According to Engadget, the long-delayed indie cyberpunk game Replaced finally has a release date: March 12, 2026. This is a full four years after its original planned launch window. The game is being developed by Sad Cat Studios, which had to relocate from Belarus to Cyprus following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and will be published by Thunderful Games. It’s a 2.5D cinematic action platformer set in a dystopian alternate 1980s America, where you play as an AI trapped in a human body named R.E.A.C.H. The game will be available on PC via Steam and Xbox.
The long road to release
Look, a four-year delay is a lifetime in gaming. And in this case, it wasn’t just about polishing pixels. The studio’s forced relocation from Belarus is a stark reminder of how real-world chaos can completely derail a creative project. That context makes this release date announcement feel less like another delay and more like a genuine triumph. They kept the thing alive. Now, the pressure is absolutely on for the final product to justify that wait. Can the gameplay live up to the breathtaking art we’ve seen in trailers for years?
More than just a pretty face
Here’s the thing: Replaced has been living off its visual reputation for a while. The “lush pixel-art” and cyberpunk aesthetic are undeniable hooks. But a game can’t survive on vibes alone. The description of “chaining precise melee strikes with satisfying ranged attacks” is the real test. In an era dominated by massive, open-world RPGs and live-service giants, a tight, well-crafted 2.5D action platformer could be a breath of fresh air. Or it could feel dated. The promise is in the flow—the seamlessness between exploration and combat. If they nail that, the wait will be forgotten.
A trend of delayed dreams
Replaced is becoming a poster child for a specific kind of modern indie game: the visually stunning, highly ambitious project announced too early. It’s part of a pattern where a killer trailer generates massive hype, but the actual technical and logistical hurdles of building the game force a marathon of delays. We’ve seen it before. The question is whether the final product can ever match the idealized version fans built in their heads over those years. For Sad Cat Studios, this is their debut. That’s a huge risk, but also a chance to make a legendary first impression. Basically, all eyes are on them to deliver not just a good game, but a vindication of their entire struggle.
