How Replay Boys Transforms a Boy Band Dating Sim with a Dark Twist

Emergency lights flash outside an arena while your friend’s text messages start to take on an unsettling tone. A shadowy darkness creeps into your vision, and just like that, you’re plunged into another workday.

In Replay Boys, you step into the shoes of Hannah, a video editor for a modest record label. Overnight, you’re tasked with managing the chaotic lives of the four members of the Replay Boys, as all your colleagues call in sick. Juggling tasks from getting them to the concert and ready for soundcheck to handling their inevitable breakdowns is your new reality. This visual novel sprinkles in all the delightful chaos expected when managing a modern-day boy band, but beware—something dark simmers beneath its seemingly straightforward plot.

The thrilling twist of Replay Boys lies in its darker undertones, which you only uncover through relentless replaying of each day. You’ll encounter ghosts, fend off brainwashed fans and deal with dangerous cults all while unraveling more everyday kinds of trouble like kidnappings and gun violence. The twist? Suddenly, the day begins again, trapping you in a puzzling loop.

Curious about the inspiration behind such a twisted narrative, I chatted with the game’s writer, Bell. She explained, “It evolved naturally as I wrote. I’m fascinated by games that make you question whether you can trust your senses. Visual novels especially can be quite eerie, as so much of the imagery takes form in your mind, crafting a uniquely unsettling experience.”

The game ingeniously blends visual novel storytelling with horror, both heavily relying on repetition. In classic visual novels, you’ll navigate through static story elements multiple times before unraveling new paths. Here in Replay Boys, this play style morphs into a narrative time loop. This creates a juxtaposition reflective of horror games and films where something initially safe eventually turns sinister.

The first day unfolds like a classic visual novel. Yet, when it suddenly ends and restarts, everything seems the same at first glance. The difference lies in subtle changes: the pace picks up, and eerie elements slip into the mundane. Strange phone noises, or newfound access to dark rooms, signal a shift. As time loops stack up, the familiar storyline bends into an increasingly surreal and fantastical journey.

Replay Boys stands out by twisting expectations, yet it remains true to its otome roots. Bell shares, “I aimed to make each band member vibrant and realistic, allowing unique relationships with the protagonist. Ultimately, players should feel they genuinely earned these characters’ trust.”

Celebrate a whimsical and hair-raising Valentine’s Day with Replay Boys—available now on Xbox One, Series X|S, and the Xbox app on PC. Get ready to dive into the drama, quirky banter, and unexpected turns of this unpredictable boy band adventure.