Kingdom Hearts is a series that continues to baffle anyone who hasn't touched a single entry in the series, and even those who've played all of them. It is a series so steeped in its rich lore and worldbuilding that it often feels impenetrable to an outsider. It manages to connect a plethora of Disney franchises with Final Fantasy and a smattering of original JRPG-esque characters in a way pretty much no one saw coming, and I absolutely love it for that. Of course, like many others, I've always struggled to get into it.

Even the best Kingdom Hearts games have struggled to find a mainstream audience in the same way that much of the IP the series incorporates has, let alone a myriad of other obscure JRPGs. However, those who have truly resonated with it and found something meaningful within its complex narratives and enormous cast seem to absolutely adore it. It isn't hard to see why - especially as the pairing of Disney and JRPGs is a tantalizing one - and the Kingdom Hearts 4 feels like an even bigger tease to those who've struggled to enjoy the series, including myself.

I've Always Wanted To Love Kingdom Hearts

It Is Such A Beloved Franchise

When I was young, my family owned a PS2. Of course, we owned all the best PS2 games one could get their hands on in a second-hand game store, including the likes of Jak 2, Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy X Part 2 - inexplicably not the first part - Sly Raccoon, and the video game adaptation of the iconic animated film, Madagascar. A truly eclectic collection, the likes of which only the PlayStation 2 could deliver. Naturally, alongside that random assortment of classics was Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts 2.

It was those last two games that caught my attention whenever I booted up the PS2. There was something about the striking box art encased in gray plastic as well as the soothingly melodic tone of Dearly Beloved that, to this day, remains one of my all-time favorite pieces of video game music. Every time I played either entry, switching randomly between the two, I found myself enthralled by the characters I could never be sure were from Final Fantasy or original for this series, as well as Kingdom Hearts' take on Disney classics like Tarzan and Alice in Wonderland.

While I was never a big fan of Disney films growing up and knew even less about Final Fantasy, the mash-up felt so bizarre and so beautifully unique that I wanted to immerse myself in it as much as I could. I also wanted to deeply understand it, as I knew that there was something special about it. Unfortunately, due to my lack of skill at video games - at the time - as well as my dwindling patience, I never finished either game. By the time the extremely well-reviewed Kingdom Hearts 3 rolled around, I was completely disconnected from the series.

Kingdom Hearts 4's New Gameplay Looks Incredible

It Is The First Teaser In A While

As the years went on, I found myself drifting further and further away from Kingdom Hearts, until, in 2022, Square Enix surprised everyone by announcing Kingdom Hearts 4. I am somewhat aware of Kingdom Hearts 3's lengthy development, so I was completely expecting the next installment to either be delayed well into the 2020s or get canceled outright. However, there is a genuine love for Kingdom Hearts, something that, as I've alluded to, I so desperately want to understand as I wish to feel it too.

Kingdom Hearts 4 has had few updates until recently, when Square Enix released a series of gameplay images. Kingdom Hearts 4's gameplay screenshots set the internet ablaze, both exciting fans and giving those unaccustomed with the complex series a look at just how spectacular the fourth entry is shaping up to be. As I pored over every detail in each screenshot, I found myself excited, despite having no real connection to any of the characters. Once again, the magic of Kingdom Hearts had me ensnared.

These screenshots alone were enough to remind me of what I was missing out on and, more importantly, that I really want to understand the series.

There was something about the more grounded art style, bizarre worlds and monsters, and finally having a playable Mickey in Kingdom Hearts that had me genuinely enthralled. These screenshots alone were enough to remind me of what I was missing out on and, more importantly, that I really want to understand the series. Of course, Kingdom Hearts fans will just tell me to go out and play all of the games, but considering there are so many entries and spin-offs, all of which are long and deeply interconnected, I don't really have the time.

I Hope Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Beginner Friendly

It Would Be Great To Just Jump In

That is why I am hoping that Kingdom Hearts 4 won't require any prior knowledge of the series to understand it. While I'm doubtful that will be entirely the case, Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 4 will reset the series' narrative, which implies, somewhat, that it will be friendly towards newcomers. That is an exciting prospect for someone like me, although I can imagine it being a huge disappointment for those who have been committed to the story and its ongoing lore since the very start.

I am fully expecting there to be some crossover. After all, this series has been building up such a huge interconnected narrative that it would be surprising for it to completely give up on all of that hard work now. However, I'll take a new entry point into the franchise, one that will hopefully spur me to go and invest all of that time into the original games and their numerous spin-offs so that I can get the complete story, even if it may not make complete sense regardless of how much knowledge and lore videos you end up watching.

Of course, Kingdom Hearts 4's release date is likely still a long way away, so there is still some time for me to catch up on the rest of the series if I somehow find the time. There is a part of me that wonders how much of my fascination with this series is predicated on my nostalgia for the PS2 days and the naivety of childhood. However, considering just how many people love Kingdom Hearts, I'm inclined to believe there really is something special about it that's worth experiencing, at least once.