When Replaced was first shown at the Xbox E3 Showcase this year, the reaction to the game was extremely positive. Its stylish combat, art design and soundtrack pushed the game very high up on many people's radars, Xbox boss Phil Spencer being one of them. His response was something that the team has described as "mind-blowing".

If you haven't heard of it, Replaced is a 2.5D cinematic action-adventure inspired by cyberpunk stylised films like Blade Runner 2049, Alien, and Upgrade. Designed using pixel art, the visual style is said to "compliment the ‘80s aesthetic while the free-flow action inspired combat creates an exciting and immersive gaming experience with some unexpected twists in the storyline that will definitely keep players hooked."

Alongside Spencer's comments, many high profile influencers have been expressing their excitement for the game too. During our exclusive interview with developer Sad Cat Studios over Replaced, studio founder Yura Zhdanovich enthused about the hype as being "out of this world", but also generating a "high amount of pressure".

"It was mind-blowing, and at the same time, it was frightening as we are now in the spotlight. When you see the man [Phil Spencer] retweeting you and noticing you, it’s out of this world. Also other huge influences such as Geoff Keighley, Alanah Pearce and others. It was almost a week without proper workflow because you just can’t sleep."

"It’s kind of tedious, but at the same time, it’s really inspiring because you can actually feel the impact you have made. It also gives you a high amount of pressure. Now you don’t have options not to deliver, you have to deliver, and it should be really, really good."

Replaced will be launching into Xbox Game Pass on day one in 2022, but there's no specific release date as of yet. Be sure to check out our full interview with the team working on Replaced, as it definitely looks like one to watch.

What are your thoughts on Replaced so far? Let us know in the comments below.