One Gaming Trend Could Be Inevitable for Kingdom Hearts 4

Kingdom Hearts 4 has been a long time coming, as the last entry in the series launched back in 2019. Six years later, many of the details surrounding Kingdom Hearts 4 remain mysterious, and many fans have been growing restless waiting for a fresh update. It remains to be seen if 2025 will be the year that finally brings forth a Kingdom Hearts 4 announcement, but there is still hope.

Whenever the next piece of information about Kingdom Hearts 4 finally comes out, it will be intriguing to see how the series is choosing to evolve. The franchise’s unique blend of Final Fantasy and Disney makes it a special collection of games for a lot of fans. With recent gaming trends influencing long-running series, it makes one wonder if Kingdom Hearts 4 has taken inspiration from changes in the industry. It’s definitely possible, and if any recent trend is destined to shape Kingdom Hearts 4‘s gameplay in a new way, it may be an open-world setting.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Summons Wish List

Kingdom Hearts 4 will likely include the Final Fantasy inspired summon mechanic, and there are plenty of great characters that could make the cut.

Kingdom Hearts’ Many Locations Make it Primed for a Switch to Open-World

Exploring Disney-Based Worlds in a New Way

Over the years, the Kingdom Hearts franchise has put players on a linear path as they progress from one world to the next. It’s been a fun way to be surprised by each new world that’s introduced, but the predictability of it may also prove to have grown old over time. This linear approach might be too formulaic now, and if Square Enix wanted to shake up the experience for players while also maintaining a fun sense of surprise, then opting for an open-world could be the right move.

An Open-World Kingdom Hearts Game Can Give Players a Newfound Sense of Freedom

Instead of waiting for each world to be revealed on the usual linear path, players could have free rein to go wherever they please, which could open the door for some exciting discoveries. The many worlds of the Kingdom Hearts series serve as one of the central aspects of the gameplay, and giving players the chance to explore at their own pace might be the best way to evolve some parts of the common experience.

Square Enix has yet to reveal what Disney worlds will be featured in Kingdom Hearts 4.

If Kingdom Hearts 4 Embraces an Open-World Map, There is One Major Problem

The Kingdom Hearts franchise has been built on linear storytelling.

As intriguing as an open-world Kingdom Hearts game is, such a scenario might also be far too risky. While the specific worlds and levels serve as one of the franchise’s shining features, the overall story of Kingdom Hearts is the core of the series. Open-world gameplay would require Square Enix to approach its storytelling in a new way, and that might not be as effective in the long run. Even if Kingdom Hearts 4 sticks to a linear progression system that feels a little too formulaic, keeping this intact is worth preserving if it means a stronger narrative.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, a mobile spin-off game, was delayed last year.

There’s No End in Sight for Kingdom Hearts 4’s Development

Development on Kingdom Hearts 4 began back in 2020.
The game was officially announced in April 2022.

Square Enix has kept quiet about the progress being made on Kingdom Hearts 4, leaving many fans stuck in a state of waiting. The lack of updates has concerned some, but 2025 still has the chance to be the year that Kingdom Hearts 4 finally secures a release date.

Rumors and leaks have suggested a 2026 release window, but such claims should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by the game’s developers. There has been plenty of speculation about Kingdom Hearts 4 and what it will feature, but there’s no way to know for sure until Square Enix finally speaks up.