In a disappointing turn of events for fans, Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the anticipated GPS-based action-RPG designed for mobile platforms. The game, which promised to transport players to the mystical realm of Scala ad Caelum and feature a new, original storyline in the ongoing battle against the Heartless, was set to launch in 2024. However, through an unsigned statement shared on the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix expressed deep regret over the decision, stating that despite their efforts, "it would be difficult [...] to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time." The specifics behind this difficulty were not detailed in the announcement.
"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. We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to everyone who gave us their support and assistance with the multiple closed beta tests. We are truly sorry to have to make this announcement."
Despite the setback, there's a silver lining for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts. Square Enix concluded their statement on a hopeful note, reaffirming their commitment to the series by confirming that they are "hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4," and encouraged fans to stay tuned for further updates on the franchise's future.
This mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 marks the first official update on the sequel in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite its reveal in September 2022 with a full cinematic trailer, developer Square Enix has maintained a low profile on the project, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more information, in keeping with the series' tradition of leaving fans pining for more.
Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a significant shift in the franchise's narrative. After 22 years and an impressive 18 games, Nomura suggests that this upcoming installment will finally steer the Kingdom Hearts story towards its much-anticipated conclusion.
