Why Kingdom Hearts 4 Could Be Less ‘Disney’ Than Past Entries

Even though Kingdom Hearts 4 might not be arriving anytime soon, fans’ enthusiasm and eagerness for the game remain sky-high. The announcement of the game came as a shock during a Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in April 2022, but since then, details about its release have been scarce. With no estimated release date or upcoming presentations on the horizon, fans can only hope that Square Enix is diligently working behind the scenes. The publisher has not shared much information about the game’s progress, but they did unveil a fresh batch of screenshots earlier this year.

A peek at the gameplay for Kingdom Hearts 4 suggests that the series could be taking a significantly different path with this new installment. Although it will still maintain the action RPG style that is characteristic of the franchise, Square Enix appears to be introducing some substantial stylistic changes for the next chapter in the Kingdom Hearts storyline. One significant shift might involve fewer Disney elements in the upcoming game, particularly in terms of the chosen worlds.

Kingdom Hearts 4 May Pull Back On The Disney Representation

Kingdom Hearts 4 Should Prominently Feature Quadratum

It’s quite possible that Kingdom Hearts 4 might place less focus on Disney-related elements compared to its predecessors, given the emphasis on the new worlds Sora will traverse. The primary world Sora is expected to explore is Quadratum, which functions as the game’s central hub world, where players will frequently revisit between other worlds. After the ending of Kingdom Hearts 3, Sora finds himself stranded in Quadratum, separated from his usual companions, Donald and Goofy.

It’s likely that Kingdom Hearts 4 will possibly reintroduce Scala ad Caelum, a world that was initially presented in Kingdom Hearts 3. Originally, Scala ad Caelum was planned to be the primary setting for the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link; however, Square Enix recently decided to scrap the project due to concerns about maintaining it long term. With the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, there’s a chance that Square Enix might integrate some elements from its story into Kingdom Hearts 4, which could potentially bring Scala ad Caelum back into the series.

Kingdom Hearts 4’s New Arc Could Mean Less Disney This Time Around

With these worlds appearing, it seems Square Enix might be preparing for Kingdom Hearts 4 to focus more on original worlds and settings compared to past games in the series. Since Sora is initially separated from his companions Donald and Goofy at the start of the game, various parts of the gameplay could have a distinct feel, especially during the early stages. This shift might also result in a larger portion of the game being set in Quadratum (and possibly Scala ad Caelum if it appears in the game), as opposed to Disney worlds.

As a gamer, I can’t help but imagine that in Kingdom Hearts 4, we might delve deeper into unique, original worlds. After all, as we embark on the “Lost Master” story arc, it seems fitting for Square Enix to set this new saga apart from its predecessors by focusing more on fresh territories. This way, each tale within this new story arc can truly taste like its own distinct flavor compared to the previous games in the franchise.

Square Enix may be getting ready for Kingdom Hearts 4 to emphasize original worlds and settings.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Won’t Be Entirely Without Disney

Absolutely, it doesn’t imply that Kingdom Hearts 4 will be a game devoid of Disney elements. In fact, Square Enix has already hinted at the inclusion of multiple Disney worlds in this upcoming title. Furthermore, the latest sneak peeks of KH4 suggest that Mickey Mouse might return as a playable character, and there’s a possibility that Donald and Goofy could join Sora in being playable characters for the first time in the series, adding an element of separation to their team dynamic.

It’s possible that Kingdom Hearts 4 might scale back on some Disney characters and worlds. The series is planning to launch the “Lost Master” storyline, which could require more attention to develop new original realms rather than relying as heavily on Disney’s library. Regardless of whether Kingdom Hearts 4 emphasizes Disney elements or not, this much-anticipated game will undoubtedly be another thrilling addition to one of the most respected RPG franchises in video games.

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2025-05-30 17:34