Erica Review: A Promising Start Falls Flat

Erica's Promising Start Falls Flat

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was super stoked to dive into Erica, an interactive film that lets you decide the fate of the main character. The PlayLink system on your PlayStation 4 makes it feel like you're really in control, which is a major plus. But, unfortunately, the game's full potential wasn't utilized. The story, characters, and sets all feel a bit superficial, like the devs were going for a certain look without fully committing. I wanted more depth and complexity, but it just wasn't there. The game's got some cool features, like the ability to control it from your smartphone, but it's not enough to save it from feeling a bit shallow. Overall, I'm left feeling like Erica had a promising start, but it falls flat in the end.

settingsSpecifications

VerdictFazla

OyunDeneyimi3/10

OyunKalitesi5/10

GrafikKalitesi6/10

HikayeKalitesi4/10

KontrolYöntemi4/10

GestürOlayları4/10

KarakterGeliştirme5/10

KararVermeOlasılığı2/10

I recently had the chance to play Erica, an interactive film that uses the PlayLink system on your PlayStation 4 to let you decide the fate of the main character. At first, I was pretty stoked to see this unique blend of storytelling and player choice in action.

While the format is impressive, the game's full potential wasn't utilized. The story, the characters, the sets – everything feels a bit superficial, like the developers were going for a certain look without fully committing to it.

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In Erica, you play as a teenager who receives a mysterious package with a bloody human hand. For safety reasons, she temporarily moves into a mental institution owned by her father, the victim's father. We learn not only the dark history of the center but also Erica's parents – and it's actually pretty interesting.

The story presented is just good old-fashioned cinema. The characters are fairly typical, the main storyline is a bit predictable, and the decorations look a bit bare. I mean, I've seen more detailed sets in some indie games.

The main interaction is choosing dialogue options – but here's the thing: it's not really that interactive. You get the freedom the developers wanted to give you, but it's just an illusion. No matter what you choose, the story still moves forward as planned. It's only when you hit those key moments that start an entirely new scene that you feel like you're actually influencing the story.

Over the course of a 1.5-hour session, there are literally only a few meaningful interactions. It's a shame, because it's in these moments that we feel like we're actually influencing the story.

These options were presented as short slogans. However, the available options are described vaguely – which makes it hard to make a fully conscious choice. And to make matters worse, the time to make a decision is too short. Even in calm situations that don't require immediate action from the player, quick action is needed.

Often, we don't get to read all the available options, and the movie already moves forward. As a result, we mark a random option that initially seems appealing, rather than making a fully conscious choice.

The second and final interactive action is simple gestures: pulling a door handle, using a lighter, or unwrapping a gift. The problem is, the gestures aren't always recognized correctly. I often find myself swiping my finger across the phone's screen multiple times until the game finally gets it right.

The whole experience is controlled using the smartphone screen or the controller's touchpad. To make things easier, every time you use the controller, a white stripe appears on the TV, indicating the action being performed. But, it's still a bit of a pain to get used to.

You can control the game using your smartphoneThe problem with control is also linked to dialogue settings. The indicator controlled by the touchpad is really hard to use. Combined with the short decision-making time, you eventually end up choosing the wrong option or missing it altogether.

The whole film was shot with real actors and sets. But, when we make a simple gesture, interactive objects are generated by the computer. Some of the elements used look photorealistic, while others stick out like a sore thumb against the background.

The strongest aspect of the game's presentation is the music by Austin Wintory. It's the sound design that creates tension and anxiety for the most part. However, it's still not enough to fully immerse yourself in the story of this teenager.

The game's story for Erica remains unfinished after the first playthrough. The creators, of course, emphasize at the beginning that one playthrough isn't enough to understand the whole story. Depending on the choices made, you feel more of a sense of frustration than dissatisfaction. This is a significant difference between wanting to know the nuances of the story and understanding the story as a whole.

Erica is undoubtedly an interesting proposition, but it's clear that the game lacks an adequate budget. The story feels a bit superficial, the sets look unfinished, and the dialogue doesn't create connections between the characters.

I'm part of Sony's monthly game giveaway, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I don't get the game for free, as I pay for a yearly PS subscription, and without it, I wouldn't get the games this way.

The iOS app for smartphone control is called "Erica App PS4™".

All the pros and cons are listed below.

I'd definitely recommend this game! It's really interesting and unique, perfect for kids – just make sure they're supervised, as there are a few scenes with blood.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is Erica a good game for new players?

Yeah, Erica is super accessible, even for new players. The game's format is easy to follow, and the controls are pretty intuitive.

Can I control the game from my smartphone?

Yes, you can control the game from your smartphone using the PlayLink system. It's a really cool feature that adds to the overall experience.

Is the story in Erica any good?

The story in Erica is engaging and keeps you hooked, but I wish it went deeper. The themes are interesting, but they're not explored as deeply as I'd like.

What's the deal with the controls in Erica?

The controls in Erica can be a bit wonky, especially when you're trying to navigate the story. But, overall, they're pretty intuitive and easy to use.

Is Erica worth playing?

It's a tough call. Erica has some really cool features, like the PlayLink system and the atmospheric music. But, the game's full potential feels wasted, like the devs didn't fully commit to the story.

Can I return Erica if I don't like it?

Yeah, you can return Erica if you don't like it. Just check the game's return policy to see what's involved.

How long does it take to finish Erica?

The playtime for Erica varies depending on how much you want to explore the story and characters. But, overall, it's a pretty short game.

Is Erica suitable for all ages?

Erica is rated M for Mature, so it's not suitable for all ages. The game deals with some pretty mature themes, so it's best for players 17 and up.

check_circlePros

•The music in Erica is seriously atmospheric and adds to the overall mood of the game.
•The game is super accessible, even for new players, which is a major plus.
•You can control the game from your smartphone, which is a really cool feature.
•The story is engaging and keeps you hooked, but I wish it went deeper.
•The visuals are pretty great, especially the sets, but they feel a bit superficial at times.

cancelCons

•The controls can be a bit wonky, especially when you're trying to navigate the story.
•The first playthrough feels a bit rushed, like the story is being cut short.
•I wish the characters were more fleshed out, but they feel a bit one-dimensional.
•The game's themes are interesting, but they're not explored as deeply as I'd like.
•The game's potential feels wasted, like the devs didn't fully commit to the story.