A bit over a year ago, developer Sad Cat Studios announced its upcoming game REPLACED was aiming to release in 2025. Well, that’s no longer happening. In a behind-the-scenes development update via IGN, the studio, alongside publisher Thunderful Games, has announced that REPLACED has been delayed out of this year altogether and is now slated to launch in spring 2026, according to Gematsu.
“We know that our community is incredibly excited to play REPLACED, and it’s no secret that it’s taken longer than we initially thought to deliver that to you all—we apologize for that. We’ve always been trying to do what’s right for the project, which in turn means delivering to you a truly special experience. The good news is that we now are very close to finishing production, and REPLACED will be coming to PC and Xbox Series X|S in spring 2026,” game director Yura Zhdanovich said in a press release.
Interestingly, as the developer plugged the platforms REPLACED is coming to, no mention of the game’s previously announced Xbox One version was noticeable, hinting the last-gen console version has been dropped from the game’s platform launch line-up. As for when we’ll get a more concrete date on when REPLACED is launching, Sad Cat Studios didn’t leave us hanging with the game’s final trailer is set to release sometime later this year; possible appearance at The Game Awards?
REPLACED is a retro sci-fi action platformer set in an alternate 1980s America in Phoenix City, following a nuclear event that puts players into the shoes of R.E.A.C.H., an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body against its own will, with no choice but to adjust to human life The gameplay will feature free-flow action combat with a mix of cinematic platforming presented in a gorgeous pixel art style.
REPLACED is set to launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X|S, which will launch day-and-date on Game Pass when the game launches later sometime in Spring 2026.
