Square Enix has made a definitive decision to discontinue the development of its mobile title, Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link.
In a recent announcement on social media, the company acknowledged the difficulty in maintaining a service that would meet player expectations over time. However, they reassured fans that the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4 continues to be in active development.
Designed to offer a GPS-based action RPG experience reminiscent of Pokémon Go, Missing-Link featured well-known Disney characters and engaging battles against the Heartless, similar to those seen in the main console games. The game’s gameplay had first been hinted at during the celebrations for its 20th anniversary.
“We sincerely apologize to everyone who was excited about the game’s release,” the company stated.
“Despite our team working diligently to develop and enhance Missing-Link, we ultimately faced challenges in meeting the long-term expectations of the player community, leading us to the difficult decision to cancel the project.”
They expressed heartfelt thanks to those who participated in the closed beta tests, concluding with a message of reassurance: “The Kingdom Hearts story will continue. We are hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4, and we hope you’ll stay tuned for more updates.”
The Kingdom Hearts franchise has expanded well beyond its three main titles, each spin-off building on its intricate narrative.
It’s worth noting that six years have passed since the release of Kingdom Hearts 3 on PS4 and Xbox One, marking the last primary installment in the saga.
Kingdom Hearts 4 was first announced during the series’ 20th anniversary celebration in 2022, but comprehensive details have been elusive since then.
In a hint dropped last year, series director Tetsuya Nomura suggested that the fourth entry may serve as a narrative reset, aiming to conclude the overarching story as he looks toward retirement in the future.
This isn’t the first time a mobile project under Square Enix has been shelved. Earlier this February, the iOS version of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was pulled due to ongoing technical issues, joining the ranks of other titles like Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, and the battle royale Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier, all of which struggled with declining player numbers.
