The future of Kingdom Hearts is currently a mystery, as the wait for the fourth mainline game in the series continues. Through the years, Kingdom Hearts has established itself as an incredibly unique IP, thanks to its ties to Disney. A blend of Final Fantasy and Disney franchises makes Kingdom Hearts a combination that works surprisingly well. Now that Kingdom Hearts 4 is on the horizon, many are wondering which recent Disney properties will get their moment in the spotlight.
It’s now been five years since Kingdom Hearts 3 was released, and since then, Disney has had its fair share of successful movies. As one of the biggest media companies in the world, Disney is always cranking out projects, and while not all have been a success, one in particular has been a standout: Moana 2. With the first film releasing back in 2016, Moana was nowhere to be seen in Kingdom Hearts 3, but that might not be the case for future games.
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20 Years Later, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Still Outshines Its Remake in One Area
Its later remake has largely overshadowed the GBA original, but Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories still tends to handle a core system better.
A Moana World in Kingdom Hearts Now Feels More Likely Than Ever
Moana is the Perfect Fit For Kingdom Hearts
Since the first movie, Moana has been one of the stronger franchises among the recent animated Disney ventures. With its blend of magic and the setting of ancient Polynesia, Moana boasts all the trademarks of what makes a specific world in Kingdom Hearts so compelling for players. Even better, Moana has the chance to fill a void that is likely to be left by another franchise losing its grasp on the vast world of Disney.
At the time of this writing, Moana 2 has made $717 million dollars at the global box office.
Moana’s Ocean Focus Can Take the Reins From Pirates of the Caribbean
When it comes to ocean-based worlds in Kingdom Hearts, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise brought forth beloved locations. Beginning with Port Royal in Kingdom Hearts 2 and then expanding into the more exploration-friendly Caribbean in Kingdom Hearts 3, Disney’s long-running pirate series has brought some of the best worlds to Kingdom Hearts. However, the chances of a Pirates of the Caribbean world returning may be dwindling, since there hasn’t been a new Pirates movie in several years. While this is just speculation, Kingdom Hearts 4 may be eyeing more modern franchises to showcase in the next chapter, and Moana could easily fill that space.
Moana is perfect for an ocean-based map, and it has the benefit of bringing magic to such a setting. Between the titular heroine Moana and Maui, there are plenty of great character traits to work with, and while not having Pirates of the Caribbean would be a huge loss, Moana is the best successor to fill such a possible void. However, there is another way to get the best of both worlds.
Expanding Kingdom Hearts 4’s Ocean-Based World Beyond One Franchise
There is also the possibility for Pirates of the Caribbean and Moana to come together in one overarching world. The Caribbean in Kingdom Hearts 3 was a big hit among players. One compelling route is an open ocean-focused world that allows players to explore even more, which could lead to Moana’s coastal village. Of course, this could just be wishful thinking, but it would be a way to showcase a new franchise without setting Pirates of the Caribbean aside, even if the real-life Caribbean and Polynesia are nowhere close to each other. Also, since a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie is rumored to be in its early stages, excitement for the franchise may be reignited after all.
Kingdom Hearts 4 has yet to confirm a release date.
As of now, there is no telling what Kingdom Hearts 4 has in store for players when it comes to its various worlds. While there is an expectation of blending classic and modern Disney properties, the biggest question is in regard to what those franchises will be. Only time will tell, but it will be exciting to see if Moana makes its way to Kingdom Hearts.
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