Kingdom Hearts IV development update reveals new screenshots and confirms continued progress

Square Enix has provided a fresh development update on Kingdom Hearts IV, accompanied by a new batch of official screenshots posted to the franchise’s English and Japanese Kingdom Hearts X accounts on 14 May 2025.

The images feature both cinematic and action elements. While the large header screenshot shows protagonist Sora in battle, the smaller visuals include what appear to be cutscenes, an enemy encounter, and a potentially playable Mickey Mouse — although this could also be an unconventional camera angle.

In a message released alongside the screenshots, the development team wrote, “We're currently working hard on Kingdom Hearts IV and will continue pouring ourselves into the game's development. We're dedicated to making this an experience that lives up to your expectations.” A follow-up post added, “We are equally excited and can't wait to share more about Kingdom Hearts IV when the time is right. Until then, we appreciate your patience.”

Kingdom Hearts IV was originally revealed in April 2022 through a trailer marking the franchise’s 20th anniversary. Since then, information has been limited, aside from an exclusive interview with Game Informer two months after the reveal. Directed by series creator Tetsuya Nomura, the title follows Kingdom Hearts III, which released in 2019 and earned widespread critical acclaim.

A release date for Kingdom Hearts IV has yet to be announced.