The upcoming action platformer Replaced has been in development for several years, and its creators at Sad Cat Studios recently shed light on why the process has taken so long. During an interview with IGN at Gamescom Studio, game producer Igor Grits offered new insights into the team’s artistic direction, narrative vision, and the difficulties faced throughout development.
From the start, the team aimed for a cinematic 2.5D presentation that could rival larger productions despite their limited resources. According to Grits, the decision to pursue this ambitious blend of pixel art and dynamic camera work proved far more complex than expected. “Spoiler alert: it was not,” Grits admitted, reflecting on the early belief that such a format would be more manageable. He explained that the game’s director, Ura, invested countless hours in framing, lighting, and composition to maintain a seamless cinematic illusion.
The story of Replaced takes place in an alternate 1980s America, where advancements in biotransplantation have led society into a grim dystopia. Grits described how the premise originated from a fictional historical shift: “Instead of bombing Japan, America bombed itself.” This alternate history propelled the rise of organ transplantation, which began as an honorable pursuit but evolved into exploitation. Citizens labeled as “disposals” had their organs harvested by corporations before being cast aside. Players step into the role of Rich, an artificial intelligence trapped in the body of its creator, who must navigate Phoenix City while exploring what it truly means to be human.
The developers drew inspiration from classic and modern sources alike, citing Blade Runner 2049, the film Upgrade, and Playdead’s Inside as key influences. Grits also acknowledged the stylistic impact of The Last Night, another well-regarded pixel art title, while noting that the team reimagined its art style multiple times during development. Combat, meanwhile, borrows from the fluid mechanics of the Batman Arkham series, adapted into a side-scrolling format that blends melee strikes with firearm use.
Development has not been without setbacks. While serious progress began around 2020, Sad Cat Studios encountered financial hurdles, the challenges of managing their first independent project, and the destabilizing effects of regional conflict. Grits explained that one team member was even drafted into the Ukrainian armed forces, though the studio emphasized that they do not present themselves as victims. Still, relocation and resource constraints slowed their progress significantly.
Despite these hardships, the team remains focused on delivering a cinematic experience that blurs the line between film and interactive storytelling. Grits highlighted the absence of traditional camera cuts in the game, which forces the team to carefully design seamless transitions between gameplay and cutscenes. This meticulous approach, while time-consuming, is central to Replaced’s identity.
Published by CoatSink, Replaced is set to offer a unique blend of pixel art visuals, atmospheric storytelling, and fast-paced combat. For Sad Cat Studios, the journey has been long and difficult, but the ambition behind the project suggests a game that may stand apart in today’s crowded market.
