REPLAY BOYS
- October 25, 2023
- Split Narrative Inc.
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and unexpected story with many twists and turns that keep players engaged.
- The art style and character designs are praised for being cute and well-matched to the game's ambiance, enhancing the overall experience.
- The writing is witty and humorous, with relatable characters that players quickly grow attached to, making it a fun and enjoyable visual novel.
- The game is quite short, typically taking around 3-4 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- There are limited romance options, with only two characters having distinct romantic routes, which may disappoint those seeking a more romance-focused experience.
- Some players noted inconsistencies in the plot and character development, particularly regarding the pacing and depth of the romantic arcs.
- story51 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is engaging and filled with unexpected twists, transitioning from a character-driven narrative about managing a boy band to a paranormal mystery that captivates players. While some reviewers noted that the plot's shift to the occult could detract from its character drama, many found the overall experience entertaining and immersive, with a satisfying progression of relationships and a blend of humor and suspense. Despite its relatively short length, the intriguing storyline and charming characters encourage players to explore multiple endings, making it a worthwhile experience.
“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 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 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.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with users praising the charming and unique character designs, colorful and expressive art style, and cute visuals. The simplicity of the backgrounds and the inclusion of interesting graphical settings enhance the overall experience, although a few users noted some bad visuals. Overall, the art style is appreciated for its fun, cartoonish approach, setting it apart from typical otome games.
“The art style is fun, colorful, and expressive, and I appreciated the simplicity of the backgrounds.”
“Really cute, pretty graphics and visuals; the boys are actually charming and unique, and the story is a little silly but not bad.”
“The game has some interesting graphical settings not usually found in your standard otome, such as vibration, screen shake, and text animations.”
“Bad visuals.”
“The artwork is more of a cartoon style than a lot of art found in the genre that uses anime.”
“There are some romantic, sensual moments that come across in the text but the game itself does not have any x-rated graphics or scenes.”
- music13 mentions
- 77 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the story, with many reviewers noting its loveliness and effectiveness in setting the mood. The soundtrack is described as engaging and memorable, contributing significantly to the overall experience and energy of the game. Overall, the combination of music, art, and narrative is highlighted as a strong point, making it a standout feature for players.
“The music does a great job of setting the mood, as well.”
“The music is lovely and the premise is incredibly thrilling.”
“Upon starting up the game you're greeted with a really good soundtrack.”
“The band is not believable for anyone familiar with musicians and backstage routines.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is effectively woven into the narrative through daily variations and interactions, allowing characters to grow in subtle yet impactful ways. The simplistic yet expressive character design enhances personality portrayal, while engaging dialogue and a compelling storyline contribute to the overall development of each character. Players appreciate the blend of charm and depth, particularly in standout characters like Hannah and Niko.
“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 simplistic but effective in conveying the personalities of these characters through expressions and body language.”
“The writing is fun and does have some character development for each member.”
“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 me wanting more complexity and growth.”
“The interactions between characters are often one-dimensional, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and offers a unique twist on the "choose your own adventure" format, allowing players to make choices that reflect their character's perspective. The experience is smooth, and the developers are responsive to feedback, quickly addressing any quality of life issues.
“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.”
“For my first gameplay, I went with the choices I would make if I were Hannah and ended up doing Niko first.”
“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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its cute and humorous elements, with engaging banter that enhances the plot. However, some players express a desire for a longer experience to fully enjoy the comedic aspects.
“Cute and funny little game, wish it was longer!”
“The banter is funny, and the plot keeps you engaged.”
- 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 aspect enhances the overall value, making it worth revisiting even after completing all achievements.
“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.”
- 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 sound design to the visuals, 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.”
