |
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| Rocket Chainsaw |
Adam Ghiggino |
3 / 5 stars |
11-18-2020 |
For Kingdom Hearts fans, Melody of Memory is a nice dose of nostalgia for your own memories of the series’ score. |
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| Saudi Gamer |
Unknown |
8 / 10 |
11-18-2020 |
A full priced love letter that excels both as a rhythm game featuring some of the most iconic videogame music ever as well as a comprehensive distillation of an incomprehensible series. You don’t even need to have played the series to enjoy this; the music is that good. |
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| Screen Rant |
Hayes Madsen |
4 / 5 stars |
11-18-2020 |
Celebrating the whole franchise with music. |
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| Shacknews |
Ozzie Mejia |
8 / 10 |
11-16-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory doesn’t always hit the right note. But as somebody who’s followed the series for many years, there couldn’t be a better tribute to its unforgettable music. It’s pure Disney magic. |
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| Sirus Gaming |
Rhett Roxl |
8 / 10 |
11-17-2020 |
Melody of Memory is a wonderful addition to the still-growing franchise, and if you’ve played the previous games before, this game will take you on a trip down memory lane, and if there ever is a follow up to the series’ main story, this game is a good and fun way of knowing most of what you need to know about Kingdom Heart’s infamously complicated story. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memories has the makings of a fan-service title, one that is done correctly. |
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| Slant Magazine |
Ryan Aston |
2.5 / 5 stars |
11-13-2020 |
In the end, Melody of Memory is very much a fans-only affair. |
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| SpazioGames |
Unknown |
8 / 10 |
11-14-2020 |
Melody of Memory is a fun and compelling rhythm game for Kingdom Hearts’ veterans, but don’t expect so much from the storytelling in this one. |
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| TechRaptor |
Kate Mitchell Jewett |
8 / 10 |
11-24-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a pleasant, nostalgia-packed experience providing a plot recap which fans of the series probably need right about now |
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| The Games Machine |
Danilo Dellafrana |
8.5 / 10 |
11-13-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an excellently packaged rhythm game overflowing with options and good music. If the genre suits you and the soundtrack of Kingdom Hearts holds a place of honour among your memories, you can’t go wrong. |
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| TheSixthAxis |
Miguel Moran |
7 / 10 |
11-27-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory could have easily been a simple rhythm game with nothing but a huge set of Kingdom Hearts songs going for it. The fact that it goes out of its way to emulate the visuals of the series and recaps major story moments elevates it to something more. It’s a shame that the new story elements of the game are held off until the very end, and that Kairi isn’t even a playable character despite being on the cover of the dang game. Those issues alongside a surprising amount of missing Kingdom Hearts 3 music and a tacked-on item system add some awkward wrinkles to an otherwise magical, musical, melodic nostalgia trip for Kingdom Hearts die-hards. |
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| ThisGenGaming |
Robby Bisschop |
8.5 / 10 |
11-18-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory offers a nostalgic trip through the greatest soundtracks the series has to offer with dozens of hours of content. If you’re a fan of rhythm games, this offers possibly one of most content-rich experiences out there and if you’re into Kingdom Hearts, I won’t even have to sell you on this as you’re probably already playing. |
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| TrueGaming |
فهد الشيحة |
8 / 10 |
11-17-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a game aimed at series fans; it achieves what it wanted to do which is a good rhythm Kingdom Hearts experience, but there is certainly a room for improvements. |
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| Twinfinite |
Keenan McCall |
4 / 5 stars |
11-19-2020 |
Overall though, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is exactly what it needs to be: A quality rhythm game experience that lets fans of the series look back on it fondly. Its flaws are minor, and its strengths lay the groundwork for a promising future of bigger and better spin-off titles in the genre. |
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| VGChartz |
Issa Maki |
6 / 10 |
11-21-2020 |
Fans of Kingdom Hearts or rhythm games will both find something to love here, but most will be left wanting more. |
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| Worth Playing |
Chris “Atom” DeAngelus |
8 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a perfectly competent Kingdom Hearts rhythm game and not a lot else. Despite being canon to the series, its bare-bones plot is barely relevant, and the thin story is mostly a reason for more music. Thankfully, the core rhythm gameplay is fun if not particularly new or exciting. If you like Kingdom Hearts music and rhythm games, Melody of Memory will scratch the itch, but don’t expect much more. |
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