Relooted is sparking a FIRESTORM! 🔥 This Africanfuturist heist game lets you play as Black heroes reclaiming looted artifacts from Western museums, but X is exploding with fans calling it “r.a.c.i.s.t” or “woke genius.” Is this stealth adventure the next Game of the Year for Xbox and PlayStation, or a controversy waiting to implode? Join the debate! 🎮

The gaming world is no stranger to bold ideas, but Relooted, an upcoming Africanfuturist heist game developed by South African studio Nyamakop, has ignited a firestorm unlike any other. Announced at the Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Edition in June 2025, the game tasks players with reclaiming real-life African artifacts looted by Western museums, casting players as Black protagonists in a stealth-driven adventure. Billed as a potential “Game of the Year” contender for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, Relooted has been praised for its innovative premise and cultural significance. Yet, it’s also faced intense backlash, with posts on X and web outlets labeling it “racist” for depicting Black characters as thieves or “woke” for its focus on colonial restitution. Is Relooted a groundbreaking celebration of African heritage, or does its provocative premise risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes? Let’s unpack the game’s concept, the controversy it’s sparked, and its place in the evolving gaming landscape.

The Premise of Relooted: A Heist with Purpose

Set near the end of the 21st century, Relooted unfolds in a reimagined Johannesburg, where the Transatlantic Returns Treaty—a fictional agreement to repatriate African artifacts—has failed due to Western museums exploiting loopholes to retain their collections. Players assume the role of Nomali, a young woman drawn into a heist crew by her troublesome younger brother. The crew, composed of everyday African citizens from various countries, includes unconventional members like a hacker, a driver, and even a “prim and proper grandma” who pulls her weight. The mission? To infiltrate Western museums, steal back 70 real-world artifacts of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance, and return them to their rightful communities.

The gameplay blends stealth, strategy, and parkour, drawing comparisons to titles like Payday 3 and Assassin’s Creed. Players must case each target, plan escape routes, solve puzzles, and recruit teammates with unique skills. Nomali’s flow-based parkour abilities add a dynamic flair, allowing players to evade security and execute daring getaways. The artifacts, meticulously researched by Nyamakop, include items like the Benin Bronzes and the Maqdala Treasures, all currently held in Western institutions. The game’s Africanfuturist aesthetic—blending traditional African elements with futuristic technology—creates a vibrant backdrop, with Johannesburg’s hideout serving as a hub for planning and reflection.

Nyamakop, known for their 2018 indie hit Semblance, positions Relooted as a love letter to African culture and a critique of colonial legacy. Co-founder Ben Myres, who bootstrapped Semblance onto the Nintendo Switch, has emphasized the game’s goal of empowering players to “reclaim what was stolen” while showcasing African creativity. The studio, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest indie developers with 30 team members, aims to elevate African voices in gaming, a field historically dominated by Western and Asian studios.

The Controversy: “Racist” or “Righteous”?

Relooted’s announcement was met with immediate polarization. Some hailed it as a revolutionary step for representation, with posts on Bluesky and Reddit praising its focus on African narratives and its challenge to colonial narratives. One user wrote, “Finally, a game that flips the script—Black heroes taking back what’s theirs!” Others, however, decried the game’s premise, accusing it of perpetuating stereotypes by centering Black characters around “looting” and “stealing.” X posts were particularly harsh, with users like @ChiefTrumpster mocking the title: “A game where Black people steal from museums? Guess that’s better than stealing from Target.” Others, like @aye_za_yuh, criticized the name Relooted as a “joke” that reinforces negative tropes about Black criminality.

The backlash intensified with YouTube videos, such as one from @Vara_Dark titled “Relooted Gets ROASTED, New African Heist Game Called RACIST By THOUSANDS Of Gamers,” which claimed the game was “tone-deaf” for its depiction of Black characters. Critics argued that framing Black protagonists as thieves, even in a righteous cause, risks evoking harmful stereotypes, especially in a global context where such imagery can be weaponized. The game’s title, Relooted, drew particular ire, with some calling it a flippant play on “looting” that undermines the seriousness of cultural repatriation.

Supporters, however, argue the criticism misses the point. The game’s narrative is rooted in historical truth—Western museums hold thousands of looted African artifacts, often acquired through colonial violence. The Benin Bronzes, for example, were stolen by British forces in 1897, and despite calls for restitution, many remain in institutions like the British Museum. Relooted frames its heists as acts of justice, not crime, with players reclaiming heritage rather than stealing for profit. Fans on Reddit have defended the title, noting that “relooted” reflects the act of taking back what was originally looted, a clever nod to the game’s themes. Nyamakop has leaned into this, describing the game as “stealthier diplomacy” in a world where legal repatriation has failed.

The “woke” accusation, meanwhile, stems from perceptions that Relooted prioritizes a progressive agenda over storytelling. Critics on X, like @wendegogo, sarcastically called it a “criminal degenerate simulator” masquerading as progressive, suggesting it panders to social justice audiences. This echoes broader gaming debates, where diversity-driven projects—like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales or The Last of Us Part II—face pushback for their inclusive narratives. Yet, Relooted’s focus on Africanfuturism, a genre celebrating African culture through speculative fiction, aligns with a growing demand for non-Western stories in gaming, as seen in titles like Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.

The Broader Context: Representation in Gaming

Relooted arrives at a pivotal moment for gaming representation. Black creators and protagonists have historically been underrepresented, with only 2% of game developers identifying as Black, according to a 2023 IGDA survey. Initiatives like Xbox’s Project Amplify, launched in 2022, aim to support Black talent, spotlighting creators like Nicodemus of JumpButton Studio. Relooted builds on this momentum, joining a wave of African-developed games challenging the industry’s Eurocentric norms. Nyamakop’s previous success with Semblance, the first African IP on a Nintendo console, underscores their trailblazing role.

However, representation comes with risks. Games tackling cultural or racial themes often face heightened scrutiny, as seen with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was criticized for its depiction of a Black samurai. Relooted’s premise—Black characters infiltrating museums—touches on sensitive issues of race, crime, and colonial history, making it a lightning rod for both praise and condemnation. The backlash on X, while vocal, may reflect a minority view, but it highlights the challenges of crafting authentic narratives in a polarized climate. Nyamakop’s decision to base the game on real artifacts adds authenticity but also invites debate about whether the heist framework trivializes a serious issue.

The game’s Africanfuturist setting offers a counterpoint to these concerns. By envisioning a future where African culture thrives, Relooted celebrates resilience and creativity, much like Black Panther did for film. Its diverse crew, from hackers to grandmas, humanizes its characters, avoiding one-dimensional stereotypes. Still, the game’s success will depend on its execution—balancing its serious themes with engaging gameplay and nuanced storytelling.

The Gaming Industry’s Response and Future Prospects

Relooted’s announcement at Summer Game Fest 2025, a high-profile platform, signals strong industry support. Its availability on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 positions it for a wide audience, though no release date has been confirmed. The game’s wishlist status on Steam and Epic suggests early interest, but the controversy could impact its reception. Nyamakop’s small size—30 developers compared to AAA studios’ hundreds—makes Relooted an ambitious undertaking, reliant on community support and critical acclaim to compete with juggernauts like Call of Duty or Final Fantasy.

The “Game of the Year” hype, while speculative, reflects optimism about Relooted’s potential. Stealth games like Metal Gear Solid and Hitman have a dedicated fanbase, and Relooted’s unique premise could carve a niche. Its focus on real artifacts and Africanfuturism sets it apart from generic heist titles, appealing to players seeking meaningful narratives. However, the backlash poses a risk, as seen with Cyberpunk 2077, where pre-release hype gave way to criticism over technical issues. Nyamakop will need to deliver a polished experience to overcome skepticism and prove its detractors wrong.

Conclusion: A Game Worth Watching

Relooted is a bold gamble—a game that dares to confront colonial history through the lens of Africanfuturist heroism. Its premise, while provocative, is grounded in a real-world injustice, offering players a chance to engage with history in a dynamic, empowering way. The backlash on X, accusing it of racism or “woke” pandering, reflects the challenges of tackling sensitive themes in gaming, but it also underscores the need for diverse voices. Nyamakop’s vision, backed by a talented team and a growing indie scene, has the potential to redefine what gaming can achieve.

As Relooted moves toward release, its success will hinge on its ability to balance its message with compelling gameplay. For now, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in gaming, challenging players to question history and celebrate African resilience. Whether it becomes the next Game of the Year or a lightning rod for controversy, Relooted is a game that demands attention—and a closer look at the artifacts it seeks to reclaim.