REPLACED

REPLACED drops you into an alternate, post-nuclear 1980s America as R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped in a human body. Right away it sells a mood: neon nights, crumbling districts and moral gray zones. If you like Blade Runner vibes mixed with pixel-art cinema and fast, responsive combat, this one scratches that itch. It’s short, focused and feels like a lovingly handcrafted indie with the confidence of a studio that knew exactly what it wanted to make.

Running the Neon Gauntlet

Gameplay in REPLACED is all about flow. You sprint, climb, wall-run and vault through layered 2.5D stages that often feel like moving through a living set — one minute you’re sliding under a dumpster, the next you’re scaling a rusted scaffold while gunfire lights the sky. Combat is the heartbeat: a Baton for satisfying melee chains and a gun that charges up the more aggressively you press the attack. That little risk-reward loop—stay on the offensive to charge your ranged shot—turns encounters into short, punchy puzzles where positioning and timing count more than mashing buttons. Platforming mixes tight precision with cinematic beats; some sections demand trial-and-error, others reward exploration with lore tidbits and collectibles.

When Conductors Pull the Strings

What sets REPLACED apart are its systems that tie story and gameplay together. Playing as an AI learning human instincts gives the movement and choices a slightly uncanny feeling: R.E.A.C.H. can perform precise mechanical actions but is haunted by curiosity and doubt. Environmental storytelling is everywhere; audio logs, neon graffiti and half-broken holos reveal Phoenix Corporation’s rot without a lecture. Combat’s Arkham-esque cadence (attack, counter, dodge, break shields) is simple on the surface but ramps up with enemy varieties and little gadgets that change your approach — stealth windows, puzzle switches, and optional side jobs that pad out the ten-hour run. The progression is linear but layered: you’ll unlock more tools and face scenarios that nudge you to mix melee combos with that charged gun shot for dramatic finishes.

Pixel Noir, Reimagined — Sound, Look and Performance

Visually, REPLACED is a love letter to pixel art with a modern twist: hand-crafted sprites, depth-of-field, bloom and particle effects make each frame feel cinematic. Animations are buttery — the baton strikes land with weight, the recoil from the gun sells impact, and the city glows with a believable grime. The synth-heavy soundtrack deserves special mention; it doesn’t merely loop — it punctuates beats, swells during set-pieces and makes traversal feel like moving through a soundtrack you’re inside. Performance is generally excellent, especially on PC and notably on Steam Deck where many players report smooth 60fps sessions. That said, there are scattered reports (and I hit one myself in testing) of a progression-blocking bug and a couple of collision hiccups. Accessibility options are basic but present, and the game’s control scheme is responsive enough that playing with a controller feels natural. All told, REPLACED nails presentation and atmosphere, and only stumbles occasionally on polish.

REPLACED is a striking indie that nails atmosphere, presentation and punchy combat. It’s not perfect — a few rough bugs and some twitchy platforming hold it back from perfection — but for a focused 8–12 hour experience it’s a must-try for cyberpunk fans and anyone who loves crafted pixel art. Buy it if you want style, rhythm and story in a compact package.