Relooted: The Video Game Empowering Africans to Reclaim Cultural Treasures

Thu Feb 19 2026 01:39:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A new video game, Relooted, captivates players with the imaginative narrative of reclaiming looted African artifacts, blending entertainment with awareness of cultural history.

Relooted, an African-futurist heist game, allows players to immerse themselves in a storyline where characters attempt to retrieve cultural artifacts stolen during colonial times. Set in a futuristic scenario of 2099, this game features a diverse cast, each contributing unique skills to the mission of reclaiming their heritage. It combines gaming with a poignant message about cultural identity and the history of artifact theft. Designed by the South African studio Nyamakop, the game seeks to entertain while raising awareness about the importance of cultural heritage.

Relooted: The Video Game Empowering Africans to Reclaim Cultural Treasures

Imagine it is 2099 as Western museums struggle to honor promises regarding the return of looted African treasures. Fed up with the ongoing trickery, artefacts expert Prof Grace recruits her grandchildren and a former student to take matters into their own hands in a high-stakes plan to reclaim sacred and cultural objects.

Relooted, touted as an African-futurist heist game, allows players to experience this narrative. Unlike traditional heist stories, it refrains from glorifying crime for financial gain; instead, it focuses on the desperation behind reclaiming cultural heritage driven by shifting legal standards which allow museums to hide artifacts in storage.

Players take on the role of Nomali, a parkour legend, who leads the mission aided by her brother Trevor and their team from across Africa. The game's intentional avoidance of violence contrasts sharply with the historical context of artifact theft and centers instead on puzzles, teamwork, and athleticism.

The creators hope that through gameplay, players gain a new understanding of African culture, history, and the ongoing issue of cultural artifact repatriation. Relooted emphasizes collective action and highlights the rich traditions and stories behind the artifacts players strive to reclaim.

Designed by the pan-African team at Nyamakop studio, Relooted represents a significant step in the gaming industry, showcasing that African narratives can capture global audiences. The game runs on PC and consoles, targeting the African diaspora while acknowledging the limitations of access within the continent itself due to smartphone-based gaming being more prevalent.

Ultimately, Relooted serves to entertain while engaging players with rich historical contexts, creating hope for future dialogues about cultural restitution.