Replaced Reviews
REPLACED doesn’t feel like it’s trying to compete by being bigger or louder than everything else. It’s doing something smarter. It’s focusing on mood, detail, and a clear vision. And honestly, that works in its favor. There’s a sense of confidence in how the game presents itself. It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t over-explain. It lets the player step in and figure things out. If everything comes together the way it looks like it might, REPLACED could end up being one of those games people remember not because it tried to do everything but because it did its own thing really well.
Replaced is brilliant, with the visually spectacular adventure offering engaging storytelling, rewarding combat and satisfying platforming that’ll keep players hooked in from start to end. Sure, it has some rough edges here and there, but with the core experience proving tantalising throughout, it’s easy to find yourself wholly invested in this brilliantly crafted dystopian world.
An incredibly atmospheric 2D action/platform game with top-notch immersion but rather unremarkable gameplay.
Replaced reveals how far independent development has progressed in the current world. It allows you get lost in a world that is beautiful to look at and makes you contemplate.
REPLACED is one of the best dramatic platformers of the last few years. It might not change the genre completely, but it shows that there is still room for new ideas in it. The mood, story, and style of play in this game make it memorable for players who care about those things.
Replaced is a peculiar game for me because I was so hyped for it and it left me a bit torn. On one hand, it is an absolute breathtakingly beautiful pixel art game that needs awards for its art design. It also has a good story that I was invested in. However, on the other hand, I can’t help feel a bit let down by its overall simplistic and sometimes repetitive gameplay design. So did it live up to the hype? Yes and no, but I think this is still a must play game for the overall package and experience even if it can drag a bit.
Replaced didn't quite land for me from a gameplay perspective. Combat has its highs, but can be a tad repetitive due to encounters all structure the same way. Platforming and stealth did feel disappointing, but your mileage will certainly vary as while many absolutely loved those aspects, they just didn't hit for me and felt inferior to other games in the genre. Still, Replaced has a good story, great characters, and is a visual masterpiece that certainly is begging to be explored.
REPLACED is an awesome debut for Sad Cat Studios, who deliver us a fascinating cyberpunk pixel art adventure with satisfying combat. Despite some balancement issues, it remains a great action-platformer and a must-play for fans of dystopian sci-fi adventures.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Replaced is set to a visual standard heads and shoulders above anything else like it and maintains that standard consistently. While combat and platforming are satisfying, there will undoubtedly arise moments where both frustrate more than they please. For folks who have been anticipating Replaced’s launch, it will have been well worth the wait to follow as its protagonist discovers their own humanity in a city that lacks it.
REPLACED is the kind of game that makes the long wait feel worth it. Sad Cat Studios built a world in Phoenix City that feels raw and dangerous, pairing a high-concept AI story with combat that has some real weight behind it. The platforming can feel a bit clunky compared to how responsive the brawls are, but the R.E.A.C.H. narrative and that synth-heavy soundtrack are the real stars here. This is an easy recommendation if you want a serious, moody thriller that stays with you long after you put the controller down.
Replaced is a game like few others. The production quality is top-notch, which is truly impressive for such a small studio. Yes, the genre won’t be for everyone, but those who give it a try will be pleasantly surprised. A high-quality storyline, plenty of action, and a wonderful soundtrack make this game one of the best available in 2026. Is this the start of a golden age for Sad Cat Studios? We can only hope so and see how far they can go. For now, it’s time to fully enjoy Replaced.
Review in French | Read full review
There's much more to Sad Cat Studios' game than simply describing it as a revival of games like Flashback or Another World.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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Review in Italian | Read full review
Replaced is a stylish but flawed cyberpunk indie. There’s a compelling idea at its core, but uneven execution holds it back at almost every turn. If you can push through the dull combat, mindless side quests and inconsistent platforming, the story and striking aesthetic are just about strong enough to carry you to the end.
Replaced is a staggering visual achievement, blending 2.5D retro-futurism with a captivatingly grim premise. However, its kinetic combat eventually gives way to repetitive rhythms and sluggish pacing. While the stylish veneer occasionally masks a lack of mechanical depth, the atmospheric world-building remains a journey worth taking.
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.
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Review in German | Read full review