04-05-2006, 12:17 AM
Chain of Memories is actually really sweet so far. The system, as far as anything I've played, is entirely innovative, and still maintains the fast-pacedness of actual gameplay. Yes, it is card-based, but look at it like this. FFX is a turn-based RPG, and Pokemon/Yugioh are turn-based card RPGs. Kingdom Hearts 1 employs a real-time battle system, and so does Chain of Memories. You have a "deck" in which you place attack cards. By pressing the A button, you use this attack cards against the enemies, while moving around them and trying to dodge their attacks. Each card you use is discarded, but by "reloading" your deck (basically, standing still and keeping the A button held down for a certain length of time), you get these cards back. Of course, you also get Spell Cards, Item Cards, Summon Cards, etc.
Finally, Donald and Goofy do not fight alongside you as they did. Instead, they also are in the form of "cards" that will drop randomly on your fight. By using them, they jump in, do their thing, and jump out shortly after.
Every card has a number, from 0-9. Of course, while you're attacking, your enemy is attacking as well. They also use "cards". Here's where it gets interesting. If you use a 8 attack card, and your enemy uses a 4 attack card, your attack will override their attack, performing what's called a Card Break. Essentially, their attack is immediately stopped, and their card is immediately discarded. Of course, this happens to you. If you play a 2 attack card, and your opponent plays a 4 attack card, your attack will be stopped, and you will be stunned for about a second. It should be noted that I do not believe the numbers on the cards actually relate to how much damage you do. It should also be noted that discarded cards are NEVER lost permanently. As soon as the battle is done, your deck is completely recharged.
Finally, an interesting idea is the ability to stock up to 3 cards at the same time. If you do this with attack cards, the numbers will add up, and boost your attack value, thereby lowering your chance of being Card Break-ed (broken, I know. Shut up). But, with certain combinations, better things might happen. For example, of you stock 3 Cure cards, you will perform the Curaga spell. If you stock 3 Cloud Summon Cards, Cloud will perform Omnislash when he is summoned, instead of his usual two blade slash. Unfortunately, when you stock cards, the first card you stock is lost for the rest of the battle, and CAN NOT be reloaded.
The system is actually entirely innovative, and I find it a lot more fun than the original PS2 battle system. The story isn't as moving or deep (thus far, anyway), but Axel looks awesome, and the speech in here definitely leaves a lot to chew on. The game is definitely quite good, and if you have a chance to, I definitely recommend picking it up. Or borrow it, like I am.
Finally, Donald and Goofy do not fight alongside you as they did. Instead, they also are in the form of "cards" that will drop randomly on your fight. By using them, they jump in, do their thing, and jump out shortly after.
Every card has a number, from 0-9. Of course, while you're attacking, your enemy is attacking as well. They also use "cards". Here's where it gets interesting. If you use a 8 attack card, and your enemy uses a 4 attack card, your attack will override their attack, performing what's called a Card Break. Essentially, their attack is immediately stopped, and their card is immediately discarded. Of course, this happens to you. If you play a 2 attack card, and your opponent plays a 4 attack card, your attack will be stopped, and you will be stunned for about a second. It should be noted that I do not believe the numbers on the cards actually relate to how much damage you do. It should also be noted that discarded cards are NEVER lost permanently. As soon as the battle is done, your deck is completely recharged.
Finally, an interesting idea is the ability to stock up to 3 cards at the same time. If you do this with attack cards, the numbers will add up, and boost your attack value, thereby lowering your chance of being Card Break-ed (broken, I know. Shut up). But, with certain combinations, better things might happen. For example, of you stock 3 Cure cards, you will perform the Curaga spell. If you stock 3 Cloud Summon Cards, Cloud will perform Omnislash when he is summoned, instead of his usual two blade slash. Unfortunately, when you stock cards, the first card you stock is lost for the rest of the battle, and CAN NOT be reloaded.
The system is actually entirely innovative, and I find it a lot more fun than the original PS2 battle system. The story isn't as moving or deep (thus far, anyway), but Axel looks awesome, and the speech in here definitely leaves a lot to chew on. The game is definitely quite good, and if you have a chance to, I definitely recommend picking it up. Or borrow it, like I am.
![[Image: heydudezew6.png]](http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7540/heydudezew6.png)