"Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Mobile Game Cancelled; Square Enix Focuses on Kingdom Hearts 4"

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the GPS-based action-RPG for mobile, has been cancelled — but it’s not all bad news for Kingdom Hearts fans, as Square Enix confirmed it is still "hard at work" on Kingdom Hearts 4.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was set to take players to the realm of Scala ad Caelum in a fresh, original story featuring the ongoing battle against the Heartless on mobile, with an original release window of 2024.

However, in an unsigned statement posted to the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix expressed "heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward" to it, citing that it was "determined that it would be difficult [...] to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time." The statement did not specify the exact challenges faced.

"We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service," the statement said. "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."

Right at the end of the statement, however, Square Enix assured fans the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and hinted "we are hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4, and hope you'll continue to support the series as you keep an eye out for further updates."

This is the first official mention of the highly-anticipated sequel fans have received in months, the last being a tiny, cryptic tease for Kingdom Hearts 4 back in January. Despite being revealed in September 2022 with a full cinematic trailer, developer Square Enix has since fallen silent, and, in series tradition, left fans pining for more.

Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura has however hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will, after 22 years and a whopping 18 games, finally shift the Kingdom Hearts narrative towards its conclusion.