Highlights:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong finally released after years of silence.
- Other long-announced titles remain missing in action.
- Some may never see the light of day, while others still hold faint hope.
A Post-Silksong World
When Hollow Knight: Silksong was first announced in 2019, many fans doubted it would ever launch. Years of silence fuelled speculation that it was doomed to become vapourware. Against all odds, the long-awaited sequel finally arrived this year, quickly becoming one of 2025’s biggest releases.
Its success has reignited discussion around other long-delayed projects — games teased years ago but still nowhere to be seen. While some might eventually surface, others appear trapped in development limbo.
Tomb Raider
It has been nearly five years since the next Tomb Raider game was first confirmed, and Crystal Dynamics has yet to show anything concrete.
While the brand continues through Netflix’s animated series and an upcoming Amazon live-action adaptation, fans have been left without a new mainline game. Even the official Tomb Raider channels have offered only vague teases, often pointing to cameos rather than a new adventure.
Tekken X Street Fighter
Announced more than a decade ago, this fighting game crossover has faced constant uncertainty. In 2021, reports claimed the project was cancelled, only for Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada to clarify it was merely “on pause.”
Given how busy both Capcom and Bandai Namco are maintaining Street Fighter and Tekken, it seems increasingly unlikely that this collaboration will ever materialise. One-off guest character crossovers now provide an easier alternative.
BioShock 4
Six years after 2K announced BioShock 4, development remains troubled. Reportedly, internal progress failed to impress executives, leading to major team changes and overhauls.
Although Take-Two insists the game will eventually release — with former Diablo lead Rod Fergusson brought in to steady development — a launch still feels many years away. By then, the series risks fading from cultural relevance.
Mass Effect 4
The Mass Effect series has been in flux since 2017’s underwhelming Andromeda. BioWare teased the next entry in 2020, but updates since have been scarce.
- YouTube youtu.be
With BioWare hit by repeated layoffs and EA disappointed by the performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, expectations for a timely and polished return remain low. While a release seems inevitable, there are concerns it may lean heavily into live service mechanics.
Dragon Quest 12
Dragon Quest 11 was a rare global hit for Square Enix, yet its follow-up remains shrouded in mystery. First announced in 2021 with only a logo and promises of a darker tone, little else has been revealed.
Reports suggest the tonal shift has complicated development, mirroring the mixed reception to Final Fantasy 16. Meanwhile, Kingdom Hearts 4 — revealed later — has shown more visible progress.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake
The remake of BioWare’s classic RPG was announced with fanfare in 2021 but has since faced a troubled journey. Initially handed to Aspyr, best known for ports rather than major projects, the game soon ran into difficulties.
Saber Interactive has since taken over, but with multiple projects already on its plate, concerns remain that KOTOR could be abandoned. Sony has reportedly distanced itself from the project, raising further doubts.
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Perhaps the most infamous case of development hell, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has been in limbo since its reveal in 2017. Once positioned as Ubisoft’s big prestige project, updates gradually dwindled, with little sign of meaningful progress.
The game has lost multiple directors — one tragically passing away in 2023 — and rarely appears in Ubisoft’s financial briefings. After so long, many fans have simply lost faith that it will ever release.
The successful launch of Silksong proves that sometimes patience pays off. But for every game that escapes development hell, there are others that may never reach players. Whether fans will still be waiting when they finally arrive is another question entirely.
