REPLACED Preview

REPLACED is a gritty and fascinatingly fun retro-futuristic 2.5D platformer that puts you in the shoes of a man who's not what he seems. As a cruel irony in a warped world seemingly destined to repeat many of its same mistakes, you play as R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped against its will inside the human body of one of its creators. This is also the debut IP for Sad Cat Studios, and an incredibly promising one at that.

With an impeccably atmospheric cyberpunk vibe and a killer synth soundtrack to boot, the journey back into the bowels of Phoenix-City is filled with meticulously crafted backdrops, lore that feels familiar yet ever-poignant, and combat that never ceases to be satisfying with every drop-kick and dead shot.

Despite only getting a little under an hour with this game's demo, I found myself utterly fixated by what REPLACED is dishing out, and it definitely looks like the years put into its development are set to pay off handsomely.

A Phoenix With a Rotten Core

The world that's introduced to us in REPLACED is a captivating one, however grim it may look on the surface. By now, we're certainly no strangers to the cyberpunk aesthetic in games and movies, and its futuristic allure that's often characterized by juxtaposing elements that make our world just alien enough to survive in otherwise impossible circumstances as humans. However, even though we've seen and experienced it before on behalf of other IPs, this game's take on a cyberpunk thriller still feels plenty fresh, and I found myself wanting to learn everything about it.

In this case, the world in question is a retro-futuristic version of 1980s America, where, in the aftermath of a shady nuclear calamity, what's left of the country rises from the ashes under the banner of something called the Phoenix Initiative. From that comes the formation of a network of shelters, charity organizations, hospitals, and research facilities, resources that all inherently serve to benefit humanity in a time of crisis. However, that network eventually grows into something else entirely — the Phoenix Corporation.

From there, the symbol of renewal and vigor sheds its brightest feathers, a guise as it were, to slowly reveal the true malevolent creature within. Oh, how predictable we are.

While the demo gives just a taste of this world and how R.E.A.C.H contends with it, what I managed to find had me hooked from the outset. Outside the dialogue between a select few characters, there are a few opportunities to scan pieces of lore while progressing through areas. Even better, your instrument for this lore collection, among other things, is a ridiculously cool analog device called the Wingman (how clever). I couldn't help but bounce with nostalgic glee the first time I pulled it up, and honestly, finding a way to make an otherwise rudimentary aspect of gameplay this engaging is an absolute win in my book.

That aside, REPLACED clearly has quite the story to tell, and if the previous trailers are any indication, the world within this game is set to have a remarkable number of layers. After all, the demo only took me through certain areas outside Phoenix-City's walls, leaving far more to the imagination for now. Furthermore, seeing how R.E.A.C.H. grapples with the world its creator, Warren, helped manifest is due to be an experience all its own.

Combat is a Fluid Dance With the Perfect Punch

Nailing combat that is all-around satisfying in a 2D or even a 2.5D setting is a technical feat in itself. It may often be the focal point in other niches like Metroidvanias, but in a setting that's designed to be more cinematic and free-flowing, ensuring that players can still feel the satisfaction of combat as a role in the story is arguably even more important.

Initially, I was very curious to see how this would play out as a normal human character overridden by an AI consciousness. After all, this isn't a T-800 scenario with a literal killing machine sent from the future, or vice versa, a situation where the AI is essentially born into a human form with time to hone its abilities. This is a spur-of-the-moment, accidental outcome that both parties have to contend with and adapt to with little time to spare.

From the start of the demo, you can see this reflected in the character's passive behavior; sneezing on occasion after idling for a while, stumbling over certain obstacles while running, and flinching at impending threats. This alludes that Warren and his human instincts haven't been entirely overridden, despite R.E.A.C.H. dominating the conversation during dialogues and assuming physical control during combat. I found those little nuances to be a fascinating touch that you otherwise wouldn't usually catch in a 2D-style setting.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the combat itself, the fluidity and impact of each sequence felt better than the last. It admittedly takes a little bit to get the hang of it, but once I had the rhythm down, landing each punch or kick while dodging incoming fire was so thoroughly satisfying. From what I got to try, there are no quick-time events (so far) or anything else that throws off that rhythm, meaning that every moment of battle is a seamless dance until the end. I sincerely hope it stays that way the entire journey, whether it's against mobs of grunts or the bosses that pull their strings.

Synth You Feel in Your Soul

As if I didn't have enough to brag about with this game already, the cherry on top of this whole cyberpunk experience has to be the hints of a marvelously composed synth-style soundtrack that fits perfectly within its retro-futuristic setting. As I progressed through the demo, those synth beats kick in just enough during poignant moments of gameplay, whether it's discovering something important or stumbling into another fight.

However, as cool as it is, the music takes care not to drown out the experience. Rather, it serves to amplify the immersion at all the right moments. It rises to the surface before cross-fading back into the post-apocalyptic fog once a fight ends, until it's needed again. It never feels repetitive or unnecessary, and speaks to the talent at work in Sand Cat Studios.

Furthermore, they even gave us a bigger tease of this soundtrack with the release of a lyric song titled "VOID," performed by Igor Gritsay and Aygad (Feat. Marina Thorik). On top of being a perfect means of marketing for the game, it's just a downright addictive song to listen to. It was also released back in 2021, if that's any indication of how impactful this game has intended to be from the start.

A Perfect Cyberpunk Indie to Kick Off the Year

As the tide of powerful indie game titles continues to surge into 2026, I can say with emphatic confidence that REPLACED looks to have all the elements in place for a powerful wave crush on its own. Despite having only a brief moment with it in this demo, the impression it's left on me is one of the most assuring ones I've had in a while. I personally can't wait to pick this back up, and thankfully, we won't have long to wait.

REPLACED is set to release on March 12, 2026 for Xbox Series (X|S) and PC storefronts, including Steam and Epic Games. A demo will also soon be available for players to experience ahead of its debut. If you want to learn more about this game and its development process, you can visit its official website as well as Sad Cat Studio's website.