With the release of ‘Kingdom Hearts III,’ many thought Square-Enix would let a saga filled with intricate plotlines, unfinished stories, and endless expansion rest. But to their dismay, the following year brought ‘Melody of Memory,’ a musical game summarizing the franchise’s last twenty years. It hinted at what was to come because, indeed, it’s not over yet.
Four more years
It’s been four years without a ‘Kingdom Hearts’ game, the longest gap in the saga’s history. Many assumed the break would last longer before the series resurfaced in some way. However, Square-Enix has finally announced that ‘Missing-Link,’ the new installment in the series for mobile phones, will be released in 2024 for iOS and Android.
‘Missing-Link’ is actually a prequel that takes place between ‘Union X’ and ‘Dark Road’—a sort of coffee for the most dedicated fans. As the trailer announces, this is a new adventure from a previously unknown era for fans. Of course, it will be filled – at least in battles – with familiar Disney characters from the franchise, such as Winnie The Pooh, Pinocchio, Mickey, Aladdin, Woody, Tinker Bell, or Rapunzel.
In this case, the protagonist will explore “Stairway to Heaven,” a location that appeared in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ and was supposedly once the seat of power for all Keyblade wielders. Little else is known about the game, apart from the fact that it is indeed a mobile exclusive, which might discourage some of the franchise’s more traditional fans.
On the (very, very distant) horizon, we have ‘Kingdom Hearts IV,’ which will mark the beginning of a new arc, the one involving the Lost Master. Hopefully, it will welcome new players. Despite our denial, the saga in recent years has become a treehouse for those who know everything about Sora, Keyblades, Xehanort, and company. A facelift wouldn’t hurt… even if it’s 14 years away, similar to the gap between the second and third installments. Donald can wait.
