10 Things Square Enix Should Include in Kingdom Hearts 4
10 Things Square Enix Should Include in Kingdom Hearts 4
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are begging Square Enix to get it right. Kingdom Hearts 3 felt like a slight step down from Kingdom Hearts 2, but if we go another step down, I fear it may end up being the “Resident Evil 6” of the series. These are 10 Things Square Enix Should Include in Kingdom Hearts 4. Let’s go!
Square Enix Worlds
One thing many fans have been asking for over the years is a world based on an actual Square Enix property rather than another Disney film. Considering how closely linked the series already is to Square Enix, it almost feels strange that this hasn't happened on a larger scale yet. The idea doesn't even require an entire game-sized location. A smaller area inspired by an iconic setting could work just as well. Imagine exploring the Moon from "Final Fantasy IV", wandering through the haunting Ruined City from "NieR: Automata", or visiting a district pulled straight from "The World Ends With You". I’ve said since 2002 that I want to go to Midgar! These locations could offer unique enemies, music, and story opportunities while giving the franchise a chance to celebrate its own heritage instead of relying entirely on Disney worlds for every major destination.
A New Villain
For better or worse, Master Xehanort has been at the centre of almost every major event throughout the "Kingdom Hearts" series. No matter which game players jumped into, there was usually a Xehanort, part of a Xehanort, a future Xehanort, or a backup Xehanort waiting somewhere around the corner. After so many years, the Dark Seeker Saga finally reached its conclusion in "Kingdom Hearts III", bringing the character's long journey to an end. That's exactly why the series needs to move forward. While "Kingdom Hearts IV" appears to be setting up a new direction, longtime fans know this franchise has a habit of dragging old villains back into the spotlight when nobody expects it. As entertaining as that can be, Xehanort's story feels complete. The man has caused enough problems for several lifetimes. Let him go! And don’t introduce his ‘son’ named Xehanoot you scumbags.
Introspective Sora
More than any new world or surprise character, one thing I'd love to see from "Kingdom Hearts IV" is Sora being forced to confront who he is when nobody else is around. Throughout the series, Sora has always been the person bringing people together, but there have been small moments that suggest there's more going on beneath the cheerful attitude. In "Kingdom Hearts II", during the second visit to Port Royal, he briefly wonders if he'll ever make it home before immediately brushing the thought aside with a joke. Moments like that feel less like throwaway dialogue and more like glimpses into feelings he doesn't want others to see. The series has also repeatedly tied Sora's identity to his friends, he even breaks down in "Kingdom Hearts III" after losing everyone, insisting he's nothing without them. Now that "Kingdom Hearts IV" appears to have separated him from everyone he knows, it feels like the perfect opportunity to explore what remains when his support network is gone. For the first time, we might finally learn who Sora is when he's completely alone. Goth? We’ll see.
More Playable Characters
One of the best surprises in the "Kingdom Hearts" series has always been the moments when the game suddenly hands control to someone other than Sora. Whether it's Roxas, Riku, Aqua, Terra, Ventus, or other key characters, those sections often provide a fresh perspective on the story and some unique gameplay opportunities. With the roster of Keyblade wielders now far larger than it was in the early days of the series, "Kingdom Hearts IV" feels like the perfect opportunity to lean into that idea even more. There are plenty of characters who could support entire gameplay chapters of their own. Kairi stands out as an especially obvious choice. Despite her importance to the story, players have spent surprisingly little time controlling her directly. Letting Kairi take centre stage and rescue Sora for a change would be a fun reversal and a long-overdue development for her character.
What's in The Box
Few mysteries in the "Kingdom Hearts" series have generated as much speculation as the infamous black box. Ever since it was introduced in "Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover", fans have been trying to work out what is hidden inside, yet years later we still have almost no concrete answers, my theory is it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s head. Many players expected the box to become a major focus of "Kingdom Hearts III", especially given how often characters discussed it throughout the story. Instead, the game mostly kept its secrets intact, offering only brief appearances and a handful of cryptic clues. The most notable hint came from Luxord, who suggested the box contains "hope", though what that actually means remains anyone's guess. Is it literally, or metaphorically ‘hope’? Is there a girl named hope squished inside?? No idea.
Side Quests
For all their size and visual detail, many worlds in the "Kingdom Hearts" series can feel surprisingly one-and-done. Once the main story is finished, there often isn't much reason to revisit areas beyond collecting treasure chests, hunting hidden Mickeys, or wrapping up a few leftover objectives. That's why proper side quests could be such a valuable addition to "Kingdom Hearts IV". The series has always been packed with minigames, but meaningful optional missions have been strangely rare. The closest example came in "Kingdom Hearts III", where players could help rescue stranded villagers during the opening section and receive rewards for doing so. It was a nice idea, but only a small taste of what could be possible. Expanding that concept into full side quests would make exploration feel far more rewarding and help bring each world to life beyond its story events.
Character Customization
A surprisingly cool feature that never made the jump from "Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A Fragmentary Passage-" into "Kingdom Hearts III" was character appearance customisation. In that game, players could unlock cosmetic accessories by completing various challenges, allowing them to personalise Aqua's look without affecting gameplay. It wasn't a major feature, but it added a nice sense of individuality and gave completionists something extra to work toward. Bringing that system back in "Kingdom Hearts IV" feels like an easy win. Better yet, Square Enix could expand on the idea by tying small passive bonuses or unique abilities to certain accessories. The series has featured countless pieces of equipment over the years, but very few have actually changed how characters look. Combining visual customisation with gameplay benefits would add another layer of progression while letting players put their own spin on their favourite heroes. I want to give Sora Mickey Mouse ears, like at Disney World.
Star Wars
Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, fans have been wondering when, not if, "Star Wars" would eventually find its way into the "Kingdom Hearts" universe. Few franchises are as instantly recognisable, and the possibilities for a world based on a galaxy far, far away are almost endless. Whether players explored Tatooine, the Death Star, or another iconic location, it would immediately become one of the most talked-about additions in the series. The idea might sound unusual at first, but "Kingdom Hearts" has already shown it can blend very different styles together successfully. The more realistic presentation of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" worlds proved that Sora can fit into settings that don't resemble classic Disney animation. If handled with the same care, a "Star Wars" world could feel like a natural evolution rather than a strange crossover gimmick, while attracting even more attention to the franchise. Still, Sora beating Darth Vader would make me laugh. Poor Darth.
FF Characters
It's easy to forget sometimes that "Kingdom Hearts" wasn't built solely on Disney magic. The series was originally created as a crossover between Disney and "Final Fantasy", making Square Enix's characters just as important to its identity. That's why their reduced presence in "Kingdom Hearts III" felt so strange to many longtime fans. Mainly me, I’m kinda just there for Final Fantasy, that’s why it breaks my heart to see them pushed to the side. Earlier games regularly featured characters like Leon, Yuffie, Cloud, Aerith, and even Sephiroth in meaningful roles that helped shape Sora's journey. They weren't just cameos thrown in for nostalgia; they felt like part of the world itself. Removing most of those connections left a noticeable gap. As the series moves into a new era, bringing these characters back would help restore one of the key ingredients that made "Kingdom Hearts" feel so unique in the first place.
Bring Back The Colosseum
One of the stranger omissions from "Kingdom Hearts III" was the complete absence of a proper Coliseum, especially considering Olympus was still included as a major world. For many fans, the arena tournaments were a core part of the series, offering a steady stream of optional battles, difficult boss encounters, and extra rewards long after the main story was finished. For me, it WAS Kingdom Hearts, it’s my only memory of the game from when it first came out. The Hades Cup, Paradox Cups, and other tournament challenges gave players a place to test powerful abilities without having to replay entire sections of the game, and the hours I spent in it can’t be counted. Their absence in KH3 left a noticeable hole in the endgame experience. Whether it's tied to Olympus again or introduced somewhere new, a dedicated battle arena feels like something "Kingdom Hearts IV" should absolutely bring back. Sometimes players just want to fight increasingly ridiculous bosses for bragging rights, and the Coliseum was perfect for that.
