"Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Mobile Game Canceled, but Square Enix Promises Progress on Kingdom Hearts 4"

In a disappointing turn of events for fans, Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the eagerly awaited GPS-based action-RPG for mobile devices, has been officially cancelled by Square Enix. The game, which promised to transport players to the mystical realm of Scala ad Caelum and engage them in a fresh, original narrative in the ongoing battle against the Heartless, was set to launch in 2024. However, an unsigned statement on the game's X/Twitter account announced the cancellation, expressing Square Enix's "heartfelt apologies to everyone who have been looking forward" to it. The company cited challenges in delivering a service that would satisfy players over an extended period as the reason for the cancellation, though specifics were not disclosed.

"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."

Square Enix extended its gratitude to those who participated in the multiple closed beta tests and apologized for the announcement. Yet, amidst the disappointment, there's a silver lining for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts. The company reassured fans that the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue," and revealed that they are "hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4," urging fans to stay tuned for further updates.

This mention of Kingdom Hearts 4 marks the first official update fans have received in months, following a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite being unveiled in September 2022 with a full cinematic trailer, Square Enix has maintained a low profile on the project, leaving fans yearning for more information in true series fashion. Series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will, after 22 years and 18 games, begin to steer the Kingdom Hearts narrative toward its much-anticipated conclusion.