Kingdom Hearts 4has kept fans waiting for details, but one feature from its predecessor that particularly deserves a comeback is the Attractions summons. These flashy, ride-themed abilities added an extra layer of excitement and spectacle to battles inKingdom Hearts 3, offering players a taste of Disney park magic while delivering powerful attacks. While there’s no confirmation that Attractions will return, it’s hard to ignore the potential for how they could be expanded upon inKingdom Hearts 4.
Attractions inKingdom Hearts 3were triggeredby a “CHANCE!” indicator that appeared over certain enemies during combat. Activating the indicator would summon iconic Disney rides like Splash Run, Blaster Blaze, and the Pirate Ship, transforming the battlefield into a carnival of light and sound. While undeniably thrilling, some players felt that the combat became cluttered, and the Attractions' overpowered nature made encounters feel one-sided.Kingdom Hearts 4has a chance to address these criticisms while retaining the excitement of the Attractions system.
How Kingdom Hearts 4 Can Refine Attractions
One of the most common critiques ofKingdom Hearts 3’s combat was that it gave players too many powerful options at once. Attractions, team attacks, and form changes were all available in quick succession, making battles feel chaotic. To avoid this inKingdom Hearts 4, a simple solution would be to introduce a cost system for activating Attractions. InKingdom Hearts 2, team attacks and summons required MP, encouraging players to use them strategically. A similar system for Attractions inKingdom Hearts 4would increase the stakes, ensuring that players think carefully before unleashing a ride-themed attack.
Another approach could involve limiting the availability of Attractions during boss fights. WhileKingdom Hearts 3allowed Attractions to be triggered during nearly any encounter, restricting their use in certain high-stakes battles could heighten tension and encourage more thoughtful play. The game’s predecessor had moments where players were stripped of key abilities, forcing them to adapt. Reintroducing this dynamic inKingdom Hearts 4would not only provide a nostalgic callback but also emphasize player adaptability.
New Rides and Disney Expansions for Kingdom Hearts 4 Attractions
If Attractions return inKingdom Hearts 4, there’s potential for new ride-themed abilities inspired by Disney’s ever-growing roster of properties.Kingdom Hearts 3featured familiar Disney classics, but the next installment could tap into newer rides from properties likeAvatarorFrozen, both of which have prominent presences at Disney’s theme parks. Players might find themselves summoning the Na’vi River Journey or taking flight on a banshee-themed Attraction inspired byAvatar: Flight of Passage. These additions wouldn’t just be visually striking; they’d bring fresh gameplay mechanics, like flight-based combat or environmental effects, making battles feel even more dynamic.
Nostalgia also plays a big role in the appeal of Attractions. The joy of experiencing a Disney ride in real life is part of what made thesesummons so memorable inKingdom Hearts 3. By adding more rides that evoke powerful nostalgia—like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or the Haunted Mansion—Kingdom Hearts 4could tap into players' personal connections to Disney’s theme parks. These additions wouldn’t just enhance gameplay but also strengthen the emotional ties between players and the series’ Disney roots.
Balancing Spectacle in Kingdom Hearts Attractions
The visual chaos of Attractions also drew mixed responses. Their explosive effects sometimes obscured the battlefield, making it difficult to track enemy movements.Kingdom Hearts 4could resolve previous game mechanicsby allowing players to toggle certain visual effects on or off in the settings menu. An option to reduce particle effects or limit cinematic cut-ins would give players more control over their experience.
IfKingdom Hearts 4does revive Attractions, it’s essential to strike a balance between spectacle and strategy. Offering players moments of stunning, Disney-infused action is part of what makesKingdom Heartsspecial, but those moments should come with meaningful choices. By addressing past criticisms and implementing thoughtful changes,Kingdom Hearts 4could deliver a refined, unforgettable Attractions system that honors its Disney roots while elevating gameplay to new heights.
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.
