Kingdom Hearts IV, Square Enix publishes new images

Square Enix breaks its silence on Kingdom Hearts IV with the release of two new official images, offering the first update on the title's development after more than two years since its initial announcement.

More than two years after its official announcement, Square Enix has released two new images from Kingdom Hearts IV, offering an updated first look at the currently in-development title. The new screenshots, released in conjunction with a fan communication, represent the first new material released since the initial reveal in April 2022. In a message to the community, Square Enix confirmed its continued commitment to the game: “We are hard at work on Kingdom Hearts IV and will continue to be passionate about its development. Our goal is to deliver an experience that lives up to your expectations.” The studio also expressed gratitude for the excitement shown by fans in anticipation of the new chapter, stating: “We look forward to sharing more details when the time is right. Until then, we thank you for your patience and continued support.”

Kingdom Hearts IV is the new main episode of the eponymous action RPG saga, born in 2002 from the collaboration between Square Enix and Disney. The series is known for its complex narrative plot, which blends original characters such as Sora, Riku and Kairi with icons from the Disney universe and the Final Fantasy universe. Over the course of more than twenty years, Kingdom Hearts has built an immense global fanbase, standing out for its unique visual style, the soundtrack curated by Yoko Shimomura and a dynamic gameplay that has been able to evolve over time.

After the conclusion of the “Xehanort Saga” with Kingdom Hearts III, the fourth chapter will inaugurate a new narrative phase, called “Master of Masters Saga”, and will see the protagonist Sora catapulted into a more realistic world, known as Quadratum. The first sequences shown in 2022 hinted at a clear change in visual register, with urban settings inspired by modern cities, in contrast to the fairy-tale scenarios typical of the previous chapters. At the moment, Square Enix has not provided a release window or confirmed the target platforms.