Replaced Preview - Gamescom 2024

Pixel visual styles have been all the rage over the past decade in the indie video game market. The timeless look and feel, combined with a vastly reduced presentation production budget,made it an appealing choice for many developers. However, as the art style evolved, many have ventured beyond the basics, such as Dead Cells and Sable, to create very high-fidelity looks. Replaced, from Sad Cat Studios and Coatsink, was announced back in 2021 but has been pushed back a few times since then. But the release is hopefully getting closer, as we had a chance to see and play the game at Gamescom 2024.

The game is a 2.5D sci-fi action platformer set in the dystopian alternative 1980’s. According to the developers, players will assume the role of R.E.A.C.H, an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body against its own will. We didn't get much detail beyond that - as the demo simply throws you into a fight as the main character.

This battle took place on a gritty street, with a bright fire burning in the background. On a 2D plane, the main character could move back and forth up to a certain edge of the level, as enemies appeared from both sides. At our disposal was the typical light and heavy attack, though the latter had a huge windup time that left you vulnerable. There was also a pistol shot available that dealt fatal damage almost every time, with ammo that freely replenished but only after a very long time. To avoid danger, there is a dodge move.

As enemies approached into melee range, they had a visual indicator telegraphing their attempt at an attack, giving us a chance to get out of the way. Wailing on the enemies felt good, and it didn't take very long to get into the flow of the combat. The fight moves were well-animated, and the punches sounded impactful. The developers say they tried to get inspiration from the Batman Arkham series, and while that's a daunting target, based on our brief playtime they may have actually pulled it off fairly well and the comparison may stand.

After dispatching the first few foes, the next group moved from the background and into the foreground. This batch of enemies featured new types, such as those who moved very quickly, those who had a shield that required a strong attack to break through (going behind did not work), and those who could shoot - again, a visual indicator helped to get out of the way. Avoiding damage is important because the hero only had a few segments of health, and they depleted with each hit. There was one small heal item available, but it still took us a few attempts to beat the demo.

That's because the final wave featured a boss, who had lots of health and a number of armor pieces that needed to be broken. He had quick attacks and moved across the level with speed, and by the time this final fight began, we'd usually be low on health already. Still, finally overcoming this challenge felt rewarding. The full game will have three difficulty levels, for your choosing.

It also didn't hurt that the level was pleasant to look at, with the high fidelity pixel art really creating a strong atmosphere. The dark character designs contrasted with the fire burning in the background, the smooth combat flowed well and without any visual hitches, and the music fit the pseudo-cyberpunk setting. The full game promises 3D style cutscenes and a cinematic feel, along with platforming and an engaging narrative.

Many indie games try to impress with their visual style, and perhaps don't have much else to show for it. With Replaced, while the demo was brief, it left a good impression. The visuals are great, yes, but the atmosphere was also notably strong, and the combat stage showcased some well-realized mechanics. There is a strong foundation here, and hopefully this momentum carries on to the final launch - which is now delayed again, this time to 2025; it is planned for release on PC and Xbox platforms.