Final Fantasy 16 delivered a story that echoed prestige television, pulling players into morally gray conflicts and exploring systemic injustices in its world of Valisthea. It was also Square Enix’s first M-rated mainline Final Fantasy entry, breaking tradition with explicit violence and language. This shift aligned with the game’s darker tone, which emphasized loss, vengeance, and the cost of power.
When the Kingdom Hearts 4 reveal trailer showed Sora waking up in a realistic cityscape—Quadratum—it sparked comparisons to Final Fantasy 15 and Final Fantasy 16 alike. The use of realistic lighting, architecture, and character modeling suggests a possible tone shift away from the vibrant whimsy of past titles. If Square Enix draws from Final Fantasy 16 in tone, Kingdom Hearts 4 could attempt to tell a more grounded or emotionally complex story.
However, the DNA of Kingdom Hearts is woven from a completely different thread. The series thrives on wonder and heartfelt simplicity, even when its plot twists into chaos. For example, Kingdom Hearts 2 balanced darker story beats, like Roxas’s existential crisis and Axel’s sacrifices, with visits to cheerful Disney worlds like The Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean. That tonal blend is core to its identity. A full shift into grim realism, a la Final Fantasy 16, could disrupt that balance.
Kingdom Hearts Fans in Europe Should Look Out for June 12
The Kingdom Hearts All-in-One package is getting a physical rerelease in Europe.
Tetsuya Nomura, director of both series, has stated that Quadratum represents a "different reality" from the main Kingdom Hearts world, hinting that any tonal changes may be confined to this new setting.
Kingdom Hearts 4’s Disney Roots Create Conflict
A major hurdle for a darker Kingdom Hearts entry is the presence of Disney. While some Disney films do tackle serious themes, the brand itself limits how far Kingdom Hearts 4 can lean into explicit storytelling. Players are unlikely to see foul language, graphic violence, or adult themes within worlds based on Frozen or Big Hero 6.
This contrast makes Kingdom Hearts 4 fundamentally different from Final Fantasy 16, which had complete creative freedom over its original setting and cast. In contrast, Kingdom Hearts has always needed to carefully integrate Disney IP with Square Enix’s original characters. One can imagine a dark narrative arc involving Sora and Riku dealing with betrayal or death, only to jump to a Toy Story-themed world full of lighthearted hijinks. Without careful writing, tonal dissonance can be the result.
Even Kingdom Hearts 3, which showed flashes of darkness in Xehanort’s endgame manipulation and Kairi’s death, resolved its conflicts with an emphasis on hope and friendship. Sora’s sacrifice was powerful, but it was framed in classic heroic fashion. This emotional range is what makes the series resonate with fans, and if Kingdom Hearts 4 leaned too heavily into a grittier model, it might lose what made those moments work in the first place.
The original Kingdom Hearts was almost an entirely original IP without Disney, until a chance elevator conversation between Square and Disney execs made the crossover possible. This origin shows how close the franchise came to being unrecognizable—and how critical Disney has been to its identity since day one.
Final Fantasy 16 Proves Evolution Doesn’t Mean Abandonment
What Final Fantasy 16 ultimately teaches is that a franchise can evolve without fully shedding its roots. Despite its tone shift, the game still incorporated classic elements: iconic summons, chocobos, and character classes in subtle ways. Kingdom Hearts 4 can follow a similar path, elevating its themes and visuals while still leaning on its emotional, whimsical foundation.
Instead of directly copying Final Fantasy 16’s tone, Kingdom Hearts 4 might simply adopt a more cinematic presentation or sharpen its dialogue. For example, dialogue in Final Fantasy 16 carried weight without excessive exposition, something that could benefit Kingdom Hearts as it navigates increasingly complex lore. Combat could also take cues from Final Fantasy 16’s speed and responsiveness, especially after Kingdom Hearts 3 introduced more grounded physics.
Still, Kingdom Hearts 4 shouldn’t feel pressure to be darker just because other Square Enix titles have taken that route. It’s enough for it to grow in maturity through character depth, not edginess. A well-written story with believable emotional stakes doesn’t require shock value or an M rating. Sora’s growth as a protagonist, perhaps grappling with legacy, loneliness, or consequence, could achieve emotional depth without resorting to adult content.
As Square Enix charts the future of its biggest franchises, it will need to recognize the distinct tone and spirit that make each one stand out. Final Fantasy 16 may serve as an inspiration, but Kingdom Hearts 4 must remain a reflection of its own heart.
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts 4 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix and represents the fifteenth installment in the franchise. Players once again are put in the shoes of Sora who is suddenly trapped in a more realistic world called Quadratum, with companions like Donald and Goofy attempting to rescue him. Kingdom Hearts 4 is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
