Square Enix has announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the anticipated GPS-based action-RPG designed for mobile platforms. The game, which promised an original story set in the realm of Scala ad Caelum and a battle against the Heartless, was initially planned for release in 2024. However, an unsigned statement on the game's X/Twitter account expressed deep regret to fans eagerly awaiting its launch. The statement cited the difficulty in ensuring long-term player satisfaction as the primary reason for the cancellation, though it did not provide specific details on the challenges faced during development.
"We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service," the statement read. "Although we worked hard on developing and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time, leading us to the decision to cancel development."
The company extended gratitude to those who participated in the multiple closed beta tests and apologized for the disappointing news. Despite the setback, Square Enix reassured fans that the Kingdom Hearts series will continue, and confirmed they are "hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4," encouraging fans to stay tuned for further updates.
This mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 marks the first official update on the sequel in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Although unveiled with a cinematic trailer in September 2022, Square Enix has remained largely silent on the project, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more information. Series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a significant shift towards concluding the overarching narrative after 22 years and 18 games in the series.
