What on this dystopian Earth is... ‘Replaced’?

‘Replaced’ is our indie game spotlight for this month, since here at Prizes Drop we really love all things film noir, dystopian and ‘Blade Runner’.

And if ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ is just too dark and energy-consuming for you, what is needed is a more immediate, less demanding 2D platformer. Say hello to ‘Replaced’, which is looking fantastic, and with a hyper-cool premise too... 

Remember the ending to Ex Machina? Well, let’s just imagine that an advanced AI ‘entity’ is now roaming around in a meat and bone body. Indeed, we’re not sure if the rogue AI - Shodan - from the classic 'System Shock' game, would ever stoop so low. 

Platform games will never grow old, especially special, indie artistic creations like 'Gris' or wider-scoped 'Journey'. They are a particular, timeless kind of game which allows you to relax and play fluidly as you progress, enjoying the landscape without being completely inside it, or frustrated by it. The alternative is intense, immersive VR or huge open-world landscapes with RPG customisations. 

Other epic and dystopian (in special ways) platformer games spring to mind: 'Inside' and 'Planet Alpha'. The screens slip-slide away to reveal the next dangerous or dark, intriguing phase of your small character's attempt to escape... something. Or find out answers....

The inclusion of combat elements may intrude on such gameplay fluidity but can also create more challenge and depth.

A lot of questions emerge from checking out 'Replaced'’s announcement trailer, and previews. Could it be Rick Deckard's favourite game?

First off, we love the glitchy, bitmappy throw-back graphics style which would suit a fallen world scrambling in the dirt for digital connections. It even makes us recall the early 1992 game ‘Flashback’ which is still available on PS store. We also love the traversal of terrain and weapon-based doses of combat. Surely, the narrative will be interesting too. How did a computer end up being given a human body? Is it a quest for identity again, like a replicant might be forced to undertake? What will it reveal about such a future?

Let’s hope ‘Replaced’ will live up to the big expectations for a new, classic dystopian-set couch-lovers game. One that can sometimes affect us in the opposite way and end up elevating the spirits of gamers everywhere. (That wasn't really the case with 'Inside' though. Perhaps one of the strangest endings ever.)

The game won’t be released until next year, so keep your questions and hopes unfulfilled. It will arrive on PC via Steam of course, and the Epic Games store, as well as Xbox Game Pass upon its release date.

This means there's plenty of time still to save up for 'Replaced' and by earning our special points here at Prizes Drop. Sign up for your free personal dashboard and start earning points by just watching ads, completing simple surveys and more.... Once you have enough points you can swap them for free vouchers and codes for Amazon and many other online games stores etc.

Add it to your Steam wish-list now!