Get ready for a dose of nostalgia and excitement, because the world of Kingdom Hearts is experiencing a massive resurgence on Steam! Following the highly anticipated extended gameplay trailer unveiled at D23 over the weekend, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix has skyrocketed to become the platform’s second best-selling game in the United States. This surge in popularity proves that Sora and his friends still hold a special place in gamers’ hearts.
A Kingdom Hearts Renaissance
Data from SteamsCharts reveals that Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix, a comprehensive collection of games within the beloved series, has reached an impressive peak player count of 10,139 players in the last 24 hours. Even as of two hours before this article was written, over 8,000 players were actively immersed in the worlds of Kingdom Hearts. While it’s since dipped to third place on the charts, eclipsed by the recently released and well-received Mortal Shell II, this achievement marks a significant moment for the franchise.
[[MEDIA_0: Sora standing in front of a heartless]]
The last time Kingdom Hearts made such a splash on Steam was back in summer 2024 when Square Enix initially brought the games to the platform, reaching its all-time concurrent player peak of 11,152 players.
D23 Unveils Kingdom Hearts IV Gameplay
The renewed interest is undoubtedly fueled by the extended gameplay footage for Kingdom Hearts IV showcased at D23. The game made a prominent appearance in Disney’s Friday night showcase and again during the Deep Dive Into Kingdom Hearts panel on Saturday.
[[MEDIA_1: Sora using a smartphone in Quadratum]]
The trailer offered a glimpse into the Land of the Dead from Coco, where Sora will team up with Miguel and Hector to combat the Heartless. We also got an extended look at Quadratum, the realistic urban environment featured in previous trailers, showcasing Sora’s first-ever use of a smartphone.
A Glimpse Into the Future: KHIV Gameplay Highlights
One of the most exciting reveals was a special gameplay segment where players take control of King Mickey in a mission reminiscent of Paper Mario and Link Between Worlds. The trailer also confirmed that players will be able to play as Goofy and Donald, who are seemingly separated from Sora and desperately searching for him.
[[MEDIA_2: King Mickey taking control of gameplay]]
Nomura Confirms Release Window
In a rare public appearance, Tetsuya Nomura confirmed that Kingdom Hearts IV is slated for release in late 2027, reassuring fans that this date will not be delayed. “One last thing I wanted to share: we announced the game will come late 2027. Online, some people were saying the release date might get pushed back. I want to set the record straight: that is not happening,” Nomura stated.
Relive the Adventure
With a firm release date on the horizon, fans are revisiting Destiny Islands to refresh their memories and re-experience the magic of the series before diving into the latest installment. For those looking for a comprehensive recap of the story so far, IGN’s video explaining the lore of Kingdom Hearts in five minutes is an excellent resource, considering the depth and complexity of the narrative.
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
Comments
Be the first to comment.