Square Enix announces that the studio will be releasing Kingdom Hearts Unchained X this week for those playing on iOS and Android devices in North America.

Kingdom Hearts fans in North America have been kept in the dark about when Kingdom Hearts Unchained X, Square Enix's newest mobile entry for the franchise, would be coming to the region. The eighth installment to the popular franchise has been available in Japan since September, and while we knew a North American release was coming, the specific date has been kept firmly under wraps by Square Enix prior to this week.

Now, video game director Tetsuya Nomura has revealed that the game will launch for both iOS and Android devices as soon as this Thursday, April 7th.

The title will be accessible for gamers new to the series, since Kingdom Hearts Unchained X is a prologue taking place prior to the the original Kingdom Hearts, and will introduce players to the world that the studio has been painstakingly creating since 2002. It will take place in an era before the Keyblade War, and will allow gamers to design their own avatar, who will be one of many keyblade wielders roaming the world.

Meanwhile, game includes references and portions dedicated to Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth By Sleep - A Fragmentary Passage, and Kingdom Hearts X Back Cover, the latter of which is a one hour cinematic piece depicted from the perspective of the foretellers. According to Nomura, while Unchained X is a complete prologue, the three title tie-ins are all individually linked to sections from the upcoming Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. Earlier, Nomura had also revealed that bits from that game would also feature gameplay from Kingdom Hearts 3.

As seems to be the norm with mobile titles, players will be able to customize their avatar with a variety of clothing options, many of which are derived from previous Kingdom Hearts titles. Nomura recommends mixing the Dream Drop Distance version of "The World Ends With You" Neku and the black coat of Organization XIII, in particular. The game doesn't scream 'microtransactions', so it looks like players will be able to easily avoid spending $7,000 on the game.

The title is already out in Japan, where is available for free on mobile devices. While Square Enix hasn't confirmed the price for the North American release, one has to guess that it will follow suit as a free title.

Kingdom Hearts Unchained X will be available for iOs and Android devices on April 7th, 2016.

Do you plan on downloading the game when it comes out, Ranters?

Source: Square Enix