New Kingdom Hearts 4 Screenshots Released Amid Missing-Link Cancellation

The Kingdom Hearts community was abuzz with excitement as new screenshots of Kingdom Hearts 4 surfaced following the unexpected cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. Dive into the details of these intriguing screenshots and the abrupt end to 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 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 channels unveiled these long-awaited images, offering fans a glimpse into the next chapter of the beloved series. Alongside these visuals, 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 disclosed, the new screenshots have sparked a flurry of theories and renewed hope among fans. One particularly captivating image features King Mickey, hinting at his potential playability. Although Mickey has been playable in previous games such as Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his role was typically limited. In Kingdom Hearts 2, he would step in during critical moments when Sora was defeated, and in 358/2 Days, he was playable only during specific missions. The new screenshot suggests that Mickey might once again be playable, perhaps even in a more substantial capacity.

Some fans speculate that the library scene with Mickey might take place in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora explores at the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. It's unclear what Mickey is doing there, but he could be investigating the Foretellers, a group of Keyblade Masters expected to play a significant role in the upcoming saga.

Other screenshots showcase Sora, now sporting a more grounded look with regular-sized shoes, in various settings. One image suggests a battle against a new Heartless variant, while another captures Sora standing in the streets of Quadratum, illuminated by a distant shower of light. Interestingly, the battle image hints at a new "Build" mechanic, which could allow Sora to create weapons like grappling hooks or drills.

Another 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 is a curious detail. What this might mean for the gummiphones from Kingdom Hearts 3 remains a mystery, but fans are hopeful that they might still be able to take and share photos on 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 lengthy wait like the one between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3.

For more insights on Kingdom Hearts 4, be sure to check out our detailed article below!