Unveiling the Epic Connection between Final Fantasy 16's Clive and Kingdom Hearts 4!

Kingdom Hearts has traditionally maintained a light-hearted tone, where the presence of endearing Disney characters and the theme of friendship prevail over the darker aspects. However, Kingdom Hearts 4 appears to be heading towards a more serious direction, as evident from the initial trailers and artwork. Given this shift, Kingdom Hearts 4 presents the ideal opportunity to introduce Final Fantasy 16's brooding protagonist, Clive, as an ally for Sora. Clive's origin game is known for its dark atmosphere, making him a potentially fitting addition to Kingdom Hearts 4.

Throughout the series, Kingdom Hearts has successfully intersected Final Fantasy and Disney properties, featuring beloved characters such as Cloud, Auron, and Vivi alongside Donald, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse. Furthermore, the inclusion of characters from other Square Enix games, like Neku, Beat, Rhyme, and the rest of The World Ends with You gang in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, has set the precedent for the introduction of new Final Fantasy characters in the Kingdom Hearts universe. Against this backdrop, it is highly plausible and exciting to imagine Clive playing a role in Kingdom Hearts 4.

Kingdom Hearts 4's Darker Tone is a Natural Fit for Final Fantasy 16's Clive

From what has been revealed about Kingdom Hearts 4 thus far, it appears that the game will bring about a noticeable shift in its visual style compared to previous installments. At the end of Kingdom Hearts 3, Sora seems to meet his demise while venturing into Kingdom Hearts to save Kairi. However, the trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 unveils Sora awakening in Quadratum, a world inspired by real-life Shibuya. This shift not only signifies a darker tone for the series but also introduces a more realistic setting that could justify the presence of a character like Clive.

Final Fantasy 16 is widely regarded as one of the darkest entries in the franchise, exploring themes of war, enslavement, and grief. Although Kingdom Hearts 4 may not delve into such profound darkness, there is still much that Clive could impart to Sora based on his experiences from Final Fantasy 16. Having Clive assume the role of a mentor to Sora after his awakening in Quadratum would provide an excellent opportunity for Sora to confront the pain of being separated from his friends and loved ones. Clive could empathize with Sora's plight and help illustrate how he coped with the grief of losing his brother at a tender age.

In addition to sharing a similar tone with Final Fantasy 16, Kingdom Hearts 4 also has gameplay mechanics that bear a striking resemblance. This similarity in gameplay could make Clive seamlessly integrate into the game's world. The fast-paced and dynamic combat in Final Fantasy 16 seems to draw inspiration from the Kingdom Hearts series, granting Clive a level of battle skill comparable to that of Keyblade wielders. Since Sora appears to be separated from his companions Donald and Goofy at the beginning of Kingdom Hearts 4, Clive could step in and assist them in their quest to reunite with their old friend.

While the medieval fantasy aesthetic of Clive may appear out of place alongside characters based on the real world in Quadratum, it is worth noting that Kingdom Hearts has a history of adapting and redesigning characters to blend seamlessly with its overall visual style. Given that Sora adopts a more realistic appearance while in Quadratum, it is reasonable to assume that Clive could also be reimagined to better suit this world. Considering Square Enix's recent inclination towards darker narratives in its franchises, Clive could act as a bridge between the new tone of Final Fantasy and the evolving tone of Kingdom Hearts 4.

Kingdom Hearts 4 is now in development.