Exciting news has emerged for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series as new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4 have been unveiled, following the unexpected cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. Dive into the details of these intriguing screenshots 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 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 these eagerly awaited images, providing fans with a glimpse into the much-anticipated sequel. Alongside the screenshots, Square Enix issued 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 release window was announced, the new images have sparked numerous theories and renewed hope among the fanbase. One particularly eye-catching screenshot features King Mickey, hinting at the possibility of him being playable. Although Mickey has been playable in previous titles such as Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his role was often limited. In Kingdom Hearts 2, he would take over when Sora was defeated in critical moments, and in 358/2 Days, he was playable only during specific missions. The new screenshot suggests that Mickey might have a more significant role in Kingdom Hearts 4, even if it's just for a small section.
Some fans speculate that the library Mickey is seen in could be located in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora visits near the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. It's unclear what Mickey is doing there, but he might be investigating the Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming saga.
Other screenshots feature Sora, showcasing his updated look with regular-sized shoes, in various scenarios. One image shows him battling a new Heartless variant, while another captures him standing in the streets of Quadratum, with a shower of bright light visible in the distance. Notably, the image with the Heartless variant suggests a "Build" mechanic, which could allow Sora to create weapons like grappling hooks or drills.
Another screenshot includes 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 is intriguing. This raises questions about the future of Kingdom Hearts 3's gummiphones, though fans remain hopeful about their potential integration into the game's pseudo-Instagram app.
The release of these screenshots marks a significant moment for Kingdom Hearts fans, 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 eager to avoid another decade-long wait for a mainline title, as 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!
