Kingdom Hearts 4 will have fewer worlds, but each one will be more detailed

Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura has shared new details about Kingdom Hearts 4. According to the veteran developer, the upcoming installment will feature fewer worlds than usual, but each location will be far more detailed.

Speaking with Famitsu, Nomura stressed that the team deliberately took its time before revealing new in-game zones. Journalists also brought up the world based on the animated film Coco, which was showcased at D23. The director explained that this is just a fraction of the content they have prepared, though it was one of the very first universes the team started building.

The developers put a massive amount of focus on Coco's sprawling metropolis. It is being designed as a massive vertical sandbox with a heavy emphasis on exploration, allowing players to traverse up and down, interact with different attractions, and take in the views from high vantage points. This approach marks a significant departure from the franchise's traditional level design.

The release of Kingdom Hearts 4 is officially locked in for late 2027. Project leads confirmed that this launch window is final and the game will arrive without any delays. The title is being developed on Unreal Engine 5 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Previously, the intro cinematic for the canceled mobile spin-off Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link leaked online.

What matters more to you in Kingdom Hearts: the sheer number of worlds, or the depth and detail of each one?