Kingdom Hearts fans rejoiced at this year’s D23 Expo, where Disney held a special panel titled “DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS.” The event offered an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the making of the games, featuring insights from creative minds, voice actors, and more. Fans were treated to new announcements, gameplay footage, and even a live performance that left them buzzing with excitement.
New Kingdom Hearts IV Details Emerge
The panel followed up on the gameplay footage shown at D23’s Friday night showcase, where fans saw Sora battling Heartless in Coco’s Land of the Dead. A new Kingdom Hearts animated series is also headed to Disney+, though a release date remains under wraps. Nana Gadd, director of games at the Walt Disney Company’s Japan branch, Tai Yasue from Square Enix, Haley Joel Osment (Sora), David Gallagher (Riku), and Renée Johnson (various Disney voices) were among the guests sharing their experiences.
While no specific date was mentioned, Yasue confirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV is still slated for release in 2027. “Development is very smooth,” he said reassuringly. Nomura emphasized that this release window will not be pushed back, much to the relief of eager players. He also hinted at plans extending even further, mentioning the upcoming 30th anniversary and what it might hold.
Gameplay Innovations and World Design
Nomura highlighted the importance of incorporating “at least one unexpected world” in each Kingdom Hearts game, especially those based on live-action films. The team is also working on unique traversal mechanics in Quadratum, allowing players to launch themselves with their keychain, slide down powerlines, and more. Yasue emphasized the lengths staff went to in order to translate the city’s lighting and overall vibe to the game, such as walking through Tokyo and taking photos everywhere they went.
The extended Kingdom Hearts IV trailer showcased Quadratum with futuristic flying vehicles and Sora using a smartphone. A Mickey gameplay segment offered a Link Between Worlds-style experience, while players could also seemingly control Goofy and Donald in separate segments. Hector uses his bones as nunchucks, and Miguel uses his guitar to fight alongside Sora. Yasue dove into the paper world where King Mickey creates origami copies of himself, calling it a “puzzle-based game design.”
Live Performance and Fan Interaction
Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher took to the stage to perform the final scene from Kingdom Hearts II live for the panel audience. Mickey Mouse, dressed as Sora, even joined them for a photo opportunity with the voice actors and fans. This moment was particularly touching for long-time fans of the series.
King Mickey kicked off the event with a voiceover introduction for host Khleo Thomas, best known for his role in Holes. Nomura expressed his excitement to be present at D23 after several years and thanked fans for their continued support. He also revealed that The Nightmare Before Christmas was an early “must-have” world for Kingdom Hearts 1, with Gadd confirming that The Little Mermaid was also one of their first picks due to providing an underwater level.
Osment joked about the challenges of reprising Sora’s voice after so many years, while Gallagher reminisced about his initial shock at playing a “bad guy” in Riku. Miyu Irino, the Japanese voice actor for Sora, appeared in a short video to send fans a message thanking them for their support over the years.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
Source: IGN Gaming
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