Kingdom Hearts 4 Being the Beginning of the End is Sad but Necessary

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Kingdom Hearts 4 Being the Beginning of the End is Sad but Necessary

As a die-hard Kingdom Hearts fan with two decades of memories intertwined with this enchanting saga, I must say that the news of Kingdom Hearts 4 marking the beginning of the end for the series is a bittersweet pill to swallow. From the very first moments I set foot in Destiny Islands, I knew I was embarking on an epic journey that would span across time and space, filled with heart-pounding battles, emotional storylines, and the magic of Disney.

In the realm of video games, Kingdom Hearts 4 stands out as one of the highly anticipated JRPGs, marking the start of a fresh chapter in the extensive series. Following the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga with the release of Kingdom Hearts 3 in 2019, Sora successfully vanquished Xehanort for good. As for the specifics of the storyline and gameplay mechanics in Kingdom Hearts 4, they remain shrouded in mystery. However, it’s known that this new installment will kick off an enigmatic saga titled the Lost Master Arc.

Over the past week, some unexpected news surfaced as Tetsuya Nomura, co-creator and director of the franchise, declared that Kingdom Hearts 4 will serve as the conclusion to the series. Given that this title represents the first significant change in the storyline, fans had expected the Lost Master Arc to continue along the lines set by the Dark Seeker, offering a broad narrative spanning multiple games. However, it is precisely because of the Dark Seeker’s enduring influence over the past few decades that Kingdom Hearts 4 marking the beginning of the end is a bittersweet and necessary development.

The upcoming game, titled “Kingdom Hearts 5“, promises a fresh and exciting journey, as the storyline from “Kingdom Hearts 3 ReMind” finds Sora and the Master of Masters in Quadratum – a realm distinct from the narrative of the Dark Seeker Saga. This game was first unveiled during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event in April 2022, sparking speculation for more than two years. With Tetsuya Nomura revealing that “Kingdom Hearts 5” marks the beginning of the conclusion to the series, fans are left pondering the future of this beloved franchise. Though the news may be disheartening to some, various factors suggest that this new chapter is crucial for understanding the next phase in the world of Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts 4 is Going to Reset Much of the Franchise

This past week, Tetsuya Nomura was interviewed by Young Jump, a Japanese seinen manga magazine, about his work on the recent Final Fantasy Remake series and Kingdom Hearts franchise. Speaking on Kingdom Hearts 4, Nomura revealed that he has had the move to Quadratum planned since the very first game, before moving on to discuss the series at large. Nomura shared that Kingdom Hearts 4 and the upcoming mobile game Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link will act as a reset for the series. He even created a new logo so that fans would visibly recognize the distinct shift.

Nomura reveals that the “reset” in Kingdom Hearts serves as a starting point for both seasoned and new fans, offering an adventure distinct from the Dark Seeker Saga. He expresses his intention for Kingdom Hearts 3 to conclude the series as we currently understand it, and to distinguish this new phase, he’s brought on new writers. However, this saga appears to bring the Kingdom Hearts series to a close, and Nomura wants fans to be aware of this. Although this news might elicit mixed feelings from fans who have been following Kingdom Hearts for decades, Nomura explains why it’s time to draw things to a permanent end.

Kingdom Hearts’ Nomura is Looking to Retire Soon

In his talk about the future of Kingdom Hearts, Nomura disclosed that the somewhat conclusive nature of KH4 is partly because of his own upcoming retirement plans. Being with Square Enix since Final Fantasy 4, Nomura is considering retiring within a few years. When discussing Kingdom Hearts 4, Nomura told Young Jump that he had to decide whether to retire or finish the Kingdom Hearts series first. Ultimately, he chose to ensure a satisfying conclusion for Kingdom Hearts, and as a result, has approached the development of KH4 with the aim of wrapping up the series’ storyline.

Over the past 22 years, the Kingdom Hearts series has seen 13 mainline games released, each contributing to the build-up for Kingdom Hearts 4, marking the start of the Lost Master Arc. Despite the bittersweet feeling that comes with this new chapter signifying an ending, it is a natural progression not just for the series but also for its co-creator. Kingdom Hearts, one of the most iconic and cherished gaming franchises ever, does not reach its end due to any lack in creativity, quality, or potential. Instead, it serves as testament to the series’ lasting power. After more than two decades of storytelling, the franchise has one final tale left to share.

Title Kingdom Hearts 4 could mark both the culmination and the festivity of past events. Nomura’s interview suggests that this series has been moving towards this point from its very inception. Although Kingdom Hearts 4 might seem like a fresh start, it will lead to an ending that the entire series, as well as its creator, have been striving for since their debut. Nomura extends an invitation to both long-time fans and newcomers to embark on this final journey together.

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2024-09-25 15:05