Following the unexpected cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, fans of the beloved series were treated to a surprise with the release of new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4. Dive into the details about these intriguing images and the abrupt halt in 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 three-year period of silence, Kingdom Hearts 4 has finally shown signs of life with the release of new screenshots. On May 15, the official Kingdom Hearts social media accounts shared a series of images, providing fans with a much-anticipated glimpse into the forthcoming sequel. Alongside these visuals, Square Enix also provided a statement reaffirming their commitment to the game's development.
"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 statement 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 specific release window was announced, the new screenshots have sparked a flurry of theories and renewed hope among fans. One particularly eye-catching image features King Mickey, suggesting he might be playable in Kingdom Hearts 4. Although Mickey has been playable in past titles like Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his roles were often limited. This new image hints at a potentially larger role for him, even if only in specific sections of the game.
Speculation suggests that the library Mickey is depicted in could be in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora explored towards the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. What Mickey's purpose there might be is unclear, but he could be investigating the Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming saga.
Other screenshots showcase Sora, donning his updated look with regular-sized shoes, in various scenarios. One image suggests a battle against a new Heartless variant, while another shows Sora on the streets of Quadratum, witnessing a distant shower of bright light. Interestingly, the former image hints at a "Build" mechanic, which could allow Sora to create weapons such as grappling hooks or drills.
An additional screenshot features Strelitzia, a character from the game's reveal trailer and Kingdom Hearts Union X, alongside a rotary phone. Given that Quadratum, as mentioned by series director Tetsuya Nomura in a 2022 Famitsu interview, is inspired by real-life Tokyo, the presence of rotary phones there is intriguing. This could have implications for the gummiphones seen in Kingdom Hearts 3, though fans can only speculate on how these elements will integrate with the series' pseudo-Instagram app.
The release of these screenshots marks a significant moment for Kingdom Hearts fans, coming after a period of limited official information on Kingdom Hearts 4. The game was first announced in April 2022 during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event, and fans are eager to avoid another decade-long wait like that between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3.
For more insights into Kingdom Hearts 4, be sure to explore our related article below!
