TheKingdom Heartsfranchise is a long and complicated one, but something that has become quite a cult classic, with diehard fans detailing the complex lore that stretches across 13 different entries. To say that it has become completely unapproachable for newcomers is an understatement, putting it in competition with theYakuzaseries for the most impenetrable narrative. However, it seems like that’s all about to change, althoughKingdom Heartsveterans are going to be quite disappointed.
The 13Kingdom Heartsgames have definitely made things a little complicated, earning the series the right to join the small but substantial list ofgames with terrible naming conventions. Luckily, at least for newcomers, the upcomingKingdom Hearts 4will change all of that with a new update from its creator, Tetsuya Nomura, delivering some long-awaited news. However, while it may appeal to those who’ve never touched aKingdom Heartsgame before,those who’ve been with the franchise from the beginning or dared to attempt to play them all post-launch will be let down.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Will Tell A Brand-New Story
It Is Being Treated Like A Narrative Reset
Tetsuya Nomura recently had an interview with the Japanese magazineYoung Jump, in whichhe explained howKingdom Hearts 4will be a story resetin an attempt to usher in a new wave of fans. He started by acknowledging thatKingdom Hearts 4is “really just like Kingdom Hearts 13,” implying he’s aware of how complicated the series has become, and stated that while fans of the original 13 games will get a greater appreciation fromKingdom Hearts 4, it was developed “with a stronger focus on being a new title rather than a sequel.”
Nomura went one step further and flat-out explained that he “think[s] of Missing Link and 4 as a reset,“withMissing Linkbeing the tie-in mobile game launching withKingdom Hearts 4.Missing Linkwas also developed with a new team of writers who had not worked on theKingdom Heartsseries in order to bring new perspectives that would resonate with a new set of fans. This is all in an effort to make the series more approachable, although it’s not hard to see how those who’ve invested so much inKingdom Heartswill feel disappointed.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t quite the surprise many may believe it to be, asever since the firstKingdom Hearts 4gameplay reveal, it has been referred to as an “epic new storyline.“There has been little secret aboutKingdom Hearts 4essentially rebooting the universe, offering a fresh new start for those who haven’t experienced the franchise before. However, luckily, it doesn’t seem like fans are being completely left behind.
Kingdom Hearts 3’s Ending Teases 4’s Story
Fans Will Have A Greater Understanding
Nomura confirmed that the ending ofKingdom Hearts 3will be answered inKH4, reassuring fans that the original storyline won’t be completely abandoned in the sequel. While newcomers will still be able to jump on board and understand much of what is going on without prior context,the iconic finale ofKingdom Hearts 3will be resolved, giving hardcore fans much-needed closure. In theYoung Jumpinterview, Nomura explained whyKingdom Hearts 3ended the way it did, but also how fans will be satisfied withKH4, stating:
“The reason why Sora ends up like that in the ending is because we wanted to reset the story in a way. This should make it even easier for newcomers to join the story starting from KH4. Fans of the Kingdom Hearts series will also be able to feel like ‘oh so it’s THIS,’ but we’re making this game with the hopes that new players can enjoy it as well.”
This is great news forKingdom Heartsfans, as it means that they’re not being left behind entirely.It sounds like how theYakuzafranchise has been handled between the conclusion ofYakuza 6and the start of the newLike A Dragonseries, which ushered in a new protagonist but maintained key elements from the original series, including its protagonist. It’s a smart way to appease both sides of the playerbase while allowing the creatives to try out new ideas and explore interesting themes.
Yakuza’s original Japanese title has always beenLike A Dragon; only recent installments have brought naming parity to all regions by adopting its oriignal title.
WithKingdom Hearts 4’srelease dateon its way, fans can likely expect a greater breakdown of exactly what this story reset will entail for Sora and his friends. There were a lot of other important details revealed in theYoung Jumpinterview, including how Quadratum,Kingdom Hearts 4’shub world, won’t be a 1:1 recreation of Tokyo. It looks like newcomers and fans alike will have a lot to look forward to whenKingdom Hearts 4eventually releases, although fans may have to come to terms with the original storyline taking a backseat.
