Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the anticipated GPS-based action-RPG designed for mobile devices. The game was set to introduce players to the realm of Scala ad Caelum with a fresh narrative centered around the ongoing battle against the Heartless, and was initially scheduled for a 2024 release. However, in a heartfelt statement shared via the game's X/Twitter account, the company expressed deep regret to fans eagerly awaiting its launch. The statement cited challenges in delivering a service that would meet player expectations over an extended period as the reason behind the cancellation, though specifics were not disclosed.
"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."
Square Enix extended gratitude to those who participated in the multiple closed beta tests and reiterated their commitment to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. The statement concluded on an optimistic note, affirming that "the Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and announced that the team is "hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4," encouraging fans to stay tuned for further updates.
This update marks the first official mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 in months, following a small, enigmatic tease back in January. Despite its reveal in September 2022 with a cinematic trailer, developer Square Enix has maintained a low profile on the project, leaving fans eager for more information in typical Kingdom Hearts fashion.
Series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a significant shift in the franchise's narrative, aiming to steer the story towards its conclusion after 22 years and 18 games.
