Square Enix Cancels Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link

Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link, a mobile game that many fans were eagerly anticipating. The news, while shocking to some, didn't come as a complete surprise to those familiar with Square Enix's history of game cancellations.

Development on Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link began in 2019, and the game underwent several closed beta tests on both Android and iOS platforms. In November 2024, the team shared an update on X about a delay, which left participants of the closed beta tests somewhat surprised, given the project's advanced stage of development.

Why Did Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link Get Cancelled?

The team at Square Enix cited their inability to envision a sustainable path forward for the game that would meet player expectations. Originally planned as a live-service experience, the execution fell short of what was envisioned.

Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link was designed to be a unique, GPS-based spinoff, allowing players to explore the world and combat Heartless using their keyblades. The game was set in a previously untold chapter of the Kingdom Hearts saga, and there was significant interest in how the GPS mechanics would integrate into the gameplay.

Despite the franchise's global popularity, the concept didn't translate well into practice. Square Enix opted to cancel the project rather than release a product that didn't meet their standards, choosing instead to redirect their efforts.

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

But Kingdom Hearts IV Is Still Coming!

Square Enix is now fully focused on Kingdom Hearts IV. After a long period of silence, the company provided a small update during the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary event in 2022, confirming that development on the main series title is progressing well. This news should offer some solace to fans disappointed by the cancellation of Missing-Link.

That wraps up the story on the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link. Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss our upcoming coverage on Plug In Digital's digital version of the popular board game Abalone.