Square Enix’s cancellation ofKingdom Hearts Missing-Linkin May 2025 ended months of speculation about the mobile game’s uncertain development. While disappointing to those who anticipated its role in expanding the lore, the announcement came with a promise. TheKingdom Heartsseries is still progressing, withKingdom Hearts 4now at the forefront of the franchise’s future.
The bigger question is what becomes of the storyMissing-Linkwas meant to tell. Tied closely to the “Lost Master” arc and meant to act as connective tissue between past and present eras, the game’s narrative may still find new life in a different format, and a possibleKingdom Hearts 3.5release could provide that opportunity.
A Kingdom Hearts 3.5 Release Could Work
Square Enix has used mid-numbered entries before to bridge large narrative gaps. In 2017,Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologuehelped prepare players forKingdom Hearts 3by including three different components: a full remaster, a short playable story, and a cutscene movie. A similar approach could now be used to salvageMissing-Link’s story.
Instead of asking players to rely on unofficial summaries or incomplete archives, Square Enix could adaptMissing-Linkinto a cutscene film, similar to howUnion χ Back Covercondensed years of mobile updatesinto one digestible narrative. This would preserve key characters like Sigurd, Brain, and the Scala ad Caelum storyline while keeping players focused on the broader arc.
TheUnion χmobile game ran for several years and featured a slow rollout of crucial lore. Its retelling inBack Covergave players a more direct way to follow major events without depending on mobile updates or fan reconstructions.
AKingdom Hearts 3.5packagecould also introduce a playable segment focused on new content. Just as0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passagegave fans a taste of whatKingdom Hearts 3would feel like, this hypothetical entry could preview mechanics or characters fromKingdom Hearts 4. Including a polished, cinematic version ofMissing-Link’s story would help cleanly pass the torch to the next main title.
More Kingdom Hearts Mobile Games Deserve Closure
Missing-Linkis not the only mobile title in the series with a story that remains hard to access. WhileUnion χandDark Roadwere eventually folded into cinematic recaps, earlier games likeCodedstill have uneven representation in the franchise’s current collections. AKingdom Hearts 3.5release could fix this by adding remastered segments or enhanced story films from these titles.
These games introduced important concepts and characters that continue to affect the series.Dark Roadexplored Xehanort’s past, whileUnion χdetailed the formation of the Dandelions and themystery behind the Keyblade War inKingdom Hearts. Adding more content from those stories would help newcomers understand how deep the current saga goes without having to play through outdated or delisted apps.
TheKingdom Heartsmobile titles often introduced major plot threads that were later expanded in mainline games. Even minor characters or scenes fromUnion χandDark Roadhave shaped the events ofKingdom Hearts 3, showing how essential these side entries are to the broader story.
This approach would also make the timeline easier to follow. Right now, many fans rely on external guides and timeline breakdowns to make sense of the overarching story. A well-structured recap inside a new collection would do a better job preparing players for what’s coming next.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Benefits from Less Narrative Pressure
Thecancellation ofMissing-Linkplaces more narrative weight onKingdom Hearts 4. It is already set to kick off a new arc in a new world, with Quadratum playing a central role. The game will need to introduce new gameplay systems, new enemies, and entirely new stakes. Expecting it to also fill in the history fromMissing-Linkcould overwhelm the story’s pacing.
AKingdom Hearts 3.5release would help balance the load. Players who missed or never had access to the mobile games would get a chance to catch up, while those already familiar with the material could revisit it in a more polished and complete form. It would also give Square Enix space to experiment with tone and structure before fully committing to thescale and complexity ofKingdom Hearts 4.
In many ways, this kind of release fits a long-standing rhythm in the series. Smaller interlude titles likeChain of Memories, 358/2 Days, and 2.8have always served as bridges between major games, with each one providing background that enhanced the next mainline entry. A3.5release that includes a recap ofMissing-Linkwould continue this trend while addressing the gap left behind by its cancellation.
