Torn Away Reviews
Torn Away is a peculiar game. Numerous technical issues do their determined best to spoil an otherwise powerful narrative; one that is elegant in its simplicity. Those haphazard controls, visual limitations, and laughable stealth sections will succeed in turning many players away, but, if you manage to put up with them, you'll find that Asya's tale is one to relish.
Torn Away mixes beautiful hand-drawn aesthetics with the grim story of a little girl trying to survive a war and make it home. The game excels at establishing tone and getting the player to feel a sense of connection to the main character, Asya, through heartfelt character interactions and mini-games. While the brutal story beats hit hard at the beginning of the game, they lose some of their steam towards the end when you begin to expect them.
Torn Away has been an unforgettable experience, it managed to generate deep emotions and feelings in me, it made me grateful that I never had to live a national conflict like the one that little Asya had to go through and feel happy about the people around me in my day to day.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Torn Away, with its gut wrenching narrative and beautifully grim graphics, is the new gold standard for visual novel-based video games.
Despite having a simple gameplay, Torn Away has an incredibly told story that makes it go through an intense experience in its almost five hours of gameplay. An excellent narrative with a very well built main character.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Torn Away is a narrative-focused game that explores some very difficult historical moments through the eyes of a child. Asya is a strong protagonist and the game works hard to give her interesting things to do from a gameplay perspective. Neither the platforming nor the puzzles sequences are hard to complete and most of the mechanics are familiar.
Torn Away is a really impactful experience that is definitely worth playing. It's not the most interesting gameplay, but the story alone makes it an amazing game that is definitely worth buying.
Even with small flaws, Torn Away is beautiful and raw. There are several media that show war not as glorious, but the worst fate for humanity, the game joins this pantheon with a tragic, sympathetic, destructive and hopeful story. War is worse than Hell. No one deserves to die for the cruel interests of others. Especially the innocent lives trapped in the oppressive gazes of small minds. The game is a dedication to all the souls taken by petty conflicts.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
You will be controlling a girl forced to grow up before her time, having to face the reality of what a war means without you being able to do anything other than tiptoe through it to try to survive. Don't expect a happy story throughout its twenty-six episodes, because you're going to need the tissues. You will enjoy beautiful settings through which you will want to guide Asya to her family. In this adventure, which will not last more than 4 or 5 hours, you will be able to see a reality that is not usually told, where you will have your ability to survive. If you like games like Limbo, American Arcadia or Little Misfortune, don't miss it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Torn Away - while it has few arrows in its quiver - makes the most of its potential in just four hours of content
Review in Greek | Read full review
This cartoon adventure tells the story of a Russian Jewish girl named Asya, who was deported to a German concentration camp. Through oil-based drawings, you will experience the struggle for bare life, survival in the wilderness, eternal loneliness enriched by depressive states, and hunger and cold. The game includes several mini-games, and you can't avoid sneaking through dangerous environments. It is above average in its conception and offers a very intense emotional experience.
Review in Czech | Read full review
While the gameplay isn't going to leave much of an impact, the twists and turns of Asya's dramatic journey through war-torn Europe is surprisingly well told, and is further heightened by its unique aesthetic and satisfying soundtrack.
War is a difficult subject to cover, and unfortunately Torn Away blunders on all aspects. You start feeling sad more for how bad the game is than what it’s about.