Kingdom Hearts 3is a fairly divisive entry in the series. Many longtime fans of the franchise felt panned by design decisions that affected both the gameplay and its overall narrative.Kingdom Heartshas a famously convoluted overarching storyline, so bringing in the many elements of the story at that point was already an undertaking for the third entry. Many fans felt like one of the cornerstones of that narrative was missing inKingdom Hearts 3, theFinal Fantasycharacters that helped bring fans to the series in the first place.
Kingdom Heartswas a strange beast from the beginning. The unlikely hybrid of Disney properties withFinal Fantasydesign and characters that seemed impossible at the time. Now nearly two decades later,Kingdom Heartshas become one of the most beloved franchises in video games.Final Fantasycharacters' absence was a stark departure from its predecessors, and something that many fans took umbrage with when it released. Now that fans are looking towardsthe future ofKingdom Hearts,many are hoping to see the return of those iconic characters toKingdom Hearts 4.
Why Final Fantasy Characters Mattered to Kingdom Hearts
It’s very easy for crossover events to feel like a cash grab. Bringing in characters from disparate properties is something that needs to be handled with care to feel natural. Despite the odds,Kingdom Heartsmanaged to pull this off almost flawlessly to many fans. The game’s initial release brought together fans from fairly distinct groups to enjoy one experience that felt simultaneously very new but still familiar. Then several years later what many fans consider the best title in the series was released. Every game after wouldinevitably be compared toKingdom Hearts 2.
For the RPG fans who came toKingdom Heartsfor its attachment toFinal Fantasy, the characters' appearance in game helped ground the story and world to something familiar. The important thing to address is how the characters were used, not just why they were present.Final Fantasycharacters in theKingdom Heartsseries like Squall (called Leon inKH), Yuffie, and Cid helped guide the fresh-faced Sora on the first leg of his journey. The firsttwoKingdom Heartsgames were better receivedthan the third, and it’s not a stretch to say that the presence ofFinal Fantasycharacters were a part of that success.
It’s worth noting that there’s absolutely some pure fan service present with theFinal Fantasycharacters being present. In the first game, Sephiroth appears as a secret boss fight without much explanation. Cloud appears in the same level but with a stronger attachment to the narrative. Originally he was supposed to appear alongside fellowFF7alumni Vincent Valentine, but later their designs were merged providing the distinct look Cloud has in the firstKingdom Hearts. He is tied to the story though, serving as an underling for Hades and his appearance the darkness he has embraced. He and otherFinal Fantasycharacters absence fromKingdom Hearts 3was felt immediately by longtime players.
The characters' roles were even more pronounced inKH2. After having helped rescue their home Radiant Garden from the grip of the Heartless, Sora ends up battling alongside most of theFFheroes in a climactic battle that combined the best of their roles in the narrative and the fan service they delivered. Players felt real attachment to the characters, and helping defend their home felt personal. At the same time, veteranFinal Fantasyfans were treated to fun moments like Cloud and Squall riffing off of each other in the heat of battle. Excluding thesemoments fromKingdom Hearts 3felt like a missed step.
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Why Kingdom Hearts 4 Should Bring Back Final Fantasy Characters
Moments like the defense of Radiant Garden and the Sephiroth secret boss fights were iconic toKingdom Heartsbefore the third entry. Even in the prequel/spinoff games, they filled important roles like when Zack Fair appears as a hoplite inBirth by Sleep. While it’s understandable thatKingdom Hearts 3wanted to focus more on its original cast of characters, suddenly missing more than a handful of characters that were present in the previous games was jarring for many. While certainly a controversial entry for some, it is worth noting that by no metricsisKingdom Hearts 3a bad game. But missing such a large number of iconic members of its cast felt strange.
It seems that Square Enix has taken note of these criticisms though. The story DLC forKingdom Hearts 3reintroduced many of theFFcast like Leon, albeit in a very limited scope. Interestingly enough in regards to whetherFinal Fantasywill return inKH4is the strange Yozora ending toKH3’sDLC. The ending draws a very direct parallel to the original trailer forFinal Fantasy Versus 13. That project would later becomeFinal Fantasy 15, but its elements have long impactedKingdom HeartsandFinal Fantasyat large. So it’s easy to imagine that Square Enix will be looking to tie the other members back into the world ofKingdom Hearts 4.
Very little is known at this point about where exactly the story will go and by extension ifKingdom Hearts 4will featureFinal Fantasycharacters. Clues seem to point in that direction though. Between their appearance in the DLC and the connections between Yozora andVersus 13, it seems likeKingdom Heartscould be bringing them back. It’s also worth mentioning that Square Enix seems to be tying in some of its other properties likeThe World Ends With Youeven more. The presence ofFinal Fantasymainstays was such a big draw for fans in the beginning that their return could be very cathartic.
The unlikely fusion of Disney and Square Enix properties has proven to be one of gaming’s most memorable. While focusing on its original content is naturally important, ifKingdom Heartsis going to continue featuring Disney elements (as it will) it needs to maintain the other side of its roots as well. It’s natural for a series that’s grown so popular to want to establish itself as unique. That being said,Kingdom Heartswould likely due well to embrace both sides of its roots going into the future. Cloud, Leon, and the otherFinal Fantasycharacters have been a huge part of Sora’s journey, so seeing them return inKingdom Hearts 4would be a welcome sight.
AKingdom Heartsproject is in development.
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