Well, well, well—look who’s finally decided to show up again.

After spending what feels like a small geological era in silence, Square Enix has emerged from its secret bunker to prove that yes, Kingdom Hearts 4 is still a real thing. Not a fever dream. Not a fan mod. An actual game. And they’ve brought receipts—actual in-game screenshots, not just the usual vague statements and CGI trailers designed to keep hope barely flickering.

The new screenshots, posted on the game’s social media like digital breadcrumbs tossed to starving fans, offer a proper peek at KH4’s progress: crisp graphics, a familiar HUD (because changing that would be heresy), and yes—King Mickey himself looking suspiciously like he’s ready to throw hands instead of just standing around giving pep talks. For the first time in the series, it seems you’ll be able to freely play as the pint-sized Disney royalty instead of waiting for Sora to collapse in battle like a tired Victorian child.

Now, this rare peek behind the development curtain wasn’t just randomly timed. It came hot on the heels of Square Enix officially pulling the plug on Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, that odd GPS-based mobile game no one asked for but someone probably spent money on. As if to apologise for the cancelled side dish, Square Enix followed it up with a piping hot main course teaser: a collection of actual screenshots from Kingdom Hearts 4.

To quote the devs:

“We’re currently working hard on Kingdom Hearts 4 and will continue pouring ourselves into the game’s development… we’re equally excited and can’t wait to share more when the time is right.”

Translation? “We’re still making it. Please don’t riot.”

Let’s be clear—this game’s been in the oven since September 2022, when it was first revealed with a flashy cinematic trailer that gave us more questions than answers (classic). Nearly three years on, we’ve had more silence than updates, leaving fans to spiral deeper into lore rabbit holes so convoluted they make Tenet look like Peppa Pig.

But now, at long last, the finish line feels… visible. Maybe. Kingdom Hearts 4 promises to finally, finally, wrap up a storyline that’s been running across 18 games. That’s not a typo. Eighteen. If the developers are to be believed, this might actually be the conclusion to the universe-spanning, keyblade-clashing, heart-metaphor-filled saga we’ve been chasing since 2002.

No word yet on a release date, of course—because this is Kingdom Hearts, and of course there isn’t—but for now, fans can take solace in knowing that it’s alive, breathing, and possibly letting you control Mickey Mouse in full.

And honestly, that’s enough magic to tide us over… until the next vague teaser in 2026.