Kingdom Hearts 4: Features We Want Back (and What Needs to Stay Gone)

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There’s still much we’re yet to learn about Kingdom Hearts 4, but recent actions by Square Enix such as cancelling the mobile game and releasing new screenshots have sparked conversations among fans. The game seems to be of next-generation quality, leaving fans excitedly guessing which Disney worlds will feature. However, some fans are opting to hold onto their hopes for the game since they held mixed feelings towards the third installment.

Since the series has progressed over time, introducing elements both loved and criticized by fans, we’re expressing our ideas for what features might make a comeback in Kingdom Hearts 5, as well as aspects to avoid altogether. We believe that the fifth installment should combine and refine mechanics to create an original and exciting gameplay experience.

So here are some features that Kingdom Hearts 4 should keep and leave from other games.

Keep: Weapon Enhancement

Among the standout aspects of Kingdom Hearts 3, players appreciated the flexibility to enhance any Keyblade they preferred. Though some were more potent than others, you could potentially take your initial Keyblade and escalate its power up to the final battle. This aspect was so well-received that Square Enix incorporated it into Final Fantasy 7 Remake as well.

For enthusiasts who have a soft spot for the initial Keyblade or find charm in alternate designs, this feature will be particularly appealing to maintain their engagement. It offers players a degree of flexibility in gameplay style, which is generally welcomed. Let’s hope that unlike before, they don’t restrict access to some of these by DLC, as they may not have had significant overall influence.

Don’t Keep: Disney Ride Summons

This series generally isn’t renowned for its complexity, so we expect Kingdom Hearts 4 to be quite straightforward. However, Disney and Square Enix might want to reconsider incorporating the Disney Ride Summons. Introduced in the third installment, these summons made gameplay excessively easy, causing some players to abstain from using them for an additional challenge.

Despite being passionate supporters of the third installment, even I find the Disney Ride Summons less appealing. They’ve turned the boss fights into a breeze, which is why we fervently hope they’re temporary. Given a choice, we’d opt for the standard Disney summons over the rides every time.

Keep: Command Deck

In the Kingdom Hearts series, the Command Deck, introduced in Birth by Sleep and reintroduced in Dream Drop Distance, is a somewhat underestimated aspect that’s worth noting. Unlike the complex Chain of Memories system, the Command Deck simplifies things by allowing players to select the commands they prefer during combat. While standard attacks and dodges remain, players must strategically choose their spells, special moves, items, and more.

This enhancement further personalizes a sequence that’s frequently criticized for being quite straightforward and action-oriented, leaning heavily on combat. Novice gamers may initially find these choices daunting, but with practice, they will grow accustomed to this feature. Here’s hoping Square Enix can devise methods to make this element more distinct.

Don’t Keep: Winnie the Pooh Levels

Hear us out.

In simpler terms, while many people view Pooh as non-threatening and if Kingdom Hearts 4 manages to utilize him effectively, some might welcome his return. However, considering how he was portrayed in the third installment, it could potentially be more beneficial for this world to be excluded altogether.

Previously, Pooh’s gameplay consisted mainly of short, repetitive mini-games before a scene unfolded. While this isn’t entirely negative, the narrative centered around the deterioration of Pooh and Sora’s bond without a clear reason. If they decide to reintroduce Pooh, it needs to be improved upon significantly compared to the past.

Keep: DLC Boss Rush

In their usual practice, Square Enix reserves the Boss Rush mode for the Final Mix edition of Kingdom Hearts games. However, this pattern was broken in Kingdom Hearts 3, as it introduced Downloadable Content (DLC) for the first time. Despite being a bit pricey, the DLC offered an incredible Boss Rush featuring upgraded versions of the Organization to battle, and we can expect a similar feature in Kingdom Hearts 4.

While it would be ideal if additional content were available after completing the main game, accessible to all players, unfortunately that’s not the case. However, at least players won’t need to purchase a completely new game just for some extra features.

In the meantime, stay tuned to Gfinity: the best place for Kingdom Hearts coverage.

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2025-05-18 19:12