Aeternum Game Studios has officially announced that Aeterna Lucis, the sequel to Aeterna Noctis, will no longer release in September 2025 as originally planned. Instead, the Metroidvania title has been delayed to 2026. The studio explained that the decision was motivated both by scheduling concerns surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong and by ongoing preparations for a simultaneous multi-platform launch.
In an open statement to the community, the developers noted that competing with Team Cherry’s long-awaited Silksong would diminish the visibility and impact of their own project. They stressed that launching side by side with such a highly anticipated title would not do justice to the years of work invested by the team, nor to players who have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. Additionally, the studio acknowledged delays in receiving all necessary development kits for next-generation systems, making a coordinated release across platforms impractical this year.
Although the game is reportedly already finished, Aeternum Game Studios intends to use the extra time to polish and refine every detail, aiming to ensure that Aeterna Lucis delivers a high-quality experience. In their message, the team expressed gratitude toward Team Cherry, acknowledging the inspiration Hollow Knight provided in shaping their own series, while also reaffirming their commitment to supporting the broader Metroidvania community rather than competing against it.
Aeterna Lucis is described as the studio’s most ambitious project to date. Building on the foundation of Aeterna Noctis, it will offer fast-paced combat, an expansive interconnected map, hidden secrets, optional challenges, and a rich narrative. With its new release window in 2026, the developers hope to deliver a more polished and impactful launch, ensuring the game stands on its own outside the shadow of Silksong.
