"Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Cancelled, Square Enix Focuses on Kingdom Hearts 4"

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the eagerly anticipated GPS-based action-RPG designed for mobile platforms, has been officially cancelled by Square Enix. However, fans of the Kingdom Hearts series can find solace in the confirmation that the development team is diligently working on Kingdom Hearts 4.

The now-cancelled Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link was set to immerse players in the enchanting realm of Scala ad Caelum, delivering a fresh, original storyline centered around the ongoing battle against the Heartless. The game was initially scheduled for a 2024 release.

In a heartfelt statement shared on the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix extended their apologies to the community, stating, "We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service." The statement further explained that despite their efforts to develop and refine the game to meet player expectations, they concluded that it would be challenging to provide a service that would satisfy players over an extended period. Unfortunately, the statement did not delve into the specific challenges faced 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 elaborated.

Square Enix also took the opportunity to express gratitude to those who participated in the multiple closed beta tests, acknowledging their support and assistance. "We are truly sorry to have to make this announcement," they concluded.

Despite the cancellation, 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 marks the first official update on Kingdom Hearts 4 in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite its reveal in September 2022 with a full cinematic trailer, Square Enix has maintained a low profile, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more information, in keeping with the series' tradition of suspense.

Tetsuya Nomura, the director of the Kingdom Hearts series, has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a significant shift, steering the narrative towards its conclusion after 22 years and 18 games.