Replaced Reviews
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.
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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.
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.
With its sharp presentation, REPLACED will have you grappling with emotions, and it was well worth the wait.
You'll want to take in Replaced's retrofuturistic version of dystopian USA as much as possible, but the phenomenal visuals can only do so much to make up for the above-average combat and puzzle-platforming.
Replaced in many ways explains why it took so long to arrive. It pours most of its effort into art and world building, with top tier pixel visuals, cinematic framing, and a thought provoking setting all standing out as clear strengths. Beneath that striking presentation, however, the gameplay feels thin. Formulaic storytelling, repetitive level design, and a shallow combat system make its ten hour journey leave little lasting impression.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
At the end of the day, Replaced is a game that I was only interested in because of the cyberpunk elements, but after many hours of playing it, it won me over in many ways. The hypnotic soundtrack and breathtaking visuals make Replaced a must for fans of cyberpunk or dystopian themes.
Sad Cat Studios makes its debut with REPLACED, a gripping adventure that rewrites humanity's known past. Some 80 dystopian and retrofuturistic settings serve as the backdrop for the story, which takes on special significance as the game progresses. Outstanding art, visceral combat, and platforming come together to create an action title where everything blends perfectly to form a well-rounded video game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
REPLACED is a fully cinematic experience that not only draws players in with its compelling story and characters but also features pixel art environments that are simply stunning.
Replaced, the debut title from Sad Cat Studios, lives up to the high expectations we had after first seeing the trailer back at E3 2021. This pixel-art cyberpunk action thriller works exceptionally well, both visually and in terms of gameplay. Replaced is a successful blend of genres: it shifts seamlessly between action and stealth, woven together by a plot that, whilst not original, is well-written. A few issues with readability during the action sequences do not detract from the overall assessment of this indie title, which remains an interesting and highly recommended game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This is a bold, beautiful, and emotionally grounded game with some of the best pixel-art direction I have seen in years. If you care about world-building, strong art direction, and character-driven sci-fi stories, REPLACED is an easy recommendation.
REPLACED is one of the most visually arresting games in recent memory, with pixel art and animation that constantly demand attention. Its combat and traversal can feel slick and satisfying in bursts, but repetition, lighter mechanical depth, and uneven pacing stop it from fully becoming as special to play as it is to behold.
There's so much more to Replaced than just the (incredibly) beautiful looks. While the game world alone can completely captivate you visually, the combination of exploration, platforming and the Batman Arkham-style combat system is incredibly fun to play. Aside from a few minor visual glitches in the last two chapters the game had no major technical issues and especially its worldbuilding completely drew me in.
Review in German | Read full review
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.
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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.
The key factor in Replaced is whether you’ll be captivated by the visuals and immersed in the cyberpunk universe enough for them to push you forward despite the setbacks – and there are plenty of those, as the repetitive combat and unresponsive controls in the platforming sections can really try your patience. Ultimately, this is a game that’s better to look at than to play.
Review in Polish | Read full review