The Kingdom Hearts series has been an action RPG since its debut, setting itself apart from Final Fantasy, which originally relied on turn-based combat. However, with Final Fantasy 16 adopting a full real-time action system that feels similar to Kingdom Hearts, the idea of the two franchises reversing roles becomes an interesting concept. While Kingdom Hearts 4 has already revealed gameplay that continues its action-heavy roots, an alternate approach where it experiments with turn-based mechanics could be worth exploring.
Unlike Final Fantasy, which has reinvented itself under different directors and evolved its gameplay with each mainline entry, Kingdom Hearts has largely remained consistent in its approach. While a complete genre shift is unlikely, incorporating turn-based elements into a side game, a specific world, or a future experimental project could provide a fresh perspective on the series’ mechanics.
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How Kingdom Hearts Could Use the ATB System
If Kingdom Hearts were to integrate turn-based mechanics, one logical approach would be to use the Active Time Battle (ATB) system found in classic Final Fantasy games like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. This system balances strategy and action by requiring players to wait for a gauge to fill before executing commands.
In a Kingdom Hearts setting, this could translate into a system where Sora, Donald, and Goofy each have an ATB gauge that dictates when they can attack, use magic, or summon allies. The real-time movement could still be present, allowing players to position themselves strategically while waiting for their next turn. Boss fights could emphasize defensive maneuvers between turns, rewarding players for timing dodges or blocks rather than constantly attacking.
A game using this system could be positioned as a spin-off rather than a mainline entry. Side games in the Kingdom Hearts series have often experimented with mechanics, such as Chain of Memories, which introduced a card-based battle system.
A Turn-Based World Could Reinvent Kingdom Hearts
Rather than overhauling an entire game’s mechanics, Kingdom Hearts 4 or a future entry could introduce turn-based combat within specific worlds. This approach would allow Square Enix to experiment without disrupting the established gameplay formula.
The series already has a designated Final Fantasy world—Radiant Garden, formerly Hollow Bastion—which has historically served as a hub for characters like Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, and Cid. While Kingdom Hearts 3 reduced the presence of Final Fantasy characters, reintroducing them through a turn-based combat system within Radiant Garden could create a unique experience. The ATB gauge could define how battles unfold in this world, bringing Final Fantasy’s signature mechanics into Kingdom Hearts in a way that feels organic.
Beyond Radiant Garden, Kingdom Hearts could apply turn-based mechanics to other worlds as a narrative device. Olympus Coliseum has already established itself as a place where different combat styles exist, making it a fitting location for an arena-based turn-based challenge. A Tron-inspired world could use a digital battle system where commands queue up in a strategic order, mimicking a turn-based experience. A classic Disney world like The Sword in the Stone could feature magic-based combat where players must wait for spells to charge, integrating a turn-based system into the lore.
This would also serve as an opportunity to reintegrate Final Fantasy characters in a meaningful way, especially since they’ve played a neutral role in multiple locations like Destiny Islands, Traverse Town, and Twilight Town in past games. It would be a step in the direction of addressing criticisms that the Square Enix element of the series was largely ignored in Kingdom Hearts 3. For some fans, seeing these characters would be just as nostalgic as seeing Disney characters.
Never Say Never to a Kingdom Hearts Combat Shift
While Kingdom Hearts 4 is maintaining the series’ signature action combat, that doesn’t mean a turn-based future is impossible. Square Enix has shown a willingness to experiment with the series, from Chain of Memories’ card-based battles to Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and its Flowmotion mechanics. Even if a full-fledged turn-based Kingdom Hearts never happens, hybrid mechanics could emerge in unexpected ways.
The Final Fantasy franchise has proven that change is possible, shifting from turn-based to real-time over the course of multiple generations. If Kingdom Hearts were ever to take an opposite approach, it could offer a unique experience that pays tribute to the series’ Final Fantasy roots while delivering something entirely new.
