Kingdom Hearts
News, coverage and analysis tracking Kingdom Hearts across the outlets.- Vampire Crawlers Theme Song by Yoko Shimomura Revealed Ahead of LaunchDeveloper poncle has revealed that Yoko Shimomura, known for her work on Kingdom Hearts, composed the main theme song for the upcoming Vampire Survivors spinoff, Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard. The game is a roguelike deckbuilder featuring turn-based combat and dungeon exploration, set to launch on April 21, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and later for iOS and Android. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Alabaster Dawn Enters Early Access on May 7thAlabaster Dawn, the next action RPG from CrossCode developer Radical Fish Games, will launch into Early Access on PC on May 7th. The game features a 2.5D art style, combining puzzle-solving, boss battles, and town restoration with combat inspired by CrossCode, Kingdom Hearts, and Devil May Cry. Early Access is expected to offer 30 to 60 hours of gameplay.
BAFTA to honour Supercell CEO with FellowshipSupercell CEO and co-founder Ilkka Paananen will receive a BAFTA Fellowship for his leadership and impact on the mobile gaming industry, particularly for titles like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars. Paananen also contributes as an investor and mentor through his organizations, supporting social impact and education. The award ceremony will take place at the BAFTA Game Awards.
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and other celebs name their favourite video gamesSeveral Hollywood celebrities, including Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Chris Pratt, have shared their favorite video games in a compilation video. While some named classic titles like Super Mario Bros. and Pitfall!, others highlighted more recent or niche games such as Returnal and Civilization 6.
Opinion: I Played Kingdom Hearts for the Very First Time, Here's What I Liked and What I Didn'tA first-time player shares their experience with the original Kingdom Hearts, highlighting the nostalgic appeal of Disney worlds and characters as a major positive. Criticisms include the repetitive Gummi Ship segments, a frustrating Ursula boss fight, and concerns about the series' notoriously convoluted story.- Feature: I Played Kingdom Hearts for the Very First Time, Here's What I Liked and What I Didn'tThe author shares their first experience playing the original Kingdom Hearts, finding enjoyment in the Disney crossovers and the game's relatively straightforward nature. However, they express dislike for the Gummi Ship segments and the boss fight against Ursula, while also voicing concern about the series' notoriously convoluted story.
- Kingdom Hearts March Caprice 2026 Concert Soirée Features Fan-Led Arrangements and CoversThe annual online Kingdom Hearts fan convention, March Caprice, featured its sixth event, including the return of the Concert Soirée. This fan-driven compilation of musical covers for the franchise is now available on YouTube and will be added to services like Spotify and Apple Music. The article also briefly mentions new Kingdom Hearts artwork, the upcoming Kingdom Hearts IV, and the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link.
- Square Enix Shares New Artwork of Young Xehanort for Kingdom Hearts 24th AnniversarySquare Enix shared new artwork of a young Xehanort to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Kingdom Hearts series. The artwork was released as part of the ongoing anniversary festivities.
Square Enix Shares New Artwork of Young Xehanort for Kingdom Hearts 24th AnniversaryThe author expresses a preference for Kingdom Hearts to move away from newer Disney properties, suggesting a return to the surreal and mysterious atmosphere found in the original game's worlds. They specifically mention missing the unique feel of Traverse Town, End of the World, and Hollow Bastion.
As the Series Turns 24, Fans Are Asked to Wait One More Year for a Kingdom Hearts 4 UpdateFans are anticipating an update on Kingdom Hearts 4, which was announced nearly four years ago, with director Tetsuya Nomura stating that the team is working towards the 25th anniversary. While development is steadily progressing, a significant update is not expected for about another year. The franchise recently celebrated its 24th anniversary with new artwork.
Tetsuya Nomura Teased Kingdom Hearts 25th Anniversary Prep in New ArtSquare Enix celebrated the 24th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts with new art from series creator Tetsuya Nomura, which hinted at preparations for the 25th anniversary on March 28, 2027. While no other announcements were made, the art featured a character that could be Yozora, Riku, or Xehanort. The article also briefly mentions the status of Kingdom Hearts 4 and the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link.
As Kingdom Hearts 4 fans eagerly await an update, director Tetsuya Nomura celebrates the classic JRPG's 24th anniversary by telling everyone to check in next yearTetsuya Nomura, director of the Kingdom Hearts series, celebrated the 24th anniversary of the original game by stating that fans should check back next year for updates, likely regarding Kingdom Hearts 4. New artwork was released, depicting Young Xehanort. Square Enix is reportedly working towards the 25th anniversary.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Team is Working Towards Series’ 25th Anniversary, Fans Panic Over No News in 2026Kingdom Hearts game director Tetsuya Nomura stated that the team is working hard towards the series' 25th anniversary in 2027, implying that Kingdom Hearts 4 news might not arrive until then. This has caused some fans to express concern over the lack of communication regarding the sequel's development, though Nomura previously mentioned that progress is going well.
Tetsuya Nomura posts new art for Kingdom Hearts 24th anniversaryTetsuya Nomura has shared new Kingdom Hearts artwork to commemorate the series' 24th anniversary. Nomura, working at Square Enix, also indicated that the team is actively preparing for the 25th anniversary next year and expressed gratitude for fan support.- Kingdom Hearts 24th Anniversary Artwork Revealed, Featuring Young XehanortSquare Enix celebrated the 24th anniversary of the Kingdom Hearts franchise with new artwork by Tetsuya Nomura, featuring Young Xehanort. The artwork is similar to one released in 2022, and the team thanked fans for their support. The article also briefly mentions the status of Kingdom Hearts IV and the setting of Quadratum, noting that Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link has been canceled.
Subciety Selling Kingdom Hearts ClothingSubciety, a brand under M-Trading, is releasing a new line of Kingdom Hearts apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, caps, and tote bags featuring characters like Sora and the Heartless. Pre-orders will open on March 25, 2026, with deliveries expected in late May 2026. This merchandise expands the growing list of Kingdom Hearts-themed items from companies outside of Square Enix.
Study Finds RPGs Trigger Strongest Post-Game Depression - GameHauntA study published in Current Psychology indicates that players of role-playing games experience the most intense post-game depression. Research involving 373 participants found that deep character bonds and long playtimes in story-heavy titles like Kingdom Hearts and Red Dead Redemption II contribute to stronger feelings of sadness and emptiness after completion. The study identified four key signs of this phenomenon, termed P-DGS, including persistent rumination, media anhedonia, difficulty saying goodbye to characters, and the urge to immediately replay the game.
Square Enix Pop-Up Store Appears in Narita AirportSquare Enix is opening a limited-time pop-up store in Terminal 2 of Narita Airport from April 3 to September 27, 2026. The store will feature merchandise from popular franchises including Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and NieR, with special pilot-themed designs.- Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura discuss the game, coffee, and more – TouchArcadeCreative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura discuss the upcoming action RPG Reynatis. They touch on inspirations, development challenges including the pandemic, collaborations with Square Enix, and the game's themes. The interview also covers their personal gaming experiences and preferences.
Resident Evil Requiem fans are taking a break from thirsting over Leon Kennedy to imagine all of the quips he'd say…Fans of Resident Evil are imagining humorous quips Leon Kennedy might make if placed in other game universes, such as Metal Gear Solid, Pokémon, Dark Souls, Kingdom Hearts, and Donkey Kong. The article highlights Leon's character as a blend of horror, action, and dad jokes.