Twenty-five years into Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix has yet to establish a reliable formula for how the games represent various Disney worlds. Some levels simply insert Sora, Donald, and Goofy into a familiar story from movies like Mulan, Tarzan, or Aladdin. Agrabah returned in Kingdom Hearts 2 for a loose adaptation of The Return of Jafar, while Kingdom Hearts 3 used the setting of San Fransokyo to create a bonafide sequel to Big Hero 6.
Traditions like a heartfelt romp through 100 Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh and friends feel mandatory, but beyond those, there’s no telling where Sora might fly his Gummi Ship in Kingdom Hearts 4 — if he has a Gummi Ship at all.
We already know Kingdom Hearts 4 will send Sora into the Land of the Dead from Coco, while Mickey Mouse will explore a papercraft storybook world. A recent trailer revealed at D23 also confirms that Donald and Goofy visit Hades in the underworld looking for Sora, so it feels safe to assume that the world of Hercules, and presumably the Olympus Coliseum battle arena, is back. Those reveals still leave plenty of room for surprises. From one recent Disney blockbuster that feels practically designed for Kingdom Hearts to a long-rumored trip to a galaxy far, far away, here are the six worlds we hope to see — and five destinations we sincerely hope remain lost in Darkness forever.
Kingdom Hearts 4 worlds we want to see
1. Moana
If there’s one Disney movie that felt like a glaring omission in Kingdom Hearts 3, it’s Moana. The movie hit theaters in November 2016, and the game was released a little more than two years later in January 2019. Moana was probably omitted because it arrived so late in KH3’s development cycle — and there’s the fact that the game already featured a seafaring section by loosely adapting the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie, At World’s End.
Bringing Moana to KH4 could function similarly, with wayfaring mechanics aboard a different kind of boat as you explore a variety of destinations. Big monsters like Tamatoa and Te Kā already feel like Heartless bosses, so a mostly straightforward retelling of the first Moana movie feels like the way to go, especially since Moana’s cultural footprint has grown significantly between the sequel and live-action adaptation. There’s only room for one ocean voyage in this game, however, so please let’s leave Jack Sparrow out of this one.
2. Encanto
At a glance, Encanto might feel like an odd fit. There isn’t a traditional villain, the conflict remains almost entirely within one family, and most of the movie takes place in and around a single house. But Casita contains everything Square Enix needs to turn that apparent limitation into one of the series’ most imaginative worlds. Every member of the Madrigal family has their own bedroom that functions like a liminal space that reflects their powers. Encanto only took us inside the rooms of Antonio and Isabela (we don’t talk about Bruno). What about the storms in Pepa’s room? The shapeshifting walls of Camilo’s? The endless physical challenges in Luisa’s?
The story of Encanto is also one that focuses on doubt, fear, jealousy, insecurity — all emotions that the Heartless feed upon. If ever there was a modern Disney story that resonates really well with the themes of Kingdom Hearts, Encanto is the one.
3. Frozen 2
Arendelle was one of Kingdom Hearts 3’s most divisive worlds. Sora climbed a mountain, fell off it, climbed it again, and spent most of the movie’s story watching Elsa from a distance. Even “Let It Go” unfolded as an elaborate cutscene that left Sora with little to contribute. A follow-up can redeem Arendelle.
Frozen 2 offers a much more traditional adventure in which Elsa travels rather than running away. There’s an enchanted forest, corrupted elemental spirits, and buried memories, all while a voice calls her to Ahtohallan. Send Sora and co. on that journey with her! All KH4 really needs to do is say it’s the Darkness making the violent water horse, howling wind spirit, and angry fire lizard act out of character.
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