Video Game Lets Players Steal Artifacts From Western Museums, Return Them to Home Countries

Independent South African game studio Nyamakop has officially unveiled Relooted, a new heist-platformer that puts players in the role of reclaiming African artifacts looted during colonial rule and displayed in Western museums.

Per Endgadget, Nyamakop revealed the project during this month's Day of the Devs showcase. Relooted is set in a near-future where a global agreement mandates the return of cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. However, while some institutions comply, many powerful museums resist, forcing citizens to take matters into their own hands.

Previously. Nyamakop made waves with their critically acclaimed 2018 game Semblance. Thestudio

In Relooted, players will control a team from Johannesburg, South Africa, as they infiltrate high-security institutions across the globe to recover their nation’s stolen treasures. The gameplay combines strategic planning with retro-inspired action, featuring 2D sidescrolling levels reminiscent of classics like Prince of Persia, while incorporating modern stealth and puzzle mechanics.

The announcement trailer, which debuted at Day of the Devs, emphasizes the real-world inspiration behind the game. Nyamakop cites a 2018 report by French art historian Bénédicte Savoy and Senegalese academic Felwine Sarr, which estimated that as much as 90 percent of sub-Saharan Africa's cultural heritage resides in European collections, a stark legacy of colonial-era looting.

Relooted will be available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. A release date has yet to be announced.