Sad Cat Studios has delayed the release of its cyberpunk action platformer Replaced from March 12 to April 14, 2026, following feedback from a Steam demo. The game, which is technically finished, will receive additional polishing to ensure stability and alignment with the developers' vision. This marks another postponement for the title, first announced in 2021.
Replaced, a 2.5D retro-futuristic sci-fi platformer developed by Sad Cat Studios, follows Reach, an AI unexpectedly trapped in a human body, in an alternate 1980s America scarred by a nuclear catastrophe. The game entered development in 2018 and was revealed at E3 2021 with a promised 2022 launch. However, it faced multiple delays: in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, then from 2023 into 2024, and subsequently into 2025.
The latest delay, announced on February 18, 2026, pushes the PC and Xbox Series X/S release—available day one on Xbox Game Pass—from March 12 to April 14. Sad Cat Studios stated that while the game is "technically finished," feedback from a recent Steam demo prompted the need for more time. "The response to our Steam demo has been the ultimate fuel for us," the studio wrote. "As a small team working on our very first title, we’ve poured everything we have into this project. While the game is technically finished, reaching this final stretch has shown us that we need just a few more weeks to ensure the experience is exactly what you deserve. We want the version of Replaced you play on day one to be polished, stable, and true to the vision we’ve shared with you."
The demo has received generally positive feedback, with praise for its 2.5D pixel art, cinematics, and mood. Some reactions noted the combat as repetitive and undercooked compared to the visuals. Sad Cat emphasized the community's role: "To be honest, putting it out there was nerve-wracking, but seeing your gameplay, reading your reviews, and hearing your excitement has been overwhelming in the best way possible. We are constantly reading your comments, and that feedback is helping us make the final tweaks that will make the full game shine."
The studio thanked supporters for their patience over the years, noting that many have followed the project since its unveiling. A preview described Replaced as having potential to be special, with an emotional dystopian narrative.
