While Kingdom Hearts 3 focused on closing many of the open plot threads from the Xehanort saga, its DLC and secret ending offered a glimpse at something very different. With Kingdom Hearts 4 now confirmed to be “the beginning of the end,” one mystery stands out: Yozora. Once believed to be little more than a meta nod to Final Fantasy Versus 13, Yozora has since become a pillar in the evolving Kingdom Hearts mythos. His presence in Quadratum, a world that will serve as the next game’s setting, signals a major shift.
This shift is not just about characters. It is also about gameplay. If Kingdom Hearts 4 adopts a dual protagonist structure similar to Dream Drop Distance, it may finally redeem one of the series' most divisive mechanics. A split narrative could work better this time, especially if Sora and Yozora offer distinct perspectives, combat styles, and narrative weight.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Could Adopt the 'Dream Drop Distance' Approach for a Series First
Kingdom Hearts 4 could introduce a series first by making Donald and Goofy playable, echoing the dual protagonist style of Dream Drop Distance.
Why Kingdom Hearts 4 Needs Two Protagonists
A dual protagonist system in Kingdom Hearts 4 could serve as a natural evolution of what Dream Drop Distance tried to accomplish. In that entry, players switched between Sora and Riku, but the Drop mechanic disrupted the pacing. Despite this, the concept of experiencing two different viewpoints proved valuable. A modern implementation, especially one not tied to timers, could deepen the story without interfering with the gameplay flow.
Yozora and Sora are already foils. Sora acts on emotion and heart, while Yozora’s world is one of realism, duty, and skepticism. The setting of Quadratum, described by Nomura as a world that looks like reality but is not quite real, gives both characters room to explore their identities. Allowing players to switch between the two, either through chapters or player choice, could provide a full picture of what is at stake in both worlds.
In Kingdom Hearts 3 ReMind, defeating Yozora leads to one ending, while losing to him leads to another. Both may be canon. This makes him one of the only characters in the series to influence the timeline through player outcome.
Verum Rex Could Offer Gameplay Innovation
If Kingdom Hearts 4 embraces the dual protagonist structure, the Verum Rex gameplay hinted at in Kingdom Hearts 3’s Toy Box world could become reality. The in-universe trailer showed Yozora in high-speed, high-tech combat. If that same style is carried into the actual game, Yozora’s gameplay could be radically different from Sora’s traditional Keyblade mechanics.
Yozora in KH4 might rely on ranged weapons, teleportation, and gadgets. These are tools far removed from Sora’s magic and melee focus. This would not just give players variety. It would also let each character represent different genres. Sora would be rooted in action RPG tradition, and Yozora would explore systems more similar to modern character-action games.
This contrast can enrich the series’ identity rather than dilute it. It gives players two styles to master, and a chance to see how each approach fits into the evolving rules of Kingdom Hearts’ metaphysical universe.
The original Verum Rex trailer pays homage to cut footage from Final Fantasy Versus 13, including urban combat, hovering gunships, and a cryptic tone. This makes Verum Rex not just an in-joke but a thematic continuation.
Future Games Could Expand This Narrative Style
If Kingdom Hearts 4 succeeds with two playable characters, future entries could expand the concept even further. Nomura has expressed interest in completing the current saga before retirement, and a multi-protagonist structure may be his way of tying up multiple story arcs at once. Characters like Riku, Kairi, and even newer faces like Strelitzia could rotate into the spotlight, each bringing their own playable style and narrative lens.
More than that, this shift allows Kingdom Hearts to feel like it is growing up. Where early titles centered entirely on Sora’s point of view, the next era seems focused on interweaving multiple fates. By showing how different characters perceive the same events or conflicts, the game can build stronger emotional stakes and avoid overexposing any one character.
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
