7 Years Later, Did Kingdom Hearts 3 Really Deserve All That Hate?

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When Kingdom Hearts III launched on PlayStation 4 on January 29, 2019, it faced incredibly high expectations, so it’s understandable that some fans were disappointed. As the third main game in the popular Square Enix/Disney series, it was the long-awaited sequel to the beloved Kingdom Hearts II, arriving more than ten years later. All the spin-off games released in between had built a dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase, eager to see how the story would conclude. Initially, critics generally liked Kingdom Hearts III, praising its gameplay and large, detailed worlds, with scores on Metacritic typically in the low 80s depending on the console.

The story in Kingdom Hearts III, as well as the game’s level design and overall structure, quickly drew criticism. The narrative received the most negative reaction, with many players unhappy about the large number of characters, surprising reappearances, and the ending itself. While the backlash wasn’t as intense as seen with endings to other popular game trilogies, like Mass Effect 3, a significant number of fans were very disappointed. Now, seven years later, it’s worth revisiting those criticisms to see if they still feel valid.

Kingdom Hearts III’s Gameplay Frustrated Some Fans

While critics generally liked Kingdom Hearts III, many fans were very critical of it, sparking a lot of debate. The disagreements mainly focused on how the game played, which Disney worlds were included, and how the story unfolded. The gameplay, which had become somewhat predictable over the years, felt outdated in Kingdom Hearts III. New features like abilities and summons weren’t enough to satisfy players who expected more innovation. The game featured a combination of familiar and brand-new worlds, offering fresh perspectives on places like Mount Olympus.

Fans were upset by the game’s growing emphasis on Disney and Pixar worlds, as they preferred more focus on the original Final Fantasy elements. The game also launched with several gameplay bugs, though many were fixed with updates. The Re:Mind re-release further improved the experience. Despite these fixes, many fans still disagree with the game’s story, and it remains a common point of criticism.

Kingdom Hearts III Was Too Ambitious For Its Own Good

Kingdom Hearts III had a lot of loose ends to tie up, including character stories and mysteries introduced in the spin-off games released between Kingdom Hearts II and III. Because of this, some fans were frustrated by the game’s tendency to interrupt its main story with familiar Disney worlds. The game also featured a huge cast of characters, which made the already complicated story even harder to follow, especially with all the big reveals about the series’ history and future.

The final battle against Xenahort felt rushed and unsatisfying, relying on plot twists and bringing characters back to life unexpectedly, which made the whole experience feel less impactful for players. Many were particularly frustrated with the ending, finding it confusing and anticlimactic for Sora, despite it ultimately fitting the overall story. This sparked a lot of debate among fans, and the controversy continues even years later.

Kingdom Hearts III Was Flawed, But Didn’t Deserve All The Hate It Got

Even those who enjoy Kingdom Hearts III admit it has flaws, but many of these were fixed in the Re:Mind update. While the story can be confusing – which is typical for the series – things like what happens to Sora actually feel meaningful. The main issue with Kingdom Hearts III, particularly at launch, was simply that it had a lot to live up to. After the previous game resonated so strongly with players, Kingdom Hearts III needed to be exceptional to meet fan expectations.

When Kingdom Hearts III was first released, opinions were divided, and it became easy to focus on its problems. While the initial strong reactions have lessened, the game’s mixed reception likely contributed to the franchise losing some of its momentum in today’s gaming world. Kingdom Hearts III is an enjoyable game, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the standards of previous installments. The story can be confusing at times, but it still manages to capture the heart and quirky charm that the series is known for. While the game had flaws and leaned into some long-standing weaknesses, it probably didn’t deserve the intense criticism it received both at launch and afterward.

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2026-01-30 02:11