Summary
Most games typically release a first look or a trailer months or even years ahead of their actual launch date. This strategy generates hype and increases the likelihood of pre-orders. However, some developers have surprised gamers byannouncing and releasing their games on the same day, creating a whirlwind of excitement.
Also known asshadow-dropping, revealing and releasing a video game on the same day is a bold move, but it has resulted in several instant hits, thanks to their connections to iconic franchises or being revealed at special events. From unexpected indie hits to blockbuster titles, these games not only caught players off guard but also delivered unforgettable experiences right out of the gate.
A companion game toFallout 4,Fallout Shelterhas the player managing a vault and the survivors living inside, all presented in the Vault-Tech Pip-Boy art style. Players must expand the shelter itself to provide a home and work for the inhabitants while also accomplishing missions out in the wasteland, creating a fun micromanagement game that is good for those who just want to play for a few minutes a day.
Fallout Shelterreleased just months beforeFallout 4, allowing players to get a feel for the game while also tiding them over in anticipation of the long-awaited sequel. It was revealed at E3 2015, and anybody who finished seeing the announcement trailer at the convention or online was able to immediately download it on PC, console, or mobile devices to play it.
Unravelwas already an impressive puzzle game, featuring a character made of yarn going on a fun, visually stunning, and challenging platforming adventure that made the player feel small. The biggest problem was that its conceptwas ideal for co-op gameplay, and the sequel,Unravel Two, fixed that complaint to create a familiar yet fresh experience.
Platforming puzzles are even more creative inUnravel Two, with Yarny and Tangle going on another miniature adventure that feels like a precursor to games likeIt Takes TwoandSplit Fiction. Players can climb, wrap, jump, swing, and manipulate the world in various ways to reunite with their owner.Unravel Twowas announced during EA Play in June 2018 and was released for PS4, Xbox One, and PC the same day.
The hack-and-slash genre hasn’t seen the spotlight in some time, with even the laterGod of Wargames embracing more of a third-person RPG style. However,Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackbrings that classic genre back, with Ryu Hayabusa slaughtering every enemy who appears, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to recreatethe 2008 hack-and-slash gamefrom top to bottom.
Like the stealthy ninja that stars in it,Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackappeared out of nowhere the same day gamers got a trailer for it. There were no teasers for it or rumors, which helped make the surprise even better. While the original release ofNinja Gaiden 2had impressive visuals for its time, Unreal Engine 5 enables the game to look even prettier and run smoother than ever before.
Metroid Prime Remasteredwas a pleasant surprise for everyone, as manyfelt thatNintendo had abandoned theMetroid Primegames. Fortunately, the remaster came along, delivering the same iconic first-person shooter Metroidvania experience but with enhanced visuals and smoother controls on the Nintendo Switch.
The surprise shadow-drop on the same day as its announcement proved to be effective, with longtime fans being able to play a beloved title while also introducing new fans to the rebooted version of Samus Aran. The success ofMetroid Prime Remasteredwould end up paving the way for the long-awaited sequel,Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Tango Gameworks had made a name for itself in the horror genre withThe Evil WithinandGhostwire: Tokyo, so few expected their next project to bea rhythm-based action gamewhere everything in the world is set to the beat of the music, even the combat. It allowedHi-Fi Rushto be a surprise gem that seemingly came out of nowhere as an Xbox and PC exclusive.
It was released after being revealed during the 2023 Xbox Bethesda Developer Direct and went on to become an award-winning game, so popular that it eventually made its way to the PlayStation 5.Hi-Fi Rushforces the player to learn timing, with every jump and action best executed in sync with the EDM soundtrack to deal extra damage and perform parries.
Set in the same world as theTitanfallgames,Apex Legendswas released during a time when many companies were dipping their toes into the Battle Royale genre. It could have fallen apart like many others did, butApex Legendsinstead exploded into the mainstream and remains a consistently updated live-service title that keeps up with, and has even surpassed, the likes ofFortniteandPUBG.
Apex Legendswas revealed and released in 2019 by Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts, providing familiar Battle Royale gameplay with a first-person hero shooter twist. It utilizes many gameplay aspects fromTitanfall, such asfast movement speed, various weapons, and traversal, to create hectic battlesthat are both challengingand enjoyable.
With how many timesThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimhas been remastered and re-released, fans of the series were starting to think Bethesda had forgotten its predecessor,The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. However, fans got lucky on June 25, 2025, with the reveal and shadow-drop release ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredafter months of rumors and leaks.
A game likeOblivioncould have simply been polished and re-released, but instead,The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredis more of a remake that was rebuiltfrom the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. Virtuos Studios remade everything down to the smallest detail and improved the visuals, audio, and gameplay, while still retaining the quirks that made fans love the original fantasy RPG so much.
