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If you are waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI or The Wolf Among Us 2, the safest substitute is each series’ previous game: Grand Theft Auto V for continuity with Rockstar’s next open-world entry, and The Wolf Among Us for the direct story and setting connection to Telltale’s sequel. Both upcoming games remain separate releases, so these recommendations are useful ways to revisit a franchise, not guarantees that the finished games will play identically. This guide also checks two other famously delayed games—Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong—because neither should still be treated as an unreleased waiting target based on the latest status available for this article.
What is still unreleased, and what has already launched?
“Long-awaited” is not a permanent status. Release dates move, early-access builds become full releases, and a game that dominated anticipation discussions can stop being a waiting target without every fan noticing. The status check for this guide was made on October 13, 2026. Rockstar’s latest cited announcement schedules Grand Theft Auto VI for November 19, 2026, while Telltale describes The Wolf Among Us 2 as a 2027 continuation. Those are the two games in this guide that still fit the title’s premise at that check.
| Anticipated game | Status at the October 13, 2026 check | Best game to play now | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto VI | Scheduled for November 19, 2026; PS5 and Xbox Series X|S listed by Rockstar | Grand Theft Auto V | Previous entry in the same franchise |
| The Wolf Among Us 2 | Announced as a 2027 continuation | The Wolf Among Us | Direct original game in the same series |
| Hades II | Supergiant’s current official pages describe it as available and document a v1.0 launch update | Not a waiting recommendation | Already released |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | A third-party guide reported a September 2025 launch; treat that date as third-party-supported | Not a waiting recommendation | Already reported as released |
The release announcements do not provide enough evidence for a universal ranking of “games that feel exactly like” every anticipated title. A defensible recommendation needs a clear connection: same series, same central premise, or a deliberately limited thematic resemblance. The two recommendations below use the strongest connection available—the same franchise—then explain what that does and does not tell you.
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How to judge whether a substitute is actually similar
Similarity can mean several different things, and confusing them produces disappointing recommendations. Before choosing a game, identify which part of the wait you are trying to satisfy.
#1 Best Overall
Continuity with a known world
A previous entry in the same series is the most reliable choice when you want recognizable characters, terminology, world-building or design lineage. It still may differ in story structure, pacing, technology and tone. Calling it a predecessor is accurate; promising that it is an identical mechanical or tonal match is not.
A comparable genre or premise
Two unrelated games can share a genre or broad premise, but that is a weaker connection than a direct series link. If a recommendation is based only on genre, state that limitation plainly and compare the specific axis—such as narrative emphasis or setting—instead of using an unqualified “similar” label.
A complete game versus an ongoing project
A finished release gives you a stable way to spend the waiting period. An early-access or continuously developed title may provide more current content but can change substantially before completion. The cited material establishes that Hades II is available and has a v1.0 update; it does not support treating it as an unreleased game. Platform and edition details are not established in the cited announcements for the comparison table, so check the current store listing for the device you own.
Waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI: play Grand Theft Auto V
Current status of Grand Theft Auto VI
Rockstar’s November 6, 2025 release announcement set Grand Theft Auto VI for November 19, 2026. Rockstar’s official game and news pages describe a return to modern-day Vice City in the fictional state of Leonida and list PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Because release schedules can change, treat November 19 as the latest cited target rather than a guarantee that no later announcement will alter it.
Rank #2
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Rockstar acknowledged the length of the wait in that announcement: “We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.” The statement explains the reason given for the additional time, but it does not promise that every system, activity or story approach from the previous game will return.
Why Grand Theft Auto V is the defensible recommendation
Grand Theft Auto V is the relevant preceding game in the same Grand Theft Auto line. That makes it a practical choice for someone who wants the series’ established identity while waiting for the new Vice City setting. The connection is franchise continuity, not a claim that the two releases have identical mechanics, mission design, map structure or tone.
Choosing the predecessor is especially sensible in three situations:
- You want to refresh the series’ baseline. Playing the earlier numbered entry lets you experience the design language and recurring conventions that made the next game recognizable as a Grand Theft Auto project.
- You want context before a new release. A previous game can help you notice what changes when the new setting and cast arrive, even when the story is not a direct continuation.
- You prefer a completed game during the wait. Unlike an announced future release, Grand Theft Auto V is an existing title you can start now. The cited material does not specify a current edition, price or platform list for this article, so verify the version available for your hardware before buying.
What this recommendation does not establish
Playing Grand Theft Auto V cannot tell you exactly how Grand Theft Auto VI will handle driving, combat, characters, progression, online features or mission structure. Rockstar’s announcement establishes the release target, platform generation and modern Vice City setting; it does not provide a complete feature comparison. Avoid treating previews, fan theories or assumptions about returning systems as confirmed information.
Rank #3
- EPIC STORYTELLING: Immerse yourself in a rich narrative-driven experience where your choices shape the destiny of the characters and the world.
- EXPLORE A VAST WORLD: Embark on a thrilling journey through a beautifully illustrated and ever-expanding fantasy realm.
- STRATEGIC DECISIONS: Engage in strategic gameplay as you navigate quests, encounters, and mysteries to fulfill your character's destiny.
- SOLO OR COOPERATIVE PLAY: Enjoy the game solo, or team up with friends for a cooperative adventure filled with twists and surprises.
- REPLAYABILITY: With multiple characters, quests, and outcomes, each playthrough offers a fresh and dynamic adventure.
A practical way to use Grand Theft Auto V as a bridge
- Decide whether you want story or a general series refresher. If your goal is narrative context, focus on the main game. If your goal is simply to revisit the franchise’s feel, choose the activities and pacing you enjoy rather than trying to reproduce an unconfirmed GTA VI feature list.
- Check your edition before purchase. Store listings can differ by console generation, bundled content and regional availability. The official GTA VI announcement lists PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but that does not identify which edition of GTA V is appropriate for your device.
- Keep expectations separate from evidence. Note what you actually experience in GTA V, then treat every difference in the upcoming game as unknown until Rockstar confirms it.
- Recheck the release page near launch. The November 19, 2026 date is the latest cited schedule, not a substitute for a final launch notice.
Waiting for The Wolf Among Us 2: play The Wolf Among Us
Current status of The Wolf Among Us 2
Telltale announced The Wolf Among Us 2 as a 2027 continuation of its Fables-inspired narrative thriller, returning players to Fabletown. That wording establishes both the sequel’s development status and its relationship to the original game. It does not give a final day-and-date launch schedule in the cited material, so “2027” should be read as the announced year, subject to change.
Why The Wolf Among Us is the strongest match
The Wolf Among Us is the direct original series entry. If what you miss is the setting, characters and narrative context of Telltale’s Fables-inspired thriller, no unrelated game can provide a closer connection. Replaying the original also lets you revisit the story on its own terms instead of assuming that a sequel will repeat every choice structure or presentation detail.
The recommendation is strongest for readers who:
- Want direct continuity. The original is the series game that leads into the announced continuation.
- Care more about story than novelty. Telltale identifies the sequel as a narrative thriller, so replaying the first game addresses the established story and world rather than offering a merely adjacent genre.
- Need a known, finished experience. You can play the original while the sequel remains in development. The cited announcement does not establish current platform availability, edition names or pricing, so confirm those details in the store serving your region.
Limits of a direct sequel recommendation
A direct predecessor is not proof that the sequel will preserve every mechanic, interface choice, episode length or performance characteristic. Telltale’s announcement confirms a return to Fabletown and a continuation of the property; it does not publish a complete design specification. Treat the original as preparation and continuity, not as a substitute that makes the wait disappear.
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- Play the original before reading sequel speculation. This keeps your understanding anchored to the released game rather than to unconfirmed interpretations of what the continuation may do.
- Record the choices you care about. If you want to compare your eventual sequel experience with your earlier playthrough, save notes about decisions and preferred outcomes. Do not assume every choice will carry forward unless Telltale confirms that system.
- Use the announced setting as your comparison point. The confirmed link is the return to Fabletown and the Fables-inspired narrative-thriller identity. Other similarities remain unknown.
- Check Telltale’s latest announcement before planning a release-week playthrough. The announced year is 2027, and development schedules can move.
Games that should not be listed as still unreleased
Hades II
Supergiant’s current official pages describe Hades II as available and include a v1.0 launch update. That status matters because many lists continue to repeat an older “upcoming” label after a game becomes playable. You can consider Hades II for a separate recommendation article about available games, but it does not belong in a list of titles still in development at the status check used here.
Rank #4
Hollow Knight: Silksong
A third-party guide reported that Hollow Knight: Silksong launched in September 2025. The official Team Cherry game page was also surfaced, but the specific release date in this status check is supported by that third-party report rather than by a cited official launch announcement. For accuracy, do not present Silksong as unreleased; describe the date as third-party-reported if you need to mention it.
Side-by-side decision guide
| If your priority is… | Choose now | Why it fits | What remains unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuity with Rockstar’s next numbered game | Grand Theft Auto V | It is the preceding Grand Theft Auto entry | Whether GTA VI repeats specific systems, activities or tone |
| Familiarity with the Fabletown story world | The Wolf Among Us | It is the direct original game before Telltale’s continuation | Sequel mechanics, episode structure and final release timing |
| A game that has moved beyond the waiting stage | Hades II | Supergiant’s official pages describe it as available with a v1.0 update | Current platform, edition and regional store details are not stated in the cited material |
| Checking whether a famous wait has ended | Hollow Knight: Silksong | A third-party guide reported a September 2025 launch | The cited date is not an official launch announcement |
How to choose without being misled by an old “upcoming” list
1. Start with the publisher’s latest date
For Grand Theft Auto VI, use Rockstar’s November 6, 2025 announcement and official game page as the baseline: November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. For The Wolf Among Us 2, use Telltale’s official announcement: 2027. Write the date beside the article’s update date so readers can see how current the information is.
2. Separate announced facts from editorial comparison
Release year, platform and setting are factual announcement details. Statements such as “this is the best replacement” are editorial judgments and should explain the axis being judged. In this guide, the strongest axis is franchise continuity, which is why the two predecessors are recommended instead of an unranked collection of loosely related games.
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3. Label the relationship in plain language
Use “same franchise” for Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto VI, and “direct original series entry” for The Wolf Among Us and its sequel. If you later add an unrelated game, identify it as a same-genre or thematic comparison rather than implying an official connection.
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4. Check the device before promising availability
The cited release information lists PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for Grand Theft Auto VI. It does not establish a complete platform list for the recommended predecessors, The Wolf Among Us, Hades II or Silksong. Availability can vary by region, edition and storefront, so a reader should verify the current listing for the hardware they own.
5. Recheck status close to publication and purchase
Announcements are snapshots. A scheduled date can move, an available game can receive a major launch update, and a third-party report can be corrected. The cleanest practice is to date every status statement and revisit the publisher page before linking readers to a store or declaring that a title is still unreleased.
Bottom line
For the two titles that still fit the waiting-list brief, use the direct series predecessors: Grand Theft Auto V while waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI, and The Wolf Among Us while waiting for The Wolf Among Us 2. These are continuity recommendations, not promises of identical gameplay. Remove Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong from an unreleased-games list because the latest available status describes both as already launched, with the Silksong date supported by a third-party report.
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