Square Enix Cancels Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link!

Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, a decision that may not come as a surprise to many, considering the company's history of game cancellations. The development team, which had been working on the mobile game since 2019, conducted multiple closed beta tests on both Android and iOS. The most recent update came in November 2024 via X, informing players of yet another delay. Participants in the closed beta tests were particularly surprised, given the apparent advanced stage of development.

Why Did Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Get Cancelled?

The team at Square Enix cited the inability to find a sustainable path forward that would meet player expectations in the long term. The game was envisioned as a live-service experience, but the developers felt they could not execute it to their standards. Missing-Link was designed as a unique GPS-based spinoff, allowing players to explore the world and fight Heartless with their keyblades, set within a forgotten chapter of the Kingdom Hearts saga. Despite the franchise's global popularity, the concept proved challenging to implement effectively. Opting not to release a subpar product, Square Enix decided to cancel the project and redirect their efforts.

For those curious about what Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link might have looked like, you can view the teaser trailer below:

But Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still Coming!

Despite the cancellation, fans can take solace in the fact that development on Kingdom Hearts IV continues. After years of silence, Square Enix provided a small update on the project, which was first revealed at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022. The main series remains a priority, and Kingdom Hearts IV is moving forward steadily.

That concludes our coverage on the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link. Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss our next news piece on Plug In Digital's digital version of the popular board game Abalone.