Kingdom Hearts 4 is still being kept hidden in the shadows, and while it's good not to rush games, the wait has made some fans quite antsy. As the start of a new story arc in the long-running series, Kingdom Hearts 4 has a lot of expectations to meet, making the anticipation that much greater.
Right now, the state of Kingdom Hearts 4 is completely unknown. The game was officially announced back in 2022, and it's pretty much been radio silence ever since. Of course, a fresh update could happen any day, but that remains to be seen. Kingdom Hearts 4 already has the difficult task of reaching the bar it has set in the past, but beyond that, the recent influx of Disney games will require a stand-out experience from developer Square Enix.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Could Adopt the 'Dream Drop Distance' Approach for a Series First
Kingdom Hearts 4 could introduce a series first by making Donald and Goofy playable, echoing the dual protagonist style of Dream Drop Distance.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Will Have to Make Sure its Disney Offerings Are Strong
Disney Games That Have Been Released Since KH3
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Disney Lorcana (TCG)
- Disney Illusion Island
Each of these games are vastly different from one another, but that also means they can succeed at finding niches within the Disney community more easily. Disney Dreamlight Valley and Disney Illusion Island likely present the biggest competition, since they're both actual video games. While the former focuses on an open-world life sim title, the latter is a platformer. Kingdom Hearts 4 may have the benefit of being a more layered experience, but when it comes to attracting die-hard Disney fans, it may be a challenge to rope them in.
Square Enix has yet to make anything official, but speculation and theories have suggested that Kingdom Hearts 4 could potentially get Marvel or Star Wars worlds. While this is possible, since Disney owns these properties, it's far from being confirmed.
Kingdom Hearts 4 May Have to Take Note of its Competitors
When it comes to Disney Dreamlight Valley, one of its biggest benefits is its open map. Kingdom Hearts 4 being open-world is not entirely impossible. The freedom to go from world to world without having to worry about progression could be really appealing to those who love Disney Dreamlight Valley's map.
The recent influx of Disney games will require a stand-out experience from developer Square Enix.
Over the years, the Kingdom Hearts franchise has featured plenty of platforming gameplay elements. However, fine-tuning and making platforming even stronger could prove to be the best way to hold up against Disney Illusion Island. Granted, Kingdom Hearts is a much bigger series than either Disney Dreamlight Valley or Disney Illusion Island, and that may ultimately be the biggest thing the upcoming game has going for it.
Mobile spin-off Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was delayed last year. This delay may have potentially caused a shake-up in the development of Kingdom Hearts 4, but it's unclear if that is truly the case.
Kingdom Hearts 4 May Struggle to Capture its Competitors' Audiences, But That's Okay
What's most important is that Kingdom Hearts 4 sticks to what makes the franchise so successful. Keeping the heart of the series intact is what will truly bring success. If KH4 offers a fun blend of both Disney references and great mechanics, then it will speak for itself. The franchise is over two decades old now, and that longevity holds some serious power.
Disney Dreamlight Valley and Disney Illusion Island offer fans of the company extra content, and that's great. However, when it comes to Disney-based video games, the Kingdom Hearts series still reigns supreme. It may, unfortunately, be a little while longer until Kingdom Hearts 4 finally graces gamers with its presence, but when it finally launches, it will be a great milestone for the long-running series.
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
