Square Enix Cancels the Release of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link to Focus on a “Quantity to Quality” Roadmap

While many Kingdom Hearts fans had come to terms with the fact that the fourth mainline installment was still a long way off, there was comfort in knowing that a new side story, Missing-Link, was on the horizon. However, it now seems we’ll be waiting for Kingdom Hearts IV after all. Square Enix has officially announced the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link as the development team shifts focus from a "quantity" approach to a new "quality-first" roadmap for the future.

Square Enix Cancels the Release of Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link to Focus on a “Quantity to Quality” Roadmap

As posted on the official Kingdom Hearts website, the development team behind Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link has sadly confirmed the game’s cancellation. In a statement, the developers said:

An important announcement regarding KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link. pic.twitter.com/pXL2ULBV8k

— Official KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link (@KHMLink_NA) May 14, 2025

“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.”

Needless to say, fans—including myself—were genuinely excited for Missing-Link. Its sudden cancellation feels like watching a highly anticipated project vanish in a puff of smoke. Originally intended for Android and iOS devices, the game underwent multiple closed beta tests starting in 2022, only to be delayed and now ultimately shelved. Despite platform limitations and setbacks, many of us were still curious and optimistic about what the team had been working on.

On the bright side, the developers made it clear that the studio is now “hard at work” on Kingdom Hearts IV, which will continue the adventures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy in a brand-new story arc. This shift appears to align with Square Enix’s new development philosophy—focusing on “quality over quantity” and committing to a “regular launch cadence,” with resources directed toward titles that have the potential to be cherished by fans for years to come.

While it’s disappointing that Missing-Link didn’t fit that long-term vision, I, along with many others, am more than willing to accept this if it means future releases like Kingdom Hearts IV receive the time, polish, and attention they deserve. For now, all we can do is mourn the loss of what could have been a promising addition to the Kingdom Hearts universe and look ahead to the mainline entry and other upcoming Square Enix projects on the horizon.