How Replay Boys Transforms a Boy Band Dating Sim into a Dark Narrative

Today marks the much-anticipated release of the game “Replay Boys.” Dive into a world shrouded in mystery and discover what hidden horrors await within the seemingly whimsical setup of Replay Boys. This game brings classic otome elements into a thrilling mix of horror and suspense.

Picture this: emergency vehicles are stationed outside the arena, your friend’s text messages are becoming increasingly odd, and a creeping darkness looms at the edge of your vision as your workday hits repeat.

In “Replay Boys,” players step into the shoes of Hannah, a video editor working for a modest record label. When a wave of sickness sidelines the entire staff, the responsibility for managing all four members of the boy band Replay Boys falls to you. Guiding them to their concert, prepping them for soundcheck, and handling their various crises are all part of your new role. At first glance, the game presents itself as a light and quirky visual novel about a chaotic modern boy band. Yet, hidden beneath its bright surface, something ominous waits to be uncovered.

The game’s title is more than just a name; it’s a clue to its haunted undertow, which you can only tap into by reliving the day over and over. During these loops, you’ll encounter specters, confront fans under mind control, and navigate through perilous cult entanglements—alongside more earthly threats like kidnappings and firearms crimes.

When I spoke with Bell, the game’s writer, she explained her creative process: “The story kind of took on a life of its own as I wrote it. I’ve always been drawn to games that make you question your reality. Visual novels can evoke a special kind of unease because your imagination fills in the visual gaps. It’s a spookiness that thrives on that kind of creative visualization.”

Bridging visual novel traditions with horror elements, “Replay Boys” cleverly uses the theme of repetition common in both genres. In traditional visual novels, replaying fixed sections of the story is essential to uncover all potential paths. In this game, those repeated elements transform into an integral time loop narrative. Similarly, horror often plays on the uncanny; familiar, “safe” scenes are upended to create fear.

As you journey through the first day in “Replay Boys,” it starts as one might expect from a visual novel—until it ends abruptly. With each restart, initially, nothing seems different. But soon, familiar events start shifting, odd phone noises emerge, and new areas like once-inaccessible dark rooms become available to you. With every repeated day, the plot evolves, shifting from the expected into the bizarre, eerie, and fantastical.

Although the game throws plenty of unexpected turns at you, Bell made sure it still embraces its otome roots. “I aimed to create unique and lively characters within the band, allowing players to forge distinctive relationships with each one. The real prize at the game’s end is feeling like you’ve genuinely earned that character’s trust.”

So why not spend this Valentine’s Day in the company of a charming and unpredictable boy band? “Replay Boys” makes its debut on February 14th, available on Xbox One, Series X|S, and the Xbox app on PC. As an interactive experience, this visual novel offers numerous endings with both romantic and platonic paths. Featuring vivid characters, dynamic CGs, and a fast-paced story, your choices will steer the narrative—choose wisely!

You play as Hannah, taking up the mantle of video editor-turned-manager when illness befalls the band’s actual manager just before their big concert debut. It’s up to you to help this band navigate through their internal squabbles while also tackling threats from zealous fans, cults, and those mind-bending time loops!