Emily is Away Too
- May 26, 2017
- Kyle Seeley
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Emily is Away Too" is a nostalgic chat-based game set in 2006, allowing you to interact with characters Emily and Evelyn, and influence your senior year's outcome. The game features multiple endings, customizable profiles, independent IM conversations, and integration of YouTube links, Facebook profiles, and file transfers, all within a retro interface.
Reviews
- story712 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Emily is Away Too" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its nostalgic setting and emotional depth. While some find the narrative engaging and relatable, reflecting on teenage relationships and choices, others criticize it for being somewhat linear and lacking in character depth compared to more robust visual novels. Overall, the game offers multiple endings and branching paths, enhancing replayability, but some players feel that the story could benefit from more complexity and variation in dialogue.
“The story is well put together and conveys well the emotions that come with online relationships.”
“The pacing is tight and focused, delivering a satisfyingly bittersweet story that lingers long after the credits roll.”
“Emily is away too is a great game, it has a good story that I was interested in and the ending I got was very heartbreaking.”
“Additionally, while the game taps into emotional storytelling, the depth of the characters can occasionally feel shallow, especially when compared to more robust visual novels or interactive storytelling games.”
“The story is extremely short and underwhelming; even as a high school student, more goes on than what is presented in the story.”
“The story attempts to branch out based on your choices, but the impact of these decisions feels minimal.”
- music302 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Emily is Away Too" is a standout feature, effectively capturing the nostalgia of the mid-2000s with a carefully curated selection of pop-punk and alternative tracks. Players appreciate the integration of real YouTube links, allowing them to listen to songs while engaging in conversations, which enhances the immersive experience of reliving teenage years. Overall, the game's soundtrack not only evokes strong emotional connections but also introduces players to new music, making it a memorable aspect of the gameplay.
“The music truly is what makes it for me.”
“The music selection you'll be playing in your browser makes sense, fits in the atmosphere and works with the rest of the game to bring you that nostalgia feel.”
“The added innovations are cute--the songs on youtube and the file transfers--all very cleverly done.”
“I can't imagine what it's like for teens now with video, music, read notifications and way faster speeds than we ever had, but playing this was like stepping into a time machine that brought me even further back than when it takes place and highlighted just how absolutely silly and stupid it all was.”
“Great game if you want to go on a few hours long nostalgia trip to end up feeling like absolute shit while listening to the most soul crushing explosions in the sky, the killers and the strokes songs while you regret every wrong step you took in the past.”
“The game itself has no background music, and you can only listen to songs after clicking on 'youtoob' links provided on the chat windows and profiles; the song choices for the game are good as well, and the ending song was surprisingly catchy.”
- emotional297 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Emily is Away Too" is widely praised, with players describing it as a powerful and nostalgic journey that evokes strong feelings of attachment and heartbreak. Many reviewers note that the game effectively captures the essence of teenage angst and the complexities of relationships, often leading to genuine emotional responses, including tears and reflections on personal experiences. While some feel the emotional depth may not match the original game, the overall consensus is that it remains a compelling and heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with players.
“The game captures the essence of teen angst, emotional growth, and the misunderstandings that can arise from online communication.”
“This game made me feel things I never thought I could feel.”
“This game is an emotional rollercoaster that punishes you if you don't play wisely.”
- gameplay152 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Emily is Away Too" features a mix of interactive conversations and unique mechanics, such as timed events and a typing simulation that enhances immersion. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and improved mechanics over its predecessor, others criticize the limited choices and linearity of the story, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging narrative and simplistic gameplay, appealing primarily to fans of story-driven experiences.
“The conversations are highly interactive, and the typing mechanic where you press random keys to 'type' your responses makes the game feel immersive.”
“Now you can chat with two girls at the same time, and that introduces a bunch of new mechanics that enrich the interactivity and the narration.”
“The gameplay has improved in many ways.”
“The gameplay variety is lacking as conversations follow a strict path with little to change the direction alongside no possible means of hitting a 'dead end' by ruining chats or acting out of line.”
“Gameplay consists of pretending to type in instant messages to these two women and carry unbelievably shallow conversations with them, consisting of YouTube links to emo music, misspellings, and catchphrases like 'cool beans =]' or 'haha yeah I guessss whatevz man =p'.”
“The gameplay is very easy - you just have to pick one out of three options and then 'mash' your keyboard.”
- graphics77 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Emily is Away Too" are widely praised for their nostalgic pixel art style, effectively capturing the early 2000s internet aesthetic and evoking memories of instant messaging. While some reviewers noted that the visuals may not appeal to everyone, many appreciated the attention to detail and the authentic representation of the era, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a significant strength, contributing to its charm and emotional engagement.
“The authenticity of the early internet aesthetic is spot-on, and small details like song references or browsing a character's profile help make the world feel lived in.”
“The art style is amazing, bringing in that retro feel to a relatable story.”
“Everything from the sounds to the visuals is well implemented and polished, and feels really natural.”
“The visuals are really well done, as also the early 2000's internet overall setting, but the plot and writing are so bad and immature that it's almost unbearable to read.”
“It's not even a visual novel, since there's almost no visuals in it; it is also too linear, on-rails even, to be called a text adventure.”
“The visuals are very simple; they were made in a nice retro style.”
- replayability59 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its branching narrative and multiple endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes. While some players found the characters less engaging, the variety in dialogue options and story paths enhances the overall replay value. However, opinions vary, with some noting that the game's short length and similarities in character dialogue may limit the desire for multiple playthroughs.
“The game’s branching narrative encourages replayability, as different choices lead to different outcomes.”
“Multiple endings make this extremely replayable.”
“The game has multiple outcomes and options, giving it a much better replay value than the first game did, and I found myself to be much more into the game this time around as well.”
“The biggest downside to this game is its replayability is quite poor, and there isn't much to come back to.”
“Unfortunately, this game doesn't have much replayability value.”
“Aside from that, this game honestly has very little replayability.”
- humor55 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its nostalgic references to the late 2000s, subtle jokes, and clever easter eggs that resonate particularly with players familiar with that era. While some players found the humor relatable and amusing, others felt it fell flat, indicating that appreciation for the jokes may depend on one's familiarity with the cultural context. Overall, the game offers a mix of light-hearted moments and deeper, more cryptic humor that can evoke both laughter and nostalgia.
“The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of late 2000's teenager humor, most of the jokes will go over a typical player's head.”
“The easter eggs (icons, random chats, etc.) are hilarious, and at one point the game seems to set you up for failure (not gonna spoil it) just stick with it and things will turn out okay!”
“Had me chuckling and cringing at the things said, because I kind of remember similar conversations from way back when, when MSN ate my time (and Facebook wasn't even a thing in my neck of the woods).”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of early 2000s internet culture through its dialogue, music, and detailed spoof websites. Players appreciate the thoughtful integration of music that enhances the emotional experience, making the game feel both comforting and engaging. Overall, the atmosphere serves as a love letter to the simplicity and charm of past online interactions, resonating deeply with those familiar with that era.
“The music and file links are absolutely fantastic and make the atmosphere feel much more real.”
“On the side of nostalgia, the creator did an excellent job creating an entire atmosphere around the game itself.”
“This game has such a beautiful atmosphere omg.”
“Eia2, much like the first, is a love letter to the internet of old, with a faithful, if slightly tongue-in-cheek parody of the AOL days of the internet. The sheer amount of effort put into creating fully detailed spoof online sites on the real internet is a move that I've rarely seen in games. It's a nice refreshing supplement to the general atmosphere that this game tries to achieve, complete with fake banner ads and even musical tastes that were accurate to those years, which really helps cement the idea that 'hey, remember when ____ was really big?' So right off the bat, if you don't particularly enjoy the idea of having a game set in the messengers of old, then maybe don't buy this game, as a lot of the enjoyment comes from reliving those eras.”
“The additional websites the game provides you with help enhance this exquisitely executed story too. To enhance your gameplay experience, listen to the music the girls send you in the background while chatting away to really add to that mid-2000s atmosphere!”
“It gives off a very unique and engaging feel to it all, with the people you're chatting to even sending links to music they like, which adds more to the atmosphere surrounding the game.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely regarded as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve all endings and unlock achievements. While some players appreciate the well-crafted story and branching dialogue, many find the repetitive nature of the gameplay, particularly the typing and clicking through dialogue, to be a significant drawback. Overall, while the game offers depth, the grinding can feel overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I personally find it incredibly boring and tedious... but it's well-made and has branching dialogue.”
“For the achievement hunters out there, if you're only playing the game for that specific reason, let me warn you that the game becomes quite tedious to complete, and I, for one, had to play it twice for one annoying secret achievement.”
“The sequel had a lot more play time, but achieving all the endings was tedious so I didn't bother.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with improvements noted over its predecessor, though some players feel it could benefit from more depth and length. While the writing has minor flaws, such as forced dialogue and occasional exposition overshadowing character arcs, many players still appreciate the engaging and story-driven nature of the characters. Overall, it strikes a positive chord, with several reviewers recommending it for its character development.
“I think there was a better job done in terms of character development in this game than the first game.”
“I loved every moment of it, and highly recommend this as a great story-driven game with some swell character development!”
“There are some minor flaws in the writing, with occasional exposition overshadowing character development, and the dialogue feeling a bit forced at times.”
“A bit too short; could use more character development.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally positive, with no intrusive ads and a nostalgic experience that appeals to fans of early internet culture. However, some players feel that the limited choices in gameplay detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a typing simulator than a true "choose your own adventure." Overall, the game's unique homage to the past may resonate well with its target audience, but it may not be for everyone.
“The monetization in this game feels exploitative, as it constantly pushes players towards microtransactions for basic features that should be included in the base game.”
“I was disappointed to find that many of the game's enjoyable aspects are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to fully experience without spending extra money.”
“The in-game purchases are overwhelming and detract from the overall experience, as it feels like the game is designed more to extract money than to provide fun.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is widely regarded as unoptimized, leading to performance issues and a subpar experience for players.
“The game feels unoptimized, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I encountered numerous performance issues; the optimization is clearly lacking.”
“Despite the game's potential, the unoptimized mechanics make it frustrating to play.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the game is generally stable, recent Windows 10 updates have caused issues for some users, leading to freezing on startup. This has resulted in negative feedback despite the game's overall performance.
“Good, but I'm downvoting as the latest Windows 10 update has broken the game, and it now freezes on startup for some users.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I've experienced multiple stability issues, including random crashes and long loading times.”
