My personal Hollow Knight: Silksong just got delayed again, and nothing can fully replace it this year

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Many people, including grandparents’ pets’ owners, are eagerly anticipating the upcoming launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong following years of patient endurance amidst playful teasing. However, I won’t be joining the throngs counting down the days until September 4th.

Should any independent game have captivated me as much, it’s been none other than REPLACED, which unfortunately has been postponed once more. Ever since its unveiling at E3 2021,

The game, which has been named REPLACED, is set to be released on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass during Spring of 2026. This timeline appears to be certain with confidence. The anticipation for its release is palpable as it’s no longer this year but just around the corner in 2026. Regrettably, this means that the excitement for other video games scheduled for 2025 has somewhat diminished due to this upcoming release.

The trailer for Sad Cat Studios’ upcoming indie game was recently shared on IGN, providing an intriguing glimpse into the game’s development process thus far. It showcases the significant effort being put in by the studio to ensure that this game stands out uniquely from anything else you’ve experienced before.

When I first played REPLACED over a year ago, I might have shared with you that the game was visually impressive, and it has only grown more stunning since then. With intricately detailed settings, stunning multi-tiered lighting, and numerous hand-drawn animations and visual effects, REPLACED strives to seamlessly combine retro and modern aesthetics, and in essence, it appears as if a work of art.

As a researcher, I’d like to clarify that REPLACED isn’t merely categorized as a “walking simulator devoid of gameplay,” which is a misconception often perpetuated by some overzealous enthusiasts. In fact, REPLACED is a captivating 2.5 action-adventure game that immerses players in a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a retro-futuristic, cyberpunk-influenced reimagining of 1980s America. This alternate world has been profoundly affected by a nuclear disaster, resulting in a fractured society and a stark, post-apocalyptic landscape.

REPLACED is a lot more than pretty visuals, and it’s finally coming early next year.

You control R.E.A.C.H., an intelligent AI confined within a damaged human body. From what I’ve experienced so far in REPLACED, I am excited about its intricate plotline. At minimum, I can assure you that the combat is intense, with detailed animations emphasizing the powerful and responsive gameplay.

As per the game director Yura Zhdanovich, the game REPLACED is nearing its final stages of development. The team is currently engaged in rigorous testing and refining processes. Given that it was first unveiled four years ago, an additional half a year seems reasonable for completion.

The replacement will likely arrive during the Spring of 2026, and I’m sincerely hoping that this timeline holds firm, as I eagerly anticipate immersing myself in this game. Yes, it’s also set to debut on Xbox Game Pass concurrently, adding another layer of excitement (and a similarity it shares with Silksong).

Okay, my 2025 backlog didn’t actually need another game

Following the confirmation that our positions wouldn’t be transitioned before the end of 2025 (a development I had subconsciously prepared myself for), my initial emotion was an overwhelming, prolonged, heartbreaking, soul-draining, emotionally taxing sorrow, or perhaps it was simply deep disappointment.

After that instance, I felt a sense of relief when I discovered that the replacement was indeed on schedule, and it had actually improved. Then, my excitement soared when I heard that we had a definite release date confirmed by the developers’ reassuring remarks.

Among all the indie games due out in 2025, REPLACED stands out as my most eagerly awaited title. However, the year is shaping up to be a veritable treasure trove of fantastic games – and there’s even more on the horizon. My list of video games from 2025 that I haven’t played yet is already brimming, and several of the upcoming releases have already caught my attention.

I mentioned it earlier when I talked about the unexpected launch of The Rogue Prince of Persia a few days ago: “I also have numerous other games from 2025 that I’m eager to explore, such as The Alters, Ruffy and the Riverside, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Eternal Strands, and Heretic + Hexen. This year in gaming has been incredibly packed, and there’s even more excitement yet to come with titles like Keeper and The Outer Worlds 2.”

Although this year there won’t be any game replacing REPLACED, I won’t run out of fantastic games to enjoy instead. Rest assured that as soon as REPLACED becomes available next year, I’ll be one of the earliest players, and you can expect my thoughts on it once I’ve given it a play.

If REPLACED wasn’t on your list of desired games before, I hope it has caught your interest now. However, if it hasn’t, feel free to add it to your wishlist on Steam. Although there isn’t a specific Xbox page available (as of yet), it will be accessible through Game Pass on its release day as well.

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2025-08-26 15:10