Kingdom Hearts 4’s Playable Disney Heroes Have a Sora-Sized Problem

Sora has been the face of Kingdom Hearts for decades, with Donald Duck and Goofy serving as his closest companions throughout his adventures. While the Disney duo has helped Sora take down countless Heartless, they’ve rarely had the same opportunity to take the reins of the action. Things are about to change though, as Square Enix officially confirmed that Mickey, Donald, and Goofy will all be playable in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, giving them the chance to take center stage. But giving these characters the spotlight presents a challenge of whether their individual gameplay will be compelling enough to stand on its own.

Playing as a beloved Disney character is exciting, but I think making them as enjoyable to control as Sora will be difficult. Kingdom Hearts 4 has an opening here to expand the series beyond its original protagonist, and each character should be able to bring something unique to the table, instead of it being another simple character swap. And if their gameplay doesn’t offer a compelling alternative to Sora’s, I worry these sections could be distractions rather than meaningful additions to the adventure.

Kingdom Hearts Has Always Put Sora in the Spotlight

Sora has always been the main hero in the Kingdom Hearts series, with Donald and Goofy primarily being AI-controlled companions. Players could customize their combat behavior in the earlier games but generally couldn’t control them during the main story. However, there have been a few times that the Disney characters have had a hand in combat: Mickey can temporarily take over during certain boss fights in Kingdom Hearts 2, while he, Donald, and Goofy are among playable characters in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days‘ Mission Mode. But considering Kingdom Hearts is a massive franchise, these appearances are clearly limited when compared with Sora’s starring role.

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These brief dalliances are maybe what spurred Square Enix to make the Disney characters playable in Kingdom Hearts 4. There has definitely been some frustration with players wanting more control over characters who already play such important roles in the story. They already have crucial responsibilities: Donald is a powerful mage, Goofy is a defensive fighter, and Mickey is an experienced Keyblade wielder, so there’s clearly plenty of potential for gameplay that differs from Sora’s.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Can’t Afford to Waste Its Disney Heroes

Image via Square Enix, Disney

I think the biggest risk with Square Enix’s announcement is ultimately watering down the Disney character’s roles in Sora’s journey. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy have already accumulated a huge amount of responsibility in the franchise, so it almost seems to me that Kingdom Hearts 4 will make or break the potential for these characters to stand on their own. If their playable sections are too brief or lack meaningful mechanics, they could end up feeling like missed opportunities.

I think the success of this idea hinges on Square Enix recognizing that Donald and Goofy aren’t just side characters; they’re Sora’s closest companions, and their teamwork is central to the series’ identity. Mickey already has his own responsibilities, too, so his playable sections could even explore what he does beyond supporting Sora. But overall, Square Enix should focus on avoiding making their sections feel like filler. I think that if the characters only appear in short, disconnected sequences, their inclusion could feel too much like mere fan service, instead of the meaningful game expansion that would make Kingdom Hearts 4 so worth looking forward to.

Kingdom Hearts Needs to Make Its Disney Heroes Feel Different from Sora

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy ultimately need more than just cameo roles. If Square Enix gives its Disney heroes a reason to be playable, I think that there could be a genuine promise of a different pace and perspective from Sora’s usual action-heavy adventures. Donald’s magic and Goofy’s defensive fighting style could translate into distinct mechanics, while Mickey’s experience as a Keyblade wielder could make his encounters feel different from Sora’s. I’d love to see Square Enix lean into these differences, as giving the Disney heroes meaningful gameplay would show a greater appreciation for what fans want from the series. Their inclusion should go beyond novelty, and open up experiences that make controlling them feel just as rewarding as playing Sora.

This would give Kingdom Hearts 4 so much more depth, too. Not only does it give players a fresh experience, but it adds gameplay variety, through exploration mechanics, magical abilities, and defensive combat, and also rewards longtime fans. Those who have followed their journeys throughout the series would finally be granted the opportunity to play these beloved characters themselves. It would also be a great chance to create more memorable moments, which is what Kingdom Hearts is all about. Unique abilities and character-specific challenges could make each playable section stand out, and with that, I think more players will look forward to switching protagonists.

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

Franchise

Kingdom Hearts