Replaced is a 2.5D cinematic action platform game that probably took a lot of inspiration from the classic side-scrolling platform shooter Flashback.
Replaced has a dark backstory set in an alternative 1984, that you slowly reveal as you progress. There are moments of brevity and humour, but this is a very dark story that has the main population labelled as "Disposals", and has organ harvesting at the core of its plot. The main story sees you uncover the secrets of the Phoenix mega-Corporation through the eyes of R.E.A.C.H., an advanced AI trapped unwillingly in a human body–Doctor Warren Marsh is the co-creator of R.E.A.C.H. and the human that it's been installed in–yep, that's you that is...
An escape/stealth section that felt a lot like levels from the classics Limbo and Inside gets you into the game, and soon after a guy named Tempest saves you by ramming an attacking machine gun-toting rail car with his amazing multi-engined beast of a motor.
He takes you to 'the Station', which acts as the game's hub. Both friends (Tempest) and frienemies (The Matriarch) live here and this is where you'll get given your missions, uncover more backstory and figure out how to escape. Side missions are optional but can reward you with extra med stims and health hearts.
Replaced has a strange mixture of graphical styles. While the backgrounds scroll at a smooth rate, Warren/REACH and all the enemies and NPCs look to be animated to look like classic Anime characters, i.e. around 8-12 FPS. As he's drawn for most of the game, Warren looks a bit like a cross between Michael Jackson and Desperate Dan.
Controls are fairly standard; You jump with 'A', 'X' is basic attack, once you have the pickaxe 'B' is heavy attack (removes enemies' armour), counterattack with 'Y', shoot with the right trigger (can also be a finisher), deflect a projectile with 'RB' and create a shock wave with 'LB'(once unlocked).
The neon-lit streets and alleys of The Station give way to outdoor forest sections and dingy industrial settings–you never really know what to expect next. The gameplay varies but the next brawl in which you're heavily outnumbered and attacked by several enemies at once is never far away. The combat is simple, plentiful and satisfying–you can chain melee attacks with ranged attacks to obliterate numerous enemies.
Although the combat works well enough, some of Warren's movement is clunky and a tad unresponsive–laggy even. It's also annoying that it takes a second after a cut scene before you regain control. A further problem arises when you have to decide which plane to be on in the 2.5D world because it can be difficult to see what's a playable area and what isn't.
The non-government sewer-dwelling enemies are called Termites, and they're a varied bunch, from easy fodder to annoying riflemen to monstrous armoured juggernauts. Once you've decimated them you find that the Cops are made up from a similar selection of body types. I felt too many fights involved riflemen hanging back and pinging away at you while armoured soldiers attack you from both sides. You soon learn to take out those cowardly snipers asap. Every fight is a matter of life and death, no matter how good you get. Fortunately you get a pickaxe, which allows you to hack the armour off the tougher enemies and hooks onto certain wall sections, allowing you to climb to seemingly inaccessible places.
Possibly due to the main character's limited animation the level of control seems a bit vague. Button presses need to be almost premature and dodges, blocks and changes of direction or plane can be woolly and unresponsive.
The timeline seems a tad confused as it's set in 1984, but has flying attack drones like Terminator, the near-future events of which were set in 2029 or thereabouts. There are also computers and other gadgets that simply didn't exist in 1984. At one point you find yourself hacking a computer-controlled sprinkler system (that wouldn't have existed in 1984) to attract a cleaning robot (that wouldn't have existed in 1984) to clean up the mess. You do this in order to use it as cover to avoid a security turret that also wouldn't have existed in 1984, but then, it is an alternative universe and I need to stop thinking too much about things that didn't exist in 1984... and get on and finish this review.
I mentioned the Flashback influence but I'd also give a nod to an even older classic, Impossible Mission, and two newer ones, Limbo and Inside.
One thing that I can see Replaced being criticised for is that it's often not clear where to go next (although your objective(s) are always available on your Wingman personal organiser), but having played dozens of games that nanny you and lead you by the nose I found Replaced's "you figure it out" approach refreshing.
I see Replaced's odd graphical look as a possible problem for many–there really seems to be no reason why the characters are so pixelated. Get past that and you're in for a riveting, if slightly depressing adventure.
Many thanks to Sad Cat Studios, Thunderful and Plan of Attack