Some indie games simply entertain; others etch themselves into memory with worlds and systems so cohesive they demand attention. Replaced, the upcoming project from Sad Cat Studios and Thunderful, has the potential to join the latter group based on what I saw at Gamescom 2025.

Set in a dystopian United States after a nuclear catastrophe, the game’s narrative premise already stands out: an AI named R.E.A.C.H finds itself trapped in the body of its human creator, Warren, and must now grapple with mortality and identity.

That narrative hook alone is strong, but what makes Replaced unforgettable from the outset is its jaw-dropping pixel art and cinematic presentation. During a 30-minute demo, it became clear that every frame has been meticulously crafted. Sad Cat’s co-founder and composer, Igor Gritsay, explained: “My co-founder, Yura (Zhdanovich), is the game director, and he is basically obsessed with movies like Kojima. He is the one who does all the camera work, all the lighting, all the conceptualising of the game. And it all came together because of his vision.”

The cinematic ambition is matched by technical execution. “The main pain for us is actually to connect the cut scenes to the gameplay seamlessly. We made the decision at the beginning of the game not to have any camera cuts from gameplay to cut scenes,” Gritsay continued. The result is a visual flow that feels like watching and playing a film simultaneously.

Pixel Art Dystopia That Feels Alive

Unlike many pixel art games that lean heavily on nostalgia, Replaced uses its 2.5D aesthetic to create a world that feels unsettlingly tangible. Phoenix City gleams with cutting-edge technology and luxury, while the surrounding wastelands appear frozen in time, reflecting an America abandoned after collapse. The lighting, camera work, and layered environments make exploration feel both threatening and mesmerising.

Movement itself feels like art. Watching R.E.A.C.H. climb, push, or navigate vertical layers carries the weight of Sad Cat’s painstaking animation process. Collectibles scattered throughout the world add depth, expanding lore and fleshing out the past and possible future of this dystopia.

As Gritsay noted, “We have like a PDA in our game, yeah. Basically, it’s like a Fallout Pip-Boy where all the items we have, like our goals, music collected, and lore stuff, then you can just find it all here.” Even accessing the device, known as the Wingman in Replaced, is animated with care.

Arkham-Style Combat With Indie Flair

If the visuals and worldbuilding set the mood, the combat seals the experience in Replaced . Encounters with the Thermites — a faction of ruthless bandits — introduce a system inspired by the Batman: Arkham games. Players can chain light attacks, counter yellow telegraphed strikes, and dodge red ones. Success builds a gauge that unlocks powerful gun abilities, enabling both ranged eliminations and flashy executions.

Timing matters. Projectile fire can be deflected if countered correctly, and stronger foes require precision takedowns. “This is just the first faction of enemies, and we have several of them. There are also multiple enemy types that are progressively more difficult to fight, like shielded enemies. You cannot strike them right away, as you would need to rip their armour or counter them in a specific way,” Gritsay explained.

The balance between cinematic style and mechanical depth is delicate, but the demo suggests Replaced has found the sweet spot.

Role-Playing Depth and Emotional Storytelling

Beyond combat, Replaced incorporates a dialogue system that encourages players to learn about NPCs and uncover side quests. Meeting Tempest, a member of the Disposals faction who guides survivors to safety, revealed how choices and conversations could shape the journey. While the core game is linear, the hub area allows for exploration and optional narrative detours, deepening immersion.

None of this would matter if the atmosphere fell flat, but the soundtrack composed by Gritsay and the team ties everything together. From haunting moments as R.E.A.C.H. emerges from a pile of corpses to pulse-raising battle sequences, the score elevates every scene.

If the demo is indicative of the full game, Replaced has the potential to be not just another stylish indie but a seminal experience that sits comfortably alongside the likes of Hades and Hollow Knight. With a release planned for 2026 for PC and Xbox consoles, the wait may be long, but the anticipation is justified.

As I left the demo, the thought lingered: I wasn’t just impressed. I was eager to step back into the boots of R.E.A.C.H — and that’s the best endorsement a game can earn.