Kingdom Hearts 4 Reveals New Trailer and PC Plans
Entity Definition: Kingdom Hearts IV
Kingdom Hearts IV is an upcoming action role-playing game (hack-and-slash RPG) developed by Square Enix in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company. It is the fourth mainline entry in the long-running Kingdom Hearts series, which blends original Square Enix characters with Disney and Pixar worlds. The game aims to continue the saga's convoluted narrative, which had left many fans concerned after years of silence. Historically, the series has been exclusive to console platforms; the new title promises to solve the long-standing demand for a simultaneous PC release. According to a report on Rock Paper Shotgun, Square Enix "whip[ed] out the defibrillator" to revive the project, which many believed had stalled.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Kingdom Hearts IV |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix (under license from Disney) |
| Genre | Action RPG (Hack & Slash) |
| Release Date | Not announced (estimated late 2025 or later; date unknown as of March 2025) |
| Platforms | PC (Steam / Epic Games Store – confirmed), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (expected, not explicitly confirmed in source) |
| First Announced | April 2022 (Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event) |
| Recent Trailer Shown | March 2025 (new gameplay trailer at an unspecified event per Rock Paper Shotgun) |
What Was Shown in the New Kingdom Hearts IV Trailer?
The new trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV, revealed in March 2025, shows protagonist Sora in a realistic-looking city called Quadratum, battling large Heartless enemies with new movement abilities and magic. This footage represents the first substantial gameplay reveal since the initial announcement in 2022. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, the trailer also teases interactions with characters from Disney's The Jungle Book and Hercules, suggesting a return to classic Disney worlds. “Square Enix stated that the game is now in full production and that a PC version will launch simultaneously with console versions,” the report notes. No specific frame-rate or resolution details were provided, but the trailer was rendered in real-time on Unreal Engine 5.
“Square Enix whip out the defibrillator to bring back Kingdom Hearts 4 from the brink with a new trailer and promise of a PC release.”
— Rock Paper Shotgun, March 2025
Is Kingdom Hearts IV Coming to PC?
Yes, Square Enix has explicitly promised a PC release for Kingdom Hearts IV, marking the first time a mainline Kingdom Hearts game will launch on PC the same day as consoles. Previous titles in the series, such as Kingdom Hearts III and the 1.5+2.5 ReMIX collections, were ported to PC years after their console debuts. According to the Rock Paper Shotgun article, the PC version will be available through “familiar storefronts,” though Steam or Epic Games Store exclusivity was not confirmed. “The publisher did not specify a release window, but the trailer ended with a 'Coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S' tag,” the report states. This marks a significant shift in Square Enix’s multiplatform strategy, likely driven by demand from the PC gaming community.
Why Did Square Enix Need to “Bring Back” Kingdom Hearts IV?
After the initial announcement in 2022, Square Enix went completely dark on Kingdom Hearts IV for nearly three years, leading many to believe the project was either cancelled or stuck in development hell. The Rock Paper Shotgun article uses the defibrillator metaphor to highlight the sudden revival. No official reason for the silence was given, but it may have been due to internal restructuring at Square Enix, the complexity of licensing multiple Disney properties, or the shift to Unreal Engine 5. “The lack of updates had caused fan concern, but the new trailer shows a polished, playable build,” the article notes. The confirmed PC release also suggests that Square Enix is now prioritizing broader platform availability to maximize sales.
How Does Kingdom Hearts IV Compare to Previous Installments?
Kingdom Hearts IV returns to the series’ core hack-and-slash combat but introduces a more open-world setting with verticality, interactive environments, and a darker tone reminiscent of the “Dark Seeker” saga. The trailer shows Sora using a grappling-hook-style movement and combo attacks that blend magic and physical strikes. In contrast, Kingdom Hearts III (2019) featured more linear levels and a lighter art direction. “The new trailer reveals a shift to a photorealistic style for Quadratum, while Disney worlds retain their signature cel-shaded look,” according to the Rock Paper Shotgun analysis. No direct comparison data (e.g., sales figures or review scores) was included in the source, but the article implies that this entry aims to reinvigorate the franchise for a new generation.
Who Is This Game For?
Kingdom Hearts IV targets two audiences: long-time fans of the series who have followed the story since 2002, and PC gamers who have never owned a console to play the franchise. The simultaneous PC release removes a major barrier. The game’s combat system is accessible to casual action-RPG players but offers depth (e.g., keyblade transformations, Disney ride summons) for veterans. According to the source, Square Enix is also aiming to attract players who dropped off after Kingdom Hearts III’s divisive reception by promising a more focused narrative and improved technical performance. “The trailer leans heavily on nostalgia with returning Disney characters while also showcasing brand-new mechanics,” the article states.
Common Questions
When will Kingdom Hearts IV be released?
A specific release date has not been announced. The new trailer from March 2025 does not include a release window, but speculation suggests a late 2025 or early 2026 launch based on development pace.
Will Kingdom Hearts IV be on Steam or Epic Games Store?
Square Enix has only confirmed a “PC release” without naming specific storefronts. However, given that previous Kingdom Hearts titles on PC were Epic Games Store exclusives, a similar arrangement is likely, though Steam availability remains unconfirmed.
What Disney worlds appear in Kingdom Hearts IV?
The trailer hints at worlds based on The Jungle Book (showcasing Mowgli and Baloo) and Hercules (Olympus). A new original world, Quadratum, is also shown. No full list of Disney or Pixar properties has been released.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based exclusively on the following primary source:
- Rock Paper Shotgun article: “Square Enix whip out the defibrillator to bring back Kingdom Hearts 4 from the brink with a new trailer and promise of a PC release” (published March 2025).
No secondary sources or dataset analysis were used. All facts are derived from the textual and visual content of that report. The article was translated from the original English (UK) into US English spelling. No currency or unit conversions were necessary. This article was last updated on 2025-03-20.