TheKingdom Heartsseries has long been celebrated for its eclectic blend of Disney crossovers, action RPG mechanics, complex narrative twists, and various sets of side activities which have helped to set most titles in the series apart. Throughout the franchise, there has been an array of memorable mini-game offerings that generally serve to be thematically resonant with their associated worlds, but one popular format of diversion has yet to make its debut inKingdom Hearts. WithKH4on the horizon, now may be the perfect time for the series to introduce a fishing mechanic that could enhance immersion while bringing another flexible layer of gameplay to the table.
Fishing may seem like a sport entirely disconnected from the likes of intense combat and emotional storytelling, but it has developed a habit of finding its way into many unlikely video game releases and garnering positive reception. From high-profile action RPGs to even fighting games, simulating the act of reeling in a big catch has managed to bring a desirable change of pace to several different IPs in a way that could easily tie into Sora’s next adventure when considering the versatility of hissignatureKingdom HeartsKeyblade.
The Surprisingly Positive Legacy of Fishing Mini-games in Unrelated Genres
Fishing Has Often Added Depth to Open World Experiences
Despite what their slower pace might convey, fishing diversions have become a staple in many titles outside just the simulation genre.Zeldatitles sinceOcarina of Timehave been known for making it an engaging part of interacting with the world of Hyrule, while evenFF15managed to elevate it into a more detailed system that both rewards skill and offers a connection to its serene environments. Even theNiergames have used fishing as a way to break up the core gameplay and provide more in-game currency in a low-stakes fashion. WithKingdom Hearts 4taking on more life-simulation elements, it would only be proper to include a feature that previously made it intoPersona 4 Golden.
The Simple Concept of Catching Rewards Transcends Contexts
Even when it comes to a title such asStardew Valley, which is already focused on more cozy, simulation mechanics as a farming sim, fishing has been turned into a potentially intensely challenging portion of the game. On the other hand, recentGuilty Gearentries have incorporated a simplistic fishing mini-game as their format for acquiring unlockables in a thematically memorable manner. When it comes to implementing a system with so much possible versatility,Kingdom Hearts' distinct Keybladescould easily align with its introduction.
Fishing Could Become Kingdom Hearts' Most Satisfying Mini-game By Tying into Keyblades
A Diversion That Doubles as a Common Element Between Worlds
While mini-games in previousKHtitles, from the fare of the 100 Acre Wood in the main trilogy to the likes of Ice Cream Beat inBirth by Sleep, are largely limited to specific contextual locations, a fishing activity would be able to be present across different worlds.Sora’s Kingdom Key Keyblade, with its various keychain options and already hook-like structure, could easily take on a new transformation to become a fishing rod for a natural integration of the system. With stat benefits similar to those in combat, these options could make fishing a meaningful form of progression over the course ofKingdom Hearts 4’s different worlds.
EachKingdom Heartsworld has its own distinct licensed identity, and fishing could complement the differences between them by introducing unique catches for each. It’s already reasonable to imagine there being exclusive fish for The Caribbean or Atlantica, and the new worlds of the upcoming title could have this kind of fauna to help flesh them out. Caught fish could go beyond collectibles, helping to support an evolution ofcooking in the Bistro inKingdom Hearts 3by contributing to crafting items. As much as Sora’s new Keyblade arsenal could enable him to progress in fishing throughout the game, the rewards earned along the way have just as much potential for progression.
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.
