Summary
WithKingdom Hearts 4in development, some fans are anticipating its new arc’s potential to recapture elements that defined the franchise’s earlier days. WhileKH4’s new art style seems to separate it from the past, the fresh start provided by the concept of Unreality and Sora’s new circumstances also evoke the creativity found within the highly praised first two mainline entries in the series. Now that the original infamously difficult endgame boss of the first game has found new relevance within his own series,Kingdom Hearts 4would be the perfect opportunity for a long-awaited return.
Originating inFinal Fantasy 7for PS1,legendary RPG villain Sephirothhas since spawned a legacy that transcends both his IP and genre. Further appearing in everything from animated films to fighting game guest slots, this genetically-enhanced super soldier has once again gotten the spotlight withinRemakeand this year’sRebirth. His impact extended into his presence withinKingdom Hearts, a franchise where he made an unforgettable mark that could easily inspire further appearances.
Sephiroth Remains One of the Most Iconic and Challenging Bosses in Kingdom Hearts History
Standing Out Among Other Optional Endgame Battles
There are multiple battles unlocked towards the finale of the firstKingdom Heartswhich pose the greatest threats available in the game, but Sephiroth can still feel like the ultimate enemy even among them. The likes of the Phantom may test the player’s mettle in terms of micromanaging magic, butSephiroth’s massive health bar inKHand Sora’s lack of fast movement which would come in later games have allowed this encounter to still remain one of the toughest after decades.KH2might be seen as an overall easier title by some fans, but its Sephiroth encounter requires intense usage of everything at the player’s disposal. In both cases, not having the Second Chance ability equipped can lead to death in just a couple of hits, even if Sora is at max level with the best gear.
There’s no shortage of similarly hard bosses inKingdom Hearts 2’s Lingering WillorBBS' Young Xehanort, who arguably eclipse Sephiroth, but these are mostly original characters without the same prestige and name recognition. In a series predicated on crossovers, it makes sense that Sephiroth is more remembered by some players thanKH3’s Dark Inferno orDream Drop Distance’s Julius, especially with the build-up in the dynamic with Cloud he has been afforded in the past.
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy Has Created the Perfect Climate for Sephiroth’s Return in KH4
FF7’s New Continuity Could Fit Right into Unreality
2020’sFinal Fantasy 7 Remakemade Sephiroth more important than ever by having him appear earlier in this new interpretation of the story, and this year’sRebirthhas followed up with his role in both playable segments and as an epic multi-stage final boss.FFcast members inKingdom Heartsoriginally had some liberties taken in their depictions due to only previously appearing on weaker hardware, but the gap between visuals inRebirthand the upcomingKH4seems to be relatively granular. Not only is there a chance that Sephiroth may end up returning in the nextKingdom Hearts, but he also has the potential to be the most accurate incarnation of him in the franchise yet.
Sephiroth’s Brutal Difficulty Would Continue a Trend Established by Yozora
Set up in the base game and later appearing as a boss with difficulty largely unlike what the series had seen up until then,Yozora’s place inKingdom Hearts 3 Re Mindhas set a precedent that Sephiroth could easily follow. A multitude of options and the unfair advantage of stealing Sora’s items make Yozora an optional challenge like what the earlier titles provided, and there’s an entirely new set of source material to draw from that would give a Sephiroth encounter inKingdom Hearts 4the weight it truly deserves.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
