REPLAY BOYS
- October 25, 2023
- Split Narrative Inc.
- 4h median play time
In "Replay Boys," become Hannah, the video editor for the rising boy band of the same name. When their manager falls ill, it's up to you to manage the group before their first major concert. Navigate through the band's interpersonal conflicts, fan encounters, and unexpected challenges, while unraveling their complex personalities in this visual novel with multiple endings. Meet Jax, the egotistical dancer; Tyler, the irascible producer; Niko, the eccentric singer; and Caleb, the newest and most mysterious member. Your choices will determine the outcome in this thrilling adventure.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and unexpected storyline with many twists and turns that keep players engaged.
- The art style and character designs are fantastic, enhancing the overall experience and matching the game's ambiance.
- The writing is witty and humorous, with relatable characters that players quickly grow attached to.
- The game is quite short, with a playtime of around 3-4 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- The romance routes are not deeply developed, and some players may find the romantic elements lacking compared to the main plot.
- There are some inconsistencies in the story and character development, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story43 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a captivating blend of character drama and unexpected paranormal twists, keeping players engaged with its unique plot structure and intriguing character dynamics. While some players felt the narrative could have benefited from deeper exploration of its romantic elements, the overall experience is described as fun, entertaining, and filled with surprising plot twists that encourage multiple playthroughs. The art and music complement the story well, enhancing the overall enjoyment despite some wishes for more content and longer routes.
“The plot starts out having the player character struggle to manage the four unique, incompatible personalities comprising the boy band, the Replay Boys, before taking a hard turn into the paranormal and weird about halfway through.”
“The story kept me captivated, and I made it a point to get all the endings, something I don't usually do with visual novels!”
“However, despite what the game appeared to be on the surface, it quickly unraveled into a multi-timeline story that kept me captivated for hours.”
“The later loops focus on other characters and the story, but now Jax and/or Tyler just have an automatic attraction to Hannah because of vague residual feelings, and there's virtually no time spent developing anything deeper.”
“I'm still pretty happy with the experience I got, but I do wish the game had been longer given the price, and I wish the story and romances were more fleshed out, especially towards the end of the game.”
“I do wish there was an automatic 'skip to unread' option since it gets really repetitive, especially with the nature of the storyline, and I wish there were more save files because I'm the type of visual novel player that likes to save at basically every choice.”
- music11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for effectively setting the mood and enhancing the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its quality and selection as a standout feature. It complements the art and story well, contributing to the game's personality and energy, although some critiques mention a lack of realism in the portrayal of musicians. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset that elevates the gaming experience.
“The music does a great job of setting the mood, as well.”
“The music is lovely and the premise is incredibly thrilling.”
“With that said, this title has a lot of personality and energy, and grabbed my attention in a way bigger games in the same genre have failed to do lately - not to mention that both certain tracks of the OST and the art are fantastic, and greatly contribute to the game's atmosphere.”
“The band is not believable for anyone familiar with musicians and backstage routines.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising the charming and unique character designs, colorful and expressive art style, and cute visuals. While some users noted a simplicity in the backgrounds, the overall aesthetic is appreciated for its fun and appealing nature. However, there is a contrasting opinion regarding the visuals, indicating that not all players were satisfied.
“The art style is my favorite with the sprites and CGs.”
“Really cute, pretty graphics and visuals; the boys are actually charming and unique, and the story is a little silly but not bad.”
“The art style is fun, colorful, and expressive, and I appreciated the simplicity of the backgrounds.”
“Bad visuals.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and offers a unique twist on the "choose your own adventure" format, allowing for replayability through different choices. Players have noted a smooth experience, with developers promptly addressing quality of life issues based on user feedback.
“The replay mechanic is a fun twist to the 'choose your own adventure' graphic novel format.”
“It's not Ren'Py, but the gameplay experience was smooth, and the lack of certain quality of life features was remedied very quickly by the devs in response to feedback.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the controls to be clunky and unresponsive, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
“The pacing of the gameplay is off, leading to moments of boredom that break the immersion.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is effectively integrated into the gameplay through subtle daily changes, enhancing the narrative experience. The simplistic character design successfully conveys personalities via expressions and body language, making the characters relatable and engaging.
“I enjoyed the slight but noticeable deviations that happened each day it repeated; it's a great way that character development was integrated.”
“The character design is also simplistic, but effective in conveying the personalities of these characters through expressions and body language.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with them on an emotional level.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving little room for growth or surprise.”
“The interactions between characters are often one-dimensional, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Despite its short length, the game offers significant replayability through its branching narrative, encouraging players to explore different paths and outcomes. Many users find that this brevity enhances the overall experience, making it worthwhile to revisit.
“It's pretty short - I finished it in an afternoon, and I have all the achievements - but it's well worth the price and has a surprising amount of replayability.”
“It's pretty short - I finished it in an afternoon, and I have all the achievements - but it's well worth the price, and has a surprising amount of replayability.”
“It's a bit short, but I personally think this is a strength since it highlights the game's replay value and invites you to explore every part of its branching narrative.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its cute and humorous elements, with players expressing a desire for a longer experience to enjoy the comedic aspects further.
“A cute and funny little game, I wish it was longer!”
“The humor in this game had me laughing out loud at every turn!”
“I love how the game blends clever jokes with charming characters!”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant personality and energy, effectively capturing players' attention more than larger titles in the genre. The fantastic art and select tracks from the soundtrack significantly enhance this immersive experience.
“This title has a lot of personality and energy, grabbing my attention in a way that bigger games in the same genre have failed to do lately. The soundtrack and art are fantastic, greatly contributing to the game's atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world. Every detail, from the visuals to the sound design, enhances the overall experience.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, with a perfect blend of music and visuals that create an unforgettable experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by Taylor's profound inner conflict, which resonates deeply with players as they empathize with his struggle to reconcile the pressures of fame with his longing for a more ordinary life.
“Taylor's inner turmoil is heart-wrenching; I felt his pain as he tried to balance the demands of fame with his desire to be a 'normal' guy.”
“The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears; their struggles felt so real and relatable.”
“I was completely immersed in the story, and the emotional moments hit me hard, making me reflect on my own life.”