Summary
- Square Enix releases teaser screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4, stirring excitement among fans.
- New gameplay element "Build" spotted in Kingdom Hearts 4 image, sparking speculation.
- No release date yet, but new screenshots reignite optimism in the Kingdom Hearts community.
Over three years since it was first formally announced, Square Enix has revealed the first new look at Kingdom Hearts 4 with teaser screenshots of both gameplay and cutscenes. Kingdom Hearts 4 is set to be the next major entry in the beloved Disney/Square Enix crossover RPG franchise, and while there has still been no confirmation of a release window, audiences have already begun celebrating the latest sneak peek at what lies in store with the next sequel in the beloved series.
Players have had little to go on in the way of Kingdom Hearts 4's development, with formal updates being dropped sporadically and with minimal detail. To the surprise of fans, less than a day after Square Enix announced that the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link has been canceled, the studio has brought good news in the form of a fresh preview of Kingdom Hearts 4.
Square Enix Gives Update on Kingdom Hearts 4
Square Enix acknowledges the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts 4, which was first announced all the way back in April 2022.
In an address to players on social media, Square Enix shared that the studio is "currently working hard" on the development of Kingdom Hearts 4, with the team dedicated to making the game an experience that will live up to fan expectations. Kingdom Hearts 4 first began development in 2020 and was formally announced in April 2022. While an initial trailer gave players a first look at the new setting of Kingdom Hearts 4, there have been sparse updates since that first big reveal. Now, after years of waiting, players have been rewarded with multiple screenshots that show both gameplay and cutscenes. Fans can get another look at the series' main protagonist, Sora, along with screenshots of Strelitzia, multiple Heartless enemies, and even Disney's iconic mascot.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Gameplay and Cutscene Screenshots
Taking a closer look at the Kingdom Hearts 4 Sora gameplay image, fans can spot the familiar HUD, though one major new element can be seen. At the bottom of the Command menu is a "Build" ability that has not been present in previous Kingdom Hearts releases. Other games in the Kingdom Hearts franchise have used this Command slot for Link, Drive, and Summon abilities, and many have speculated that the "Build" action might be used exclusively for combat or a combo of fighting and traversal mechanics. Also curious is a smaller screenshot that appears to show Mickey Mouse balancing on top of a chandelier with the camera positioned behind him. Whether Kingdom Hearts 4 will feature multiple playable characters remains unconfirmed, but this particular camera angle and lack of other on-screen characters alongside Mickey has quickly stirred up excitement among fans.
In spite of no release date or second trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4, the new gameplay and cutscene screenshots have reignited optimism among fans. It may be some time yet before the future of the Kingdom Hearts franchise is fully revealed, but the games' dedicated community has already found joy in new discussions about the latest small snippets of Kingdom Hearts 4.
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
