Gaming Updates: “Replaced” Delayed, “Silksong” Shines, and New Previews Emerge

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The gaming world is abuzz with updates and previews from recent events, offering a glimpse into highly anticipated titles. While some games are facing delays, others are impressing players with their gameplay. This report covers the latest on "Replaced," "Valor Mortis," "Hollow Knight: Silksong," and "Phantom Blade Zero."

Replaced Delayed to Spring 2026

Sad Cat Studios’ cyberpunk action-platformer, "Replaced," has been pushed back to Spring 2026. The development, impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, is nearing completion. The team shared that while the 2025 release target won’t be met, a final trailer is expected later this year. The game will be available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, and will also be included in Xbox Game Pass.

Valor Mortis: A Promising First-Person Soulslike

"Valor Mortis," developed by One More Level, is generating significant excitement as a first-person Soulslike. After a hands-on preview at Gamescom 2025, the game is being hailed as one of the most promising in the genre. It features familiar Soulslike mechanics like checkpoints and resource loss upon death, but with a unique 19th-century fallen soldier setting and gameplay elements reminiscent of "Ghostrunner," including dashes and parkour. The combat system allows for a variety of left-hand gadgets, such as pistols and fire-breathing abilities, adding depth to encounters.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Lives Up to the Hype

After years of anticipation, "Hollow Knight: Silksong" was playable at Gamescom 2025, and early impressions are overwhelmingly positive. The sequel maintains the captivating art style and challenging combat of its predecessor. Players control Hornet, with fluid movement and combat mechanics that feel familiar yet refined. Despite a challenging boss encounter in the demo, the overall experience suggests "Silksong" is well worth the wait for fans of the Metroidvania genre.

Phantom Blade Zero: A Fast-Paced Action Experience

"Phantom Blade Zero" is making waves not as a Soulslike, but as a fast-paced action game that encourages aggressive play and combo execution. The game, from S-Game, offers a mix of linear and semi-open gameplay with a focus on defeating all enemies in an area for rewards. Unlike Soulslikes, players do not lose currency upon death, and the game features difficulty settings for broader accessibility. The demo showcased a variety of weapons and challenging boss fights, with many anticipating its release in 2026. The game is praised for its polished feel and smooth combat, though some found the prevalence of long-range enemies to be a minor annoyance.

Key Takeaways

"Replaced" has been delayed to Spring 2026, with a final trailer expected this year.
"Valor Mortis" is a highly anticipated first-person Soulslike with "Ghostrunner"-inspired mechanics.
"Hollow Knight: Silksong" impressed players at Gamescom 2025 with its refined gameplay and art style.
"Phantom Blade Zero" is a fast-paced action game, not a Soulslike, and is slated for a 2026 release.