Kingdom Hearts 4: doubling playtime and new storylines
Intelligence Summary
- Discover the details on Kingdom Hearts 4, including its expected playtime and new characters like the Dandelion group.
In short
- Kingdom Hearts 4 is expected to be about twice as long as Kingdom Hearts 3, with a script that has also doubled in size.
- Sora meets a new group of Keyblade wielders, the Dandelion, who work for the government of Quadratum.
- Kingdom Hearts 4’s total playtime could reach up to 80 hours, although that estimate is uncertain.
GAME-scanner analysis
The announcement that Kingdom Hearts 4 may be twice as long as its predecessor, Kingdom Hearts 3, is a significant development for the franchise. Kingdom Hearts 3 had an average playtime of 30-40 hours, which means players can prepare for a much deeper and more expansive experience. This could also mean the narrative elements and cutscenes will be more extensive and complex, increasing player engagement. The addition of the Dandelion group introduces new dynamics and storylines that could further enrich the series’ lore.
What does this mean for players?
For fans of the series, this longer runtime means they can look forward to a more immersive experience with more content and potentially deeper storylines. Interacting with the Dandelion group may also bring new gameplay elements and challenges, which could improve the overall experience. However, players should keep in mind the uncertainty around how this expansion will affect the actual playtime, since a longer script does not always translate into a longer game.
Timeline
2026-08-26: Announcement of the doubled playtime and script length during an interview with Tetsuya Nomura and Tai Yasue.
2026-08-27: More details on Kingdom Hearts 4 are expected, including gameplay insights and new world information.
2027: Expected release date for Kingdom Hearts 4.
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Sources
Tweet van @famitsuTweet van @famitsuSquare Enix has revealed even more details about Kingdom Hearts 4 , following its debut of the new world coco at the recent D23 festivities. Broadly speaking, fans should expect Kingdom Hearts 4 to be roughly twice the length of Kingdom Hearts 3, although whether or not that adds to the overarching playtime remains to be seen. KH3 takes 30-40 or so hours to bea t, not to mention the Re:Mind DLC, so that could mean KH4 is close to 80 hours (this interpretation of length is unlikely, though).