Gaming Influence: Fantasy - Kingdom Hearts IV

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Gaming Influence which is a reboot of the same name that I created back in WrestleCorp. However, not only will I be giving my thoughts on certain video games and video game series, but also video game movies, video game anime, video game digital presentations, etc.

For this edition of Gaming Influence, it's going to be a bit different. As you can see on the subtitle, it's titled "Fantasy". In this edition of Gaming Influence, I'll be talking about what I want in fantasy of a certain video game that has yet to be released or haven't been announced yet. The topic for this edition of Gaming Influence will be on a certain game and series that has a special place in my heart that just released a reveal trailer recently, Kingdom Hearts IV.

Let's get started!

Now, before I go talk about what I want in Kingdom Hearts IV, there might be people out there wondering, what is Kingdom Hearts? Kingdom Hearts is a series of action role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix. It is also a collaboration of both Square Enix and The Walt Disney Company who are working under the leadership of Tetsuya Nomura, who is the main director of the Kingdom Hearts series and is a longtime Square Enix employee.

Kingdom Hearts IV will be the fourth mainline game for the series with an unannounced release date at this time.

With that out of the way, let's fantasize on what I want in Kingdom Hearts IV.

Warning: The following content will contain spoilers from the Kingdom Hearts games so if you haven't already, please play the Kingdom Hearts games before reading this. You have been warned.

The Kingdom Hearts series to me is not only one of my favorite JRPG series of all time, but also one of my favorite video game series of all time. So when Kingdom Hearts IV was announced on the 20th Anniversary Kingdom Hearts event, I lost it and man, it looks amazing.

Now, what do I want in Kingdom Hearts IV?

Well, there are a couple of things I want in Kingdom Hearts IV, but the main attraction for Kingdom Hearts will be the worlds so let's talk about the worlds that I want to be in Kingdom Hearts IV.

Well, first, I'll be talking about the one world that is officially confirmed for Kingdom Hearts IV.

Quadratum is the realistic city that represents Shibuya in Kingdom Hearts where Sora appeared at the secret ending in Kingdom Hearts III and showed up in the reveal trailer of Kingdom Hearts IV.

According to the young woman that was talking to Sora in Quadratum in the reveal trailer (possibly Strelitzia, who is Lauriam's younger sister who appeared in Kingdom Hearts Union χ), said that Quadratum is sort of an after world for them. In other words, people who have died in Kingdom Hearts tend to go to Quadratum and this is probably where Sora will spend most of his time in this game and for the player as well.

All I got to say is man, this place looks amazing and it's so cool to see a realistic world in Kingdom Hearts especially with Sora as he's gloveless and got normal shoes in this world. Like, holy crap!

Regardless, this seems like an awesome place to explore and I have a feeling that Riku and Yozora might be playable in this game in this world in particular due to the secret ending in Kingdom Hearts III, but either way, I'm hyped for this world.

Also, would love to see these two appear in the game as well if impossible since they did appear in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance.

Yep, I want Neku and Shiki from The World Ends With You to make another appearance in Kingdom Hearts and Quadratum is the perfect world to show them since the world resembles Shibuya which is what The World Ends With You takes place in. 

Please, Tetsuya Nomura, do it! While you're at it, also add Rindo from NEO: The World Ends With You, thank you!

Anyway, let's talk about the possible worlds that are in the trailer that have not been confirmed, but might.

Mount Olympus from Hercules. Granted, maybe not Mount Olympus itself, but the Underworld as the end of the reveal trailer of Kingdom Hearts IV, we see Donald and Goofy searching for someone and they were caught by someone with blue and an orange flame which probably represents Hades since the Japanese voice is the same from the game so it has to be him. Either way, it looks like Hercules will be returning which is not surprising as every numbered Kingdom Hearts game has Hercules at this point so it's only reasonable to keep the streak going. Either way, we'll see what Square Enix does this time around with Hercules in Kingdom Hearts IV.

Endor from Star Wars. When we got to the scene with the forest and waterfall in the Kingdom Hearts IV reveal trailer, there was a brief moment when you see the foot of an AT-AT which to me, signifies that Star Wars will be in Kingdom Hearts IV and that makes me super excited. When Disney bought LucasFilm back in 2012, I was thinking, man, a Star Wars world in Kingdom Hearts would be freaking amazing. Unfortunately, it didn't happen with Kingdom Hearts III, but it might happen with Kingdom Hearts and I'm super excited for it. Imagine Sora teaming up with Obi-Wan, Luke Skywalker, and/or Yoda, or even having a boss fight with Darth Vader, my god, that would be incredible! I hope Star Wars is in this and I can't wait to see how it plays out.

Now, with the worlds that are shown in the trailer out of the way, let's have fun and get wild with what other possible Disney worlds will come in Kingdom Hearts IV.

Let's first start with the worlds that I think and want to return in Kingdom Hearts IV.

Twilight Town, which is an original world, made in Kingdom Hearts. I expect this world to return since it does have an impact of what happened in Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind with Riku and the Final Fantasy characters trying to Sora so I can see them continuing where they left off from there and I just want to see more Final Fantasy characters on there if possible. Plus, they can put The World Ends With You characters in here too if not in Quadratum. Either way, I see Twilight Town making a return in this game and it does make sense.

Toy Box from Toy Story. I definitely see this world making a return since there are four Toy Story movies, I see Tetsuya Nomura trying to finish the story of Toy Story within Kingdom Hearts so if it does happen in Kingdom Hearts IV, they'll probably do the story of Toy Story 2 with the appearance of Jessie finally making it in and join the party. Either way, I can see this happening and love the toy aesthetic in Kingdom Hearts III so making it a return to Kingdom Hearts IV would be nice.

Arendelle from Frozen. Whether you guys like it or not, Frozen is popular so I expect the world to return in Kingdom Hearts IV and the story will probably start on Frozen 2 so expect more musicals and that should be fun. Plus, the mini-games from the Frozen world in Kingdom Hearts III was a lot of fun so I don't mind seeing that make a return. Regardless, I have a feeling Arendelle will return so that should be a fun world to explore again.

The Caribbean from Pirates of the Caribbean. Just like with Toy Story, I see Tetsuya Nomura trying to finish Pirates of the Caribbean story in Kingdom Hearts and with Pirates of the Caribbean having five movies, I see it happening. If it happens in Kingdom Hearts IV, I see they will have the story start with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End since that is the third movie in the series. Either way, I enjoy the pirate aesthetic in Kingdom Hearts III, but definitely could have been improved upon especially with the pirate ship levels since that was a bit tough for me. Regardless, I see Pirates of the Caribbean making a return and it should be fun once again to explore The Caribbean in Kingdom Hearts.

100 Acre Wood from Winnie The Pooh. Just like with Hercules, Winnie The Pooh has been in every numbered Kingdom Hearts game so I don't see it stopping anytime soon. Plus, we need that relaxing world that doesn't involve fighting or anything like that just to play mini-games and 100 Acre Wood is that world to do so. Either way, I expect this world to make a return regardless and it will be a nice world to just relax and take a break from the main story of the game as well.

Alright, those are the worlds that I think that are returning in Kingdom Hearts so now, it's on to the new worlds so let's get wild with these.

Yep, that's right. I want the Marvel Universe to be in Kingdom Hearts IV. When Disney bought Marvel back in 2009, just like with Star Wars, I imagined a Marvel world with Sora teaming up with Marvel heroes going up against Marvel villains in a Kingdom Hearts game which to me, sounds incredible. Unfortunately, we didn't get that in Kingdom Hearts III, but it could happen in Kingdom Hearts IV. Although, if they do have a Marvel world in Kingdom Hearts IV, I questioned which route they'll take. What I mean by that is if they'll go the comic book route, the MCU route, or an original route when it comes to which Marvel superheroes and villains will appear here. Regardless, I hope it happens and it would be awesome if it does.

Pandora from Avatar. With Disney buying 20th Century Studios back in 2019 and with Avatar 2 coming out this year, I'm pretty sure Disney wants to make Avatar big and wants the series to grow. One of the best ways to do this is to have an Avatar world in Kingdom Hearts IV. Imagine the world of Avatar in Kingdom Hearts where Sora can roam around the jungle being blue and so forth which would be his form in this would as that can be awesome. This has potential and I can see it happening, but it all depends on Square Enix and Disney so we'll see if they do it or not.

Motunui from Moana. Moana was a popular Disney movie back in 2016 and I think this world can be perfect within Kingdom Hearts and it could happen in Kingdom Hearts IV. Sora can team up with Moana and Maui, travel through the ocean in Motunui, and I can see Sora having a special costume in that world possibly wearing the traditional Motunui clothing which could be quite interesting. Either way, to me, this is a toss-up on whether it will happen or not, but I can see it happening and I would love a Moana world in Kingdom Hearts.

The Land of the Dead from Coco. Coco was a popular Disney/Pixar movie back in 2017 and I can see this world fit perfectly within Kingdom Hearts as it could happen in Kingdom Hearts IV. To me, I can imagine the world of Coco being similar to the world of Nightmare Before Christmas in Kingdom Hearts II where it has a Halloween, spooky, creepy, and dark theme to it which would be nice to see again in a Kingdom Hearts game. Plus, I can see Sora being a form of a ghost/skeleton in this type of world which would be pretty cool. Just like with Moana, it's a toss-up on whether it will happen, but I'm down for it, that's for sure.

Portorosso from Luca. Luca was one of the popular Disney/Pixar films last year and this world can possibly work well in Kingdom Hearts as it could happen in Kingdom Hearts IV. With the way you can travel from land to water, would be a fun way to explore the world that is in Luca. Plus, I can see Sora being transformed into a sea monster every time he goes underwater or gets wet which would be a lot of fun for a dynamic if they went that route. I don't know if it has a good chance of getting in, but would love to see it due to the water/sea monster mechanic alone.

Cocora Valley from Encanto. Yes, an actual location from Colombia being a part of Kingdom Hearts IV would be awesome. Granted, Square Enix and Disney probably have to make some changes and maybe rename the actual world, but the world of Encanto can work really well in Kingdom Hearts. Since the movie is all about magic and abilities, it would extremely and plus, if this world gets in Kingdom Hearts IV, they have to have the song, "We Don't Talk About Bruno", in there. It has to be there if it's getting in. Regardless, I can see this world being possible in Kingdom Hearts IV and I support it all the way.

Toronto from Turning Red. Yes, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a real city being a part of Kingdom Hearts IV can be awesome. Granted, just like with Encanto, Square Enix and Disney will probably make some changes to as well as rename the world, but this world can really work well in Kingdom Hearts. I can imagine this world being similar to San Fransokyo in Big Hero 6 in Kingdom Hearts III where you get to explore Toronto which would be freaking awesome. Also, I can see Sora transforming to a red panda when he feels emotional in battle which would be cool to see. Either way, I can see it happening and if it does happen, hope that it's similar to San Fransokyo in Big Hero 6 in Kingdom Hearts III.

Yep, that's right. I want the world of Verum Rex to be explored in Kingdom Hearts IV. We got a small preview of it in Kingdom Hearts III where it was a part of the Toy Story world when playing the mini-game of it which was so much fun. Now, being in the actual Verum Rex world would be totally incredible and epic. Plus, I want this to happen so I can play as Yozora as I have a feeling that Yozora will play a big part in Kingdom Hearts IV so really hope it does happen. Plus, Tetsuya Nomura was planning to make a Verum Rex game, but decided to make Kingdom Hearts IV first. However, he can make a preview of it in Kingdom Hearts IV so Tetsuya Nomura, make it happen!

Oh yes, that's right, I want Midgar from Final Fantasy VII to be an actual world to explore in Kingdom Hearts IV. In Kingdom Hearts III, Final Fantasy was not represented well or much at all as they were non-existent in the main game and didn't have any Final Fantasy characters show up at all until the DLC of Kingdom Hearts III, Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind. To me, with Kingdom Hearts IV, they can fix that by having an actual Final Fantasy world in Kingdom Hearts IV. Now, you're probably wondering, why Midgar from Final Fantasy VII? Well, Final Fantasy VII is getting a huge resurgence with Final Fantasy VII Remake and I think having an actual world from Final Fantasy VII will help gain more interest in both Kingdom Hearts IV and Final Fantasy Remake. Plus, it would give us something until the second part of Final Fantasy VII Remake comes out whichever that will be. Not only that, we don't see Cloud or Sephiroth at all in Kingdom Hearts III as the last time we saw them was in Kingdom Hearts II. Where would they be all this time? Fighting against each other in Midgard would be ideal or they were facing each other in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate where Sora was also there too. Okay, joking aside, I think it would be awesome if Midgar was a world in Kingdom Hearts IV. Granted, I don't see it happening, but would love to see it happen so if you can Tetsuya Nomura, make it happen.

Those are the worlds that I would think and want to see in Kingdom Hearts IV. Now, other things I want in Kingdom Hearts IV, would love to see the new designs of Kairi and Riku in Kingdom Hearts IV as generally in every numbered Kingdom Hearts game, Sora, Kairi, and Riku generally have a new design so expect to see new designs for Kairi and Riku. Just hope they look cool and the design for them represents them well in the game.

In addition, would love to see Kairi, Riku, and Yozora be playable in some parts in Kingdom Hearts IV. For Kairi, in Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, she's currently trying to find Sora and bring him back to their world. With that in mind, I can see Kairi being playable in a few parts of the game where Kairi explores to different Disney worlds to try to find clues on where Sora might be. For Riku, in the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts III, just like with Sora, he ended up Quadratum which may he makes me wonder, did Riku also die, or found some way to get into Quadratum without dying? Either way, this intrigues me and I have a feeling that we'll be playing Riku a bit as he's trying to find Sora. For Yozora, he seems to be a big part of the Kingdom Hearts series moving forward especially in this Lost Master Arc as this is what I'm picturing for the beginning of Kingdom Hearts IV. You play as Yozora in the beginning of Kingdom Hearts IV where he has his own story arc where you see him in the car staring outside (the cutscene you see him in Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind after the battle between him and Sora) which is the starting cutscene of the game of Kingdom Hearts IV. After that, you play as Yozora to explore Verum Rex to eventually lead where he and Sora face off in Quadratum before playing as Sora afterward. That's my vision of what I think and want in Kingdom Hearts IV involving Yozora, but we'll see how it turns out. Either way, make Yozora playable, Tetsuya Nomura! Thank you.

That's all I have for my fantasy of Kingdom Hearts IV. Granted, not all of this will be a part of the game, but if I can at least get a few of these happening, I would be very happy.

What do you want in Kingdom Hearts IV?

Let me know in the comments below. 

Also, if you haven't already, even though you should have watched it by now, but here's the reveal trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV which I have watched about a thousand times at this point so enjoy:

Thank you for reading.