Kingdom Hearts III
Oct 08, 2026 ~2 months
Kingdom Hearts III is the third main installment in the Kingdom Hearts series developed and published by Square Enix. It was initially released January 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. An expansion, Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind was released in January 2020. The story takes place after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. It features an older Sora as the main protagonist, who sets forth on a new adventure to search for seven guardians of light in an attempt to stop Xehanort from bringing about a second Keyblade War. Sora is joined by Donald Duck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Riku, Kairi, and others. Along the way, Sora travels to many worlds from Disney and Pixar intellectual properties, and cross paths with the real Organization XIII. Kingdom Hearts III features hack and slash combat reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts II, with elements from later handheld entries, allowing the player to control Sora in a party with Donald, Goofy, and up to two other Disney characters from the various worlds he visits. A major addition compared is the Formchange mechanic, which allows his currently equipped Keyblade to grant him special abilities and change shape. Sora can equip up to three Keyblades at a time, and cycle between them to use his abilities. Another addition is the Attractions mechanic, which occasionally allows Sora to summon and pilot a vehicle inspired by Disney theme park attractions. At certain points throughout the game, the player will be able to control other characters.
What it’s like
Kingdom Hearts III is a visually spectacular action-RPG that blends Disney and Pixar worlds with original fantasy lore. The experience centers on Sora’s journey to stop an impending war, emphasizing themes of friendship and light versus darkness. Combat is fast-paced hack-and-slash, modernized with fluid keyblade transformations and party-based synergy, offering satisfying mechanical depth without overwhelming complexity. Visually, the game is a triumph, rendering vibrant, faithful adaptations of beloved franchises with high-fidelity polish. While the narrative is emotionally resonant for long-time fans, it relies on dense, convoluted lore that may confuse newcomers. The structure mixes linear story beats with open-world exploration and repetitive side quests, creating a mixed bag in pacing. Ultimately, it is a love letter to its fanbase, prioritizing character moments and spectacle over narrative clarity or mechanical innovation.
Strong in Audio / MusicCharactersPolish / PerformanceVisuals / ArtAtmosphere / MoodCombatExploration / WorldGameplay / MechanicsStory / Narrative
Keep in mind The plot is notoriously convoluted and may alienate players unfamiliar with the series' extensive history. Side quests often feel repetitive and grindy, detracting from the main adventure's momentum.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from metacritic.com, gaming.net, opencritic.com, digitaltrends.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 25, 20198 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 29, 20198 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 30, 20215 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 08, 2026~2 months |
| PlayStation 5 | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 08, 2026~2 months |
| Xbox Series X|S | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 08, 2026~2 months |
