Kingdom Hearts 4may still be a ways out, but that doesn’t mean excitement and anticipation for the game aren’t incredibly high. First announced with a surprising trailer in April 2022 at aKingdom Hearts20th Anniversary event,Kingdom Hearts 4has been incredibly elusive in the three years since, with no release window or upcoming showcases in sight. While Square Enix is no doubt working hard on the game, the publisher has rarely shared any news of its progress, only emerging to showcase a new set of screenshots earlier this year.
Initial looks atKingdom Hearts 4’s gameplayindicate that this new title will be going in a massively different direction for the series. While it will retain the franchise’s typical action RPG gameplay style without radically overhauling the formula, it seems Square Enix is beginningKingdom Hearts' next story arc with some major stylistic switch-ups. Most notably, it’s very possible that this iconic crossover between Disney and theFinal Fantasyseries may have a little bit less Disney in the next game, especially in its choices of worlds.
Kingdom Hearts 4 May Pull Back On The Disney Representation
Kingdom Hearts 4 Should Prominently Feature Quadratum
It wouldn’t be surprising ifKingdom Hearts 4features less emphasis on Disney representationthan previous games in the series, largely because of the focus on the brand-new worlds that Sora will explore. The most notable world that Sora will be exploring is Quadratum, which will also serve as the game’s main hub world that players will consistently return to between other worlds. Quadratum is where Sora is trapped following the conclusion ofKingdom Hearts 3, having been separated from his regular companions, Donald and Goofy.
Kingdom Hearts 4will probably also see the return of Scala ad Caelum, the new world that was previously introduced inKingdom Hearts 3. Initially, this was intended to be the main setting ofthe mobile titleKingdom Hearts Missing-Link; however, Square Enix has recently chosen to cancel the project, as the publisher believed it would be too difficult to maintain the game in the long term. With its cancellation, though, Square Enix may choose to incorporate some of its story beats intoKingdom Hearts 4, meaning that Scala ad Caelum could make an appearance in the new game.
Kingdom Hearts 4’s New Arc Could Mean Less Disney This Time Around
With the presence of these worlds,Square Enix may be getting ready forKingdom Hearts 4to feature a greater emphasis on original worlds and settings than previous games in the series. After all, Sora is already separated from his pals Donald and Goofy at the beginning of the game, meaning that several gameplay sections will feel notably different, at least in the game’s early stages. This could also lead to more of the game taking place in Quadratum (and potentially Scala ad Caelum, should that world appear in the game) than in Disney worlds.
It would also make sense forKingdom Hearts 4to feature more emphasis on original worlds, especially given that it is the beginning of a new story arc in the franchise. Following on the “Dark Seeker Saga” that the series followed in all of its games before,Kingdom Hearts 4is set to be the first titlein the “Lost Master” story arc. As Square Enix looks to establish this brand-new story arc, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a greater emphasis on original worlds to give this new saga its own flavor compared to the previous games.
Square Enix may be getting ready forKingdom Hearts 4to emphasize original worlds and settings.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Won’t Be Entirely Without Disney
Of course, this doesn’t mean thatKingdom Hearts 4will be an entirely Disney-free game. After all, Square Enix has already confirmed that there will be several Disney worlds featured in this new title. What’s more, the recent set of gameplay images forKH4indicate that Mickey Mouse will once again be a playable character this time around, and Square Enix could play on the separation between Sora, Donald and Goofy by having the latter two become playable characters for the first time in the series.
Still, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to seeKingdom Hearts 4pull back on some of the Disney representation. The franchise is looking to kick off the “Lost Master” story arc with a bang, and it may have to focus on establishing the new original worlds instead of pulling as heavily from Disney’s catalog. No matter whetherKingdom Hearts 4doubles down on the Disney representation or pulls things back, this long-awaited title will surely be another exciting entry in one of the most venerable RPG franchises in gaming.
