REPLACED has moved its launch to April 14, 2026 as the team takes additional time to further polish the game. Here’s what prompted the change and how recent demo feedback is influencing development.
REPLACED Gets New Launch Date
Now Set For April 14, 2026
REPLACED is now set to launch on April 14, 2026, after Sad Cat Studios confirmed in a post on X dated February 18 that the team is taking extra time to polish the final build. It was originally slated for a March 12 release.
According to the studio, REPLACED is already "technically finished," but they noted in their announcement that additional time will help refine the game. "We want the version of REPLACED you play on day one to be polished, stable, and true to the vision we've shared with " the team wrote.
Feedback from the Steam demo has also influenced the developer’s decision. The team described the demo’s reception as "the ultimate fuel," saying that reading comments and watching player gameplay is helping with the final tweaks before release.
The demo, which launched on February 11, remains available on Steam and currently holds a "Very Positive" user rating, with many players praising its art direction, atmosphere, and cinematic presentation. Several reviews highlight its fluid animation work and visual detail, while others describe the combat as deliberate but occasionally slow or repetitive. Some players also pointed to UI responsiveness and pacing as areas that could benefit from refinement.
Commitment To Quality Behind Delays
First revealed at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2021 (E3 2021), REPLACED was originally planned for a 2022 release but faced multiple delays during development. In a September 6, 2023 post on X announcing an earlier delay to 2024, Sad Cat Studios said it "can’t afford to release a sub-par game," adding that it wanted the project to be "something special and memorable."
At the time, the studio said most core systems were already functional, though asset production had become the main hurdle. "Our quality bar is incredibly high," the team wrote, noting that the main character alone features more than 500 hand-painted animations for platforming.
A Cyberpunk Thriller Set in the 1980s
REPLACED is a 2.5D cinematic action platformer set in an alternate 1980s America following a nuclear catastrophe, where players control R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped in a human body against its will, in Phoenix City, one of the Corporation’s strongholds and a haven for corruption.
As R.E.A.C.H. works to expose the Corporation’s hidden agenda and uncover why it was created, players traverse crumbling districts and neon-lit streets using fluid movement and fast, responsive combat. The story explores humanity, identity, and control within an intense cyberpunk thriller, supported by handcrafted pixel art and a moody, synth-driven soundtrack.
REPLACED is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC. To stay up-to-date on the game, check our article below.
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An Update on REPLACED
REPLACED Delayed Until 2024
