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

Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, a mobile game that has been in development since 2019. The news, while surprising to some, may not come as a shock to long-time followers of the company, given its history of game cancellations. The project had progressed to multiple closed beta tests on both Android and iOS platforms, and the team had even shared updates on social media, including a delay announcement in November 2024. Participants in the closed beta tests were particularly surprised, given the apparent depth of development.

Why Was Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Cancelled?

The development team cited their inability to envision a sustainable path forward that would meet player expectations as the primary reason for the cancellation. Missing-Link was designed to be a live-service game, but the team felt they couldn't deliver the experience they had envisioned. The game was intended 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 narrative. Despite the intrigue around the GPS mechanics, the concept ultimately did not translate well into a fully realized product. Square Enix decided to cancel the project rather than release a substandard game, choosing instead to redirect their efforts.

If you're curious about what Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was supposed to be, you can still view the teaser trailer below:

Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still on Track!

Despite the cancellation of Missing-Link, fans can take solace in the fact that Kingdom Hearts IV remains in active development. First revealed at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022, the main series title continues to progress. Square Enix has recently provided a small update, reassuring fans that the core franchise is alive and well, even as they shift their focus away from the mobile spinoff.

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.