Summary
TheKingdom Heartsseries is among the most popular action RPG franchises ever. Since its first title,Kingdom Heartshas combined the worlds and characters of Square Enix and Disney for an original narrative. As that narrative has progressed over the series’ 13 unique titles, it has become one of the most complicated non-linear stories in gaming. However, the franchise has long relied on one story trick to move the narrative forward, as nearlyeveryKingdom Heartstitle tasks players with reuniting characters separated by a major event. WithKingdom Hearts 4set to initiate the next major saga in theKingdom Heartsfranchise, it’s time this frustrating story trick be abandoned once and for all.
Kingdom Heartsis largely centered around Sora, Kairi, and Riku, three kids from Destiny Island who embark on a world-hopping adventure after their world is consumed by Darkness. Across the series' mainline titles, all three gain control of a unique keyblade in the lead-up to a major confrontation with the franchise’s overarching villain, Xehanort, who wishes to reset the universe by consuming it in darkness. Over various narratives, the series has progressed its plotlines by separating and reuniting key characters with each other. However, this recurring cycle has proven frustrating, and the next era ofKingdom Heartsshould abandon it entirely.
Kingdom Hearts Features a Constant Cycle of Break-ups and Reunions
The catalyst for theKingdom Heartsseries’ overarching narrative is Sora’s search for Kairi and Riku followingthe fall of Destiny Islandsinto darkness. Over the course of the first title, his search proves successful, encountering Riku, who plays host to the title’s villain, and Kairi, whose heart he restores in Hollow Bastion. However, the story’s end sees Sora, Kairi, and Riku suddenly separated, leaving players back where they started.Kingdom Hearts2 then follows Sora as he searches for his friends once more, with a new type of character, Nobodies, taking center stage and expanding the lore of theKingdom Heartsuniverse. WhileKingdom Hearts 2reunites the trio by the time the credits roll, its lore sets into motion an even larger cycle of break-ups and reunions.
It’s about time for Kingdom Hearts to focus on a different core narrative and move on from the concept of reunions!
FollowingKingdom Hearts 2, the series began to focus on additional characters and events from the franchise’s past in spin-off narratives. WhenKingdom Hearts 3was released in 2019, its plot saw Sora seek to reunite nearly every major character from the mainline and spin-off titles in order to thwart Xehanort for good. While successful, the title’s final act sawSora and Kairiseparated once more, giving rise to a DLC narrative and an additional spin-off title,Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. With the series moving into a new saga withKingdom Hearts 4, it’s time for the franchise to abandon this recurring story trick and focus on a deeper, more dynamic core narrative.
Kingdom Hearts 4’s Ending Needs to Break Away from the Concept of Reunions
Despite endingthe Dark Seeker Sagaand its seemingly endless cycle of break-ups and reunions,Kingdom Hearts 3, itsReMind DLC,andMelody of Memoryplanted the seeds for one more reunion-themed storyline. The final moments ofReMindsee Sora trapped in a new reality, leading Kairi and Riku to the Final World inMelody of Memory, in search of his location. There they meet the Nameless Star, who reveals his location as the city of Quadratum. Heading into the series' next saga, Riku is searching Quadratum for Sora, while Kairi trains under Aqua in the art of the Keyblade.
WhileKingdom Hearts 4was left to pick up the pieces of the Dark Seeker Saga’s final break-up, the way in which it does so could end the cycle. With major characters now seeking to locate and reunite with Sora in a new reality, this final reunion could be used as a tool for expansion rather than the catalyst of a new cycle.
Reaching Quadratum will undoubtedly open the door to a deeper connection between worlds, a connection hinted at in previous titles and Mickey’s research ofthe Ancient Mastersin Scala ad Caelum inMelody of Memory. WhetherKingdom Heartsultimately breaks away from the cycle of reunions remains to be seen. Fans hope thatKingdom Hearts 4can usher in a new and deeper future for the beloved franchise rather than rely on the same frustrating beats of stories past.
Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix and represents the fifteenth installment in the franchise. Players once again are put in the shoes of Sora who is suddenly trapped in a more realistic world called Quadratum, with companions like Donald and Goofy attempting to rescue him. Kingdom Hearts 4 is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
