While theKingdom Heartsseries has always thrived on its exploration of many iconic Disney properties, the selection of worlds in each game hasn’t necessarily aligned with how new their respective films are. The fact that nearly every major property under the company’s umbrella has been covered by now makesKingdom Hearts 4seem more likely to include worlds from films of recent years, but a continued emphasis on choosingDisney crossoversbased on their weight in Sora’s journey will probably subvert this expectation.
While combining popular Disney films of recent memory with the latestFinal Fantasyentry might seem like a winning formula,KHhas always strayed from pop culture through its deep-cut representation. Releases have repeatedly proven that series lead Tetsuya Nomura constructs these titles according to personal preference first, andKingdom Hearts 4is already on track to demonstrate this more than ever.
Kingdom Hearts Has Established a Pattern of Nostalgia Over Trendiness in Its World Selection
Dated Disney Films Have Consistently Found New Life in KH
The set ofDisney worlds inKingdom Hearts 3surprised players with left-field picks likeTangledandPirates of the Caribbean, as the game’s 2019 release was years removed from both IPs' latest theater outings. There’s a pattern of this kind of choice throughout the series, however, asKHhas always been willing to bring decades-old movies into the modern era of gaming.
In an interview,Tetsuya Nomura commented onKingdom Hearts' long-term arcbeing his main focus when it comes to the franchise, supporting the notion that Disney worlds are chosen in service of that overarching goal. Elements like character interactions and thematic resonance take precedence over cashing in on filmgoing audience familiarity. Some of the largest gaps between Disney films and their appearance inKingdom Heartsinclude:
Seemingly Subversive World Picks Actually Have a Decent Chance of Appearing in Kingdom Hearts 4
Several Untapped Classics Would Likely Suit the Tone of Quadratum More Than Recent Disney Properties
In discussions regardingDisney world predictions forKingdom Hearts 4, brand-new properties introduced within the past decade frequently come up. While the likes ofEncantoorCocoare still strong contenders, it’s been proven that recency isn’t an element that has much impact on these worlds. IfKH3was willing to lean all the way into a pirate gimmick for a world specifically based around 2007’sPirates of the Caribbean:At World’s End, it stands to reason that its sequel is capable of being just as unconventional. This makes popular fan requests likeAtlantis: The Lost Empire,The Black Cauldron, orTreasure Planetfeel like genuine possibilities despite all of them being decades old, and Square Enix has an even deeper pool to choose from.
Disney’s Acquisitions Make For Even More Wild Cards
Adding to a catalog which includes Marvel and Lucasfilm, the array of Disney’s ownership even opens up the door for theaddition of 21st Century Fox worlds inKingdom Hearts 4. Depending on how heavy or light the game’s tone ends up being, everything fromIce AgetoAvataris technically on the table. The change in style coming toKH4being paired with the series' habit of delving into crossovers regardless of release proximity has the chance to highlight the untapped potential of providing less conventional IPs with a modern reimagining.
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.
