Whereas Kingdom Hearts 4 was introduced fairly a while in the past, franchise director Tetsuya Nomura has began teasing the form of themes that we are able to anticipate from the title. In a submit on social media platform X the place Sq. Enix is celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Kingdom Hearts: Delivery by Sleep, the corporate additionally had Nomura speak in regards to the concept of crossroads.
“Apparently, the plan is the discharge my remark alongside the teaser trailer for BBS from the key film in KH2,” says Nomura. “So, taking my cue from that video, I’d like to provide you an perception into the crossroads.”
Based on Nomura, the idea of crossroads the place folks await another person is a significant a part of the themes of Kingdom Hearts, with the idea showing a number of instances all through the franchise. Notable examples embrace three Keyblade wielders ready for somebody at a crossroads within the celebration video, in addition to Sora assembly a personality wearing a black coat and getting an invite to Citadel Oblivion in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Recollections.
“On this video, three Keyblade wielders clad in armour wait for somebody at a crossroads,” he says. “Assembly somebody at a crossroads is definitely a recurring motif in Kingdom Hearts.”
“Firstly of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Recollections (CoM), Sora meets somebody in a black coat and is invited to Citadel Oblivion.”
Nomura goes on to speak about varied characters encountering protagonists at crossroads, and by some means being linked with one another by destiny. The idea of crossroads even results in the Keyblade Struggle, and Kingdom Hearts 3 will get in on the motion with the Misplaced Masters gathering at crossroads. Nomura cites a fantasy from American folklore of a younger man making a cope with the satan to commerce his soul for the flexibility to play the guitar at a crossroads.
“The primary time a crossroads seems in Kingdom Hearts is in CoM, which is about shedding one thing to achieve one thing,” says Nomura. “And actually, all subsequent appearances of crossroads have the identical significance.”
Nomura then hints in direction of the same Faustian discount going down in Kingdom Hearts 3 with the Misplaced Masters assembly up at crossroads.
“However wait… when the Misplaced Masters collect on the crossroads in KH3, what’s gained and what’s misplaced? That’s a narrative for one more time,” Nomura concludes.
Regardless of persevering with these themes of crossroads throughout a number of Kingdom Hearts video games, and doubtlessly even in Kingdom Hearts 4, Nomura has beforehand acknowledged that the following title will function a reset button for the franchise. That is to assist new gamers get into the video games with out being overwhelmed with greater than twenty years value of backstory.
For the reason that unique announcement of Kingdom Hearts 4 from all the best way again in 2022, Sq. Enix has been quiet in regards to the title. Rumours, however, have indicated that the sport may be set for launch later this yr. Neither Nomura nor Sq. Enix have made any official announcement, nevertheless.
Among the many few particulars we find out about Kingdom Hearts 4 is the truth that it’s being developed in Unreal Engine 5. Sq. Enix has talked about that this may assist the sport be a number of ranges increased than its predecessors relating to the standard of lighting and element.
— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) January 9, 2025
