"Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Cancelled, Square Enix Focuses on Kingdom Hearts 4"

Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, the highly anticipated GPS-based action-RPG for mobile devices. The game was set to explore the enchanting realm of Scala ad Caelum with a fresh, original storyline in the ongoing saga against the Heartless, and was initially scheduled for release in 2024. Despite the setback, there's a silver lining for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series as Square Enix confirmed ongoing development of Kingdom Hearts 4.

In an unsigned statement shared via the game's X/Twitter account, Square Enix expressed their "heartfelt apologies" to those eagerly awaiting Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link. The decision to cancel was based on the difficulty in delivering a service that would meet player satisfaction over an extended period. Although the specifics of these challenges were not disclosed, the developer acknowledged the efforts and feedback from multiple closed beta tests, thanking supporters for their assistance.

The statement concluded on a hopeful note, assuring fans that the "Kingdom Hearts series will continue." It also revealed that Square Enix is "hard at work" on Kingdom Hearts 4, encouraging fans to stay tuned for more updates. This marks the first official update on the much-anticipated sequel since a tiny, cryptic tease back in January. Despite a full cinematic trailer in September 2022, updates have been scarce, leaving fans eager for more information in true Kingdom Hearts fashion.

Series director Tetsuya Nomura has hinted that Kingdom Hearts 4 will mark a pivotal shift, steering the narrative towards its conclusion after an expansive saga spanning 22 years and 18 games. This news injects a renewed sense of anticipation and excitement among the Kingdom Hearts community as they await further developments.