Kingdom Hearts 4 Will Reboot the Series

Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura recently hinted that the upcoming fourth installment will redefine the series. This article explores his revelations about this pivotal chapter.

Nomura Hints at a Series Conclusion with Kingdom Hearts 4

Kingdom Hearts 4: A Story Reset

The future of Kingdom Hearts appears both intriguing and potentially conclusive, according to 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 Kingdom Hearts 4 is designed "to lead to the conclusion." While not confirming a series end, it positions the game as a potential 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, referencing Kingdom Hearts III's ending: "Sora's 'resetting' the story. Kingdom Hearts IV should be more accessible. Fans will feel like 'this is it,' but I hope many new players will join us."

While suggesting a potential end to the main storyline, Nomura's comments must be viewed within the series' context. Kingdom Hearts is known for its twists. A seemingly definitive ending might allow for interpretation or future spin-offs. The series' extensive cast could also lead to individual adventures. Furthermore, Nomura confirmed the involvement of new writers.

"Kingdom Hearts Missing Link and Kingdom Hearts IV prioritize being new titles, not sequels," Nomura told Young Jump. "New writers are contributing, though I'll oversee it. It's not a work needing prior 'Kingdom Hearts' experience to establish a new foundation."

The addition of new writers is exciting, potentially injecting fresh energy while preserving beloved elements. New perspectives could introduce innovative gameplay and explore uncharted territories within the Disney and Square Enix collaboration.

However, Nomura also mentioned his potential retirement in a few years, posing a challenge: "If this isn't a dream, I have few years until retirement. Will I retire or finish the series first?"

A New Arc, New Beginnings

Announced in April 2022, Kingdom Hearts 4 is in development. The "Lost Master Arc" begins in the first trailer, showing Sora awakening in Quadratum, a world Nomura described (in a 2022 Famitsu interview, translated by VGC) as an alternate reality similar to our own.

"Perspectives change," Nomura stated. "To Sora, Quadratum is an underworld. But to its inhabitants, it's reality, and Sora's world is the fictional one."

This Tokyo-esque world, with a dreamlike quality, has been a concept since the first game, according to Nomura's Young Jump interview.

Unlike previous whimsical Disney worlds, Quadratum offers a more grounded setting. This, along with increased visual fidelity, leads to a reduction in Disney worlds.

"Kingdom Hearts IV will have some Disney worlds," Nomura told GameInformer in 2022. "Increased specs limit world creation. We're considering our approach, but Disney worlds will be included."

While fewer Disney worlds are a change, a more focused narrative could alleviate the complexity of past installments.

Whether Kingdom Hearts 4 concludes the series or begins a new chapter, it's a significant moment for Sora and his companions. For many fans, seeing the story come full circle under Nomura's direction, while bittersweet, will be an epic conclusion to a journey spanning over two decades.