Kingdom Hearts 4 was originally announced back in 2022, 3 years after the third installment in the series. Since then, Square Enix has been relatively quiet about the game. After the Missing Link mobile entry in the Kingdom Hearts franchise was scrapped, we did get a few new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts 4. This felt more like proof of life in response to fan concerns than anything, and we’ve had precious little in the way of updates since then. So, what’s going on with Kingdom Hearts 4, and what do we actually know about the game?
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As with any massive, highly anticipated game, there are plenty of rumors out there about Kingdom Hearts 4. That can make it tough to parse what we actually know from Square Enix versus what’s running around in the rumor mill. Though Square Enix hasn’t shared a ton, we do know from recent comments from the game’s director, Tetsuya Nomura, that the game’s development is “steadily moving forward according to schedule.” Given that Kingdom Hearts 3 took about 6 years from announcement to release, that likely means we’ve got some time yet to wait on Kingdom Hearts 4.
Confirmed Details About Kingdom Hearts 4 So Far
Given that the game is likely still years away, it’s not too surprising that Square Enix hasn’t shared a ton of details. We do, however, have some details about the game thanks to previously released screenshots and comments. We have seen, for instance, that Sora looks to be older and has a bit of a redesign in the new game. We have also seen Mickey, confirming his return in the next installment – not that that’s too much of a surprise. Donald and Goofy have also been shown, proving that our dynamic trio should return for at least some part of KH4.
Story-wise, we have a few hints about the overall premise and setting. know that the game will begin the “Lost Master” story arc, following the events of main series entries Kingdom Hearts 1-3. The game will bring us a new era in Sora’s history, including a more realistic design due to his being in the hub world of Quadratum, at least in the early game. This world seems to be a stand-in for our “real world” based on what we’ve seen so far, and those who live there believe Sora’s world is make-believe… and vice-versa. Complicated, as we might expect from a Kingdom Hearts entry. Nomura has also referred to this game as “the beginning of the end” of the series, suggesting we might be headed towards the conclusion of Sora’s story. Whether this means it’s the last game or simply the start of the final arc, we don’t yet know.
Though we haven’t seen a ton of gameplay yet, the 2022 announcement trailer did give us some insight into what players can expect from Kingdom Hearts 4. The Heartless have clearly made their way to Quadratum, and so, Sora wields the Keyblade once more to enter battle. Compared to prior games, it looks like combat might lean more into parkour and platforming elements. Nomura has also previously confirmed the game will bring in a new “Scrap and Build” battle mechanic, but will also bring back the reaction commands fans have come to expect.
And in terms of fully confirmed information, that’s about all we know for sure. The game is moving along as expected, but we don’t know what that means for its release date. Square Enix has said that we’ll get more details “when the time is right,” so the exact timing for a new trailer or info drop is also pretty unknown.
Major Rumors & Leaks for Kingdom Hearts 4
Along with what we know for sure, there have been plenty of rumors surrounding the title. Many fans suspect we might see a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer sometime this year. This is mainly due to the timing for the second trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3. If Square Enix follows a similar timeline for this next installment, a trailer in late 2025, perhaps at The Game Awards, isn’t out of the question. But it’s also not official.
Beyond that, the other major rumor and alleged leak about Kingdom Hearts 4 relates to the worlds featured in the game. In August 2025, an anonymous leaker who claims to be a Square Enix insider shared a document listing a total of 21 worlds that will allegedly be in the game. This would be a big step up from the number of worlds in prior games, which topped out with 15 in Kingdom Hearts 2. Those worlds feature a few familiar locations like the Destiny Islands and Radiant Garden, along with the previously confirmed Quadratum. But many of them are new, suggesting that Disney properties like Moana and The Princess and the Frog could be added. Square Enix has not addressed the rumor, and with the source being anonymous, it’s pretty unclear whether this is a legitimate document or simply fan speculation.
This list of worlds remains the biggest alleged leak for the game so far. Most everything else we’ve seen floating around about returning characters and storylines is fan speculation and theories based on the lore of the series. So, what we actually know and what we might know based on leaks remains pretty thin. However, Square Enix has recently affirmed that the game is progressing as expected. That means that, despite the silence, fans shouldn’t be too worried that we won’t get Kingdom Hearts 4 in the next few years.
What do you think about Kingdom Hearts 4 from what we’ve seen so far? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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Image courtesy of 2th Century Studios -
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Image via THQ Nordic
