Square Enix Reveals Three New Kingdom Hearts Titles for Franchise 20th Anniversary
By Jack O'Dwyer
Happy 20th birthday, Kingdom Hearts! Such a momentous occasion requires an equally important announcement — and Square Enix did not disappoint.
In a 20th Anniversary announcement video posted earlier today, Sunday, April 10, Square Enix, the development studio behind Kingdom Hearts, announced three new installments both in development and coming out later this year as either stand-alone games or additions to ongoing sagas, respectively.
"We’re thrilled to celebrate the series’ 20thanniversary with the announcement of two new KINGDOM HEARTS titles,” said series brand manager, Ichiro Hazama. “We’d like to thank the fans for all of their support over the years, and we can’t wait for them to experience all that’s to come for Sora.”
We've broken down all three installments players can look forward to according to this new video.
Square Enix Reveals 3 New Kingdom Hearts Titles
As stated above, there are three new installments coming to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Two of these are mobile games for iOS and Android platforms. The final — and, perhaps, most exciting — is another release in the main series: Kingdom Hearts IV.
Kingdom Hearts IV: "Lost Master Arc"
Sora returns in this installment bearing a new look and a brand new feel to match that of the world he's been dropped into: Quadratum — a "large, expansive city set in a gorgeous, realistic world unlike anything ever seen before."
With the help of his faithful companions, Donald and Goofy, and a new "mysterious character" known as Strelitzia, Sora sets off on his next adventure combating darkness made manifest in this "afterworld."
"This glimpse into Sora’s next adventure is just the beginning – we can’t wait to show more when the time is right," said Nana Gadd, a director for Walt Disney Games.
Closed beta will begin sometime before the end of 2022.
"The 20th Anniversary Event has just wrapped up. We’ve collated the videos revealed today, so if you weren’t able to come to the event, then please take a look. We’ll be providing more information at a later date. Thank you very much for today" - Tetsuya Nomura #KH20th
— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) April 10, 2022
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link
Missing-Link instead focuses on taking players from the realm of Scala ad Caelum and into the real world. This mobile title pits players against the Heartless in a new "exhilarating" style of combat while they progress through a unique story.
A closed beta test is also planned for 2022.
Kingdom Hearts Dark Road: Dark Road X Union
Those following the story of a young Xehanort and his descent down the dark path to become the primary antagonist in the Dark Seeker Saga — among other things — will have their finale. The next chapter in Kingdom Hearts Dark Road is set to be the last one with the next Dark Road X Union update.
Xehanort and Eraqus will have their ill-fated duel over the unlocking of Kingdom Hearts this August 2022.
Fans wishing to mark the celebration can head over to Square Enix' online store platform to pre-order a variety of brand new merch from keychains to laundry bags and everything in between.