The Kingdom Hearts series, since its inception, has been known for its action RPG style, distinguishing itself from the original turn-based combat of the Final Fantasy series. However, with Final Fantasy 16 now incorporating a real-time action system reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts, the notion of these franchises potentially swapping roles is intriguing. As Kingdom Hearts 4 has already shown it will stick to its action-oriented gameplay, it might be worth considering a change in direction where it delves into turn-based mechanics instead.
Unlike Final Fantasy, which undergoes significant changes with each new director and adjusts its gameplay in mainline entries, Kingdom Hearts has generally maintained a consistent style. Although a complete genre change might not occur, adding turn-based elements to a side game, specific world, or future experimental project could offer a unique take on the series’ mechanics.
How Kingdom Hearts Could Use the ATB System
Incorporating turn-based mechanics into the Kingdom Hearts series could potentially be achieved through the implementation of an Active Time Battle (ATB) system, similar to that found in iconic Final Fantasy games such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. This system offers a blend of strategy and action, as players must wait for a gauge to fill before issuing commands.
From a gamer’s perspective, in the realm of Kingdom Hearts, it feels like a system where Sora, Donald, and Goofy each possess an Action Time Battle (ATB) meter that governs when we can launch attacks, cast spells, or summon allies. The game retains its real-time movement, enabling us to maneuver tactically as we wait for our next turn. During boss battles, the emphasis is on defensive moves between turns, granting rewards for precise timing of dodges and blocks instead of relentless assaults.
A game utilizing this setup might be marketed as a spin-off instead of a primary installment. Side games within the Kingdom Hearts franchise typically delve into new mechanics, like Chain of Memories, which incorporated a card-based combat system.
A Turn-Based World Could Reinvent Kingdom Hearts
Instead of completely revamping the gameplay system for Kingdom Hearts 4 or a subsequent installment, it might be more advantageous to incorporate turn-based combat only in certain worlds. This tactic would enable Square Enix to explore new ideas while preserving the existing gameplay structure.
In the ongoing series, there’s an established world known as Radiant Garden, formerly Hollow Bastion, which has traditionally functioned as a central gathering place for characters like Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, and Cid from the “Final Fantasy” universe. Although Kingdom Hearts 3 minimized the involvement of these characters, incorporating them into combat within Radiant Garden using a turn-based system could offer a distinctive gaming experience. The ATB (Active Time Battle) gauge could determine the flow of battles in this world, seamlessly integrating “Final Fantasy’s” signature gameplay elements into Kingdom Hearts.
In addition to Radiant Garden, Kingdom Hearts might employ turn-based combat mechanics across various worlds as a storytelling tool. For instance, Olympus Coliseum, with its diverse fighting styles, could host an arena-style turn-based battle. As for a world inspired by Tron, it could incorporate a digital battle system, where commands are strategically queued up, resembling a turn-based approach. Lastly, in a classic Disney realm like The Sword in the Stone, players might engage in spellcasting combat, waiting for spells to recharge, thus seamlessly incorporating a turn-based system into the storyline.
This scenario could offer a chance to reintroduce Final Fantasy characters in a significant manner, given their neutral roles across various locations such as Destiny Islands, Traverse Town, and Twilight Town in earlier games. This move might help address the concern that Square Enix’s influence on the series was underrepresented in Kingdom Hearts 3. For many fans, encountering these characters would evoke the same sense of nostalgia as seeing Disney characters does.
Never Say Never to a Kingdom Hearts Combat Shift
Although Kingdom Hearts 4 primarily focuses on the series’ signature action combat, it doesn’t rule out the potential for a turn-based gameplay style in the future. Square Enix has demonstrated an openness to experimenting with the franchise, as seen in Chain of Memories’ card battles and the Flowmotion mechanics introduced in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Even if a completely turn-based Kingdom Hearts may never materialize, there’s a possibility that hybrid combat systems could evolve in unforeseen ways.
The “Final Fantasy” series has demonstrated that evolution is achievable, moving from turn-based combat systems to real-time battles across various generations. If “Kingdom Hearts” were to adopt a reversed strategy one day, it could provide a distinctive gaming experience that honors its ties to the “Final Fantasy” universe while introducing something entirely fresh and innovative.
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2025-03-03 01:44