Erica

Erica is difficult to judge. It has neither the tension of an Heavy Rain, nor the convoluted plot of other interactive dramas. Its choice of live-action makes it different from its genre but it also confines it within it, especially about interactivity and design. However, despite its low duration and hybrid nature, it’s evident the passion in every level (writing, background, actors). A courageous but also risky experiment.

Erica is an outstanding production that may jumpstart the interactive live action game genre yet again. Even though it has its fair share of issues, Erica will definitely leave an impression on you long after you watch the end credits roll.

Erica promises players a nice story. But is the story beautiful enough? We don't agree on this.

It's a bold first effort from the studio - the first spark of something great, perhaps. [Issue#338, p.122]

Erica is a weird mixture of inconsistent but mostly quality writing, with astounding visuals and soundtrack. It poses as a truly interesting experience and even though with its flaws it is a step in the right direction for FMV games.

If you view Erica as an interactive movie, you'll have a great time. Flavourworks sure knows how to tell a compelling story. If you really desire a lot of gameplay, Erica is not your game.

Sony builds a bridge for people who do not play regularly to cross. Erica refines everything that's been done so far in interactive cinema and triggers its possibilities for the near future. The story of Erica is not at all exceptional, but the way we interact with it is several positions above everything we had seen so far.

Erica does some things really well, like giving you choices that really have an impact on the story. However, it all feels a little bit rushed, and answers come before you have time to ask questions.

Erica offers a very casual take on the adventure game genre with a rather convoluted story, but a great price and solid production values make it a novelty thriller that's worth a look.

Value-wise, this is a reasonably inexpensive game at only AUD13.95. With that said, this is a game valued accurately – although there isn’t much gameplay itself, who hasn’t paid at least this much just to watch a movie?

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.

It’s a suspense thriller that could’ve been written at any point in the last century, were it not for the gripping addition of player choice. In a month that’s seen Man of Medan push interactive fiction into multiplayer, and Telling Lies build on the investigative purpose of Her Story, there’s no comparable innovation here beyond those tactile controls that feel like you’re manipulating scenes in real-time. But there are shocking truths buried at Delphi House, and maybe that’s enough to soothe the soul on a long Sunday.

Perhaps it's because of the novelty, assisted by strong production values. With each decision, the player feels closer to unraveling a mystery, all the while knowing a single playthrough will only just crack the surface. The days of streaming services may be in full swing, but in a niche corner of the popcorn-entertainment and chill night-in, leave a space for interactive stories. Because if Erica is any indication, they'll be here to stay, and that's not such a bad thing.

It's not interactive enough to work as a game, though it's perhaps a bit too interactive to count as a movie. The choices you're presented with may be interesting on paper, but in practice they mostly just remove all tension from what should and could've been a fine thriller.

FMV-game Erica does a lot of great things, but it keeps on walking into obstacles. The controls are not amazing, the acting is a bit flat and the ending is just very unsatisfying.

An adventure that lacks of puzzles and interactivity, with a mobile app that doesn't really bring enough interest. It's a shame because the atmosphere and direction is great, with an good implication of Holly Earl.

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.