Nomura revealed a lot of information about KH4, the conclusion of KH, and his retirement?!
Tetsuya Nomura sat down with Young Jump magazine to discuss the new details for Kingdom Hearts 4. For starters, KH4 is being developed to make it easier for newcomers to join the series. And KH4’s story will be reset for the series with the start of a new saga.
Nomura revealed that Quadratum is not a 1:1 scale of the real-life Tokyo. He describes Quadratum as a world that “feels like a dream, an Unreality in Reality.” It’s similar to the idea of a fantasy based on reality. This was the setting of Final Fantasy Versus XIII before it was transformed into Final Fantasy XV.
Nomura touched upon Missing Links’s story. He tells us that the story is being worked on by SE staff members who have never worked on KH previously. This was done to give a KH’s writing a fresh take.
For refreshers on the story of Kingdom Hearts, Nomura will sometimes watch KH YouTube videos. The videos help him to remain refreshed on the KH’s extensive yet complex story details.
Lastly, Nomura tells us that there is meaning behind Sora’s famous line at the beginning of KH1. The line where Sora says in the intro of KH, “Is any of this for real or not.” The meaning of that line will eventually be explained.
Nomura states he plans to retire in a few years. Kingdom Hearts 4 and this new saga is being written with a possible conclusion in mind. Whether this will be the complete end of the series is up in the air right now.
My Thoughts
First, it is good to get some new information about KH4. It’s been way too long since we heard any news about the game. It has been nearly two and a half years since the announcement trailer of KH4.
I am glad that KH4 is being developed to accommodate newcomers to the story. While I am happy that KH4 will be story reset with a new saga. However, this was already apparent with the conclusion of KH3 Remind and Melody of Memory. Regardless, a brand-new saga is a welcome change for newcomers and veterans such as me.
Missing Links story being written by SE staff members who haven’t worked on KH before is interesting. I think it’s good that Nomura is bringing fresh eyes and minds to work on Missing Link’s story. They are most likely working with Nomura on the story. But still, it’s great that fresh minds are working on KH’s story.
Nomura watching videos on KH’s story is funny to me. It suggests that even Nomura needs a refresher on KH’s robust and complex story. Although, it’s a good thing he does, so he doesn’t forget any important details. Nomura likes to include the smallest details and plot in KH. And I like that aspect of Nomura’s storytelling.
Speaking of including small details in his game, Nomura mentions the famous line from Sora in the opening of the first KH game. Nomura says the line, “Is any of this for real or not,” has a meaning that will be explained in the future.
This line showed up again in KH3 Remind. After the conclusion of Sora’s battle with Yozora, the victor says that line again. In Sora’s case, he is reciting the line. This line is also the focal point of Quadratum and KH4. The fact that Nomura has the foresight to use line is incredible.
When Nomura mentioned that he was retiring in a few years. Hearing this news made me incredibly sad. I know Nomura gets a lot of heat for his storytelling. I still love the guy’s designs and writing.
Nomura has had a massive impact on Square Enix and the gaming industry, especially with FF7R and KH. Personally, Nomura has had a giant impact on me since childhood. KH has always been there throughout the years. And FF7 continues to have a massive influence on me.
I don’t know if Nomura plans to conclude Kingdom Hearts as a whole. Or will the series continue? I feel Nomura wants to get to a satisfying conclusion with the series before he retires. And that will be the end of KH as we know it. However, I feel like Kingdom Hearts will continue.
Nonetheless, Nomura fully deserves his retirement. While I will be sad when Nomura does finally retire. However, I will be happy when he retires too. I hope Square Enix allows this great man to carry out his vision fully. He deserves that as much as his retirement.
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