Replaced Reviews
Replaced has been a long time coming, and for the most part we’re happy with how it has turned out. The combat and presentation are the highlights here, with incredible animation making every encounter look and feel awesome. A slow opening and generally heavy platforming and exploration can drag things down at times though. As it is, Replaced winds up being worth a play for sure, even if it isn’t quite the next best thing we were hoping for.
Replaced is a gripping and gorgeous 2.5D action platformer, even though this AI-based adventure could do with a system update to completely iron out the bugs.
Sad Cat elegantly depicts these themes, and I believe anyone who plays Replaced is going to have an enlightening experience, which I imagine is exactly what the studio was going for.
Replaced is a visually stunning 2D platformer that ambitiously strives to give a thrilling and emotional experience in the still relatively exclusive cyberpunk niche.
REPLACED is a visually stunning and narratively gripping cyberpunk adventure that’s hard to look away from, even when it stumbles. Its gorgeous 2.5D world, compelling story, and thoughtful character work make it stand out, but frustrating readability issues in both platforming and combat occasionally impede the experience. Despite these shortcomings, REPLACED’s style and substance shine through, making it an easy recommendation for fans of cinematic platformers and dystopian thrillers.
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Review in Spanish | Read full review
Replaced, the debut from indie developer Sad Cat Studios, is every bit as stunning as its trailers have made it out to be, and it's pretty fun, too.
This pulpy sci-fi thriller is a beautiful, if deferential, homage to the genre greats, with a poignant real-world echo
Rather than a spectacular journey across a ruined America, Replaced delivers an incredibly beautiful yet overly stretched story saddled with several poorly implemented gameplay mechanics.
Review in Russian | Read full review
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Review in Italian | Read full review
I should not have to spend 10 minutes of trial and error to figure out a mechanic that the game should display in the tutorial. For a game that has been delayed so many times it’s these kinds of bugs that are just simply a bad look for the developer. There is some fun to be had with Replaced on Series X but I would wait for a patch or two before I began to go looking for it.
REPLACED lives in a beautifully imagined dark and detailed world that’s immediately engaging. Characters and a narrative that are surprisingly nuanced and layered set the stage for action combat that relies pretty heavily on quick reflexes, stealth, and acrobatics. Some questionably telegraphed platforming and frustrating stealth sometimes get in the way, but on the whole REPLACED is a unique and thoroughly engaging sci-fi action game.
REPLACED is a feast for the eyes and ears. The world designed by Sad Cat Studios is vibrant and captivating, a place where getting lost in the details and references is a constant pleasure.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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Review in German | Read full review
Sad Cat Studios has finally delivered the game they've been promising for years, and it's every bit as brilliant as I'd hoped. Featuring an incredible tale of what it is to be human, Reach touches hearts and rips some out as he hops and whacks his way across Phoenix City and beyond. This is an Indie Game of the Year contender, no doubt about it.
Replaced's art style is simply incredible to look at, and its narrative concerning AI and megacorps feels original rather than derivative. Even so, it's a very slow burn, with pretty basic platforming and mundane Simon Says-style combat.
Apparently, Replaced has been languishing in development hell for the best part of a decade. This was news to me, but it suits the game's setting,...
Replaced delivers a striking and atmospheric experience, backed by exceptional pixel art, a compelling narrative, and fluid, satisfying combat. While its platforming and stealth systems lack the same level of polish, and pacing can dip in places, the game’s strengths consistently shine through. It may not hit every mark, but it’s a confident and memorable debut from Sad Cat Studios.
REPLACED feels simultaneously over-scoped yet under-designed. An incredible visual style and rich world immediately catch the eye, but only the former holds up across the entire adventure. Likewise, the gameplay is initially rewarding, but fails to expand its simple foundations over a journey that’s far too bloated. REPLACED’s repetitive gameplay holds back the gorgeous aesthetics, but there’s still a charming core underneath the grime that may just win you over.
With its sharp presentation, REPLACED will have you grappling with emotions, and it was well worth the wait.