How Replay Boys Infuses Darkness into a Boy Band Dating Sim

Watch out, Replay Boys has hit the scene today! Dive deep to uncover the chilling mysteries that await in this intriguing game. With a traditional otome flair set against a backdrop of eerie horror and suspense, it’s a thrilling experience you won’t want to miss.

Picture this: emergency sirens wailing outside the concert venue. Your phone buzzes with increasingly odd messages from your friend. A swirling darkness overtakes your senses, and suddenly, your workday resets.

In Replay Boys, you step into the shoes of Hannah, a video editor working at a budding record label. When illness strikes and your coworkers call in sick, you’re left with the daunting job of managing the Replay Boys, a chaotic modern boy band. From chauffeuring them to their concert to navigating their pre-performance jitters, you’re in for a whirlwind. While it seems like a typical visual novel about a tumultuous boy band, there’s a sinister layer beneath the surface.

In the game, the dark twists emerge as you replay the same day, over and over. You’ll find yourself face-to-face with a ghost, fend off brainwashed fans and a menacing cult, and unravel crimes like kidnappings and gun offences. The real twist? Time loops back, restarting the day for unknown reasons.

Intrigued, I spoke with the game’s writer, Bell. “It felt like a natural progression as I developed the story,” she explained. “I adore games that make you question whether your perception is trustworthy. With visual novels, the eeriness can be unique because so much of the storytelling relies on your imagination. That gives it a kind of spooky charm.”

Replay Boys takes a unique spin on visual novels and horror by blending repetition into the very fabric of the narrative. Visual novels often ask players to re-experience sections of the story until they reach a branching point. Replay Boys, however, turns this into an in-game time loop that drives the story. Meanwhile, much like the horror genre, it lures players into a false sense of security, only to shatter it with unexpected twists.

The initial day plays out like any standard visual novel until it ends abruptly. When the day starts anew, it might appear ordinary at first, but soon enough, unsettling elements seep through. You’ll notice odd sounds on phone calls, or suddenly gain access to dark rooms you couldn’t explore before. Each loop further distorts the original storyline, turning the once-familiar routine into a surreal, spine-chilling experience.

Among the standout features of Replay Boys is how it flips the script on player expectations. Yet, despite its twists and turns, Bell crafted it to function as a fully-fledged otome dating sim. “I wanted every band member to be vibrant and authentic, with the potential for unique connections with the protagonist. The ultimate payoff is for players to earn the trust of these characters genuinely.”

So, if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day that’s more thrilling than heartwarming, immerse yourself in the quirky and spooky world of the Replay Boys. Available today, February 14, you can grab your copy on Xbox One, Series X|S, and the Xbox app on PC.

Now, let’s talk about Replay Boys for a moment: it’s not just a game; it’s an experience. With Split Narrative Inc. driving the ship, and boasting rich narratives with both romantic and platonic routes, this visual novel is packed with vivid CGs and a fast-paced storyline. Every choice you make influences the outcome, so choose wisely!

Hannah, acting as the saving grace for The Replay Boys, steps up when their manager is too ill. She has to steer the boys through their personal struggles, handle wild fans, face an ominous cult, and untangle the mystery of the repeating day. One thing’s for sure, with Replay Boys, expect the unexpected, and prepare for a narrative journey like no other.