My most anticipated game of 2026 finally has a release date, and I’m so excited to play it day one on Xbox Game Pass

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I have so many great games that I want to play, but I barely have time for them! My list of unplayed games just keeps getting longer, and it feels impossible to make a dent in it. I keep adding more, so it’s a never-ending cycle.

2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for game releases, with tons of exciting titles announced from developers worldwide. I’m especially thrilled that REPLACED finally has a confirmed release date!

I’ve been excited about this retro-futuristic action-platformer ever since it was first shown at an Xbox event in 2021. Now, Sad Cat Studios has announced a big release date: March 12, 2026! The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and through Xbox Game Pass.

Remind me to put in a time-off request for that day.

REPLACED looks brutal, devastating, and gorgeous — and I can’t wait to play

Okay, so I’m super excited about this game, REPLACED. You play as R.E.A.C.H., which is basically a really sophisticated AI… but there’s a catch! Somehow, this AI ended up stuck *inside* a human body. And it’s not our present day – we’re talking 1980s America, but it’s a seriously twisted version of it. It’s a really cool concept!

After a huge technological leap forward and a terrible nuclear disaster, the world has become a violent and chaotic place ruled by lawlessness. In this harsh new reality, where it’s hard for people to feel kindness or understanding, you must fight to hold onto your own compassion and what makes you human.

REPLACED is a cyberpunk game with a compelling story, but it’s the stunning pixel art that really grabs your attention. The game features beautiful, shifting lights, lots of detailed animations, and exciting gameplay that mixes exploration, jumping challenges, and intense fighting.

I had a chance to play REPLACED last year, before the latest announcement that it was being delayed again – this time until Spring 2026. I was really disappointed to hear about the delay, but I’m relieved to finally have a firm release window to anticipate.

I truly believe REPLACED will be my favorite game of 2026. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Sad Cat Studios’ first game for five years, and it’s exciting to see it’s now being published by Thunderful Games with support from ID@Xbox.

REPLACED will be released on March 12, 2026, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. It will also be exclusive to Xbox consoles when it launches. You can watch the new release date trailer linked above to see the latest gameplay footage.

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2025-12-04 20:41