
75
MONSTER
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a rhythm action game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It is the fourteenth installment in the Kingdom Hearts series. The game features over 140 songs from the series and the ability to play as over 20 characters. Additionally, Kairi's story is continued from the end of the Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind downloadable content. Hints at the next Kingdom Hearts game came in January 2020 from series creator Tetsuya Nomura, with the game being revealed in June 2020. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory will be released worldwide in 2020. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a rhythm action game featuring over 140 songs from the series and its Disney worlds. The game features both single and multiplayer gameplay, with four different game modes, including online battles. The gameplay of Melody of Memory has been compared to Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. Traversal between each of the worlds is done through the Gummi Ship, a system used in previous mainline Kingdom Hearts games.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
EXPAND ALL
Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
66
A nostalgia-driven love letter to Kingdom Hearts fans, Melody of Memory excels in musical gameplay and brief, bittersweet callbacks to the series’ legacy, but its shallow, repetitive story—filled with recycled plotlines and a sidelined Kairi—fails to engage newcomers or innovate. While critics praise its melody-driven fun and subtle hints at Kingdom Hearts 4, the game’s lack of originality, confusing lore exposition, and overreliance on past content make it a divisive, fan-pleasing relic rather than a bold new entry.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
18%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
72%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
10%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
A nostalgia-driven love letter to Kingdom Hearts fans, Melody of Memory excels in musical gameplay and brief, bittersweet callbacks to the series’ legacy, but its shallow, repetitive story—filled with recycled plotlines and a sidelined Kairi—fails to engage newcomers or innovate. While critics praise its melody-driven fun and subtle hints at Kingdom Hearts 4, the game’s lack of originality, confusing lore exposition, and overreliance on past content make it a divisive, fan-pleasing relic rather than a bold new entry.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
77
Praises for addictive rhythm mechanics, accessibility, and replayability clash with criticism of repetition, shallow depth, and control issues in Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, a divisive but fan-pleasing niche experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
70%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
28%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Praises for addictive rhythm mechanics, accessibility, and replayability clash with criticism of repetition, shallow depth, and control issues in Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, a divisive but fan-pleasing niche experience.
Graphics and Visual Design
Expand for full analysis
70
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory dazzles with nostalgic visuals and cinematic flair but stumbles on outdated graphics, recycled assets, and technical hiccups like blurry CGI and confusing 3D perspectives. While fans celebrate its thematic continuity, others see it as a step back from modernization, balancing charm with glaring limitations.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
70
Positive Reviews (80-100)
37%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
61%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory dazzles with nostalgic visuals and cinematic flair but stumbles on outdated graphics, recycled assets, and technical hiccups like blurry CGI and confusing 3D perspectives. While fans celebrate its thematic continuity, others see it as a step back from modernization, balancing charm with glaring limitations.
Music and Sound Design
Expand for full analysis
87
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory’s soundtrack is a nostalgic, emotionally charged masterpiece, praised for its 140+ tracks, Yoko Shimomura’s iconic compositions, and seamless gameplay integration—though repetitive loops, missing key songs, and uneven rhythm mechanics tarnish its perfection.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
87
Positive Reviews (80-100)
83%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
17%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory’s soundtrack is a nostalgic, emotionally charged masterpiece, praised for its 140+ tracks, Yoko Shimomura’s iconic compositions, and seamless gameplay integration—though repetitive loops, missing key songs, and uneven rhythm mechanics tarnish its perfection.
Voice Acting
Expand for full analysis
73
Voice acting in Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory earns praise for Kairi’s narration, hailed as a storytelling standout by reviewers like PlayStation Universe and Atomix, though critics note mixed reactions to heavy English voice work and missed opportunities for Japanese voices, leaving the performance solid but unremarkable compared to the franchise’s best.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
67%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Voice acting in Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory earns praise for Kairi’s narration, hailed as a storytelling standout by reviewers like PlayStation Universe and Atomix, though critics note mixed reactions to heavy English voice work and missed opportunities for Japanese voices, leaving the performance solid but unremarkable compared to the franchise’s best.
Technical Performance
Expand for full analysis
73
PlayStation 4 dominates with stable 60fps and responsive rhythm mechanics; Nintendo Switch struggles with visuals, stuttering, and input lag, despite accessibility appeal.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
42%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
PlayStation 4 dominates with stable 60fps and responsive rhythm mechanics; Nintendo Switch struggles with visuals, stuttering, and input lag, despite accessibility appeal.
Replay Value
Expand for full analysis
77
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory thrives on replayability via endless modes, collectibles, and multiplayer, but repetitive challenges and shallow content alienate non-fans, offering a love-it-or-hate-it experience for Kingdom Hearts purists.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
66%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
34%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory thrives on replayability via endless modes, collectibles, and multiplayer, but repetitive challenges and shallow content alienate non-fans, offering a love-it-or-hate-it experience for Kingdom Hearts purists.
Overall Verdict
75
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
75
Positive Reviews (80-100)
51%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
47%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Praise for nostalgic rhythm gameplay and beloved KH music, but criticized as a fans-only, repetitive experience with shallow story and high price—worth it for diehards, not newcomers.
75
MONSTER
Reviews
108 reviews found90
Hey Poor Player
Nov 17, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer had a very positive experience with Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, praising its gameplay, visuals, sound design, and replay value, ultimately giving it a score of 4.5/5.
Read full review
90
Switch Player
Nov 25, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a cohesive and chunky package that offers addictive and nostalgia-inducing rhythm gameplay.
Read full review
90
Nintendo Enthusiast
Nov 12, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer enjoyed the game and found it to be a good entry point for newcomers and a love letter to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Some minor complaints include the lack of variety in stage types and the potential battery life issue in handheld mode.
90
Nintendo Insider
Nov 17, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A love letter to fans, providing an engaging and fun rhythm game experience with some minor flaws.
Read full review
87
Digital Chumps
Nov 16, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review concludes that Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an amazing way to pay tribute to the music and story of the series. It suggests that the creative rhythmic gameplay is enough to have fun, but warns that those looking for new story content may be disappointed.
Read full review
86
Impulsegamer
Nov 12, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is described as wonderful, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a well-crafted rhythm game. Some minor problems are mentioned, but overall it is highly praised.
Read full review
85
IGN Italia
Nov 12, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a well-crafted rhythm game that appeals to fans of the series and newcomers alike, celebrating its music and offering engaging gameplay.
Read full review
85
PlayStation LifeStyle
Nov 19, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory is worth playing for both newcomers and veterans, offering a competent rhythm title with a varied selection of music and accessibility options for players of all abilities.
85
Noisy Pixel
Nov 12, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is an incredibly charming game that brings the music from the series into the spotlight. It has a competent and addictive rhythm system.
Read full review
85
GameGrin
Jan 20, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a great rhythm game that is enjoyable for newcomers and veteran players of the genre. However, it is not recommended for those looking for a strong story.
Read full review