During the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022, Square Enix and Disney revealed Kingdom Hearts 4 with exciting new footage of Sora continuing his journey after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3. While updates have been scarce since the announcement, recent screenshots confirm the game's development is progressing.
Kingdom Hearts Series Comes to Steam
To satisfy fans awaiting Kingdom Hearts 4, Square Enix launched nearly the entire franchise on Steam on June 13, 2024. The collection includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, Kingdom Hearts III with Re Mind DLC, and Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece – previously only available via cloud streaming on Nintendo Switch.
While we anticipate more news about Kingdom Hearts 4, here's a guide to experiencing the complex Kingdom Hearts saga in chronological order. This timeline clarifies the world's history, Sora's destiny as the Keyblade wielder, and Master Xehanort's relentless efforts to spread darkness – culminating in the Dark Seeker Saga.
Navigating the expansive Kingdom Hearts universe can be daunting, but this comprehensive guide breaks down all 13 games in the series, including their chronological placement and significance to the overall narrative.
The Complete Kingdom Hearts Experience
The franchise spans multiple platforms from PS2 to mobile devices, with each installment contributing crucial pieces to the intricate storyline. From the ancient Keyblade War in Kingdom Hearts χ to Sora's latest adventures, here's your definitive roadmap through this beloved action-RPG series.
For newcomers, we recommend starting with Kingdom Hearts 2 - its opening segments provide a perfect story primer through Roxas's memories, while offering refined gameplay mechanics that improve upon the original.
Essential Chronological Entry Points
Our chronological guide begins with the prequel era, exploring ancient events that shaped the Kingdom Hearts universe.
From the mobile-exclusive Kingdom Hearts Union χ (set centuries before the main series) to the deep character backstories in Birth by Sleep, this ordering reveals the full context behind Sora's journey and the recurring conflict between light and darkness.
What's Next for the Series?
While Square Enix remains quiet about Kingdom Hearts 4's development, the recent screenshots suggest progress continues. The next chapter may introduce new worlds and gameplay elements while concluding lingering story threads from previous installments.
In the meantime, Steam users can now experience Sora's complete adventure, and fans can revisit this guide to appreciate the series' rich lore and character connections.
