Kingdom Hearts 4continues to draw speculation from fans on the new worlds it will introduce, though the starting place of Quadratum, a city situated in “unreality,” is already a given. Its appearance inKH4’s trailer shows a look at the area, inspired by real-life Shibuya, that serves as Sora’s waking place following the events ofKingdom Hearts 3. Acting as an “afterworld” for him and Strelitzia,Quadratum is described by Nomura as being a “base"which Sora can fall back to as the game progresses. This already separates Quadratum as a place of high significance, though its presentation will be extra important in regard to Sora’s characterization; namely, in how it might help in demonstrating his isolation from his friends.
The Quadratum ofKingdom Hearts 4’s trailer contrasts quite a bit withKH3’s secret ending, as the former shows an abundance of NPCs roaming about the city while the latter leaves it starkly abandoned. Strelitzia goes so far as to refer to it as a “world full of life,” though this is before the city is shown to be attacked by a new version of Darkside, the series' primary boss, that leaves Quadratum’s citizens in a frenzy. It’s unclear whether this attack is a result of Sora awaking in the strange new world, though the aftermath of such an event may suggest that the city will be largely abandoned as Sora inhabits it. This raises some questions about its environmental design.
How Kingdom Hearts 4’s Opening World Has a Decision to Make Between Being Hospitable and Isolating
A City Abandoned or Full of Life
A lack of NPCs inthe worlds ofKingdom Hearts' earlier entries was one of the series' biggest critiques, with jokes about the Olympus Coliseum’s empty audience seating, for example, being just as prevalent as Donald’s inability to heal at the right times.Kingdom Hearts 3worked to address this situation in a somewhat successful attempt, and it’s more than likely thatKH4will continue in this pursuit to make its original and Disney worlds feel more alive. With that said, Quadratum faces a unique problem in how it might present itself, as keeping it abandoned or giving it a thriving population both have merits.
Given that the Darkside boss is historically used as the series' first boss to get players acquainted withKingdom Hearts' combat, the attack on Quadratum could be the game’s inciting event, leaving the world empty for the rest of Sora’s time in it. Even if there are primaryNPCs like Strelitziathat Sora could refer to, this approach might risk making the world feel too dull. A lack of interaction with other characters could inhibit Quadratum’s potential for immersion and engagement. The positive side, however, is that it could drive home the isolation that Sora would feel in the separation from his friends, grappling with the idea of loneliness and the inability to return to his true home.
Filling the city with NPCs, on the other hand, might create a bit of dissonance inQuadratum’s combat. If there are Heartless roaming about the city, then it wouldn’t make much sense for humans to be there as well, unless there are situations like inKH3’s Olympus where Sora can help save citizens in the area. Such an approach could help Sora gain credence in his existence after “death,” while establishing his presence in Quadratum as a helpful one. Perhaps seeing citizens in the city together could create a circumstance akin toKH1’s Riku, where Sora might feel jealous seeing others' friendships while he lacks the ability to return to his own.
An Interesting Spin on a “Home Away From Home”
AsKingdom Hearts 4appears to be taking on a darker, more solemn tone, showing Sora with more conflicting feelings could tie directly intoQuadratum’s setting design. An abandoned city has the potential to feel both eerie and fitting in the context of Sora’s situation, putting a unique spin on the concept of a “hub world” that strays from the more conventionally comforting tone. Going the true “home away from home” route could be a decision with equal merit, however, allowing Sora some reprieve after the many hardships he faced throughoutKH3’s journey. Whatever the case, Quadratum is sure to set up much of the intrigue surrounding Sora’s fate, ushering in the series' new arc.
Kingdom Hearts 4
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.
