A new video game called “Relooted,” developed by the African-based studio Nyamakop, challenges players to steal African artifacts from museums and private residences in order to return them to their rightful historical owners.
While the game may appear fictional at first glance, the development team emphasizes that all the featured artifacts are authentic. According to Mohale Mashigo, the narrative director of “Relooted,” the historical background of these artifacts is well-documented, eliminating the need for fictional creations.
Players assume the role of Nomali, a young woman with a background in athletics, parkour, and free running, who returns to Johannesburg from Tanzania in a futuristic setting to visit her family. Motivated by the concealment of African collections by Western museums in defiance of a repatriation agreement, Nomali’s grandmother enlists her and a small team to infiltrate museums and private collectors’ homes to recover crucial artifacts and return them to their African origins.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of African artifacts are situated outside the continent, with UNESCO reporting that 90 to 95 percent of them are housed in Western institutions. Many of these artifacts were looted by Western colonialists, with some still circulating in the black market or in the possession of unidentified collectors.
In one of the initial missions in “Relooted,” players are tasked with retrieving two of the Benin Bronzes, which are part of a larger collection belonging to the Kingdom of Benin, now Nigeria. While some of these artifacts have been repatriated to Nigeria from Germany and Scotland, several remain in British museums.
Nyamakop’s first game, “Semblance,” did not overtly reflect the studio’s African roots. Ben Myres, the creative director based in Johannesburg, initially hesitated to pursue “African-themed, African-inspired games” due to financial concerns until the release of the Marvel film “Black Panther.” The success of the movie inspired a shift in mindset, leading to the development of “Relooted.”
The studio aimed to ground the game’s narrative in reality while maintaining a visually appealing and animated style to prevent the “Wakandification” of African stories, contrasting with the fictional African nation portrayed in the “Black Panther” films.
When embarking on missions in “Relooted,” players receive brief history lessons on the artifacts they aim to recover during mission briefings. The gameplay involves strategic planning, security assessment, and fast-paced action as players guide Nomali through obstacles, evade security measures, and execute heists with the help of a diverse team.
“Relooted” distinguishes itself by focusing on stealth and strategy rather than combat, offering a unique gaming experience reminiscent of classic adventure and puzzle games combined with modern elements found in run-based games.
The game’s narrative depth is enhanced by compelling voice acting and vibrant visuals, highlighting Nomali’s interactions with her crew and family members. While players may encounter challenges akin to classic adventure game puzzles, the game’s immersive storytelling and gameplay mechanics keep them engaged and eager to improve their performance.
“Relooted” serves as a notable introduction to African game development, offering players a glimpse into untold stories from African history. Myres hopes that the game will spark curiosity and appreciation for African narratives without encouraging real-life criminal activities related to artifact theft.
“Relooted” is scheduled for release on February 10 for PC and Xbox platforms, including Xbox Game Pass.