Reviving a Beloved Feature: Why Kingdom Hearts 4 Must Reintroduce This Gameplay Element

With the new locations and design in Kingdom Hearts 4, Square Enix has a golden opportunity to revisit the beloved Drive Forms that were absent in the third installment. While the removal of these forms made sense for Kingdom Hearts 3's combat system, the series lost some of its signature spectacle in the transition. It's worth noting that the Drive Forms weren't completely removed, but rather reimagined as Keyblade transformations in Kingdom Hearts 3. However, this evolution sacrificed some of the utility and strategy that the Drive Forms offered, which could be restored with a fresh approach in Kingdom Hearts 4.

Drive Forms Versus Keyblade Transformations

The introduction of Drive Forms in Kingdom Hearts 2 allowed players to alter the course of a battle by sacrificing a companion to grant Sora a significant power surge. While Kingdom Hearts 3's Keyblade transformations offer similar abilities, they are limited to a separate meter and provide only temporary boosts. This seemingly minor alteration significantly alters the purpose of these forms, as Drive Forms could be saved for a more opportune moment, while Keyblade transformations must be utilized immediately or be lost. Consequently, these new forms in Kingdom Hearts 3 are more akin to a one-time attack that occurs sporadically throughout a fight. Moreover, focusing on Sora's Keyblade for these new forms diminishes the spectacle previously associated with Drive Forms in Kingdom Hearts 2.

Sora Regaining His Flashiest Combat in Kingdom Hearts 4

In Kingdom Hearts, the combat system is one of its strongest features, especially with Sora's flashy movesets during both general gameplay and cutscenes. With the introduction of Drive Forms in Kingdom Hearts 2, Sora's combat abilities were taken to the next level, allowing for even more dynamic attacks and combos. However, in Kingdom Hearts 3, while the Keyblade transformations were visually impressive, they lacked the same impact as the Drive Forms, with basic attacks not quite measuring up to the awe-inspiring tornado pull of Master and Final Form from Kingdom Hearts 2.

Looking to the past for inspiration, the reintroduction of the strategic use of storable Drive Forms, along with the added visual flair they bring, could be the key to revitalizing the Kingdom Hearts franchise. With this kind of dynamic combat system, the series could retain its loyal fan base while also attracting new players to join the adventure. And with Kingdom Hearts 4 on the horizon, there's never been a better time to bring back this beloved feature.