Square Enix Cancels Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link!

Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link has been officially cancelled by Square Enix, marking another game cancellation from the company. While the news might not come as a complete surprise to fans familiar with Square Enix's recent history, it's still a significant development for the Kingdom Hearts series.

The project, which began in 2019, had progressed to the point of conducting multiple closed beta tests on both Android and iOS platforms. The latest update came in November 2024 via a post on X, announcing a delay. This delay left many participants of the closed beta tests feeling surprised, as the game appeared to be well into development.

Why Did Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Get Cancelled?

The development team cited an inability to see a viable path forward that would meet player expectations in the long term. The game was designed as a live-service experience, but Square Enix struggled to execute this vision effectively.

Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was envisioned as an innovative GPS-based spinoff, allowing players to explore the world and engage in battles against Heartless using their keyblades. The game was set in a forgotten chapter of the Kingdom Hearts saga, and there was considerable interest in how the GPS features would integrate into gameplay.

Despite the franchise's global popularity, the concept did not translate well in practice. Square Enix decided to cancel the project rather than release a substandard product, choosing instead to redirect their efforts.

If you're curious about what the game was supposed to be, you can take a look at the teaser trailer below:

But Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still Coming!

On a brighter note, Square Enix's focus has now shifted entirely to Kingdom Hearts IV. After years of silence, a small update was provided following the game's reveal at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022.

Development on Kingdom Hearts IV continues to progress, offering fans some reassurance amidst the disappointment of Missing-Link's cancellation. The main series remains active and is moving forward.

And that concludes the update 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.