Gorgeous and realistic graphics, a haunting score, and an intriguing story about murder makes this interactive thriller a must-play
I don’t normally post video game reviews, but I was struck by this month’s Playstation Plus free game, Erica, for its engrossing, dark narrative and beautiful score. It felt less like a video game and more like a movie that I could control. It’s unlike any other that I’ve played.
Game synopsis
A live-action interactive narrative with branching story lines. You control Erica who finds herself trying to solve a mystery that traumatized her many years ago. (via Playstation)
The traumatizing mystery involves the murder of Erica’s father. As a child, Erica discovered her father’s mutilated body, and glimpsed the killer. Years later, the murder remains unsolved – and the killer has returned. Erica is brought into the investigation and has to stay at a hospital that her late father, a doctor, had founded and where her mother had worked as a nurse. Here, Erica must face her past, uncover her memories and face the killer.
An engaging, engrossing interactive thriller
Erica is a single-player interactive game. If you’ve ever read a choose-your-own-adventure book, then you’re already familiar with the concept. You control the main character, Erica, in making decisions, including what to say, where to go, and what to do. There’s no right or wrong answer.
To play, you use either the PS4 controller or an app. Initially, I was hesitant to download the app. But I’m glad I did. Using the app was more comfortable than holding a controller. The action required was limited – for example, at some points I’d drag my finger down the screen to pull a piece of paper toward me, or move my finger in a circle to turn a key. It took a few minutes to get used to the app, but I caught on quickly, and found it pleasing. If using the controller, which I have not done at all for this game, you would only be using it in a very limited fashion. A benefit of using my phone for the game was that it forced me to avoid using it for other things! There were no distractions. Therefore, I would recommend using the app over the controller.
Erica is a thriller, and quite cinematic. I wouldn’t classify this game as horror, although there are definitely unsettling elements to it. At certain points, I felt uneasy. Expect some gore (the body mutilations were done well!), and violence, as characters get killed. Visually, Erica looked realistic, but I confess to know exactly nothing about the technology behind the game. The visuals were crisp and clear, and the actors were believable in their roles. I especially liked the actress who played Erica; she conveyed a range of emotions and I cared about her outcome.
A unique gaming experience
The gameplay was smooth, with no lagging or loading. The interactive elements were constant – it seemed that about a few times per minute, I had to tap or swipe on my screen. This kept me engaged, so don’t go into playing Erica with the notion that it’ll be passive watching. There were maybe a couple of parts where I got impatient, wishing the character would just do something, rather than have me do it. But, those moments were rare, and overall, the interactive element was impressively done. The score was haunting and melancholic, and complemented the visuals nicely. There was one track in particular that I loved, which I’ve embedded below.
At one point I did catch a typo in the captions, but otherwise, there weren’t any problems in the game that I noticed.
Erica is definitely a game with fairly high replay value. I finished playing in two sessions over the course of a couple of days. Actual game time was two hours or so. Its short run time is a benefit here; I know I can play the game multiple times without it being too much of a time commitment. I’m curious to replay and see how different decisions will impact the narrative. I also want to experience every possible ending.
A total gaming novice won’t have any trouble playing. It’s not difficult, which is also an appealing factor. There are no puzzles to solve or battles to fight. And I like that I can sit back and feel like I’m watching a movie that I can control. I would definitely recommend Erica to someone who may be intimidated by gaming, or who wants a unique gaming experience.
A game anyone can enjoy
I casually play my PS4, which I only got less than six months ago. During lockdown I’ve been experimenting with different games to get a feel for what kind of style that I like. I’ve tried different ones with varying degrees of enjoyment. The biggest obstacle is that I’ve been suffering from motion sickness. I was starting to think that either I accept feeling sick as an inevitable consequence of playing, or give up and go back to watching movies.
Luckily, that was when I discovered Erica. This interactive-thriller was pretty much exactly what I’ve been looking for – it’s a movie, but a game! And no motion sickness, which may be useful to know for players who have had the unfortunate luck of also experiencing headaches and nausea.
Ultimately, I think anyone can enjoy Erica for its immersive, dark story, regardless of their level of gaming experience. Since it’s currently free for the month of July for Playstation Plus members, there are no good reasons not to download it! I’m excited to replay the game and see what Flavourworks develops next.
Release Date: Out now
Platform: PS4 exclusive
Genre: Adventure/Thriller
Developer: Flavourworks
Publisher: SIEA
Directed by: Jack Attridge (creative director); Jamie Magnus Stone (live action director)
Writing Credits: Jack Attridge (interactive story development); Connor Potts (interactive story development); Faye Windsor-Smith (interactive story development/designer)
Stars: Holly Earl, Terence Maynard, Ian Pirie
All images via IMDB and Playstation.
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