A new video game titled “Relooted,” developed by African-based studio Nyamakop, involves players in a mission to steal African artifacts from museums and private residences to return them to their rightful historical owners. While it may seem like a work of fiction at first glance, the game features real artifacts, as emphasized by Mohale Mashigo, the narrative director of “Relooted.”
The game follows Nomali, a young woman with a background in athletics, parkour, and free running, who returns from Tanzania to visit her family in a futuristic Johannesburg. Motivated by the actions of Western museums that have hidden African collections in defiance of repatriation treaties, Nomali’s grandmother enlists her and a small team to infiltrate museums and private collectors’ homes to reclaim significant artifacts and return them to Africa.
Numerous African artifacts are currently held outside the continent, with estimates suggesting that Western institutions alone house between 90 and 95 percent of them. Many of these artifacts were looted by Western colonialists and some are still in circulation or in the possession of unknown collectors.
In the game’s early stages, players are tasked with retrieving two Benin Bronzes, part of a collection belonging to the Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria). While some have been repatriated to Nigeria, others remain in British museums.
Nyamakop’s previous game, “Semblance,” did not overtly reflect the studio’s African roots. However, the success of “Black Panther” prompted a shift in perspective for creative director Ben Myres, leading to the development of “Relooted” grounded in real history to avoid the ‘Wakandification’ of African narratives.
The gameplay involves planning heists, avoiding security measures, and utilizing team members with unique abilities to execute complex missions. Unlike traditional heist games with combat elements, “Relooted” focuses on strategy and evasion, offering a blend of classic adventure and modern gameplay styles.
The game’s detailed storyline, voice acting, and vibrant art style enhance the immersive experience for players. While strategic missteps may cause frustration, the overall gameplay is engaging and encourages replayability.
“Relooted” aims to introduce players to African history through an interactive and educational gaming experience. Myres hopes the game will shed light on untold stories from Africa’s past while providing an entertaining and culturally enriching experience for players.
“Relooted” is set for release on Feb. 10 on PC and Xbox platforms, including Xbox Game Pass.