REPLACED is a cool and exciting retro-futuristic platformer with a dark edge. You play as R.E.A.C.H., an artificial intelligence forced into the body of the person who built it—a strange twist in a world that keeps repeating its errors. This game is also the first release from Sad Cat Studios, and it’s a very strong start for them.
This game nails the cyberpunk atmosphere with a fantastic synth soundtrack. Exploring the gritty city of Phoenix-City is a treat, filled with detailed environments, a story that feels both nostalgic and impactful, and consistently fun, action-packed combat.
Even after playing just a short demo of the game, I was completely captivated by REPLACED. It’s clear the developers’ hard work will result in a fantastic final product.
A Phoenix With a Rotten Core
REPLACED presents a compelling world, even if it appears bleak at first. We’ve seen the cyberpunk style in many games and films – a futuristic look that blends familiar and alien elements, creating a world where humanity can endure seemingly impossible situations. Despite its familiarity, REPLACED’s take on the cyberpunk thriller feels remarkably new and immediately drew me in, making me eager to uncover its secrets.
The story takes place in a reimagined 1980s America, recovering from a mysterious nuclear disaster. A group called the Phoenix Initiative helped rebuild the country, establishing a network of shelters, charities, hospitals, and research centers – all designed to aid people during the crisis. But over time, this network transformed into the powerful Phoenix Corporation.
The symbol of hope and strength then loses its beautiful exterior, revealing the truly evil being underneath. It’s so typical of us to fall for such a disguise.
The demo only offers a small glimpse of the game’s world and its central conflict, but I was immediately captivated by what I discovered. Beyond the character conversations, you can uncover bits of story as you explore. What’s really clever is how you collect that story – using a fantastic, old-school device called the Wingman. I was thrilled when I first used it, and it’s a huge success to make something as simple as lore collection so much fun.
Even though cyberpunk thrillers are common, this game feels new and exciting, and I was eager to discover all its secrets.
Despite everything else, REPLACED promises a compelling narrative, and the trailers suggest a deeply complex world. The demo only showed a small part of the area outside Phoenix-City, leaving much of the game’s world still a mystery. Plus, watching the organization R.E.A.C.H. deal with the world created by Warren is shaping up to be a unique experience.
Combat is a Fluid Dance With the Perfect Punch
Creating truly satisfying combat in 2D or 2.5D games is challenging. While it’s often central to games like Metroidvanias, it’s especially important in more cinematic, action-focused games to make sure players still feel impactful and connected to the story through their actions.
I was fascinated to see what would happen when an AI took over a regular person’s mind. It wasn’t like a movie where a robot assassin comes to the present, or an AI is created and learns over time. This was a sudden, unexpected event, and both the human and the AI had to quickly figure things out and adjust.
Right from the beginning of the demo, the character shows subtle human traits – like occasionally sneezing when idle, tripping over things while running, and reacting to danger. These small details suggest that Warren’s natural instincts haven’t been completely suppressed, even though the R.E.A.C.H. system largely controls his words and actions. I thought these little touches were really interesting, especially since you don’t often see this level of detail in 2D games.
The combat felt consistently smoother and more impactful as I played. It took a little practice to learn, but once I found the timing, successfully hitting attacks and dodging felt really good. Thankfully, there don’t seem to be any frustrating quick-time events, which keeps the flow going and makes every fight feel connected. I’m hoping this remains true throughout the game, in both smaller encounters and against the major bosses.
Synth You Feel in Your Soul
On top of everything else I love about this game, the music is fantastic. The synth soundtrack perfectly matches the retro-futuristic world, and it really enhances key moments – like when you find something significant or get into a battle. It’s the perfect finishing touch to an already amazing experience.
Despite being well-done, the music doesn’t overwhelm the game’s atmosphere. Instead, it enhances the feeling of being there, swelling at key moments like during combat and then subtly fading back to create a sense of the desolate world. It’s skillfully implemented – never feeling repetitive or out of place – and really showcases the talent of the team at Sand Cat Studios.
As if the game wasn’t exciting enough, they dropped a new song called “VOID” by Igor Gritsay and Aygad, with vocals from Marina Thorik, and it’s seriously amazing! It’s a great way to get everyone hyped for the game, but honestly, it’s just a really catchy tune I can’t stop listening to. And the fact that it came out way back in 2021 really shows how much thought and effort has gone into making this game something special from the very beginning.
A Perfect Cyberpunk Indie to Kick Off the Year
Honestly, with so many amazing indie games coming out, I’m incredibly excited about REPLACED. Even after just a short demo, it’s already made a huge impression on me – one of the best I’ve had in ages! I’m really eager to jump back in, and thankfully, it looks like we won’t have to wait too long to play the full game.
REPLACED will launch on March 12, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players will soon be able to try out a demo before the game officially releases. For more information about the game and how it was made, check out the official REPLACED website and the Sad Cat Studio website.
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2026-02-10 17:18