After years of anticipation, players will soon have the opportunity to experience Replaced. Developer Sad Cat Studios and publisher Thunderful Publishing have announced that a playable demo will be released on February 11th, coinciding with the launch of the new Steam Next Fest, and will be available to download from both Steam and the Windows Store.
But, there is some disappointing news for Xbox fans: the demo will not be playable on Xbox, despite initial announcements positioning Replaced as a console exclusive for Microsoft’s platform. While a potential Xbox demo release at a later date hasn’t been ruled out, there are currently no firm plans.
After Years of Waiting
Replaced is a 2.5D action game, scheduled for release on March 12, 2026, that places players in a dystopian world where they must uncover the dark secrets of the Phoenix Corporation while controlling R.E.A.C.H., an artificial intelligence trapped within a human body. The game’s unique visual style and focus on narrative intrigue have generated significant buzz within the indie game community.
Set in an alternate 1980s America devastated by a nuclear catastrophe, the city of Phoenix has turn into a stronghold for the corporation, a hotbed of corruption where criminals thrive and human life is treated as a commodity.
Replaced was originally announced in June 2021 and slated for release in 2022. At the time, many drew comparisons to The Last Night by Tim Soret, another 2.5D title that ultimately stalled in development. Both projects faced significant delays, but it appears Replaced has finally reached a stage where players can experience its unique world.
