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Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 51 critic reviews
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Based on 24 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Hand

Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: September 29, 2009

Summary

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days revolves around Roxas, the "other" hero from King Hearts II. Players follow Roxas through his days among Organization XIII's ranks, unraveling the events that took place during the year that Sora was asleep, and ultimately revealing one of the Kingdom Hearts saga's most shocking secrets. Players and their friends join Roxas, his friend Axel and the mysterious fourteenth member of Organization XIII on a journey across charming, vibrant worlds full of Square Enix’s and Disney’s beloved characters. Additionally, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days uses the local wireless capabilities of Nintendo DS to introduce the series’ first ever multiplayer mode, in which players can take control of their favorite Organization XIII members and tackle a variety of missions on their own terms. In KINGDOM HEARTS, Sora turned the Keyblade on himself in order to release Kairi’s heart, but his heart was also released in the process. This brought about the creation of Roxas, Sora’s Nobody. Unlike most Nobodies, however, Roxas has no memories of his past. He joins Organization XIII and slowly begins to discover the truth behind his existence and the Organization itself. He meets and befriends the fourteenth member of the Organization, who also has no recollection of her past. What will Roxas see during his time in the Organization? What is the connection between him, Sora and the fourteenth member? And what becomes of them? Dive into the heart of the KINGDOM HEARTS storyline’s biggest secrets. A series-first multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to control any Organization XIII member. Learn about the origins of the "Organization XIII" name. Get to know the members of Organization XIII, including the mysterious fourteenth member. Finally experience the KINGDOM HEARTS storyline’s missing chapter. [Square Enix]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Nintendo Power

For all its intricate plot threads, the game is at its best during these little character moments. [Nov 2009, p.78]

Zentendo

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 days is one of the best DS titles that we have had in our hands in a long time.

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Wii Brasil

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a unique experience on DS. For fans of the work of Tetsuya Nomura is a must-have title in the collection; and for those that couldn't appreciate 358/2 Days can be a good option to start.

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Vandal Online

It will please both series fanatics and newcomers, thanks to its elaborated story and superb technical set.

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Gamer 2.0

A great story, addictive and intuitive combat system, polished graphics and with a multiplayer component that will keep you coming back, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days should keep fans interested for months to come.

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Gamers' Temple

It plays great, offers lots to do and even though it can be slow on the story and missions seem endlessly repeated, it is still a must play for any KH fan.

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Gamer Limit

A great continuation to the Kingdom Hearts saga, 358/2 Days offers great customization options, fluid gameplay and awesome visuals, but suffers from recycled material.

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GameZone

Quite an impressive package that delivers a wonderfully deep and involving portable RPG.

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Digital Chumps

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is technically impressive and filled to the brim with content, but it's considerably massive length stretches both of those features a little too far for comfort.

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Gaming Age

Definitely worth picking up, and I'm glad I had the chance to check it out. It's nice to get a little more light shined on Roxas and Axel in particular, so fans of those two characters will be pretty pleased I think.

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Game Revolution

Story is clear and intriguing

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Multiplayer.it

Given the hardware limitations, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is quite a bit of a miracle. In spite of a few technical flaws and some repetitive quests this new installment in the franchise is a brilliant game, deep and well done, filled with charming backgrounds and characters. However, its major strength is also a weakness: the main plot will look meaningless to whoever isn't familiar with the series. But to fans of Kingdom Hearts this is an absolutely must-have.

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SpazioGames

The latest episode in the saga does not betray the expectations of fans. An episode that knows how to fascinate and entertain thanks to the many expedients that succeed in avoiding the risk of being repetitive. The software house haven't risked in producing the title, getting back to a narrative structure. The great graphics and gameplay, make this a must have for fans.

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3DJuegos

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a great action RPG adventure.

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RPG Fan

If you've never liked Kingdom Hearts before, 358/2 Days will not sway your opinion, as it's basically the same action RPG seen on the Playstation 2 with a different (and one may argue, more interesting) customization system. However, if you like Kingdom Hearts or even action RPGs in general, 358/2 Days is a worthy game for you to spend time on.

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Game Informer

Indeed, there are plenty of fun missions and challenging boss battles, but things get repetitive fast. [Oct 2009, p.100]

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GamePro

It's got a good amount of polish and diehard KH fans should definitely get it. Casual fans will also find reasons to like it, even if the weird story doesn't really add up.

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GameSpot

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a great adventure with a ton of heart.

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IGN

A fairly worthy addition to the Kingdom Hearts franchise, despite its problems. Even amidst the slow pacing and serious repetition, I found rewarding combat and yet another nostalgia-filled story. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I think Kingdom Hearts fans should pick this one up.

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Meristation

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days proves that Square Enix its working hard and very well on the DS. A charming adventure, with a nice story and intense gameplay elements, including multiplayer options for the very first time in the franchise are just same of the features that this great action RPG includes.

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Kombo

Kingdom Hearts fans are going to love this entry as you explore the mysterious Organization XIII deeper and find out what happened just prior to the events of Kingdom Hearts 2.

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Pocket Gamer UK

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days delivers magical gameplay, though it forgets to summon a good story along with it.

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InsideGamer.nl

The conclusion of ten days Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is that the DS can add a worthy Kingdom Hearts adventure to its library. The fighting is just as fun and full of action as its big console brothers and there are enough missions to keep you busy for a lot of hours to come. Thanks to the beautiful cut scenes, the ambiance of the story is brought to you in a very good way. You have to have played previous Kingdom Hearts games, if you want to get the story. Otherwise you won’t understand a thing what is happening to you and around you. That’s why Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is only interesting to people loyal to the series.

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games(TM)

It's rare for a portable spin-off to come this close to the quality of the games upon which it is based. [Dec 2009, p.106]

GamingXP

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is another epic video game by Square Enix and Disney and brings informative insight into Roxas’ story and Organization XII. Every Kingdom Hearts fan needs to have it. If you’re not a fan, but still interested, get yourself a copy of one of the older games and start playing the epic adventure.

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GameFocus

Unlike other Kingdom Hearts, this version lends itself well to being able to pick it up and put it down making it a game you can play for quite a long time and still enjoy when you do play it. There is though, enough meat in this game to satisfy the person who wants to play this game very seriously and tear though the content.

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PALGN

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is definitely a fun Action-RPG for the DS, that is surprisingly charming. However, it's definitely one for the fans, and they should know that they will be re-treading a lot of old ground.

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GameTrailers

Though Kingdom Hearts fans might be put off by some of the ways that 358/2 Days alters the structure, the underlying game is faithful to its legacy and jam-packed with content. Once the experience moves past its plodding early paces, it's great fun.

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Cheat Code Central

Aside from the story, 358/2 Days still has the signature Kingdom Hearts style of action RPG combat, which is a boon all by itself. The more strategic leveling system also helps keep this title feeling fresh, and the multiplayer options are just icing on the cake.

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Gamervision

Don’t be turned away by the strange name, the platform, or the focus on Roxas: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is the real deal, and one of the best action RPGs on the Nintendo DS.

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1UP

By the time I finished with Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, my left thumb felt like it was about to fall off. In fact, while playing through it, I frequently had to take breaks during long encounters to rest my aching D-pad hand. But through it all, I persisted.

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NGamer UK

It's worth putting up with the nonsense as this is a satisfying action RPG. [Dec 2009, p.68]

Game Over Online

This DS title is not bad by any means, but it is certainly the weakest installment of the Kingdom Hearts series so far. However, to its credit, the game is still a charming and fun title to play for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts and fans alike.

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Worth Playing

Kingdom Hearts fans will find something to enjoy here, but anyone else would be better off picking up the cheaper, and more enjoyable, PS2 games before diving in to this game.

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Games Radar (in-house)

It’s got all the heart, some of the soul and a lot of missing plot pieces from the rest of the series, plus a unique gameplay concept. Too bad the control scheme and the camera suck.

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Eurogamer Spain

It's not a bad game, but we think that Square could have done a much better job with such an attractive material.

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Eurogamer Italy

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is, sadly, too PlayStation-style. The stylus is only used in the character customization, and it is a shame. Anyway, the sharp 3D engine and the huge number of missions are good elements, and the multiplayer option is a nice addition to the original design.

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Level7.nu

A spinoff from the original game series that fills some of the gaps in the story between the first and second game. For those who longed for a continuation.

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AceGamez

While it features many flaws in terms of originality, and the content on offer is frustratingly limited, it still presents a wonderfully playable portable title.

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Gamer.nl

A modest effort in bringing the franchise to the DS. The fighting system works fine and it’s fun to build your character. The story actually feels like part of the complete picture told by all games, a big plus for a handheld game. But the quality of the original is never reached. The missions are a bit too repetitive and the camera irritates.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

It's good to see Kingdom Hearts on the DS, but this is not up to the standard of previous efforts. [Dec 2009, p.84]

Games Master UK

A soulless entry that's packed with fan service but lacks appeal for newcomers. [Dec 2009, p.63]

Gaming Nexus

With its confusing title and convoluted storyline, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has a lot going against it. Throw in some terrible pacing issues, awkward control scheme, repeating levels, dull characters and a complete lack of Final Fantasy, and you have game that shouldn't work. Yet I often found myself having a good time with this good, albeit flawed, adventure game!

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Everyeye.it

The story is vague and the gameplay repetitious. Just for series' fans.

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Thunderbolt

If you can name every one of Kingdom Hearts’ characters in your sleep, then 358/2 Days is certainly for you and you’d be foolish to miss out on an integral piece of the storyline puzzle. Just don’t expect the average gamer to be able to relate to you.

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Gameplayer Sweden

A decent but shallow addition to the series.

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GameShark

Without a goal or the feeling of adventure, doing the missions just feels like a chore.

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Teletext GameCentral

Another perfectly crafted adventure that puts to shame most other retail games at five times its price.

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RPGamer

Fans of Organization XIII will enjoy some insight into their favorite characters' daily lives, but many fans of the series may be turned off by the lackluster controls and odd story directions taken with this portable spin-off.

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Edge Magazine

Despite the game's uncluttered arenas, the camera regularly manages to find a way to flip out and point you in the wrong direction. [Dec 2009, p.101]

GameCritics

What little the game does add to the saga is forgotten by everyone at the end. Disney fans will be most disappointed of all: Disney's characters barely put in an appearance, and Disney's worlds are just window-dressing for a killzone.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[anonymous] gave it a7:
It's okay. The pannel system isn't as great as the card or skill set battle systems from other games. The graphics are okay, but not the best. Like all the other games, the beginning and end cutscenes are incredibly good looking, though. The new mini-mission style of play also ruins the pacing. The enemies, locals, and music are all really interesting, but it's all recicled from Kingdom Hearts 2. There are very few new things. The story is pretty much the only good part, but not as good as as any of the other except the first one. Unfortunatly the gameplay gets old fast. Oh yeah, if you beat the game and complete all the missions, you unlock some extra characters, which is pretty cool. In conclusion, this is the weakest one in the series other than the PS2 port of Chain of Memories.

Darren Z. gave it a7:
The premise of this game is to tell you what happened between Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts 2. As it turns out, the answer is "not much". Despite the topnotch presentation, the story here is threadbare and largely uninteresting. But we all know that it's gameplay that matters and, well, 358/2 falls a little short there as well. While the RPG character development is handled quite well, the actual combat is repetitive and you'll find yourself just mashing the attack button over and over again with little variation. It's reasonably entertaining, all things considered, but there are better games out there.

LJ H gave it an8:
This game isn't perfect, but it's bloody close. For fans of the series then it's interesting to see the character development, especially between Roxas and Axel, and it's cool to see what was going on during that big gap between COM and KH2. Then there's the gameplay, which is fantastically done, despite the fact that you might have to take a break to rest your thumb every now and then. The story is a little loose, but very engaging and gives a deeper insight into the relationships between the characters. My biggest complaint about this game is that there are no new levels. All of the maps are lifted from the other games which is a bit of a rip off. Other than that there are no big holes in this game. Veteran fans will enjoy the story line, newcomers will be equally pleased with the gameplay and everyone will be pleased with how visually impressive it is for a handheld. Basic point you should take away from this review: BUY THIS GAME!

Tom d gave it a2:
I really wanted to like this game due to the reviews. But the slow dialogue I ended up skipping in anger. The odd controls. The squint inducing scaled out graphics. Where the hell is mickey by the way. Fail. Go play bowsers inside story.

Eoin D gave it a10:
I have to agree with the reviewers who say this is for Kingdom Hearts fans, but as a Kingdom Hearts fan, I can safely say that this is a fantastic addition to the series and is essentially a PS2 game squeezed into the DS, which is an amazing feat

Fozzy gave it an8:
They did well transforming Kingdom Hearts into the DS. KH offers very mobile friendly play styles. In story mode, you get a series of quests you can go on. Each one feels like a reasonable amount of time. This format works well on the DS can you can pick-up-and-play and do one quest and put it back down or if you have more time, you can keep playing for a more common feeling, but one that's constantly broken up by returning to the castle (RTC). Playing the game like that will lessen the game, thankfully, that's not how DS games are typically played. The one big issue would be camera angles and zoning. There's a fair amount of problems with the camera not following the charters direction, requiring constant pressing of the "R" key to re-place the camera. Also, some angles feel awkward and hard to navigate and you might miss some jumps as you thought the way was clear, but wasn't due to the camera angle.

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Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

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