Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura recently hinted at a pivotal shift for the series with the upcoming fourth mainline installment. This article delves into his revelations about this significant chapter.
Nomura Hints at a Series Conclusion with Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4: A Story Reset, According to Nomura
The future of Kingdom Hearts appears both captivating and potentially conclusive, based on a recent interview with Nomura. He suggests Kingdom Hearts 4 will be a major turning point.
In an interview with Young Jump (translated by KH13), Nomura stated that Kingdom Hearts 4 is being developed "with the intention of it being a story that leads to the conclusion." While not explicitly confirming the series' end, this implies the start of a final saga. The game initiates the "Lost Master Arc," a fresh narrative accessible to both newcomers and veterans, regardless of prior storyline knowledge.
Nomura explained, "If you remember how the ending of Kingdom Hearts III goes, you'll understand that Sora ends up like that because he's ‘resetting’ the story in a way," adding, "So Kingdom Hearts IV should be easier to get into than before. I think that if you like the series, you'll feel like 'this is it', but I'm also hoping that as many new players as possible will play it."
While Nomura's comments suggest a potential end to the main storyline, the series' history of twists and turns warrants consideration. A seemingly definitive ending might allow for interpretation or future spin-offs. The series' extensive cast also opens possibilities for individual character-driven adventures, especially with Nomura's announcement of new writers contributing to the Kingdom Hearts universe.
Nomura told Young Jump, "Both Kingdom Hearts Missing Link and Kingdom Hearts IV have been created with a stronger focus on being new titles rather than sequels...we have had staff who have not been involved in the Kingdom Hearts series before participate in writing the scenario."
The inclusion of new writers offers exciting potential, breathing fresh life into the narrative while preserving beloved elements. This could lead to innovative gameplay and unexplored territory within the Disney and Square Enix crossover.
However, Nomura's own impending retirement adds another layer. He stated, "If this isn't a dream, then I only have a few years left until I retire, and it's looking like: will I retire or will I finish the series first?"
A New Arc, New Beginnings
Announced in April 2022, Kingdom Hearts 4 is currently under development. The first trailer showcased the "Lost Master Arc," beginning with Sora awakening in Quadratum, a world Nomura described (in a 2022 Famitsu interview, translated by VGC) as an alternate reality.
"From each of our perspectives, our perceptions change," Nomura explained. "From Sora’s perspective, Quadratum is an underworld...But from the point of view of the inhabitants on the Quadratum side, the world of Quadratum is reality..."
This Tokyo-inspired world, with a dreamlike quality, is not entirely new; Nomura conceived it during the first game's development.
Compared to previous Disney-centric worlds, Quadratum offers a more grounded setting. This, along with enhanced visuals, has led to a reduction in the number of Disney worlds.
Nomura told GameInformer in 2022, "With regards to Kingdom Hearts IV, players are definitely going to see a few Disney worlds in there...it kind of limits the number of worlds that we can create...but there will be Disney worlds in Kingdom Hearts IV."
While fewer Disney worlds are a change, this streamlining could result in a more focused narrative, mitigating the complexity of previous installments.
Regardless of whether Kingdom Hearts 4 concludes the series or initiates a new chapter, it will be a significant event for Sora and his companions. For many fans, a full-circle conclusion under Nomura's direction will be an epic culmination of a two-decade-long journey.
