Today, Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 announced Replaced, a 2D, sci-fi retro-futuristic game from Sad Cat Studios and Coat Sink. There is speculation as to the game's original development and title, but Replaced is apparently being showcased today at E3 as a newly announced game altogether.
Replaced appears to be the latest game to feature a cyberpunk aesthetic with a combination of old-world environments and new-world technologies. Fans will play as an artificial intelligence protagonist trapped inside a human body. NPC interaction may also be integral to the "deep, engaging dystopian story" in Replaced. The Xbox and Bethesda Game Showcase has announced Replaced with a glimpse at the game's narrative, but concentrates upon its cinematic platforming and a free-flow combat system.
Replaced has been given a trailer at E3 today, demonstrating the remarkable pixel art in its dystopian and cyberpunk world. The gameplay shows stylish action mechanics, such as impressive animations when the protagonist character, R.E.A.C.H., incapacitates an enemy in a shuttle station or fires blaster pistols at oncoming enemies in a grand hall with chandeliers. Cinematic platforming is also demonstrated, with the character scaling neon-lit hotel signage or bounding from structure ruins.
Much about Replaced's narrative is undisclosed at the time, but a brief synopsis details that the central protagonist being trapped in a human body will perhaps be its centerpiece. Replaced is set in Phoenix-City during an alternative 1980s. Otherwise, Replaced demonstrates attack animations that flow seamlessly and platforming that takes place in exciting environments. Combat also appears to have either melee attacks that include grapples and parries, or ranged attacks using a pair of blaster pistols.
Fans such as u/harlem50 have speculated that Replaced is a rebranded and refurbished game from the roots of The Last Night, which appears to have a striking resemblance to the game announced at Xbox's E3 conference. The Last Night was also showcased to feature pixel art in a dystopian, cyberpunk atmosphere. However, the creative studio behind The Last Night, Odd Tales, still says the game is in production this year, so it may or may not be connected to Replaced.
Either way, fans may look forward to Replaced releasing sometime in 2022. Due to Replaced being announced at Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, the trailer also notifies fans that the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC on day one.
Replaced is currently slated to release on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2022.
Source: Reddit, Odd Tales - Twitter