Developer Sad Cat Studios has announced a demo for its highly anticipated 2.5D cyberpunk platformer Replaced, set to launch on PC platforms starting February 11. The demo precedes the game's full release on March 12 across multiple platforms, including Xbox Game Pass. Players will step into the role of Reach, an AI trapped in a human body, in a dystopian alternate 1980s America.
Sad Cat Studios' Replaced is a narrative-driven 2.5D platformer blending retro-futuristic sci-fi with cyberpunk elements. Set in an alternate 1980s America ravaged by nuclear catastrophe, the game divides society between the walled-off Phoenix-City controlled by the corrupt Phoenix Corporation and impoverished outskirts inhabited by outcasts and the hostile Termite gang.
The story follows Reach, an artificial intelligence unexpectedly trapped in a human body at the Transplantology Department. As Reach navigates this harsh world, players uncover the sinister secrets of the Phoenix Corporation through cinematic exploration and fluid action. "Expose the sinister secrets of Phoenix Corporation as Reach, an AI trapped in a human body," the game's official description states. "Navigate a dark cyberpunk thriller in this narrative-driven 2.5D platformer blending cinematic exploration with fluid, free-flow action."
The demo becomes available on February 11 at 2pm UK time via Steam and the Windows store, offering a preview ahead of the March 12 launch on PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Game Pass. Development faced multiple delays: first in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, then from 2023 to 2024, and subsequently to 2025 before settling on the current date.
A recent hands-on preview highlighted Replaced's emotional depth amid its dystopian brutality. Reach's naive perspective shines through in lines like, "But this place is… ruined," and "The level of human aggression does not correlate with the data I have." Interactions in the vibrant yet humble Prospero settlement, side quests such as restoring an arcade machine, and dynamic pixel-art environments add layers of heart and detail. Combat involves running, countering enemies with timed dodges, using improvised weapons like a gun as a baton, and later charged shots, alongside stealth mechanics against foes including Termite goons and their leader, Uncle Ben.
The preview praised the game's potential, noting its blend of action, exploration, and poignant storytelling. "I really think Replaced has the potential to be something special," the reviewer wrote, anticipating emotional impact from its narrative trajectory.
