Kingdom Hearts 3 is Worth a Replay in 2025 if Only for One Reason

This article contains spoilers for Kingdom Hearts 3.

Some games offer strong reasons to revisit them, whether for combat depth or collectibles. Kingdom Hearts 3 contains both, but in 2025, its replay value lies elsewhere. The most compelling reason to revisit the game is its secret ending, a short cinematic that shifts the tone of the entire series and sets the stage for Kingdom Hearts 4.

This secret scene in Kingdom Hearts 3 does not simply hint at a future game. It represents a potential departure from the series’ long-standing themes of friendship, light, and darkness. It places Sora in a modern setting known as Quadratum, suggesting a new narrative direction that feels separate from everything that came before.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Waiting Room Playlist

Although Kingdom Hearts 4 may be a ways off, there are plenty of games comparable to Kingdom Hearts in some way that can keep fans occupied.

How to Unlock Kingdom Hearts 3’s Ending

The secret ending in Kingdom Hearts 3 requires specific effort. Players must find Lucky Emblems, the Mickey Mouse-shaped symbols scattered across various worlds. The number required depends on the selected difficulty. On Beginner mode, 90 are needed. Standard mode requires 60, and Critical mode only demands 30. These symbols are not always visible at a glance. Some are cleverly hidden in architecture, shadows, or environmental details, encouraging players to explore every corner.

Once unlocked, the ending shows Sora waking in a city resembling Tokyo. This location is Quadratum, a world first introduced without explanation. Riku appears there as well, hinting that both characters are now trapped in, or relocated to, a different reality. The scene is quiet but significant, presenting a potential tonal and thematic shift for the franchise.

Tetsuya Nomura has described Quadratum as a “realistic world” that contrasts with the fantastical settings of previous games. This may redefine how the next entries are written and designed.

Quadratum Reframes Kingdom Hearts 3 Entirely

With Quadratum in mind, many scenes in Kingdom Hearts 3 gain new context. Young Xehanort’s dialogue in the Toy Box world references concepts like unreality and parallel timelines. At launch, these moments seemed cryptic. After the reveal of Kingdom Hearts 4, they appear more intentional.

The Verum Rex trailer, found within Toy Box, introduces Yozora, a mysterious character whose design recalls early concepts from Final Fantasy Versus 13. What once seemed like an Easter egg now feels central. Yozora later appears in the secret boss fight added through the Re Mind DLC, which offers additional clues about Quadratum’s significance.

Verum Rex is not a throwaway reference. Yozora’s appearance, and unexplained knowledge of Sora, indicate a deeper connection to the future storyline. His connection to Quadratum may lead to a major role in Kingdom Hearts 4.

A return to Kingdom Hearts 3 also helps reinforce details that will likely be expanded in the next chapter. As Kingdom Hearts 4 introduces the “Lost Master” arc, revisiting the final acts of Kingdom Hearts 3 can help players understand which narrative threads will carry over into the new era.

Replaying Kingdom Hearts 3 in 2025 Offers Payoff

In 2025, the direction of the franchise is clearer. Kingdom Hearts 4 is not just another sequel. It marks the beginning of the end of the series’ overarching narrative. The Lost Master arc, set to unfold starting with the upcoming game, serves as both a continuation and a soft reset. Longtime fans will recognize returning threads, but the arc is also potentially designed to make the story more accessible to newcomers. This makes the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts 3 an essential narrative bridge.

Nomura has expressed a desire to conclude the main story before his eventual retirement. With that in mind, replaying Kingdom Hearts 3 is not just about understanding where the story has been. It becomes a way to prepare for its conclusion. The emotional stakes are higher when viewed through the lens of finality, especially as characters like Sora and Riku face unknown futures in a world unlike any they’ve known before.

Revisiting the game also reminds players of the scale and tone of the series before its evolution. Kingdom Hearts 3 closes out the Dark Seeker Saga and brings resolution to characters like Aqua, Roxas, and Kairi. But it also plants the seeds for the next phase.