Fans of retro-styled sci-fi adventures will have to wait a little longer for Replaced. Developer Sad Cat Studios and publisher Thunderful Games confirmed that the 2.5D cinematic platformer has been pushed back to a new launch window in spring 2026.

This marks the second major delay for the project. Originally announced for a 2022 debut, the game was later moved to 2023, then to 2024, and most recently to 2025. Now, with this latest shift, Replaced won’t arrive until 2026.

Why the wait?

According to the studio, the decision comes down to two things: quality and circumstance. The team has consistently emphasized its desire to release the game in a finished, polished state rather than rushing it out the door. On top of that, the developers who were originally based in Belarus have faced the challenges of relocating amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Those disruptions, coupled with the ambitious scope of the project, have slowed progress more than anyone anticipated.

What makes Replaced stand out

Despite the setbacks, interest in the game hasn’t faded. Replaced blends a striking pixel-art aesthetic with modern lighting and animation techniques, giving it the look of a lost classic rebuilt for today. The game casts players as an AI trapped in a human body, navigating a bleak alternate-1980s America filled with corruption and corporate overreach.

Its mix of cinematic platforming, hand-to-hand combat, and dystopian storytelling has drawn comparisons to games like Another World and Inside, while carving out its own identity through a sharp visual style and weighty atmosphere.

Looking ahead to 2026

While another delay is disappointing, the upside is that Sad Cat Studios is taking the time it needs to finish the game properly. When Replaced does eventually arrive on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass, players can expect a more complete experience than if it had been rushed.

For now, fans will have to hold on a little longer. If the finished product lives up to the promise of its trailers, the wait might just be worth it.