Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the anticipated GPS-based action-RPG for mobile devices. Despite this setback, fans of the franchise have a silver lining to hold onto: the developer confirmed that they are diligently working on Kingdom Hearts 4.
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was set to transport players to the mystical realm of Scala ad Caelum, engaging in a fresh narrative within the ongoing battle against the Heartless. Originally scheduled for a 2024 release, the game promised an exciting new chapter in the Kingdom Hearts saga.
In an unsigned statement shared on the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix expressed their deep regret to fans eagerly awaiting the launch. "We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service," the statement read. The decision to cancel stemmed from the realization that delivering a long-term satisfying service would be challenging. Unfortunately, the statement did not provide further details on the specific issues encountered during development.
"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 statement continued. Square Enix also extended gratitude to those who participated in the multiple closed beta tests and reiterated their apologies for the cancellation.
Despite the disappointment, Square Enix reassured fans that the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and hinted at their ongoing efforts with Kingdom Hearts 4. They encouraged fans to keep an eye out for future updates on the series.
This mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 is the first substantial update fans have received in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite the game being unveiled with a full cinematic trailer in September 2022, Square Enix has maintained a low profile since, leaving fans yearning for more information, in line with the series' tradition.
Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the Kingdom Hearts series, has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a significant turning point. After 22 years and 18 games, this installment is poised to steer the narrative towards its long-awaited conclusion.
