Book Reviews

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days: Nintendo DS Review

For the 2009 Mom Fuse Holiday Gift Guide we were sent Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS to check out. My husband had the original Kingdom Hearts game for the PS2 and I remember that being one of my favorite games to watch and play so we were very excited to learn that a follow up game would be coming out.

Chronologically set between the events of Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (pronounced “Kingdom Hearts Three-Five-Eight Days Over Two”) is the newest installment on the Nintendo DS of the wildly popular role-playing game series. Featuring supporting details of Kingdom Hearts II character Roxas, as well as single and multiplayer modes and the new “Panel System” game mechanic, it is destined to be find a cherished place of its own in the beloved RPG franchise.

Key Features

• Familiar action-packed Kingdom Hearts gameplay that has captivated fans worldwide.
• The brand new “Panel System” that allows you to customize Roxas’ arsenal by placing abilities, items, and weapon parts into allotted slots.
• Learn about the origins of the “Organization XIII” name.
• A series-first multiplayer mode, allowing up to 4 players to control any Organization XIII member.
• Additional unlockable characters in multiplayer modes, including: Sora, Donald, Goofy, King Mickey and Riku.
• Get to know the members of Organization XIII, including the mysterious fourteenth member.
• Finally experience the Kingdom Hearts storyline’s missing chapter

In the first edition of Kingdom Hearts, Sora turned the Keyblade on himself in order to release Kairi’s heart, but his heart was also released in the process which created Roxas, Sora’s “Nobody.” In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Roxas joins Organization XIII and discovers the truth behind his existence and the Organization itself. You, and Roxas, also find out what the connection is between Roxas, Sora, and the fourteenth member and what becomes of them.

The Good…

The graphics in the game are spectacular. The game controls are great.. I love the shortcuts because it made magic casting a breeze.

Compared to the first edition of Kingdom Hearts, this follow up game gets better with a new type of gameplay called the “Panel System”. The Panel System is how you equip and customize character’s levels, items, magic, weapons, abilities, armor and accessories.. but that’s not all. The Panel System also facilitates progression through the game in that certain items, spells, etc. necessary for progression cannot be used, or at least used to their full potential, until their panels are equipped.

Another cool feature is that with the multiplayer functionality, players can join together with additional players in DS multi-card play over a DS Wi-Fi connection for team-based gameplay and more. The multiplayer function also features hidden characters including favorite characters from the Kingdom Hearts and Disney universe… Sora, Donald, Goofy, King Mickey and Riku.

The Not-So-Good..

There’s too much reading.. when I play a video game, I like to watch the cutscenes, sometimes those are even better than playing the game itself. With Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, there seems to be more reading involved with the cutscenes rather than action.

The panels are kind of a cool feature, but they take some time to learn.

Overall the game was pretty cool. It’s simplistic which I like and the graphics are extremely good. Once you get the panel system down pat you’ll breeze through the game.

Related posts:

1. Hot Games This Holiday Season
2. Review: SingStar Queen
3. Game Review: Ubisoft Imagine Cheerleader – Nintendo DS