Roman Sands RE:Build

Roman Sands RE:Build is a bizarre, captivating psychological experience that transforms mundane service work into a surreal exploration of routine, survival, and identity. Its striking Y2K-inspired presentation, dark humor, memorable characters, and esoteric storytelling make it unlike almost anything else, even if its uneven second half and deliberately unconventional gameplay won’t appeal to everyone.

A frenetic tale of two realities, both alike in dysfunction, which immerses the player in servitude and struggle.

I’m glad I got to see the story through, however, with its not-so-subtle homages to the likes of Danganronpa and Evangelion. It remains one step away from its mysteries and doesn’t take them to extreme lengths. There’s a profound and alluring melancholy etched into this work, a broken and messy world that’s strange enough to foster questions, but smart enough not to provide every answer.

For the moment, though, I just want to stress that there's nothing out there like Roman Sands. Certainly, I've yet to play a two-parter that is quite so compelling and devious in its asymmetry. It's more ritual than game, at times, a sacrificial dagger wielded against both itself and against other videogames that are more at ease with their age. It is witty and expressive, doom-ridden and cathartic. It's a hideous thing, a total nightmare, absolutely no fun whatsoever. You must play it at once and tell me what you think. [RPS Bestest Bests]