"Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Canceled, Square Enix Focuses on KH4"

In a disappointing turn of events for fans, Square Enix has announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the anticipated GPS-based action-RPG designed for mobile platforms. The game, which promised to immerse players in the enchanting realm of Scala ad Caelum and weave a new, original story amidst the ongoing saga against the Heartless, was initially set to launch in 2024.

Through an unsigned statement shared on the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix expressed their "heartfelt apologies to everyone who have been looking forward" to Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. The decision to cancel the project stemmed from the realization that it would be challenging to deliver a service that would meet player expectations over an extended period. Unfortunately, the statement did not delve into the specifics of what caused these difficulties.

"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 this setback, there's a glimmer of hope for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts. Square Enix reassured fans that the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and they are currently "hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4." They encouraged fans to keep supporting the series and stay tuned for future updates.

This announcement marks the first official mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite the game being unveiled with a full cinematic trailer in September 2022, Square Enix has since maintained a low profile, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more details in true series fashion.

Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will, after 22 years and an impressive 18 games, start to steer the Kingdom Hearts narrative towards its long-awaited conclusion.