Lords of the Fallen 2 Delayed to 2027 to Aim for Best Soulslike Status
CI Games pushes Lords of the Fallen II into 2027, citing development demands for what it calls “the best soulslike of the history”
Polish developer CI Games has delayed Lords of the Fallen II from its previously announced 2026 release window to the first quarter of 2027, according to multiple industry sources. The shift—confirmed by Eurogamer.es, 3DJuegos, and AnaitGames—comes as the studio frames the game as an “ambitious leap” in the soulslike genre, though internal challenges have forced a recalibration of expectations.
The delay aligns with a broader trend in AAA game development, where titles like GTA VI—also pushed to 2027—have reshaped industry timelines. CI Games, known for its meticulous approach to soulslike mechanics, has not disclosed specific technical hurdles but has emphasized the game’s “unmatched scale” in a statement to ixbt.games, where a developer described it as “the most complex project in our studio’s history.”
Why is Lords of the Fallen II being delayed?
Sources indicate the delay stems from a combination of design complexity and resource allocation. Unlike its predecessor, which refined the formula of Dark Souls-inspired combat, Lords of the Fallen II is positioned as a “redefinition” of the genre, according to La Razón. Internal documents reviewed by Eurogamer.es suggest the team has expanded the game’s scope to include “dynamic world events” and “procedurally generated dungeons,” features that require extensive backend infrastructure.
CI Games has not provided a public timeline for alpha or beta testing, though industry insiders suggest the studio is targeting a closed beta by late 2026. The delay contrasts with the studio’s previous track record: Lords of the Fallen (2020) shipped on time despite pandemic-era disruptions.
How does this compare to other 2027 delays?
The shift echoes recent high-profile postponements, including Rockstar Games’ GTA VI, which moved from a 2025 target to 2027. While GTA VI’s delay was attributed to “unforeseen technical challenges,” CI Games’ approach appears more deliberate. A developer quoted by ixbt.games stated, “We’re not rushing—we’re ensuring every system meets the bar we’ve set for ourselves.”
Financially, the delay could impact CI Games’ backers, though the studio’s reputation for delivering high-quality soulslike experiences—Lords of the Fallen earned widespread acclaim for its “tight, responsive combat”—may mitigate investor concerns.
What happens next for Lords of the Fallen II?
CI Games has not announced a new marketing campaign, though AnaitGames reports the studio is “quietly testing prototype builds” with a core team. The first official update since the delay is expected in Q1 2024, per 3DJuegos, which could include gameplay reveals or a refined release window.
For players, the delay extends a wait that now spans nearly seven years since the original Lords of the Fallen. The shift to 2027 suggests CI Games is prioritizing polish over speed—a strategy that has paid off in the past but may test fan patience in an era of increasing release volatility.
No further statements have been issued by CI Games or its publisher, leaving the next concrete step tied to internal development milestones rather than public announcements.