A new video game called “Relooted,” developed by Nyamakop, a studio based in Africa, challenges players to steal African artifacts from museums and private residences to return them to their original historical owners. While the game may seem fictional, the artifacts featured in it are all real, according to Mohale Mashigo, the narrative director of “Relooted.”
The game follows the story of Nomali, a young woman with a background in athletics, parkour, and free running, who has come back to Johannesburg from Tanzania to visit her family in a futuristic setting. Motivated by the recent actions of Western museums concealing African collections, Nomali’s grandmother enlists her to lead a team in infiltrating museums and private mansions to retrieve key artifacts and return them to their rightful African descendants.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of African artifacts are held outside the continent, with a significant portion in Western institutions. Many of these artifacts were looted by Western colonialists and some are still unaccounted for, circulating in the black market or with unknown collectors.
In one of the early missions in “Relooted,” players are tasked with recovering two of the Benin Bronzes, part of a collection belonging to the Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria. While some of these artifacts have been repatriated to Nigeria from Germany and Scotland, others remain in British museums.
Nyamakop’s previous game, “Semblance,” did not overtly reflect the studio’s African roots. However, the success of Marvel’s “Black Panther” movie in 2018, which also touched on the theme of reclaiming African artifacts, inspired the studio to create “Relooted.” The game aims to ground its story in reality, portraying real countries and artifacts to avoid a misrepresentation of African narratives.
“Relooted” offers players a unique gameplay experience where they plan heists to liberate artifacts while evading security measures. The focus is on strategic planning and avoiding confrontations, distinguishing the game from traditional heist games that involve combat.
With a blend of adventure, puzzle-solving, and speed-based gameplay, “Relooted” encourages players to replay levels to improve their performance and refine their strategies. The game’s narrative is enriched by the voice acting and vibrant art style, highlighting Nomali’s relationships with her crew and the challenges they face in their missions.
Nyamakop’s team has assembled a diverse cast of voice actors from various African regions to bring authenticity to the game’s characters and setting. “Relooted” provides an immersive experience that sheds light on African history and aims to introduce players to untold stories from the continent’s past.
“Relooted” is set for release on PC and Xbox platforms, including Xbox Game Pass, on February 10.