Kingdom Hearts 4 screenshots were revealed following Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link’s cancellation. Read on to learn more about the aforementioned screenshots and the sudden end to Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link's development.
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 three years of radio silence, Kingdom Hearts 4 has finally stirred awake with... screenshots. Yesterday, May 15, saw official Kingdom Hearts social media accounts drop a batch of brand-new screenshots to give fans a much-needed peek at the long-anticipated sequel. Alongside this, Square Enix also gave a message that confirms development is still very much underway.
"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 first part of the post reads. Continuing this: "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."
No release window was revealed, but the batch of new images did ignite theories and hope among fans. One image, in particular, has caught the eyes of many: a glimpse of King Mickey, seemingly playable. Although Mickey has been playable in previous titles like Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his role was often limited. For instance, in the former, he would take over when Sora was defeated in critical moments, and in the latter, he was playable only during specific missions. This teased image could potentially hint at Mickey being playable once more, even if only for a small section.
Some theories suggest that the library Mickey is in could be located in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora visits near the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. It’s currently unknown what he is up to there, but he could be looking into the Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters who seem poised to play a significant role in the upcoming saga.
Other screenshots show Sora, sporting his updated, regular-shoe-sized look, in various scenarios. One image depicts what appears to be a fight against a new Heartless variant, while another shows Sora standing in the streets of Quadratum as a shower of bright light can be seen from a distance. Notably, in the former image, there appears to be a "Build" mechanic that could be directly tied to Sora’s ability to manifest weapons like grappling hooks or drills.
Another image shows Strelitzia, a character who appeared in the game’s reveal trailer and Kingdom Hearts Union X, and a rotary phone. Given that Quadratum, as series director Tetsuya Nomura mentioned in his 2022 Famitsu interview, is based on real-life Tokyo, it seems rotary phones are a thing there. What this could mean for Kingdom Hearts 3’s gummiphones is anyone's guess, but hey, fans can still hope they'll be able to snap pics and upload them to Kingdom Hearts' pseudo-Instagram app.
Regardless, yesterday was a very monumental day for Kingdom Hearts fans, as the release of these screenshots comes after a period of limited official information about Kingdom Hearts 4. The game was initially announced in April 2022 during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event, and fans can only hope they don’t experience a repeat of the decade-long wait for a mainline title between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3.
For more on Kingdom Hearts 4, check out our article below!
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Canceled, as Square Enix Pursues Focus on Quality Over Quantity
The excitement surrounding these screenshots, however, is somewhat tempered by the recent cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, a mobile spinoff initially revealed alongside Kingdom Hearts 4 in 2022. Square Enix officially announced the cancellation on the game’s socials on Wednesday, May 14, shortly before the Kingdom Hearts 4 screenshots were released.
In a statement, Square Enix explained their decision: "Although we worked hard on developing and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time, leading us to the decision to cancel development."
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was originally conceived as a "GPS-based action RPG" for iOS and Android devices that will incorporate location-based gameplay, similar to Pokémon GO. It was intended to bridge the gap between Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts 4 and explore the story of Scala ad Caelum. Despite multiple closed beta tests and significant development efforts, Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link wasn’t given the chance to see the light of day.
This decision, however, appears to align with Square Enix’s recently announced strategic shift, detailed in their latest financial report released the same day, from prioritizing a high quantity of games to focusing on "quality." While Missing-Link aimed to bridge narrative gaps leading to Kingdom Hearts 4, its cancellation raises questions about the overarching storyline's progression. Nevertheless, Square Enix has assured fans that Kingdom Hearts 4's development remains on track.
The cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link is undoubtedly disappointing for fans who were looking forward to a new Kingdom Hearts experience on mobile, but Square Enix at least has reassured the community that there is something good for them waiting in the horizon. The timing of the Kingdom Hearts 4 screenshot release, however, may have been a deliberate attempt to somewhat soften the blow of the spinoff’s cancellation and reaffirm the company’s commitment to the main series.
Source:
Square Enix | Kingdom Hearts 4 New Screenshots on Twitter
Square Enix | An important announcement regarding KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link
Famitsu | 『キングダム ハーツ4』野村哲也氏インタビュー。バトルコンセプトは“スクラップ＆ビルド”、舞台となるクァッドラトゥムの詳細も
Square Enix | KINGDOM HEARTS 20th 発表トレーラー
Square Enix | KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link Teaser Trailer
Square Enix | KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link Closed Beta Test Overview
Square Enix Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2025
