Erica Reviews
Well shot, well acted, well crafted - Erica is a high-class FMV game for a new age.
Erica is a carefully executed, harmonic clash of film and game that tells a great mystery in a memorable way.
The dreamlike way Erica flows from scene to scene is also both a strength and a weakness. There are no hiccups or stutters in the narrative, but it also hides the major turning points of the story, or at least the moments when my decisions really make a difference. It's going to be interesting to go back and try again, making different choices. The relatively short running time gives that option extra appeal, especially if you're surrounding yourself with new people who don't know what's going to happen.
ERICA stands as an intriguing example of connecting players with a game through touch controls. It succeeds primarily as a technical feat and less so as a deeply-engrossing video game. If the storyline were given more time to grow then maybe it would have blossomed into something special. As is, it's akin to a murder mystery popcorn flick. There's fun to be had solving the mystery, but not quite enough to create a memorable experience.
Erica is by far the best game to feature in the PlayLink category, but some of the ideas are unnecessary. The acting is great, but the story never really picks up until the final third of the game.
PS4 exclusive FMV game Erica has turned out to be one of the most worthwhile surprises from Gamescom 2019.
An intruiguing multi-choice adventure, Erica does almost anything new but offer a interesting story and great replayability.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Erica isn’t exactly ambitious when it comes to FMV or adventure games. But it doesn’t have to be. It is a succinct experience with lots of different choices that change the story and lead to different sorts of outcomes. It is well performed has good transitions, and there are no overly-complicated inputs.
PlayStation 4; Flavourworks/SonyThis experiment in storytelling has a fascinating premise – but its repetitiveness renders it a lesser Bandersnatch
Sony's FMV thriller Erica is coming to PC.
With each decision, the player feels closer to unraveling a mystery, all the while knowing a single playthrough will only just crack the surface.
Erica is a great story with mystical plot, which is clearly worth the money, even if you decide to finish it just once. Only the inability to choose a chapter, some limitations of the format and the inevitable flow points of the plot cause minor disappointment.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Strengthened by the interactive nature of the game and the stellar acting from a talented cast, Erica is a thriller you won’t want to miss.
Erica is an intriguing, admirable experience that those looking for something a little outside of the video game norm will surely latch on to. With an impressive set of performances, a story that'll have you hooked straight from the off, and meaningful decisions that have a major impact on the game, FMV is making waves all over again.
A highly engrossing occult interactive adventure anchored by a great central performance and refreshing interactivity and non-linear storytelling, Erica is deftly curated bite-sized adventure that makes a compelling case as the best Playlink title available.
Erica tells a boilerplate story—but tells it very well. With a fresh, intuitive interface and some of the best production values and acting ever seen in a video game, Erica feels very much like what it aspires to be—an interactive film. Erica is perhaps an odd experiment, but one well worth experiencing for gamers that enjoy trips off the beaten path.
FMV games aren't to every taste, to be fair, but for a change of pace, and an opportunity to jump into the genre, Erica is the best of its class. A dark, gory thriller, Erica comes across like a compelling mix of Broadchurch and The Wicker Man, elevated by surprisingly strong performances and polished production values. Pity about the restricted, rigid control options that have carried through to the PC release.
The gameplay may be uninspired, but Erica is the best FMV game we’ve had in a long time and is the perfect length for a single evening’s entertainment.
Erica is an interesting game at a budget price that everyone should try if they can. If you have ten dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you might as well experience one of the best FMV games made in recent times instead of blowing it on a few microtransactions or fast food extra value meals.
Despite its production quality, some good acting and great accessibility, Erica doesn't feel like a great interactive movie. Most of the actions are just pointless and the story and characters as a whole, whatever our decisions are, feel rushed and fail to really create a connection between the player and the characters.
Review in French | Read full review