Hold onto your Keyblades, Kingdom Hearts fans! After years of anticipation, the wait for Kingdom Hearts 4 is almost over. During a panel at this year’s D23 Expo, Square Enix executives put those pesky delay rumors to rest, assuring players that the game is still on track for its late 2027 release window.
The Promise of 2027
While a firm release date remains under wraps, series creator Tetsuya Nomura and co-director Tai Yasue were adamant about one thing: Kingdom Hearts 4 will not be delayed. “I saw online that some people were saying the release date might still get pushed back,” Nomura stated. “I want to set the record straight: That is not happening.” He emphasized the excitement surrounding the game and encouraged fans to stay tuned for more news as marketing ramps up.
Tai Yasue echoed this sentiment, adding, “I can confidently say and promise that it will launch in 2027. Schedule-wise, the development is very smooth. It’s not like an 80%, 90% – it’s a 100% thing. We’ll be there in 2027 for sure.” This strong commitment should ease some of the anxiety among fans who remember the lengthy gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3.
Director of product development at Disney and Pixar games, Nana Gadd, also joined the discussion, highlighting the collaborative effort behind bringing this beloved franchise to life. The team is clearly focused on delivering a memorable experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
The Physical Release Question
One lingering concern among some players revolves around Sony’s recent announcement that it will no longer support physical releases for new PlayStation games launching after January 2028. This raises the question of whether Kingdom Hearts 4, should it be delayed, would forgo a physical release on PS5. While Square Enix has yet to address this directly, the commitment to a 2027 launch seems designed to avoid this potential issue.
[[MEDIA_1: A screenshot from the extended gameplay trailer showing Sora in a new environment.]]
What’s Next for Kingdom Hearts?
Kingdom Hearts 4 was formally announced in 2022 and is slated to arrive on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in late 2027. The game promises new environments, characters, and gameplay mechanics that will expand the Kingdom Hearts universe. Fans eager for a deeper look can check out the extended gameplay trailer shown during the D23 panel. For those who missed the full presentation, you can find everything announced during the D23 panel right here. The wait continues, but at least we know that Sora’s next adventure is still on track for a 2027 release!
Source: IGN Gaming
Comments
Be the first to comment.