"Square Enix Cancels Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link!"

Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, a decision that, while shocking to some, was not entirely unexpected given the company's history of game cancellations. The project, in development since 2019, had undergone multiple closed beta tests on both Android and iOS platforms. The latest update about a delay came in November 2024, which left participants of the closed beta test surprised as it indicated deep progress in development.

Why Did Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Get Cancelled?

The development team cited their inability to find a viable path that would meet player expectations in the long term as the reason for cancellation. Missing-Link was intended to be a unique live-service game, incorporating GPS technology to let players explore the world and engage in battles with Heartless using their keyblades. Set in a forgotten chapter of the Kingdom Hearts saga, the concept stirred curiosity about its innovative GPS features. Despite the franchise's global popularity, the practical execution of the idea proved challenging, leading Square Enix to halt the project rather than release a substandard product.

For those who missed out on what Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was meant to offer, here's a teaser trailer that provides a glimpse into what could have been:

But Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still Coming!

On a brighter note, the focus has now shifted entirely to Kingdom Hearts IV. After a period of silence, Square Enix provided an update on this much-anticipated title, which was first unveiled at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022. Development on Kingdom Hearts IV is progressing, offering fans something to look forward to despite the disappointment over Missing-Link.

That concludes our coverage on the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link. Stay tuned for our next news update on Plug In Digital's digital version of the popular board game Abalone.