REPLACED

A stunning cyberpunk pixel art experience that could've been tighter

I went into REPLACED with high expectations after seeing the trailers, and I'm happy to say I really enjoyed my playthrough. That said, by the final chapters it started feeling a bit long in the tooth.

The game is mostly linear with some light exploration in the main hub area between missions and optional bits that make going for 100% completion pretty straightforward, even for casual players who aren't hardcore completionists.

Combat & Pacing

Combat has real weight and satisfying "crunch" to the hits. The stagger/counter mechanics feel great once you get the rhythm down. However, many of the deeper tools and abilities only unlock toward the end of the game. That left me with limited time to fully master and enjoy them.

Enemy variety is on the low side (around 5 core types), so encounters started feeling repetitive toward the later stages. The boss fights were highlights though — they looked and felt cool, even if most bosses basically reuse the same attack patterns as regular enemies with tighter timing.

Story & Themes

The story is genuinely strong and thought-provoking. Playing as an AI suddenly trapped in a decaying human body raises timely questions about identity, control, and the rapid rise of AI in our own world. It gave me plenty to chew on after finishing.

My Main Frustrations

My one noticeable frustration came with the dialogue and story sections. There's no way to skip or fast-forward through main conversations. Everything is timed, so you often end up just sitting there waiting for the next line to appear. With no voice acting, it got frustrating at times, especially as a fast reader.

Movement and platforming are decent overall. Some jumps feel a little floaty or imprecise, but honestly, that almost works thematically — you're controlling an AI learning to pilot a human suit.

Final Dad Verdict

All in all, I really enjoyed REPLACED. The visuals are breathtaking (that 2.5D pixel art with lighting and atmosphere is next-level for an indie), the cyberpunk vibe is on point, and the narrative sticks with you.

My main wishes are that it could've been a bit shorter, the combat mechanics introduced and expanded earlier, and that dialogue sections allowed skipping or faster pacing.

If you're into stylish action-platformers with a strong story and incredible presentation, this one is worth your time. Just go in knowing it's a focused 10-12 hour experience that shines brightest in its world and themes rather than endless mechanical depth.

Overall Dad Score: 8/10