Yes, Kingdom Hearts 4 is officially in development, but no release date has been announced yet. Square Enix revealed the game with a teaser trailer in April 2022, and it has been in production since, though no launch window has been confirmed as of late 2025.
What We Know So Far
Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced at the series’ 20th-anniversary event in April 2022. The trailer shows Sora in a realistic, modern city called Quadratum, which appears to be based on Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. This setting is a major departure from the Disney-inspired worlds of previous games, leaning into a more realistic art style while still featuring the series’ signature action combat.
The game is being directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who has led the series since its inception. Nomura has confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 4 is the start of a new story arc, called the “Lost Master Arc,� following the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga in Kingdom Hearts 3. The trailer also teases the return of Strelitzia, a character from the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Union χ, suggesting that the plot will explore the connection between the real-world-looking Quadratum and the original Kingdom Hearts lore.
Development Timeline and Platforms
Kingdom Hearts 4 is being built on Unreal Engine 5, which was confirmed by Square Enix. The shift to UE5 allows for more detailed environments and character models, which is evident in the trailer’s realistic lighting and textures. The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store). A Nintendo Switch version has not been announced, likely due to the hardware’s limitations compared to current-gen consoles.
Development has been ongoing since at least 2020, but Square Enix has not provided a progress update since the initial reveal. In a 2024 interview, Nomura stated that the team is working hard but that more time is needed to deliver the quality expected. This suggests a release date is still likely several years away, possibly as late as 2027 or beyond.
Story and Setting: Quadratum Explained
Quadratum is presented as a fictional version of Tokyo, but it’s not just a real-world location—it’s a world in the Kingdom Hearts universe that exists on a different plane. In the series’ lore, Quadratum is the world where Sora ends up after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3’s ending, where he disappears while searching for Kairi. The city is described as a “fictional worldâ€� that is “unreality,â€� contrasting with the “realityâ€� of the Disney worlds.
This setting allows the developers to blend realistic human characters with the series’ anime-inspired designs. The trailer shows Sora in a more realistic style, with detailed clothing and facial features, while still retaining his iconic spiky hair and Keyblade. The story is expected to delve into the nature of reality and fiction, a theme that has been building in the series through the mobile game and the Kingdom Hearts 3 Re Mind DLC.
Gameplay and Combat
While the trailer doesn’t show extensive gameplay, it does confirm that Kingdom Hearts 4 will retain the action-RPG combat that the series is known for. Sora is shown using his Keyblade in a combo attack against a large Heartless-like enemy. The game is expected to build upon the combat mechanics from Kingdom Hearts 3, which included flowmotion and attraction flow, but with refinements.
Nomura has mentioned that the team is focusing on making the combat feel more “realistic� in terms of physics and impact, which could mean a departure from the floaty feel of some previous titles. The game will likely feature a mix of solo and party-based combat, with Disney characters joining Sora in specific worlds. The trailer also hints at the return of the Keyblade transformation system, where the weapon changes shape during combat.
What About the Disney Worlds?
Despite the realistic setting, Kingdom Hearts 4 will still include Disney worlds. The trailer doesn’t show any, but Nomura has confirmed that the game will feature Disney characters and worlds, as they are integral to the series’ identity. However, the focus on Quadratum suggests that the game may have a smaller number of Disney worlds compared to previous entries, with more time spent in the original setting.
Fans have speculated that the game could feature worlds based on newer Disney properties, such as Encanto or Moana, but nothing has been confirmed. The series has traditionally mixed classic Disney films with Pixar and newer franchises, so it’s likely that Kingdom Hearts 4 will continue this trend, possibly including worlds from the Star Wars or Marvel universes, which were hinted at in Kingdom Hearts 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingdom Hearts 4 coming to Xbox and PC?
Yes, Kingdom Hearts 4 is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The PC version will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store, following the pattern of previous Kingdom Hearts titles on PC. A Nintendo Switch version has not been announced, and given the game’s technical demands, it’s unlikely to appear on the Switch.
Will Kingdom Hearts 4 be the last game in the series?
No, Kingdom Hearts 4 is not the final game. It is the start of a new story arc called the “Lost Master Arc,� which is expected to span multiple games. Tetsuya Nomura has stated that the series will continue beyond Kingdom Hearts 4, with additional titles planned to expand the story.
Do I need to play the mobile games to understand Kingdom Hearts 4?
It’s highly recommended. The mobile game Kingdom Hearts Union χ and its successor Dark Road contain crucial lore about the Keyblade War and the characters that will likely appear in Kingdom Hearts 4, such as Strelitzia. While the game may provide some context, having knowledge of the mobile games will greatly enhance your understanding of the story.
When was the last time we got a mainline Kingdom Hearts game?
The last mainline game was Kingdom Hearts 3, released in January 2019. Since then, Square Enix has released the Re Mind DLC and a rhythm game, Melody of Memory, but no full sequel. The gap between Kingdom Hearts 3 and 4 is already longer than the gap between 2 and 3, which was about 13 years.
Is Kingdom Hearts 4 a sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3?
Yes, it is a direct sequel, but it also follows up on the events of the Re Mind DLC and the mobile games. The story picks up after Sora’s disappearance at the end of Kingdom Hearts 3, and it introduces new plot threads that will be explored in the Lost Master Arc.
Will there be a multiplayer mode?
There has been no official confirmation of multiplayer in Kingdom Hearts 4. The series has traditionally been single-player, with the exception of the mobile games. Given the focus on story, it’s likely that Kingdom Hearts 4 will remain a single-player experience, though co-op could be added as a feature if the developers choose to innovate.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.
More cards in this drawer
- Motorola Phone Recovery: How to Recover Data
- Poco X3 GT Dimensity 1100 67W Fast Charging Launched?5.00 min/km
- Flash Converter: What It Is & How to Use It
- Choosing a Pipe Flow Meter for Swirling Flow
- Convert 2D Videos to Oculus Rift VR: How-To
- DRAM Light on Motherboard: Meaning & Fixes5.00 min/km