The future ofKingdom Heartsis currently a mystery, as the wait for the fourth mainline game in the series continues. Through the years,Kingdom Heartshas established itself as an incredibly unique IP, thanks to its ties to Disney. A blend ofFinal Fantasyand Disney franchises makesKingdom Heartsa combination that works surprisingly well. Now thatKingdom Hearts 4is on the horizon, many are wondering which recent Disney properties will get their moment in the spotlight.
It’s now been five years sinceKingdom Hearts 3was released, and since then, Disney has had its fair share of successful movies. As one of the biggest media companies in the world,Disney is always cranking out projects, and while not all have been a success, one in particular has been a standout:Moana 2. With the first film releasing back in 2016,Moanawas nowhere to be seen inKingdom Hearts 3, but that might not be the case for future games.
A Moana World in Kingdom Hearts Now Feels More Likely Than Ever
Moana is the Perfect Fit For Kingdom Hearts
Since the first movie,Moanahas been one of the stronger franchises among the recent animated Disney ventures. With its blend of magic and the setting of ancient Polynesia,Moanaboasts all the trademarks of what makesa specific world inKingdom Heartsso compelling for players. Even better,Moanahas the chance to fill a void that is likely to be left by another franchise losing its grasp on the vast world of Disney.
At the time of this writing,Moana 2has made $717 million dollars at the global box office.
Moana’s Ocean Focus Can Take the Reins From Pirates of the Caribbean
When it comes to ocean-based worlds inKingdom Hearts, thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise brought forth beloved locations. Beginning with Port Royal inKingdom Hearts 2and then expanding into the more exploration-friendly Caribbean inKingdom Hearts 3, Disney’s long-running pirate series has brought some of the best worlds toKingdom Hearts. However, the chances of aPirates of the Caribbeanworld returning may be dwindling, since there hasn’t been a newPiratesmovie in several years. While this is just speculation,Kingdom Hearts 4may be eyeing more modern franchisesto showcase in the next chapter, andMoanacould easily fill that space.
Moanais perfect for an ocean-based map, and it has the benefit of bringing magic to such a setting. Between the titular heroineMoana and Maui, there are plenty of great character traits to work with, and while not havingPirates of the Caribbeanwould be a huge loss,Moanais the best successor to fill such a possible void. However, there is another way to get the best of both worlds.
Expanding Kingdom Hearts 4’s Ocean-Based World Beyond One Franchise
There is also the possibility forPirates of the CaribbeanandMoanato come together in one overarching world. The Caribbean inKingdom Hearts 3was a big hit among players. One compelling route is an open ocean-focused world that allows players to explore even more, which could lead to Moana’s coastal village. Of course, this could just be wishful thinking, but it would be a way to showcase a new franchise without settingPirates of the Caribbeanaside, even if the real-life Caribbean and Polynesia are nowhere close to each other. Also, sincea newPirates of the Caribbeanmovieis rumored to be in its early stages, excitement for the franchise may be reignited after all.
Kingdom Hearts 4has yet to confirm a release date.
As of now, there is no tellingwhatKingdom Hearts 4has in store for playerswhen it comes to its various worlds. While there is an expectation of blending classic and modern Disney properties, the biggest question is in regard to what those franchises will be. Only time will tell, but it will be exciting to see ifMoanamakes its way toKingdom Hearts.
