Summary
Two years after the reveal ofKingdom Hearts 4, there is still no sign of the next chapter in Disney and Square Enix’s action-RPG franchise. Revealed as part of the series’ 20th anniversary celebration, this game is set to bringKingdom Heartsinto the Lost Master Arc after its entire run had previously been spent in the Dark Seeker Saga. WhateverKingdom Hearts 4brings will be a big deal inside and out of its universe, and fans are eager to reach it quickly after the infamously long wait betweenKingdom Hearts 2and3.
It’s unclear whenKingdom Hearts 4will show up next, and there are a number of factors, such as the approaching launch ofKingdom Hearts Missing-LinkandKH4starting development during the COVID-19 pandemic, that could hold it off even further. There is a case to be made thatKingdom Hearts 4might reappear in 2024, but with hardly a word about it in the lead-up, that would come as a shock. Despite the uncertainty involved, however, there are plenty of reasons to suggest thatKingdom Hearts 4is making the right move by staying silent.
Kingdom Hearts Fans Are Well-Equipped To Wait For KH4
This is not the first time that theKingdom Heartsfanbase has been kept waiting for a new game, and the latest example is still fresh in many players’ minds.Kingdom Hearts 3was announced in 2013at the Sony E3 conference, and took until 2019 to come out. Even director Tetsuya Nomura admitted that the game was announced too early, butKH3made things even worse by staying in the conversation through almost-annual trailers, ramping up into a deluge of spoiler-filled marketing once the game was almost done. IfKingdom Heartsfans can stay loyal through that, then there isn’t muchKH4can do that will lose their interest.
Kingdom Heart Missing-Link Offers A Diversion Before Kingdom Hearts 4
Besides, there are plenty ofKingdom Heartsgames to revisit in the meantime, with most available in modern collections. Another newKingdom Heartstitle is also on its way, that beingKingdom Hearts Missing-Link. Judging by its ongoing beta tests,Missing-Linkwill probably be released before the end of 2024, and can do more than just keep the IP active.Missing-Link’s fan-service-laden action combatand likely bridge betweenKingdom Hearts Union CrossandDark Road’s stories should attract plenty of fan attention, and there’s no telling what revelations about Scala ad Caelum or Sigurd could be relevant toKingdom Hearts 4.
Letting Kingdom Hearts 4 Take Its Time Has Great Benefits
Not only is theKingdom Heartscommunity prepared for more silence onKingdom Hearts 4’s front, the game itself should also be busy preparing for when it’s time to break that silence. There were various problems inKingdom Hearts 3that should be addressed byKH4, and if the game needs more time to do that, then it should have that time. As this is a transitional period for the franchise, it’s inKingdom Hearts 4’s best interest to be the best soft reset point possible to attract plenty of newcomers.
Revealing Kingdom Hearts 4 Near Its Launch Would Be Ideal
KH4’s aging reveal trailer can’t be taken back, but that won’t be an obstacle to the game’s reception if it handles things right. As previously mentioned,Kingdom Hearts 3was infamously revealed early and then over-marketed, so it would be best ifKingdom Hearts 4downplays the former and avoids the latter. Something closer to the surprisingly short time betweenFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s debut and launch would be ideal. IfKingdom Hearts 4waits for the right moment to break its silence, it should still have its old fans in its corner as it shows its best to potential new ones.
