Support NeoGAF

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Via Noisy Pixel & Gematsu

LEVEL-5 has delayed crime suspense RPG DECAPOLICE from its previously planned 2024 release window to 2026. It will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam. The PC version is newly announced.​

“For DECAPOLICE, we’re developing systems for a large open world, and preparing to release the anime and game at the same time,” LEVEL-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino said during today’s LEVEL-5 Vision 2024: To the World’s Children event. “We are thrilled to have MARiA sing the theme song—a true diva whose power matches that of the protagonist Harvard—adding a dramatic flair to the performance. Both the visuals and the content of the game are being improved, as we’re evolving it into an even more engaging experience. That also means we’ll need more time to finish it, though. DECAPOLICE is now scheduled for release in 2026.”​

 

[Robb]

So originally supposed to come out 2023, then delayed to 2024 and now to.. 2026.

 

[Northeastmonk]

They’ve got some superb talent in that studio. 2026 though.

 

[GHG]

This is in development hell isn't it?

What comes out first? This or silksong?

 

[Midn1ght]

PC?
Pleasantly surprise by this.

Hopefully more game from Level 5 are coming!

 

[JimboJones]

A Switch and PS4 game in 2026.

PC?
Pleasantly surprise by this.

Hopefully more game from Level 5 are coming!

Interesting just checked and they have released Megaton Musashi Wired and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is scheduled for PC too.

 

[Chechack]

Jesus christ level 5 never change,wont be suprised if they crash and crater.

 

[The Cockatrice]

 

[RedC]

 

[Midn1ght]

A Switch and PS4 game in 2026.



Interesting just checked and they have released Megaton Musashi Wired and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is scheduled for PC too.

Ni No Kuni 1 and 2 are also on Steam.

Gonna be case by case apparently, Fantasy Life and the Layton game aren't coming to Steam yet.

 

[adamsapple]

I still haven't forgotten when you canceled Ushiro, Level 5

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Sorry, Danjin44 ! Looks like we'll be doing a lot more waiting than we expected on this one.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

What comes out first? This or silksong?

You know the answer to that.

Spoiler

It's going to be this one

 

[Impotaku]

I still haven't forgotten when you canceled Ushiro, Level 5

It’s worse as they revived it from PSP to say they were going to release on switch and then nothing at all. The game just vanished again wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was quietly canned a second time. Yet they still keep releasing inazuma 11 games even though it hasn’t been a thing for years. No justice in the world.

 

[ap_puff]

Huh?? Wasn't it supposed to come out this year?

 

[Lorianus]

It's like an Anime Duke Nuke'em Forever.

 

[Astray]

A 2-year delay is honestly unprecedented. But I'm all for it if it ensures a polished product. This game is clearly trying to do something new and fresh.

I'm also thinking that they might target Switch 2 instead of 1 and remove some optimization hassle.

 

[Fake]

PS6 launch tittle?

 

[STARSBarry]

I wonder if there wanting it to be a release for the next generation of switch. Been looking forward to this one, level 5 are hit and miss... a little sad that their trying to franchise it across multiple media types, similair to FF XV. Prior titles that did this I have often found to be lacking from them like Megaton.

 

[Moochi]

Ugly AF character design but at least when you go into the virtual world yer a furry wtf

 

[yankee666]

a 2026 Ps4 game? really? by the time this game releases the PS6 may be available

 

[SEGAvangelist]

This is in development hell isn't it?

What comes out first? This or silksong?

Concord Remastered?

 

[StereoVsn]

Jeez, a two year delay and pushing Switch and PS4 titles on 2026.

“The game sales have not met our expectations” message will be incoming.

 

[Davevil]

 

[Evil Calvin]

No Xbox? Sony strikes again?........can't wait until they cry that it underperforms.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

PC?
Pleasantly surprise by this.

Hopefully more game from Level 5 are coming!

That's probably why it's been delayed.

Also yet more proof that trying to support more platforms Day 1 does in fact increase development times...could probably explain more than a few things happening this gen but I'll leave it there.

A 2-year delay is honestly unprecedented. But I'm all for it if it ensures a polished product. This game is clearly trying to do something new and fresh.

I'm also thinking that they might target Switch 2 instead of 1 and remove some optimization hassle.

Yeah, also gotta agree on this point. Switch 2 just makes so much more sense vs Switch 1; that could also be a factor into the delay.

Meanwhile there's a good chance the PS4 version won't necessarily be that much of a seller in 2026, but PS5 is slowing down in Japan and its software sales situation for the most part is a nightmare over there. Level 5 obviously want the game to perform well in Japan and even if Switch 2 has an unprecedented 12-18 months launch period, it still won't be where the Switch currently is for install base.

So do Level 5 drop the Switch version, drop the PS4 version, or drop both and hope PS5, Switch 2 & Steam can make up the difference? The wildcard here is the next Xbox; if they are releasing something in 2026 and it's a console/PC hybrid (that can also access Steam), there's a chance that would help with pushing more Steam sales of the game by acting as a new access point.

 

[Kasane89]

Dont forget it was first supposed to release end of 2023

 

[Tarnpanzer]

How can you misestimate for that amount of years?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

daaam

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Wow that's a Star Citizen level of delay... Hope nobody pre-ordered.

 

[drganon]

Well that sucks.

 

[thatsafakewebsitebro]

Level 5 gonna Level 5. Really looking forward to this game. I thought Reynatis (different dev I know) would scratch that police/drama jrpg, but after playing the demo, I realized I had to look elsewhere. Sucks this got delayed that far.

 

[Midn1ght]

That's probably why it's been delayed.

Also yet more proof that trying to support more platforms Day 1 does in fact increase development times...could probably explain more than a few things happening this gen but I'll leave it there.

Releasing games on all platforms day 1 definitely increase development time but with how much it cost to develop modern games these days, it's inevitable to go multi plat for most developers. I want Level 5 to do well so hopefully the game is successful across the board.

 

[Danjin44]

I wasn’t expecting this will come out in 2024 but I didn’t think it would get delayed to 2026.

 

[Investor9872]

That's too bad. I was really looking forward to Decapolice this year. It has already been delayed twice before!

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Releasing games on all platforms day 1 definitely increase development time but with how much it cost to develop modern games these days, it's inevitable to go multi plat for most developers. I want Level 5 to do well so hopefully the game is successful across the board.

Well, in some cases the costs are due to poor money management via feature creep, or having too many redundancies involved in the process. But I don't inherently have any issue with the game supporting more platforms Day 1 same as I wouldn't have an issue if it were exclusive to one or two platforms at launch.

It's whatever the parties involved feel is best for the game, I'd say. But yeah, also hoping the game is very successful for them; has a pretty interesting premise and Level 5 have never really gotten the recognition I think they've deserved. Now could be the time.

 

[digital_ghost]

Probably going to have a switch 2 version then. Or at the very least backwards compatible with fps boost.

Loved level 5 ever since ni no kuni.

 

[Bernoulli]

This a no translation for yokai watch on switch

 

[Ridicululzz]

Level 5 games are pretty quality. I guess the delay is because of the PC addition? Sucks because I was looking forward to this one

 

[Danjin44]

Level 5 is like MAPPA in anime industry, they take too many project at once and their release cycle becomes a mess.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Level 5 is like MAPPA in anime industry, they take too many project at once and their release cycle becomes a mess.

Is it the same team? How can they possibly switch from project to project and not just finish one and then start another? Switching between them makes me doubt their quality even more as they'll lose consistency. JRPG's are already notorious for having terrible end-games...

 

[KXVXII9X]

Oh noo... I was really looking forward to this game. This isn't a good sign. To be delayed this much. I was so happy for Level 5's return but so far, it is just endless waiting and proper lack of marketing. By 2026, I would probably have a Switch 2 or a next gen PC handheld and would have already moved on.

 

[Shin-Ra]

Between the crosseyedness and the dangly cat, I laughed more than expected. Then the sad memory that Ni no Kuni Remastered looks better than most stylish JRPG’s from recent times.

 

[West Texas CEO]

 

[Labadal]

I expected 2025, but Level 5 really outdid themselves with this dealy.

 

[Barakov]

That's a significant delay. I wonder what....

Level 5 is like MAPPA in anime industry, they take too many project at once and their release cycle becomes a mess.

Level 5 being Level 5 it seems.

 

[POKEYCLYDE]

What the Jesus christ. I've been hyped for this game... pushed to 2026 is WILD. Not a good look when it was suppose to be out in 2023.

 

[digital_ghost]

Is it the same team? How can they possibly switch from project to project and not just finish one and then start another? Switching between them makes me doubt their quality even more as they'll lose consistency. JRPG's are already notorious for having terrible end-games...

You mean you don't want to catch all 1,145 pokemon?

 

[near]

Decapolice along with every other project Level-5 announce will just get delayed, year after year until you forget it existed in the first place.