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Controversy · comment analysis

Should a franchise keep its original hero or bring in new characters?

What YouTube comments really say across five games, with the numbers

Updated: 01/10/2026
It depends on the game: Kingdom Hearts IV fans mostly want the classic figures back, while commenters on Spyro, Castlevania and Beyond Good & Evil 2 sound more open to new faces. The topic makes up ~9% to ~20% of each game's discussion.

The context

On April 10, 2022, at a Tokyo event celebrating the series' 20th anniversary, Square Enix announced a new mainline entry, Kingdom Hearts IV. It brings back Sora, the series' protagonist since the first game in 2002, after the story arc concluded with Kingdom Hearts III in 2019.

The announcement trailer shows Sora waking up in Quadratum, a Tokyo-like metropolis in a realistic art style that departs from earlier worlds. It also introduces a new character named Strelitzia. No release date was given at the time of the announcement.

Sources: Engadget – Kingdom Hearts IV et le nouveau look de Sora

Factual background compiled from public sources — the debate analysis below relies exclusively on the comments.

How we got here

as told by the comments
2017-2018

On Beyond Good & Evil 2, the 2017 trailer's character creation sparks curiosity. By 2018, commenters point out that most viewers have to look up who Jade even is.

June 2026

The Metro 2039 trailer (June 7) mostly draws jokes, but some unease shows: Artyom is absent and Hunter, an older face of the series, takes centre stage.

July-Sept. 2026

On Spyro: A Realm Beyond, a mid-July poll splits fans over Cynder's return. On September 4, the studio interview (no reinvention of Spyro) brings relief to some.

Early Sept. 2026

Around Kingdom Hearts IV (September 2), comments reopen the Final Fantasy file: absent from KH3, partly back in DLC according to commenters, now expected in KH4.

Mid-Sept. 2026

For Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, the debate stays low-key: a few regret not playing as Simon, while other fans are curious about what follows Trevor and Sypha.

Kingdom Hearts IV

~20% of the discussion on this game

The debate centres on the Final Fantasy characters, seen as too sidelined since KH3. Commenters overwhelmingly ask for them, with a few preferring original faces.

Classic heroes 75 %

Saying FF characters weren't needed while forcing Hercules in yet again is felt as a slap in the face.
« Being told FF characters weren't needed anymore, while being made to suffer Hercules for the millionth time, was a slap to the face. »
— @kayzaac · ♥ 110 · translated · see original ↗
The Traverse Town gang became part of Sora's heart: Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cid and maybe Cloud and Sephiroth would be the bare minimum.
« Completely agree. The Traverse Town gang became part of Sora and should be in his heart. The minimum is Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cid, Cloud and maybe Sephiroth. »
— @ztormur6504 · ♥ 45 · translated · see original ↗
In a Disney × Square crossover, Final Fantasy playing second fiddle feels odd; some want it in an integral role.
« I find it very odd that in a Disney and Square crossover, Final Fantasy takes a backseat. I want a more integral role than cameos. »
— @erickmaverick3128 · ♥ 45 · translated · see original ↗

New faces 25 %

The series now has enough original characters to carry the story; a secret boss cameo from an FF character would be enough.
« KH no longer needs FF characters for the main story given its many original characters, but a secret boss fight with Lightning or Clive wouldn't hurt. »
— @chimeratcg07 · ♥ 15 · translated · see original ↗
After so many Sephiroth fights, some want someone new, such as Vincent, if an FF7 character must appear.
« I'd like Leon, Yuffie, Cid and Aerith back, but not Cloud and Sephiroth: we've had enough Sephiroth fights. If an FF7 character is needed, make it Vincent. »
— @qwerty77772 · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
For some, another TWEWY cameo would make up for the lack of Final Fantasy.
« I'd be fine without FF if it meant another TWEWY cameo. »
— @VanetTaznichegames · ♥ 2 · translated · see original ↗

Beyond Good and Evil 2

~15% of the discussion on this game

After years of waiting, comments question the series' identity: Jade is little known to the wider public, while the character creator draws interest.

Classic heroes 40 %

Without the title, some would never have guessed this was a Beyond Good & Evil game; the series' identity seems lost.
« I never would have guessed this was a Beyond Good and Evil game if the title hadn't told me. »
— @Kashimaro · ♥ 2 k · translated · see original ↗

New faces 60 %

Jade is so little known that most viewers have to look her up, so a classic hero alone may not sell the game.
« When 90% of viewers have to go look up who Jade is... »
— @mimik6775 · ♥ 1 k · translated · see original ↗
Creating your own character appeals, shark-man included, to the point of rivalling the jetpack chimp.
« Wait, you can create your own character? The jetpack chimp gameplay is awesome, but that shark-man though! »
— @Alkadius1993 · ♥ 768 · translated · see original ↗

Metro 2039

~13% of the discussion on this game

The trailer spotlights Hunter and leaves Artyom off-screen. Commenters joke a lot, but some miss the saga's usual hero.

Classic heroes 45 %

A Metro game without Artyom will feel weird; the hope is for at least some easter eggs about him.
« A Metro game without Artyom will feel weird, but I hope there are easter eggs about him. »
— @erenaydnc · ♥ 586 · translated · see original ↗
Jokingly, Artyom would be disappointed in Hunter, whom he looked up to: attachment to the series' hero shows through.
« Artyom would be so disappointed in Hunter. He looked up to him. »
— @LargeCoke_Mediumfry · ♥ 1 k · translated · see original ↗

New faces 55 %

Hunter's design gets praise: shifting the central figure doesn't kill the enthusiasm.
« Fuhrer Hunter's design looks awesome. »
— @Faustzone · ♥ 563 · translated · see original ↗
Some speculate we may play as Hunter, suffering from amnesia: the idea of another protagonist intrigues them.
« I have a feeling the game will fake us out: the playable character is actually Hunter, amnesiac after meeting the Dark Ones, and the villain is a fake Hunter. »
— @AnthonyV102 · ♥ 519 · translated · see original ↗

Spyro: A Realm Beyond

~12% of the discussion on this game

Here the question is whether Spyro should stay alone in the spotlight or share it with Cynder, Elora or others. The open-minded camp is larger.

Classic heroes 35 %

This is Spyro's brand-new game and he needs his moment; Cynder could at most be teased post-credits.
« I'm mixed but leaning no. This is Spyro's brand new game and our purple boy needs his time to shine. Cynder in a post-credit scene could be nice, though. »
— @Raximus99 · ♥ 39 · translated · see original ↗
The line that they won't reinvent Spyro brings huge relief to some fans.
« "We aren't going to reinvent Spyro": the BIGGEST sigh of relief! »
— @mariahd9494 · ♥ 38 · translated · see original ↗

New faces 65 %

Cynder could return if she is reworked to fit the narrative while keeping what makes her who she is.
« I'd love Cynder back, but she needs to fit the narrative and be reworked while keeping who she is. Tough work. »
— @BeyondZanos · ♥ 66 · translated · see original ↗
It's been forever since this fan last saw Cynder, a favourite character, and they would love her to return.
« I'd personally love Cynder to come back; it's been forever since I saw my favorite character. »
— @DanRex85 · ♥ 43 · translated · see original ↗
Elora deserves another chance: a fan favourite, well received in Reignited, and a non-dragon playable option for variety.
« Elora should get another chance: a fan favorite, well received in Reignited, and a playable non-dragon would add variety. »
— @in-craig-ible6160 · ♥ 24 · translated · see original ↗

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

~9% of the discussion on this game

The topic stays marginal, as discussion mostly revolves around physical editions. A few comments touch on the Trevor and Rose choice and on Simon's absence.

Classic heroes 40 %

It would have been so epic with Simon: regret over an emblematic hero is plain to see.
« This would have been so epic if it was Simon... »
— @pimpylongslapins · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
A Japanese-language commenter wonders why Trevor is used when the game evokes Ralph, questioning the hero choice.
« It's Ralph, so why Trevor? Also, please remake Dracula's Curse. »
— @hyperラブリー · ♥ 3 · translated · see original ↗

New faces 60 %

A game set after the Netflix show's ending intrigues: fans want to see how Trevor and Sypha's kid measures up.
« So glad they're making a game after the end of the first Netflix Castlevania show. I've always wondered how Trevor and Sypha's kid would measure up in this timeline. »
— @Paladin246 · ♥ 2 · translated · see original ↗
Rose using her father's theme song excites fans: the new heroine appeals through the legacy she carries.
« Omg, Rose is using her father's theme song! I'm excited! »
— @ReydiantStars · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
Where the debate standsThere is no global consensus: the debate is sharpest on Kingdom Hearts IV, where classic characters clearly lead, and more open on Spyro, Metro 2039 and Beyond Good & Evil 2. On Castlevania it remains secondary to the physical editions.

Frequently asked questions

Which games are caught up in the classic heroes vs new characters debate?
Five games: Kingdom Hearts IV (~20% of its discussion), Beyond Good & Evil 2 (~15%), Metro 2039 (~13%), Spyro: A Realm Beyond (~12%) and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse (~9%).
Why do Kingdom Hearts IV fans want the Final Fantasy characters back?
According to commenters, they were a signature of KH1 and KH2 and nearly vanished in KH3. Around 75% of the game's discussion on this topic asks for their return.
Do Spyro fans want Cynder back in A Realm Beyond?
Mostly yes: around 65% of opinions are open to Cynder or Elora, often provided they are reworked. A minority would rather keep Spyro alone in the spotlight.
Is Artyom absent from the Metro 2039 trailer?
Commenters note his absence and Hunter's central role. Some find it unsettling, others expect a twist; jokes and theories dominate.
Analysis built from 295 public YouTube comments on the tracked videos — updated on 01/10/2026. Our methodology