Forwarded Review: Returning stolen artifacts becomes an exciting heist

Colonialism is not just about occupying countries. It is a project of mass violence, part of which involves the complete erasure and widespread theft of some of the world’s most culturally significant artifacts. Even today, colonial nations proudly display stolen artifacts, acting like peacock thieves under the guise of tourism. See, for example, the British Museum’s continuing holdings of the Egyptian Rosetta Stone, the so-called Benin bronzes, and the Ethiopian Muqadla collection. Colonial nations sought to reclaim their stolen culture.

But what happens when good requests and diplomatic maneuvers are not only not enough, but not worth the continued crime? This is where the moral heist fantasy comes in – and no game has done it better than any other It restarted.

Developed by South African studio Nyamakop, It restarted It focuses on a group of likable, albeit unprofessional, thieves residing in Johannesburg from various African countries. They have one goal: to restore what was stolen from Africa by colonial countries. Playing as Ms. Nomali, a world-class parkour player, she will help start this ragtag group inspired by her grandmother, a history professor. The game is afrofuturistic (Unlike Afrofuturist) a 2.5D heist platformer, sending Nomali and her team around the Global North, infiltrating museums, private collections and banks to recover legendary but stolen artifacts.

Once obtained, the team seeks to anonymously deposit it in the Museum of Black Civilizations in Senegal. What I found surprising is that the museum, like every artifact, is actually quite real.

In the mission briefs in your Batcave-like base, you’ll get a real-life short history lesson about the artifact and, through it, Africa’s colonial past. For example, did you know that the modern Republic of Benin, a country located in West Africa, is different from the historic and powerful Kingdom of Benin (which reached its peak in the 15th century), which is located in what is now Nigeria? The colonists plundered the legendary masks of this kingdom and were not returned. They are preserved in the British Museum, among other things.

In the fantasy world It restartedThis is exactly where Nomali and her crew come in. If countries that profited from theft and stolen labor won’t return the artifacts, Nomali and her colleagues said. He will simply take them back. They are benevolent thieves. The team makes no profit and will only steal what has been stolen previously. As a lawyer, I have qualms, because in most legal systems, even theft of your property is still theft—you can’t break into a thief’s home to recover your phone, for example. But as someone whose ancestors in India were colonized by the British before moving to British-occupied South Africa, it was deeply satisfying and morally rewarding.

Each mission sees you exploring the level in search of robot guards, exits and additional artifacts. You discuss this with your team, each offering a different skill that is itself a game mechanic: your brother is a locksmith who can break into doors or safes, while another team member is a professional stuntman who can use Batman-like skills to reach impossible areas. After exploring, Nomali is tasked with retrieving the artifact.

However, you should also make sure you get out. This is the most exciting part for me, because it requires you to plan your escape route before the alarm goes off. After the Nomali disables the object, you must then follow a perfect route to the exit without getting caught by the pursuing drones. You can also plan to steal some artifacts, which means you need to be smart about which item to steal first; It is possible that the item closest to the entrance is actually the one no The first option is better, because it is awkwardly placed. Careful planning, running across the route, and placing your teammates in the right areas all lead to clockwork-like heists that would make Arsene Lupine proud.

The game is a cerebral platformer, a satisfying mix of brains and twitch responses. You will feel the exhilaration of a fast-paced chase, as well as the satisfaction of a well-thought-out exit plan with the coordinated efforts of your teammates, when it is executed correctly and all artifacts are pulled out.

The stages vary, and sometimes the names as we know them are not used now. For example, the United States is known as “The Shining Place”, as it is depicted as a mixture of Las Vegas and New York, with more cyberpunk aesthetics. Another is a European mansion, the home of an “art collector,” photographed in dark, rain-soaked cobblestone streets with eerie paintings haunting the cold brick walls. Phases usually last between five and 10 minutes, unless you repeat them due to faulty planning or execution.

It begins to get repetitive, though the broader story eventually unfolds. There’s a lot of variety when dealing with the 2D stages and limited mechanics, but the game never wears out its welcome. The graphics are quite outdated; Although it tries to look like a Pixar film or other modern animated production, the characters’ faces are flat and the dialogue animation feels stiff and basic.

However, the parkour animations are smooth, and the colors and world are vibrant. Nomali felt comfortable being in control, especially when she got into the “flow” of the parkour movement. This is enhanced by the stunning soundtrack by composers Nick Horsten and Dustin van Wyk, able to soothe the atmosphere and motivate the set pieces of action. Using a mix of electronic and traditional instruments, the tracks capture the Afro-futuristic theme as well as the aesthetics of 1980s James Bond espionage for the scheming thieves.

It restarted It’s very special to me as a South African. Not only is it made in South Africa, it focuses on a frying panThe African group works together for a common goal, which is to restore what was stolen by the colonial occupiers. Ugandan scientist Yusuf Serunkuma cites one account This puts the loss experienced by Africa during colonialism between 1960 and 2010 at an estimated $152 trillion. Thinking about where my country and my continent would be today if it weren’t for the massive theft and exploitation makes me feel constantly angry. Even today, African citizens still have to visit former colonial countries to learn about their history.

It restarted Serving as a good and valid outlet for moral outrage at the injustice, unjust occupation, and horror of this continent, it serves dual roles as a history lesson and a fun heist platform. We hope that more people discover how bloody and unjust African history is – and how wonderful, beautiful and inspiring our continent and its people remain.

_{It restarted Available now on Xbox and PC.}