Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the eagerly awaited GPS-based action-RPG for mobile devices. Despite this setback for fans, there's a silver lining as the developer confirmed they are still diligently working on Kingdom Hearts 4.
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was poised to immerse players in the enchanting world of Scala ad Caelum with a fresh, original storyline centered around the ongoing battle against the Heartless. The game was initially set for a 2024 release. However, Square Enix issued an unsigned statement on the game's X/Twitter account, expressing deep regret to fans who were anticipating its launch. The statement explained that the decision to cancel the project stemmed from the realization that it would be challenging to provide a service that could maintain long-term satisfaction among players. Unfortunately, the specifics of these challenges 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. 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 disappointing news about Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, Square Enix reassured fans that the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and they are actively developing Kingdom Hearts 4. They encouraged fans to stay tuned for further updates on the series.
This update marks the first official mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite being unveiled in September 2022 with a full cinematic trailer, Square Enix has kept a low profile since, 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 finally steer the narrative towards its conclusion after 22 years and an impressive 18 games, adding to the anticipation surrounding the sequel.
