Review
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II review – nerve-wracking, bombastic and simply without equal
by Philipp Rüegg
Replaced review: a cinematic 2.5D platformer with heart
14.4.2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Philipp Rüegg
Stunning pixel art, an intriguing setting and a perfect blend of combat, puzzles and exploration. After a long wait, Replaced finally delivers on the promise it made many years ago.
A world where might makes right. Corrupt multinational corporations that exploit people. Artificial intelligence looking to strip us of our last shred of humanity. No, this isn’t the intro to the next daily TV news segment, but the setting for Replaced. It all doesn’t seem as dystopian as it used to; instead, it feels contemporary.
The game’s set in a retro-futuristic 1980s-style United States, ruled by the powerful Phoenix Corporation. At their headquarters, behind numerous security doors, developer Warren works on a new type of AI called R.E.A.C.H. After an accident, it ends up inside its creator’s body and finds itself on the run from its own company.
Replaced was unveiled as far back as E3 2021 – the last time the event took place. The trailer brought tears to the eyes of retro pixel action fans like me. However, the developers at Sad Cat Studios missed their original 2022 release date by a country mile. But while this is usually a bad sign, it was the right decision in the case of Replaced.
It’s all in the mix
As Reach slowly gets used to her new host and successfully escapes the Phoenix Corporation’s drones and batons, she encounters Tempest, a daredevil and rebel who fights against oppression. And since Reach is half human, half AI, she can use an officer’s biometrically secured weapon without setting it off – Judge Dredd sends his regards. This is reason enough for Tempest to recruit her for his fight against the system.
Replaced offers a delightfully balanced mix of combat, climbing puzzles and quiet moments where I explore my surroundings and lend a helping hand to others. This takes place primarily in Tempest’s neon-lit sanctuary. There, among other things, I meet a girl who repairs old slot machines. I can play Space Invaders or Frogger clones on them. If I beat the high score, I get upgrades for my weapon or more health.
I face a more daunting task in a makeshift field hospital. There, I promise a dying man that I’ll get him his old family photos. I find them in a safe in his tent under a highway overpass. To unlock it, however, I first have to decipher the clues. You have to read carefully, since the quest log only tells you which character wants what.
Subtle worldbuilding
Optional side missions offer a glimpse into the world of Replaced, where essential medications are no longer produced because corporations prioritise more profitable products. I learn a lot about this from conversations I overhear – or rather, read – as I walk by.
I regularly come across news articles I can read in my Wingman. It’s a stylish mini-computer that reminds me of a cross between a MiniDisc player and a Game Boy with a scroll wheel – I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
I enjoy those brief, quiet moments here and there when I take in my surroundings and listen to people’s stories. Together with the understated yet atmospheric electronic soundtrack, a bleak world emerges in which hope lives on in small communities. This gives the game a pleasant sense of melancholy.
Still, Replaced could’ve used a little more drama. I only learn a lot of the background story by reading the many hidden messages. The story takes a long time to get going, and it isn’t always told in a coherent way. Nevertheless, it’s predictable. But since Reach and the characters she meets are portrayed in such a believable way, I still find myself empathising with her.
Fighting and climbing
In an attempt to free herself from her physical body, Reach climbs across rooftops, runs through snow-covered forests and sneaks through secret research facilities. These climbing sections are constantly expanded with new abilities, such as a double jump or a climbing hook. Shoving boxes and containers around so I can reach higher places isn’t exactly the most original idea. Later, thermal winds come into play – at least this makes things a little more interesting. Neither the puzzles nor the platforming sections are difficult – still, they flow nicely.
The same goes for battles. Reach usually picks fights with whole groups. At first, all I can do is strike and dodge. But gradually, counters, armour penetration and shot deflection are added. My multifunctional weapon does it all: it’s a baton, stun gun and firearm all in one. I only get to shoot occasionally, since I recharge my weapon with successful counters and attacks. That’s enough for a few shots per battle at most. Later on, an Overload mode is added, allowing me to go all out – it’s really satisfying. Unfortunately, this is where an annoying – albeit the only – bug pops up. My gun won’t stop firing unless a cutscene starts right after. Hopefully this’ll be fixed in a future update.
The combat’s perfectly balanced and always beautifully staged – just like everything else in the game. Only the punches could do with a bit more, well, punch. They sound a bit muffled too. Still, fight scenes are certainly cinematic and reminded me of John Wick more than once.
And just like the fourth instalment in Keanu Reeves’ action series, Replaced is a feast for the eyes – and not just for pixel-loving geeks like me. I’ve never experienced an interplay of light and shadow, stark contrasts and unique camera work like this before. Traditionally, the camera in 2D games is static. In Replaced, it’s dynamic. One moment it moves closer to the action, and the next it reveals a room full of enemies. Or it zooms out to reveal a breathtaking cityscape at sunset. It rotates along the Z-axis, plays with the focus and draws me even deeper into the action. It’s impressive what the Cypriot studio Sad Cat brings to the screen. I do have a few suggestions if they’re looking to improve things, though.
Visual issues
Despite all the graphical brilliance, I just wish the imagery were clearer. Sometimes I can’t tell where a drone’s spotlight is pointing. And while climbing, I sometimes can’t distinguish what I can interact with and what’s just part of the background. Sometimes, jumps are calculated to be unnecessarily tight, so it takes me ten attempts. Or I’m supposed to follow a yellow line that isn’t even clearly visible at the starting point.
In some dimly lit battles, I can’t make out my character among the crowd of enemies. That could easily be solved by making Reach’s baton gun glow bright. Instead, I just dash to the edge of the battle until I know which of the pixelated characters is mine. Still, these details don’t noticeably detract from the overall impression.
Replaced will be available on 14 April for PC and Xbox Series X/S. I tested the PC version, which was provided to me by publisher Thunderful.
In a nutshell
A cinematic sci-fi thriller with an impressive digital backdrop
Replaced turned out to be exactly what I’d hoped for after seeing the first trailer: an atmospheric action game with enchanting 2.5D pixel graphics. The battles are wonderfully dynamic. When it all comes together, I feel like John Wick on steroids – or whatever performance-enhancing drugs are called in this retro-futuristic world. This retro-futuristic style, on the other hand, is more than just pretty decoration. It plays a key role in setting the game’s atmosphere and is the reason why I take the time to read stories from this dark cyberpunk world on my Wingman. That, and because the Wingman just looks so cool.
The story about an AI trapped inside a human, on the other hand, offers nothing I haven’t already seen in countless sci-fi movies. It serves as a common thread, guiding me through the many varied levels. Combined with the perfect blend of action, platforming and exploration, these elements make Replaced an experience you won’t want to miss.
Pro
- Cinematic
- Stunning pixel art
- Dynamic battles
- Varied
Contra
- Predictable story
- Details in world sometimes tricky to tell apart
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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