Exciting news has emerged for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series as new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4 were revealed following the unexpected cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. Dive into the details of these newly released images and the abrupt end to the development of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Shows Signs of Life, as Missing-Link Gets Canceled
Kingdom Hearts 4 Screenshots Show New Heartless Variant and a Playable King Mickey
After a prolonged period of silence, Kingdom Hearts 4 has come back to life with tantalizing screenshots. On May 15, the official Kingdom Hearts social media accounts delighted fans by sharing a series of brand-new images, offering a glimpse into the eagerly awaited sequel. Alongside these visuals, Square Enix provided an update, confirming that development is actively progressing.
"We’re currently working hard on Kingdom Hearts IV and will continue pouring ourselves into the game’s development. We’re dedicated to making this an experience that lives up to your expectations!" the message began. It continued, "We’ve seen how excited you are, and we are truly grateful from the bottom of our hearts. We are equally excited and can’t wait to share more about Kingdom Hearts IV when the time is right. Until then, we appreciate your patience."
While no release date was announced, the new images have sparked a flurry of theories and renewed hope among the fanbase. One particularly intriguing screenshot features King Mickey in what appears to be a playable role. Although Mickey has been playable in past titles such as Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his appearances were often limited. In Kingdom Hearts 2, he would step in during crucial moments when Sora was defeated, and in 358/2 Days, he was only playable in certain missions. This new image suggests that Mickey might be playable again, possibly in a more significant capacity.
Speculation abounds that the library where Mickey is depicted could be located in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora explores towards the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. What Mickey is doing there remains a mystery, but it's possible he's investigating the Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming saga.
Other screenshots showcase Sora, now sporting a more casual look with regular-sized shoes, engaged in various scenarios. One image suggests a battle against a new type of Heartless, while another shows Sora on the streets of Quadratum, with a distant shower of bright light visible. Notably, in the battle scene, there seems to be a "Build" mechanic, potentially allowing Sora to create weapons such as grappling hooks or drills.
Additionally, an image featuring Strelitzia, a character from the game's reveal trailer and Kingdom Hearts Union X, alongside a rotary phone, has caught fans' attention. Given that Quadratum is inspired by real-life Tokyo, as mentioned by series director Tetsuya Nomura in a 2022 Famitsu interview, the inclusion of rotary phones hints at an interesting blend of modern and retro elements. This raises questions about the future of Kingdom Hearts 3's gummiphones and whether fans might still be able to use them for snapping and sharing photos on the game's equivalent of Instagram.
The release of these screenshots marks a significant moment for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts, especially after a period of limited official updates on Kingdom Hearts 4. The game was first announced in April 2022 during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event, and fans are hopeful that they won't face another decade-long wait like the one experienced between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3.
For more insights into Kingdom Hearts 4, be sure to check out our detailed article below!
