Erica Reviews
PS4 exclusive FMV game Erica has turned out to be one of the most worthwhile surprises from Gamescom 2019.
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.
With such an engrossing experience ready to be played right in the palm of your hands, it’s a bite sized tale that only will cost you a two cups of coffee (That’s around about $13 bucks, right?). Erica is highly recommended and essential gaming, for casual and experienced gamers alike, and would definitely be considered one of the best surprises Sony Interactive Studios have presented us this year.
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 was a bad game that could have been a decent movie. If you want a proper interactive FMV game experience; grab "Late Shift", "The Infectious Madness of Doctor. Dekker or "The Bunker" is all on steam for roughly the same price but with considerably better interaction. That said if you can find it on sale for around six dollars I'd say it's worth one playthrough.
Well shot, well acted, well crafted - Erica is a high-class FMV game for a new age.