EGW-NewsOne of the Most Promising Titles of 2026, Replaced, Received First Reviews—It's Mostly Positive

18:0714.04.26

One of the Most Promising Titles of 2026, Replaced, Received First Reviews—It's Mostly Positive

April 2026 promises to be a busy month for the release of major (and not-so-major) games that could be a hit. In addition to the already released Samson and Pokémon Champions, on April 17 Capcom is set to release a new IP—Pragmata—which, based on reviews, is a strong contender for Game of the Year award, as well as the highly anticipated Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, Mouse: P.I. for Hire, Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, and many others.

Today, on April 14, yet another promising project was released—Replaced, developed by Sad Cat Studios. It’s a 2.5D action-platformer set in an alternate 1980s with retro-futuristic style. The first reviews of Replaced are here, and gaming outlets have praised the game’s strong storyline, which is complemented by superb graphics, an immersive atmosphere, and a stunning soundtrack. However, the game also has some shortcomings in terms of gameplay—including repetitiveness and inconsistencies in pacing between the story and gameplay. Replaced currently has a score of 79 on Metacritic, based on 20 Critic Reviews, and the same mark on OpenCritic, with 86% Critic Recommended. Some of the reviews from notable gaming media you can check out below:

Gamereactor UK – 90/100:

“Replaced is, after all, about emotion, which it has in abundance, with a story that resonates deeply, feels refreshing without reinventing the wheel, and, moreover, doesn't feel the need to provide all the answers.”

IGN Germany – 90/100:

“Replaced is much more than it initially appears to be: namely, a pixel-art spectacle with an incomparably rich atmosphere. It quickly becomes clear that the passionately told story and the varied gameplay contribute just as much to the overall experience as the stunning graphics. Yes, not every one of these elements is perfect, and every now and then there’s a bit too much text and repetitive gameplay. Nevertheless, Replaced is already one of the indie highlights of the year.”

GamingTrend – 90/100:

“Sad Cat Studios has finally delivered the game they've been promising for years, and it's every bit as brilliant as I'd hoped. Featuring an incredible tale of what it is to be human, Reach touches hearts and rips some out as he hops and wacks his way across Phoenix City and beyond. This is an Indie Game of the Year contender, no doubt about it.”

DayOne – 90/100:

“With weighty platforming and crunchy, satisfying combat, this is a world full of heart and incredible detail presented with an eye-catching art style. It’s backed up by a punchy soundtrack that elevates every pixel on display. REPLACED oozes style and imagination, and it’s almost everything I wanted it to be.”

Eurogamer Germany – 80/100:

“Sad Cat Studios’ debut is an atmospherically powerful tour de force that only occasionally runs out of steam.”

TheGamer – 80/100:

“The defining strength of Replaced—besides the stunning visuals—lies in its cultural commentary. Though the main narrative focuses primarily on one aspect of the apocalypse, organ donation and the subsequent dehumanisation that comes from losing a part of oneself, there's plenty of flavour there for the world's other tragedies: extreme poverty, the frivolity of the elite, fascism, police state and especially the dangers of technology.”

Destructoid – 75/100:

“REPLACED is a visually stunning and narratively gripping cyberpunk adventure that’s hard to look away from, even when it stumbles. Its gorgeous 2.5D world, compelling story, and thoughtful character work make it stand out, but frustrating readability issues in both platforming and combat occasionally impede the experience. Despite these shortcomings, REPLACED’s style and substance shine through, making it an easy recommendation for fans of cinematic platformers and dystopian thrillers.”