Replaced (2026)

When I first launched Replaced, I was reminded of Full Void, a short puzzle platformer I loved three years ago. This has many similarities, both in having many puzzle platformer elements and being set in a dystopian future ruled by a tyrannical AI. Replaced is far longer, however, and combat is a major part of the game.

Said combat is challenging, sure and offers some variety with blocks, deflections and dodges. Rather than focus on unique challenges for the boss fights, however, they mostly just focus on throwing repetitive hordes of enemies at you. The final boss, in fact, isn't even a single tough enemy. Instead, it's an even more horde-y horde of multiple swarms of enemies coming at you. While I didn't hate it, it wasn't much fun to have to fight these battles, especially if you died and had to repeat again the repetitive battle.

The story isn't especially original, with the minor twist that the protagonist is literally a human whose body is taken over by an AI. It has some decently done characters and the protagonist's plot is sympathetic and well-handled. The puzzles aren't too difficult and the sidequests are pleasing.

It played well on my Steam Deck.

Replaced is one of those reluctant completion games. It starts off interestingly enough for you to keep playing, but slowly starts to wane and wear on you as you keep playing. By the time you're close to the end, you want to stop playing but figure you might as well finish it since you're so close anyway. Then, upon finishing, you can't help but feel your time was wasted.

This game is absolutely gorgeous and has some of the coolest art direction of any game I've played. The pixel art mixed with its 2.5D perspective make for a visually stunning game. Unfortunately, that's all Replaced really has going for it. The music is forgettable, the combat is unsatisfying and monotonous, the platforming is stiff and often frustratingly demands absurd levels of precision, and the story is incredibly boring.

The game wasn't so bad that it left me with nothing but disdain for it, but it was a horribly forgettable experience - which is oftentimes worse.

I haven't played a ton 2D cinematic platformers, yet this still felt familiar. The gameplay was a mix of Prince of Persia, Out of this World and the Arkham combat style. A lot of what Sad Cat Studios presents here is terrific , though I did have a few minor quibbles that prevented it from reaching greater heights.

I'll start with the stuff that I didn't find enjoyable. The characters, story, world building and writing were ho-hum and even typing that out sounds mean because none of those aspects are bad by any measure. I just wasn't compelled to see the story to the end, or see how Reach's decision would impact his friends. The lore bored me. Maybe I'm getting old, or I've read so many science fiction stories that something is really going to have to jump out to make a difference. Not so here.

Some of the platforming felt off. I never felt super confident that I was going to make a jump, though the game is forgiving in that regard.

I desperately wanted a "run" button. Not that any of the areas are overly large, but going through the main hub was like pulling teeth at times.

So, with that out of the way, let's get to the good!

The animation, presentation, graphical style, and soundtrack are top notch. Amazing. There's so much personality to the backgrounds, NPCs and settings that I took at least 40 screenshots during my playtime. The synth, morose songs playing with smoky lights filtering through apartment blinds is just pure serotonin for me. Inject it right into my veins. The level of detail on character's outfits, or the vending machines, or even the foreground construction had me in awe. Terrific and the best part of the game by a mile.

Combat is 2D Batman Arkham style. Lucky for me, I love that style. It's not entirely original, but it doesn't have to be. Had a blast with every encounter.

Overall this is really close to being an amazing game, but instead it will just have to be 'pretty good" for me. Only a few, small things held it back.