In a troubling trend that continues to unfold, the gaming community finds itself grappling with yet another instance of intellectual property infringement. Recently, a game titled R.E.P.O Horror surfaced on the Nintendo eShop, purportedly a version of the popular PC game R.E.P.O. However, players quickly discovered that this iteration was far from the authentic experience they anticipated.
Buyer Beware
A user on Reddit expressed their disappointment, cautioning others about the deceptive nature of R.E.P.O Horror. “I recently bought a game on the Nintendo eShop called R.E.P.O Horror, thinking it was the real R.E.P.O. game that’s on PC/Steam,” they shared. “After examining it closer, it felt off—very low quality and nothing like the official game I was expecting to see, not to mention, it wasn’t published by Semiwork.”
WARNING: R.E.P.O Horror for the switch is a total FAKE! from r/NintendoSwitch
This incident echoes a previous case involving The Backrooms 1998, which also found itself illicitly adapted for the Nintendo platform. A deeper dive into the developer’s Nintendo store page revealed a troubling pattern, with other titles such as TCG Card Shop Simulator, Only Up!, and Chained Together appearing to be strikingly similar to their original counterparts. While drawing inspiration from successful games is commonplace, these examples raised eyebrows due to their near-identical nature.
As the gaming landscape evolves, it becomes increasingly vital for consumers to exercise caution. If a game on the Nintendo eShop seems out of place or too good to be true, it may warrant further investigation. A prudent approach involves verifying the developer and publisher details—if they don’t align with the expected sources, it might be wise to reconsider before making a purchase.
Despite the challenges posed by these counterfeit games, the original R.E.P.O remains a standout in the co-op horror genre. While it may carry a higher price tag than its knock-offs, players can rest assured that the investment is justified. The developers are committed to enhancing the game further, with plans to introduce exciting new features such as matchmaking, expressive gameplay elements, and a fresh map set in a museum.
