The Kingdom Hearts series has been around for many years. The original was released in 2002 and since that point, has touched the hearts of many. With Kingdom Hearts 3 releasing in 2019, many are awaiting the launch of Kingdom Hearts 4.
While many wait for that next adventure, the series finds a new home on Steam!
The Gates Open
Square Enix said the following in an official press release covering this reveal;
SQUARE ENIX® announced today that the beloved KINGDOM HEARTS series is coming to Steam® on June 13, 2024*. Steam users can join Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy for the first time to play through two sensational KINGDOM HEARTS collections along with the critically acclaimed KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC), altogether delivering hundreds of hours of content across 10 magical experiences that make up the “Dark Seeker Saga.”
Included in this new release on Steam, are updated visuals for the HD Collections and a new Keyblade for Kingdom Hearts 3.
New to the Steam release of this title, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX will feature textural updates to its graphics. Users who purchase KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC) will also receive the new platform exclusive Keyblade “Dead of Night.”
Kingdom Hearts 4 Information
Tucked away in this press release is some information surrounding the announced Kingdom Hearts 4.
KINGDOM HEARTS IV, the next mainline entry in the series, is currently in development for console devices, and the back catalog of KINGDOM HEARTS titles will launch on Steam on June 13, 2024.
When the game was originally announced, no mention of what platforms the game was coming to was made.
Rumors
This supports rumors of the series continuing its multiplatform push, with Final Weapon reporting the following;
Midori is best known for her reporting on SEGA, with her previously confirming that the Jet Set Radio title showcased at The Game Awards 2023 would land on next-generation Nintendo hardware. She backed this up multiple times, stating, “Every Atlus and Sega remake is also releasing on Switch 2.” Besides her comments on JSR, Midori has an extensive track record with SEGA/Atlus titles.
Closing Thoughts
Being a fan of this series, I am excited to see it land on more platforms. Specifically, the series coming to Steam is important. In the PC space, it’s the defacto launcher, and having your game on that ensures plenty of sales.
It also continues a strategy the franchise has always done; release collections and ports on new platforms while the main team chips away at the big release. This has been the case since the PlayStation 3 generation and it has worked out for them.
Square Enix making this announcement now, instead of the June is a curious one. Could a re-reveal of Kingdom Hearts 4 be made during the Summer Games Fest? Or even on Xbox’s stage during the Xbox Games Showcase? We shall see.
