Kingdom Heartsis a franchise that is beloved by many due in large part to its splicing ofFinal Fantasyand classic Disney characters and lore.Sora’s child-like wonderand lovingly-crafted interactions with the likes of Donald Duck, Goofy, Riku, and Kairi make for the series' best moments, and though it has so much charm, the Square Enix-developed games have always struggled in the narrative department despite many dedicated players finding comfort in the madness.
Wielding an intricate yet painfully confusing story,Kingdom Heartsis loved by those who have followed the journey since the beginning, but it is very hard to appreciate from a newcomers' perspective. As is the way with any tale that spans multiple releases, there’s no obligation to cater the next chapter to new fans, but as other companies have proven, it can be a great way to bring in new interest and create a more focused and straightforward story. The narrative threads that are presented across so many releases in the franchise may be engaging, but it makes the overarching experience feel segmented and incoherent. A fresh start could be the best way to avoid this fate with future entries.
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The Problem with Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts’biggest flaw has been its over-complexity, and with its fourth entry beginning the ‘Lost Master Arc,’ there’s an expectation of something new. The series has seen critical story elements being included in mobile spin-offs and GBA titles, so despite its name,Kingdom Hearts 4is far from the fourth essential chapter in the journey. Much of the non-home console releases are there to flesh out the lore surrounding the games, so while 1,2, and 3 are perhaps the most vital installments to see through to the credits, players need to dig out older hardware or purchase a collection to experience all thatKingdom Heartshas to offer.
Kingdom Hearts 4is the perfect opportunity to correct this issue. The news surrounding its story and gameplay indicate that it will be largely different from previous games, and could include Marvel andStar Warselements that would further make it more enticing to new audiences. Taking place afterSora defeats Xehanort, the game would do well to leave him behind in pursuit of something more simplistic for its debut on PS5. InKingdom Hearts,the focus of each story doesn’t seem to conclude before more context is given, so it becomes a messy concoction of incomplete ideas. A restart would be wise, as it could provide clarity for a series that has been anything clear but since the very beginning.
Restars are Common in 2022
In AAA games, a fresh start doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch.343 Industries proved with the highly anticipatedHalo Infinitethat a ‘soft reboot’ can be a superb way of realigning the series' focus while maintaining the elements that existing fans love. Returning to the roots of the franchise in many ways provided the perfect way to appeal to veteranHalocombatants, and its straightforward story was simple enough for all audiences to find at least some enjoyment in. Insomniac and id Software followed a similar philosophy withRatchet and ClankandDoomrespectively, each releasing just one month apart in 2016.
Kingdom Hearts' lore is far more complex than any of the aforementioned games, so a slight reboot is way overdue in comparison. It’sone of the highest selling games in Square Enix history, so it’s not a stretch to believe that its legacy won’t be significantly damaged if it started catering to new players. The soul ofKingdom Heartsis in its characters, tone, and a tight relationship with the Disney andFinal Fantasylicenses. All will remain if the fourth ‘mainline’ game is a soft reboot, so this would surely be a welcome change of pace.
With the introduction of a second main story arc inKingdom Hearts 4, now would be the perfect opportunity for a fresh start for Sora and co. Removing all the disorganized clutter would make the otherwise impossibly complex story far easier to appreciate by gamers everywhere.Sora’s journey is far from over, and his legacy will likely continue for years to come, but following in the footsteps of so many different developers and givingKingdom Heartsa fresh start could be a great way to make an otherwise uninviting franchise far more approachable.
Kingdom Hearts 4is currently in development.
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