Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, a mobile game that had been in development since 2019. While the news may come as a shock to some, it's worth noting that this isn't the first time Square Enix has pulled the plug on a project. The game underwent multiple closed beta tests on both Android and iOS, and the team even shared updates on X in November 2024 about delays. Participants in the closed beta tests were surprised, given the game's advanced stage of development.
Why Did Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Get Cancelled?
The development team cited the inability to envision a sustainable path forward that would meet player expectations as the primary reason for the cancellation. The game was envisioned as a live-service experience, but the team struggled to execute it to the desired standard. Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was meant to be a unique GPS-based spinoff, allowing players to explore the world and engage in battles against Heartless using their keyblades, set within a forgotten chapter of the Kingdom Hearts saga. Despite the franchise's global popularity, the concept did not translate well in practice. Square Enix decided it was better to cancel the project rather than release a subpar product, choosing instead to redirect their focus.
For those curious about what Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link could have been, you can view the teaser trailer here:
But Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still Coming!
With Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link out of the picture, Square Enix is now fully concentrating on Kingdom Hearts IV. Announced during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022, the game has been quietly progressing. Fans disappointed by the cancellation of Missing-Link can take solace in knowing that the main series remains a priority and is actively being developed.
That concludes our coverage on the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link. Stay tuned for our next article on Plug In Digital's digital version of the popular board game Abalone.
