MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Square Enix has finally given Kingdom Hearts 3 a vague release date, four years after its initial announcement.
The publisher unveiled a new trailer at Disney’s fan convention D23 Expo this weekend and announced a 2018 release date. The trailer also tells us more about the setting of this new entry, which is going to take place in the Toy Story universe.
Kingdom Hearts 3 will see the franchise’s main characters Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy join forces with Toy Story’s heroes Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Rex and Sarge to investigate the disappearance of the other toys.
Kingdom Hearts’ director Tetsuya Nomura commented: At long last, we are excited to open up the Kingdom Hearts universe to include the world of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story. I’m sure fans have been anticipating the inclusion of this world for many years. The narrative will be an original story exclusive toKingdom Hearts 3, and the gameplay will feel characteristic of the Toy Story style and aesthetic. Please stay tuned for more details to be revealed soon.”
Pixar Animation Studios’ story supervisor Jason Katz added: Featuring a brand new storyline that brings together beloved Toy Story friends with the heroes of Kingdom Hearts, the Toy Story world inKingdom Hearts 3successfully mirrors the level of quality that we strive to achieve with every Pixar film. Kingdom Hearts 3will undoubtedly be an experience that fans will not want to miss.”
Speaking to IGN, Nomura also hinted at the possibility of having a new playable character, in addition to Sora: "So it would be tough to introduce many, multiple playable characters, but there is an intention of adding a playable character aside from Sora. Unfortunately we’re not able to disclose who it is yet, but there will be [another playable character]," he said.
Earlier this year, Square Enix said Kingdom Hearts 3 still had "a long way to go" before being released. The title is due on PS4 and Xbox One and was announced as far back as 2013.
You can watch Kingdom Hearts 3’s new trailer below:
