Emily is Away <3
- April 16, 2021
- Kyle Seeley
- 11h median play time
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Reviews
- story701 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Emily is Away <3" is a nostalgic exploration of teenage relationships set against the backdrop of early social media, primarily focusing on the protagonist's interactions with two main characters, Emily and Evelyn. While the narrative is engaging and emotionally resonant, many players noted that the storylines for both characters are largely identical, leading to a sense of repetition and limited replayability. Overall, the game effectively captures the complexities of growing up and navigating friendships, but some players felt that the lack of distinct paths diminished the impact of their choices.
“At its core, it’s a story about growing up, dealing with change, and figuring out where you stand with the people in your life.”
“The story is stunning.”
“The characters immerse you into the story and it makes you feel like you actually have a friend group that talks to you on Facebook in 2010.”
“The story is just lacking.”
“Both Emily and Evelyn have the exact same dialogue lines and basically the same personality (minus the music tastes and some basic info that does not affect the story at all).”
“The players' decisions don't really matter as the story really only progresses one way, and we are simply given the illusion of free choice.”
- emotional382 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Emily is Away <3" resonates deeply with players, often evoking intense feelings of nostalgia, heartbreak, and personal reflection. Many reviewers describe the game as an emotional rollercoaster, with its storytelling and character interactions leading to genuine tears and a sense of connection to their own past experiences. While some players find the emotional impact overwhelming, they also appreciate the game's ability to capture the complexities of teenage relationships and the bittersweet nature of growing up in the digital age.
“The game expertly weaves in themes of nostalgia and loss, making it more emotionally resonant than you might expect from a game so rooted in a specific moment of pop culture.”
“Cripplingly nostalgic and heart-breakingly realistic, Emily is Away is an incredibly thoughtful and well-made time capsule for anyone who grew up in the early days of social media, as well as a fantastic interactive exploration of angsty communication that can still penetrate an adult heart and teach you some lessons along the way.”
“This game made me feel a way that I haven't felt in a long time.”
“The boring story just drags on and on.”
“I felt no connection to the characters, making it hard to care about their struggles.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and unconvincing.”
- music200 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Emily is Away" is widely praised for its nostalgic value, effectively capturing the essence of the late 2000s through a curated selection of tracks that resonate with players' memories of that era. The integration of a fake YouTube platform, "youtoob," allows players to discover and listen to real songs, enhancing the immersive experience and emotional connection to the narrative. While some critiques mention the repetitive dialogue between characters Emily and Evelyn, the distinct musical tastes serve as a key differentiator, making the music aspect a standout feature of the game.
“The soundtrack further enhances the mood, featuring iconic tracks from the era that complement the narrative perfectly.”
“The music selection is on point, especially the LCD song I got for my ending.”
“The music just makes the nostalgia hit so much harder <3 10/10”
“Being forced to like the same music as them was definitely one of the killers for me.”
“The chat conversations with Emily and Evelyn are carbon copies of each other; the only thing that changes is the music playlists they link you.”
“I got really tired of being asked to listen to new music every time I talked to a character or started another chapter.”
- gameplay101 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Emily is Away <3" primarily revolves around dialogue choices and crafting an online persona within a nostalgic Facebook-like interface, which enhances emotional engagement but may feel simplistic for those seeking deeper mechanics. While the game introduces new features and characters, some players find the reliance on multiple playthroughs to achieve good endings frustrating, and the overall gameplay experience can be perceived as repetitive or lacking in depth. Despite these criticisms, the emotional storytelling and nostalgic elements resonate strongly with fans of the series, making it a memorable experience for many.
“The gameplay consists primarily of dialogue choices and crafting your online persona.”
“Its blend of nostalgia, heartfelt storytelling, and simple yet engaging mechanics creates a unique experience that stands out in the indie gaming world.”
“The inclusion of Facebook features as new gameplay mechanics was quite genius, and I would love to see if this series can keep exploring further into the future of social media.”
“However, the gameplay remains relatively simple—if you’re looking for something beyond dialogue-based storytelling, this may not be the game for you.”
“Gameplay is tedious and slow; chapters are long and the story is very superficial.”
“Well, I had more hopes for the gameplay (with the web interface and all), but it all comes down to a very, very basic visual novel (say something, choose A, B, C, say something, choose A, B, C, etc.) and choices do not seem to matter that much.”
- graphics65 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Emily is Away" are widely praised for their nostalgic representation of early 2000s internet aesthetics, effectively capturing the look and feel of platforms like Facebook and AIM. Players appreciate the pixelated visuals and immersive sound design, which enhance the emotional depth of the story while evoking fond memories of high school experiences. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a strong point, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal, despite some critiques regarding their potential for further innovation.
“Emily is Away captures the retro aesthetic of early chat interfaces convincingly, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere.”
“The visuals and graphics alone are just so satisfying to me.”
“Beautiful graphics, beautiful audio, beautiful writing.”
“Not my taste at all (I barely noticed some good stuff like Phoenix, but that is mostly it - pretty poor quality in general, though that is a subjective assessment more relevant to aesthetics analysis).”
“It is a valid point and I have to give credit where credit is due, but even with nostalgia kicking in (aesthetically and story-wise the game is still no less gorgeous than the previous two), I must say this game feels like a step back.”
“While aesthetically bare, it seems like an opportunity for players to fill in the blank spaces with their own memories.”
- replayability64 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the multiple endings and immersive storytelling, while others criticize the lack of significant differences between character routes, leading to repetitive dialogue and experiences. Many reviews highlight that while there are various outcomes to explore, the similarities in dialogue and plot progression diminish the overall replay value. Overall, the game offers some replay potential, but it may not satisfy those seeking diverse experiences across multiple playthroughs.
“I think this game has an amazing storyline, replayability with the option of picking between the girls and the 'choose your own adventure aspect,' and the fact that there are also two other games means lots of playtime with this series.”
“Emotional roller coaster, tons of replayability, really good storytelling where choices actually matter into multiple branches.”
“The previous Emily is Away games had the problem that they did not have much replay value, well this one does, with the multiple endings the replay value is pretty immense.”
“This might not sound too bad until you actually start the second file and try to date the opposite girl because you'll realize this game has no replay value.”
“Overall, I would rate the game 8.5/10, the only downside that I could think of is the replay value; in a second playthrough, I chose to pursue Evelyn instead of Emily and found that almost the exact dialogue was used for both girls.”
“My one pet peeve about this game is the low replayability due to Emily and Evelyn sharing 90% of their dialogues after chapter 2.”
- humor38 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, nostalgic references, and relatable teenage experiences, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the witty banter, funny internet links, and amusing character interactions that enhance the overall experience, while also balancing moments of emotional depth. Despite some critiques of over-the-top drama, the game's ability to evoke both laughter and nostalgia resonates strongly with players, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.
“His witty banter, supportive advice, and unwavering loyalty add a much-needed dose of reality and humor to your character's emotional rollercoaster.”
“The whole 'facenook' rip-off thing has a lot of funny comments, interactions, and links to other rip-off websites, such as YouTube with truly the most amazing 2000's music and memes.”
“I'd like to recommend this game: the writing is funny and on point, the sense of nostalgia it brings up is real, the attention to detail is spot on.”
“Not funny.”
“The jokes fell flat and didn't land at all.”
“I expected more laughs, but the humor was stale and uninspired.”
- grinding25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly during multiple playthroughs where the lack of new content and similar dialogue between characters detracts from the experience. Many reviewers express frustration with the lengthy chapters and the need to replay the game several times for different endings, which ultimately feels like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback that diminishes the game's replay value.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Replaying the game ends up being nothing but a tedious task because you're not engaging with anything new; I barely got through it twice and couldn't be bothered to do it again to see the good endings for myself.”
“The achievements, while not necessarily difficult to get, are super annoying, considering you have to play through the entire game a few times, and it's just really tedious.”
“For a game that you are encouraged to play more than once, the boredom and tediousness you feel while on another playthrough just makes you feel like talking to people is a chore and you’re Groundhog Day-ing your way through just to get to another ending.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Emily is Away" is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of early 2000s teenage culture through retro chat interfaces and authentic sound design. While some players feel that the emotional impact has diminished compared to previous titles, the game's detailed world-building and relatable themes of online relationships resonate strongly with many, creating a genuine sense of nostalgia. Overall, the atmosphere is a significant strength, enhancing the player's experience despite mixed feelings about the story's depth.
“It may seem like a simple game on the outside, but it's full of well thought out references and easter eggs, surprisingly well done and genuine-feeling writing, and an atmosphere that will have you feeling like you're actually in high school again.”
“Emily is Away captures the retro aesthetic of early chat interfaces convincingly, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere.”
“The sound, ambiance, and overall atmosphere are so good, making you really feel like you're using a 2008 computer.”
“The nostalgia and sad atmosphere from the previous games doesn't hit anymore either, as it has already been done and this game is set on Facebook, something I'm not really all that nostalgic for.”
“Atmosphere was a big part of the last two games but with this one it wasn't there.”
“It's quite sad to see from this team of devs that showed such promise before in the creation of their stories, and even though the game's atmosphere and world building, with fake websites that actually work, are very impressive, the story department is just very lacking.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is effectively integrated through nostalgic and immersive fake ads, music, and internet sites that reflect late 2000s culture, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the ads and social media elements, which contribute to a dynamic and engaging environment, despite some minor inconsistencies in branding. Overall, the monetization strategy feels authentic and adds to the game's nostalgic charm.
“The whole Facebook feed is well done, with the real-time updates and uploaded pictures making it feel dynamic and immersive, complete with the amusing parodied advertisements in the sidebar.”
“I was around 8 years old in 2008 (this game's time period), so I was a lot more awake and aware, so this game really threw me back with the ads on the side of the page (fake ads that relate to real-world movies, music, and events such as the Saw trailer, and many other good stuff like that) as well as the music choices.”
“- Extremely dumb nitpick, what's with the OS X branding in the advertising but everything in-game is based around Windows (specifically 7 and XP).”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive character design and depth, allowing players to easily connect with their favorite characters and explore numerous endings. However, some players felt that the pacing in the final episodes rushed the resolution of their choices, slightly diminishing the overall character development experience. Overall, it is highly praised for its engaging character arcs.
“The character design is so real, and it's so easy to find your favorite character instantly.”
“It's so in-depth; there are literally a million endings, so you definitely won't get bored with it! The only thing I didn't like was that the last two episodes were kind of fast-paced and didn't really allow you to see the outcome of your decisions. But other than that, it's an amazing game with super good character development. If you're thinking about getting it, do it!”
