New Kingdom Hearts 4 Images Surface After Missing-Link Axed

Following the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, new screenshots from Kingdom Hearts 4 have surfaced. Read on for details about these screenshots and the unexpected termination of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link's development.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Awakens After Missing-Link Is Canceled

New Screenshots Reveal Fresh Heartless Design and Playable King Mickey

After a three-year silence, Kingdom Hearts 4 has finally broken its dormancy with a collection of screenshots. On May 15, official Kingdom Hearts social media channels released a set of brand-new images, giving eager fans a long-awaited glimpse of the highly anticipated sequel. Accompanying these visuals, Square Enix confirmed that development is actively progressing.

“Our team is fully committed to advancing Kingdom Hearts IV’s development,” the announcement began. “We are dedicated to creating an experience that exceeds your expectations.” It continued, “We feel your enthusiasm and sincerely appreciate your support. We share your excitement and will share more details about Kingdom Hearts IV when we’re ready. Thank you for your continued patience.”

While no release window was provided, the new imagery sparked considerable fan speculation. One standout screenshot appears to feature a playable King Mickey. Although Mickey has been controllable in earlier titles such as Kingdom Hearts 2 and 358/2 Days, his involvement was typically restricted—either stepping in during critical moments after Sora’s defeat or limited to specific missions. This new tease suggests that Mickey may return as a playable character, even if only briefly.

Some theories propose that the library where Mickey is seen might be situated in Scala ad Caelum, a world Sora explored toward the end of Kingdom Hearts 3. It remains unclear what Mickey is doing there, but he could be investigating the Foretellers—a group of Keyblade Masters likely to play a major role in the coming saga.

Additional screenshots feature Sora in his updated, more realistically proportioned attire across various settings. One image shows him confronting a new Heartless type, while another captures him standing on Quadratum’s streets under a distant shower of brilliant light. Notably, the combat scene hints at a “Build” mechanic, possibly tied to Sora’s ability to generate tools like grappling hooks or drills.

Another screenshot includes Strelitzia—a character from the initial reveal trailer and Kingdom Hearts Union X—alongside a rotary phone. Given director Tetsuya Nomura’s 2022 Famitsu statement that Quadratum mirrors real-world Tokyo, the presence of rotary phones seems fitting. It’s uncertain how this affects Kingdom Hearts 3’s gummiphones, but hopeful fans might still anticipate features like photo-taking and sharing via the series’ pseudo-Instagram platform.

Yesterday marked a significant moment for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts, offering the first substantial update since the game’s April 2022 announcement during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event. Fans are optimistic that the wait for this mainline entry won’t mirror the decade-long gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and 3.

For further insights into Kingdom Hearts 4, explore our related article below!