Summary
Square Enix’s iconic crossover series is set to continue delivering on its blend ofFinal Fantasyand Disney styles among action RPG gameplay with the upcomingKingdom Hearts 4, and this latest entry is potentially focused on utilizing its realistic graphics to enter the worlds of more live action IPs than ever. With so much speculation surrounding what implications the game’s real-world-inspired hub world could have for original characters and the wider umbrella of Disney’s ownership, however,Kingdom Hearts 4shouldn’t lose sight of the union which defined the franchise to begin with.
The introduction of a realistic environment in Quadratum offers a fresh twist which opens up new routes for storytelling, but that shift in setting alone shouldn’t detract from the quintessential gameplay of exploring beloved Disney worlds. Even ifKingdom Hearts 4marks a transitioninto a more experimental era which represents much more than just the classic animated canon of films, the magic of these places has lied at the heart of the series since the first game.
Disney Worlds Have Always Been a Major Part of Kingdom Hearts' Core Appeal
Even Hub Worlds Have Maintained Disney Theming
Seeing a largelyFinal Fantasy-inspired character running around in famous locations from Disney’s catalog embodies the spirit ofKingdom Heartsas a whole, as this feeling has even extended into several of the original hub worlds. Not only do the likes ofTraverse Town, Twilight Town, and Radiant Gardenstay in line with the cartoon aesthetic featured across several Disney worlds, but they are even home to characters who might not have fit in their respective games otherwise.
The Presence of Quadratum Isn’t Likely to Change the Formula of KH4’s Levels
Despite embodying much of the charm of the franchise’s crossover, previous hub worlds have mostly acted as temporary pit stops and main story event locations which break up the flow of the core loop that is exploring new worlds. Now that some fans have theorized that Sora could be able to travel usingKingdom Hearts 3’s Power of Wakingalone in lieu of the traditional Gummi Ship, there’s potential forKH4to have the player spending even more time in new worlds as opposed to the starting point of Quadratum.
Maintaining the Magic of Kingdom Hearts' Disney Worlds in a New Generation
Integrating Quadratum and Tertiary Disney IPs Without Overshadowing Existing Charm
While it’s been shown prominently under attack by the Heartless in the reveal trailer, it’s still unclear ifKingdom Hearts 4’s Quadratumwill serve as a major combat location. Considering that it’s been implied in official statements that this hub world will be centered around what are seemingly new life sim elements which flesh out Sora’s downtime, it’s likely that the Disney worlds will continue to constitute the meat of the gameplay after all. There’s also a high probability that Disney characters will continue to appear in this hub as they have in others, but this setting allows for more live-action IP representation, since animated characters could struggle to fit in smoothly.
The introduction of a realistic environment in Quadratum opens up new routes for storytelling, but that shift in setting shouldn’t detract from the beloved Disney worlds.
Quadratum Would Work Best if Limited as a Gateway
Even though mini-games and side activities can add depth to a zone less oriented around combat,Kingdom Hearts 4might benefit from a more Disney-focused direction which leaves Quadratum mostly in the background. As Sora continues to forge new bonds and strengthen existing ties to a diverse array of licensed characters, spending more time in their environments should take precedent over the initial hype of seeing part of thereal-life Tokyo inKingdom Hearts.
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.
