Square Enix is bringing the beloved Kingdom Hearts series to Steam, allowing fans to experience the adventures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy on a new platform. Alongside this exciting announcement, a new trailer has been released, featuring a fresh rendition of the iconic song ‘Simple and Clean’. This move is sure to delight long-time fans and newcomers alike, as they embark on their journey across various Disney worlds with improved accessibility and a renewed soundtrack.
Square Enix has exciting news for Kingdom Hearts fans: the series will be released on Steam on June 13th. To celebrate this release, a new trailer has been unveiled featuring a brand-new recording of Hikaru Utada’s iconic song “Simple and Clean.” This announcement is sure to evoke nostalgia and excitement, especially for those who experienced the transformative impact of the first Kingdom Hearts trailer. Get ready to dive back into the magical adventures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy on a new platform.
The new trailer for Kingdom Hearts on Steam was cleverly crafted, showcasing snippets of the games in chronological order. This not only entices potential customers but also serves as a helpful reminder for returning fans about the order in which the games should be played.
Steam will offer three Kingdom Hearts titles: Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC. For added convenience, a bundle called Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece will be available, bundling all three games into one package.
Furthermore, those who purchase Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC will receive a special keyblade called “Dead of Night,” featuring a sleek design in Steam Logo blue and grey. Each game in the lineup is a collection of various Kingdom Hearts titles spanning multiple platforms and console generations.
The arrival of Kingdom Hearts on Steam isn’t a complete surprise, given that the games have already been accessible on PC through the Epic Games Store for some time. Steam’s inclusion is a natural progression, especially considering Square Enix’s broader strategy to expand its game library across various platforms. Traditionally, Kingdom Hearts has been associated with PlayStation consoles and handheld devices, with limited exposure on Nintendo DS and a recent introduction to Xbox in 2020. Nintendo’s cloud version of the games in 2022 received mixed reviews.
Coincidentally, the Steam launch is timed just a week before Summer Game Fest, where Geoff Keighley has hinted at possible Kingdom Hearts IV news. This strategic move not only introduces new players to the series but also generates excitement and anticipation for upcoming releases.
It’s quite amusing that while the Steam trailer presents the Kingdom Hearts games in chronological order, the actual bundled games don’t follow that sequence. To experience the narrative as laid out in the trailer, you’ll need to begin by watching Back Cover on Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8, then switch to Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 to play Birth By Sleep before returning to KH2.8 for Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage. Simple, right?
Speaking of “Simple and Clean,” Hikaru Utada’s new rendition of the iconic song deeply moved me. As a teenager, I wasn’t the biggest Disney enthusiast but was heavily into Japanese pop, visual kei (a Japanese glam metal variant), and Japanese rock. Hearing this fresh interpretation of a cherished song transported me back to both my 16-year-old and 36-year-old self, evoking nostalgic yet uplifting emotions.
It’s remarkable how something I’ve cherished, which has influenced my journey to where I am today, has matured alongside me without losing its essence. Revisiting these “simple and clean” games, some familiar and some new, I hope to confront past disappointments and rediscover the sanctuary that held so much meaning for me.
