Highly-Anticipated Xbox Game Pass Game Delayed to 2025

Highlights

• Replaced, the anticipated Xbox Game Pass title, is delayed until 2025.
• Fans excited for the stylish 2D action platformer will have to wait longer than expected.
• Despite the delay, Xbox Game Pass still offers a strong lineup for the rest of 2024.

The upcoming Xbox Game Pass title named Replaced has seen yet another unfortunate delay, this time into 2025. The first-ever game from Ukrainian developer Sad Cat Studios, Replaced was first revealed at Xbox’s E3 showcase way back in 2021 as a day one Xbox Game Pass title before being hit with several delays following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in early 2022.

Upon its debut announcement, Replaced stunned gamers with its retro pixel art style and its cyberpunk noir setting. The stylish 2D action platformer has been near the top of Game Pass subscribers’ wish lists ever since, though eager fans have had to swallow multiple delays as developer Sad Cat Studios continues to endure the ongoing war. With that said, it does seem like Replaced is reaching its finish line, as it was recently playable at Summer Game Fest in June.

Gamers who were hoping to finally go hands on with Replaced in the back part of 2024 will be let down by Sad Cat’s latest Twitter post. The studio has unfortunately announced that Replaced will instead release sometime in 2025, briefly mentioning how it needs more time to ensure the game’s quality. Sad Cat went on to invite fans to join its Discord server, and confirmed that Replaced will be playable at Gamescom later this month. Additionally, for those who won’t attend, Sad Cat hinted at a mysterious surprise later this week.

Replaced Has Been Delayed To 2025

Replaced’s latest delay into 2025 raises the question of when in the year gamers may be able to expect it to release. Xbox currently has several major first-party AAA games set to land on Game Pass in 2025, such as Avowed, Fable, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages, but seeing that Replaced is a smaller indie title, Sad Cat and Xbox will likely have an easier time finding a good spot for its release somewhere in the 2025 calendar. As for Sad Cat’s surprise coming later this week, it could turn out to simply be a new trailer, though the “For those not attending” Gamescom wording makes it sound like the studio could have a Replaced demo set to go live sometime soon, but this has yet to be confirmed.

While Replaced will certainly be missed this year, Xbox’s Fall 2024 Game Pass lineup is still quite strong. From fellow Ukrainian-made game STALKER 2, to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and more, there’s still plenty for Game Pass subscribers to enjoy for the rest of the year. Gamers are sure to learn and see more of Replaced later this month at Gamescom, and eager fans should keep an eye on Sad Cat studios for its “something special” coming later this week.