Disney, Square Enix preview 'Kingdom Hearts 4' video game at fan convention

Anaheim, California - Disney and Square Enix showcased Kingdom Hearts 4 at a fan convention in Anaheim, marking the game's upcoming 25th anniversary. The action role-playing series, which merges characters and worlds from Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise and Disney films, follows protagonist Sora. Kingdom Hearts 4 will transport Sora to Quadratum, a Shibuya-inspired business district in Tokyo, where he must navigate new challenges.

The game is set to release in 2027. During the D23 entertainment showcase, a four-minute trailer revealed a new world inspired by Pixar's Coco, featuring Disney characters like Donald, Goofy, King Mickey, and Hades, as well as original Kingdom Hearts characters. Creator Tetsuya Nomura emphasized the importance of including strong gameplay synergies with popular Disney titles.

A new Paper Mickey Mouse world, where Mickey Mouse is a playable character in a storybook setting, was also unveiled. The franchise's first game was released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and has since collaborated with The Walt Disney Company. Nomura, who is heavily involved in the development of Kingdom Hearts 4, also teased the return of Disney villain Maleficent.