Game delays are the bane of a reviewer’s existence, Player.com’s staff included. To that end, we were expecting to play some games in 2023, including Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This article is dedicated to all the games that have been delayed to 2024 and beyond. Some of them are horror titles, while others would fit perfectly in the sci-fi genre.
Ultimately, we recommend picking up these games whenever they’re released. Some of them are touted to be launched in 2024, while a few of them won’t even see the light of day. So, we’re not dealing with a typical game delay. Like usual, we’ll review these games when they’re later released and arrange an updated list of the ones that are worth playing.
Also Read: 8 Recommended Otome Games to Play for Some 2D World Romance
8 Disappointing Game Delays (2023’s Version)
We were looking forward to Crimson Desert but it’s not being released until 2024 and even then, we’re just being optimistic. It’s one of the worst game delays in video games because this isn’t the first time it has been delayed. Sure, the year is over, but many game-breaking issues and bugs can still delay a game’s release. Personally, we hope other anticipated titles, like Dragon’s Dogma 2, won’t be delayed until further notice. As it stands, a game delay might just be around the corner, since the release dates of the titles below aren’t set in stone.
#1: Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert is a realm of magic and monsters where you are a mercenary who can wield a wide variety of weapons. It’s one of the most disappointing game delays of 2023 because of the game’s promises. With axes, greatswords, daggers, longbows, and crossbows, Macduff is a seasoned mercenary leader. Besides that, you’ll also be wielding incredible magic, including elemental spells and others. Thankfully, the world is almost as harsh as the universe of Elden Ring, so your methods are worth it.
We also love the game’s lore, which tells the tale of a diseased King, who leaves a power vacuum that insurgents and traitors attempt to exploit. Allegiances will be made and old friends will become new enemies, so it’s up to players to decide Macduff’s fate in the violence. Combat isn’t only standalone, since you control a team of mercenaries who won’t hesitate to join their leader in combat.
The game’s visuals are expected to be cutting-edge, courtesy of the studio’s BlackSpace game engine. Lighting, shadows, and textures are expected to be of high quality. The game’s release date is currently unknown but leaks suggest it’ll be released in 2024. Hopefully, the studio won’t announce another game delay.
#2: Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of the underwhelming game delays of 2023. It’s a Metro Exodus-style video game that will be released in Q1 2024. It has plenty of mutants and human enemies to deal with. Specifically, we’re looking forward to the revamped AI system in-game, which will help enemies strategise against players. It’ll be fun to beat flanking strategies that’ll otherwise cut the protagonist’s life short. Besides that, there’s also the case of anomalies, which are strange phenomena that are scattered throughout the Zone. The reward for beating these phenomena is artefacts that contain strange powers.
Graphics-wise, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is being developed from scratch using Unreal Engine 5. So, the animations and physics engine will be fantastic. Players can also expect photorealistic lighting and sceneries in the Zone, that push the capabilities of next-gen consoles (The PS5 and Xbox Series X). In simpler words, gamers can likewise expect high-quality textures.
Moving forward, there are many pre-order bonuses to enjoy before next year’s release. We suspect the developers are trying to sweeten the deal by offering more bang for our buck. Some of the extras courtesy of the bonus are:
- ‘Early bird’ Weapon Skin.
- ‘Early bird’ Costume Skin.
- ‘Early Bird’ Multiplayer Badge.
- Steam Pack includes Animated Avatar, Animated Avatar Frame & Animated Profile Background.
- Extended Campfire Content includes additional guitar tunes and tales around the stalkers’ campfires.
#3: The Division: Heartland
The Division: Heartland is also a disheartening game delay. It’s a shooter game that reminds us of Fortnite because of its free-to-play nature. In terms of visuals and level designs, the game shines with high-quality shadows, textures, and more. Its survival vibes are straight from The Last of Us and Metro Exodus because you fight poisons too. Still, you’re a death dealer who must explore the secrets of Silver Creek, which is a rural town with a dark past. Your mission is to prevent dangerous poisons from spreading and killing millions of Americans.
As is the norm, you’ll deal with enemy factions, invasions, and even player squads at night in a huge sandbox. The AI in this game will also be smarter, so we can expect plenty of intense confrontations. This is a Ubisoft game, so the visuals are next-gen with detailed environments and activities to explore everywhere you look. Heck, the world is filled with many tools and upgrade parts for getting the most out of combat. Besides that, there are quality-of-life features such as cross-play and cross-progression.
The only concerning part about The Division: Heartland is that it has faced multiple game delays already. So, we hope another game delay won’t be announced in 2024 given the studio’s track record with The Division series. For one, The Division 3 still doesn’t have a release date. Hopefully, the final product won’t be disappointing, given the constant issues the creators are facing.
#4: The Wolf Among Us 2
The Wolf Among Us 2 will be launching in 2024 and so far, it’s gearing up to be everything we wanted it to be. Better and more robust dialogues, smoother graphics, and top-notch animations and voiceovers await. For one, the game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, so a more immersive physics engine awaits. It’s a graphic adventure, Telltale Games’ go-to genre. Players can expect to find multiple paths to completing the campaign, so the replayability is high. Yes, the campaign will only be available in single-player mode, not co-op. You can check out some PS5 co-op games here if you have your significant other or friend over.
It’s disappointing that there’s no release date yet, but following the delay, we would rather not keep our hopes high and then dashed later. Several of the actors from the prequel are also making a return, so the experience will be nostalgic; Especially as the game was released way back in 2013. The game will be released for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC. There will be no timed exclusives for it.
#5: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a sequel to 2019’s Hollow Knight that’s being developed for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PCs. PCs include Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Instead of the former protagonist, players will control Hornet, who is a much more agile fighter. She also wields a Needle with a thread attached to the end, so you’ll enjoy a much longer range compared to the Nail used in the prequel. As is the norm, it’s a 2D game with a good deal of enemy variety and great labyrinth-like levels.
Like the first game, the visuals are also prioritised with better particle effects than the prequel. You can watch the trailer for the game here. There will also be more side quests this time around and there’ll be a journal to keep track of them. Expect other quality-of-life additions to the user interface, because Hornet is a different character entirely.
Besides her good looks and fantastic taste in fashion, she can also heal herself and kill enemies with acrobatic moves.
In Team Cherry’s words, the game will also be far larger than the prequel, boasting more than 150 new enemy types. Between those enemies are over 100 checkpoints, otherwise known as Benches. There were only 41 Benches in the prequel, so Hollow Knight: Silksong’s sandbox will be twice as big. Expect Silk Soul to be present, which is a permanent death mode.
#6: Ark 2
Ark 2 is one of 2023’s major game delays to 2024 and it’s upsetting because the title stars Vin Diesel in the lead role and his looks aside, the protagonist is a capable warrior. You’ll ride dinosaurs, craft new weapons and tools, and conquer the future. The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, so the destructive power of manned dinosaurs will be unleashed on the Xbox Series X. Next up is combat, which is an intricate and intense affair in Ark 2. You’ll be able to lock onto targets, block, dodge, and stagger opponents. Yes, there will also be special attacks that will completely tear through opponents’ health.
Traversal is the other activity that we’re looking forward to exploring in Ark 2. For one, players will be able to mantle objects, parkour around obstacles, swing to elevated platforms, slide into the bush or cover, and even free climb like Nathan Drake from the Uncharted game series. These skills will have various uses as you chart a world that’s being overrun by invasive primaeval creatures. Flora, fauna, and the entire biology of Earth, as you know it, have changed. We expect the studio to keep to the release date, rather than declare a game delay.
#7: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a great game about Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. It’s a saddening game delay, but we still look forward to playing all four characters. Yes, you’ll be able to switch between all four characters at will. So, we can look forward to four unique upgraded trees and branches for the protagonists. Otherwise, enjoy a four-player mode with your friends online.
The game’s events occur five years after Batman: Arkham Knight, when Earth is being invaded by Brainiac. Incidentally, the Justice League is missing, having been corrupted by the main villain. The only member who isn’t being influenced is Wonder Woman and she’s forced to work with her former foes-turned friends, the Suicide Squad. We can only hope that the creators won’t announce a game delay. Who knows, maybe Wonder Woman will be a playable character in future DLCs?
#8: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s trailer was fantastic, showcasing the power of the Xbox Series X. This makes the game delay all the more disappointing. In the trailer, we saw Space Marines, militaristic tropes, big guns, enemies with hive minds, and tons of explosions. You play the game from a third-person perspective, and your options are either shooting enemies or slashing them with your mecha-sword. There’s also the option to dodge or block melee attacks and yes, some attacks are unblockable.
The single-player experience should be impressive but multiplayer mode is what you should play. After all, friends will be able to revive you if you ever fall into combat. Also, healing is an intimate affair that encourages you to seek out medkits while battling alien forces. That said, the studio has announced multiple game delays already, but we hope it will be released in 2024 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Our Final Say on Game Delays: Play Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora First
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be released on December 7 and hopefully, Ubisoft won’t issue any game delay statements. On the bright side, the title follows the escapades of test subjects who escaped human labs. They’re native to Pandora so you can expect archery and staff-wielding skills that are potent enough to kill armoured soldiers. You play as a Na’vi in-game, so you’ll enjoy better flexibility, agility, and punching power.
That said, this game mainly shines because of its diverse sandbox, which is full of different biomes with unique faunas and floras. Since Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora’s release was also delayed from 2021 to 2022, it almost qualified for this list. Ultimately, these games are some of the most anticipated titles of 2024.