Just finished 358/2 Days, and didn't think I would have thoughts to put down about the game, since the game takes place during Chain of Memories. But it's a pretty important lore filled game actually. Considering the reason it took me so long to finally play KHII was because I hated Roxas, and didn't want to play him, a Roxas based game being so good and satisfying to finish is neat to experience. It's so far the easiest game of the first 4 games, but the way the game gets difficult, is more annoying than anything before it. The game doesn't let you edit anything while out of a mission, only in the castle before you leave on a mission. So you may find yourself having to quit a mission to change everything and then go back in. It adds a small layer of friction that is enough to feel frustrating and too annoyed to play sometimes. Not because it made the game hard, but because the mission wasn't possible with the load out you brought.
The final stretch of the game is also a lot easier than the rest of the game right before it. and it feels so weird because of that. Not that the game was hard, but because the final fights were all just smooth sailing just from mashing buttons. You just kinda win. and then the game ends.
My actual biggest complaint about the game though, is that they swapped the jump button and the action/confirm button. Because its a DS game, and Nintendo has their Confirm button on A, the right button, and cancel on B their bottom button. ITS A REALLY ANNOYING CHANGE. Even if the 3 games before this one had different controls already. YOU CANT CHANGE THOSE TWO.
I also watched the VN/Cutscene movie in the 1.5 + 2.5 collection version after I finished the game.They remade the cutscenes with better models rather than making a full game out of it. And more of the dialogue parts are voiced now because they became cutscenes. BUT ITS SUCH A BAD WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE GAME. I can't believe square was okay with having their collection give us 358/2 days like this. For one, this completely ruins the sense of time, since the scenes are just happening back to back with no gameplay. AND since you dont have to deal with the unimportant dialogue Roxas has with Saix, the guy you have to talk to to start missions. YOU DONT KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HATE HIM if you're only getting the story of the game this way.
Alright that's it. That's all Im gonna say. Play 358/2 Days, its worth your time.