September 29, 2023
perelesoq

Torn Away

Torn Away, with its gut wrenching narrative and beautifully grim graphics, is the new gold standard for visual novel-based video games.

88%Game Brain Score

story, emotional

optimization, stability

96% User Score Based on 170 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

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About

Torn Away is a single player platformer game with drama and historical themes. It was developed by perelesoq and was released on September 29, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

See the tragedy of World War 2 through the eyes of a child. Torn away from your home, you become a worker in a forced labor camp. You have to survive without losing what makes us human in this war-torn world, where only the strongest prevail.

+15

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 170 reviews

story31 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features a beautifully told, emotional story that effectively portrays the horrors of war from a child's perspective.
The art style and voice acting are highly praised, contributing to an immersive and engaging experience.
The gameplay includes a variety of mechanics, such as puzzles and mini-games, which enhance the narrative without overwhelming it.

Some platforming sections can be frustrating and imprecise, leading to moments of annoyance during gameplay.
Autosave functionality is inconsistent, which can lead to potential loss of progress during challenging segments.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting a more extended experience or deeper exploration of the story.

story
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
73%
2%
The game's story centers on Asya, a young girl navigating the harrowing experiences of World War II as she attempts to reunite with her family, delivering a poignant and immersive narrative that resonates deeply with players. While the plot is described as simple, it effectively evokes strong emotions and highlights the impact of war on innocent lives, making it a touching and memorable experience. The combination of heartfelt storytelling, beautiful art, and atmospheric music enhances the overall emotional weight of Asya's journey, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “A beautiful interactive story that does not shy away or take lightly the sadness caused by war.”
- “The story is so touching and genuine, and it really makes you feel a deep connection to her experiences.”
- “An excellent game that will break your heart when you realize it is telling a story that happens to civilians all over the world, in all time periods.”
- “Asya’s story is sad, yes, but not powerful enough to be considered great.”
- “The story is too plain for me and there are no ideas you can think a lot about in the game.”
- “There might be some achievements to get and small decisions to make, but nothing that really affects the story.”
emotional
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players describing it as a beautifully written and heart-wrenching journey that evokes deep feelings and tears. The story, centered around a young girl's struggles during World War II, resonates with players, creating a genuine connection to her experiences and highlighting the hardships of that era. Overall, it is regarded as a must-play for those seeking a touching and memorable gaming experience.
- “The story is so touching and genuine, and it really makes you feel a deep connection to her experiences.”
- “This game is a heartfelt and gripping experience that transports players to a time of great adversity.”
- “Torn Away is a very emotional, beautiful story about the hard times of World War II.”
graphics
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
41%
8%
The graphics of the game are praised for their creative and immersive art style, which effectively combines various elements to create a nostalgic atmosphere despite a low polygon count. The cel-shaded visuals and smooth animations enhance the emotional storytelling, making the overall presentation feel top-notch and captivating. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the way the art complements the game's themes, contributing to a cozy yet impactful experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the attention to detail in the game is impressive.”
- “They've combined elements from different art styles to create this immersive and nostalgic world.”
- “I adore the visual style; the graphics and animation are so smooth and cozy.”
- “The subject matter is grim but the supporting characters add a ray of light to the game, and the simple art style is appropriate in context.”
- “The game delivers a great story that can be finished in less than 4 hours which means you won't get bored from playing it and that the puzzles are straightforward so it won't make you frustrated in certain segments, and never forget about the art style that fits it very well.”
- “Maybe it's because I'm very keen on visuals and music in films/games/tv series/anime.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The gameplay is generally described as simple and varied, primarily consisting of walking simulator elements with light puzzles and mini-games that engage players without being overly complex. While some find it repetitive and lacking in depth, others appreciate its narrative focus and the balance between challenge and enjoyment, making it suitable for casual players. Overall, it offers a bittersweet interactive experience that complements the storytelling rather than detracting from it.
- “The gameplay is challenging but not frustrating, and it keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
- “The gameplay is varied; there are light puzzles that keep you on your toes, and storytelling.”
- “A bittersweet interactive story with gameplay that doesn't distract from the experience of the story.”
- “The gameplay, on the other hand, is what holds this game back.”
- “Mechanics: it doesn’t have much in mechanics, it's mostly a walking simulator with some puzzles.”
- “I'd rather play 3-5 hours of cool story without tiring gameplay than 50+ hours of monotonous, uninteresting garbage.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
60%
11%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it merely "ok," while others praise it as outstanding and emotionally impactful, likening it to favorite movie soundtracks. The soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling, particularly in relation to the protagonist's tragic background, and many players express a desire for the soundtrack to be available separately. Overall, the sound design, including environmental music and sound effects, contributes significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack is outstanding.”
- “The magnificent musical accompaniment immerses you even more into the tragic story and the atmosphere of Asi's difficult childhood.”
- “The music is just okay.”
- “It's like a blend of your favorite movie soundtracks, which adds a whole new level of emotion to the game.”
- “Maybe it's because I'm very keen on visuals and music in films, games, TV series, and anime.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, effectively capturing the harrowing context of WWII through high-quality music and design. Players appreciate the seamless transition from 2D to 3D, which enhances the emotional depth of the narrative centered on a small character navigating a vast, violent world. Overall, the developers are commended for their meticulous attention to recreating the era's ambiance.
- “The magnificent musical accompaniment, which immerses you even more into the tragic story, enhances the atmosphere of Asi's difficult childhood.”
- “From the moment you start playing, it's evident that the developers spared no effort in recreating the atmosphere of the era.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and game design are of a high standard, and I particularly appreciated the 2D to 3D transition.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the optimization of the game is rated positively, with users reporting no performance issues on their desktop PCs. The feedback suggests that indie studios excel in both storywriting and optimization compared to AAA studios.
- “Performance: no issues with performance on my desktop PC.”
- “Aaa studios should learn story writing and game optimization from indie studios.”
- “AAA studios should learn story writing and game optimization from indie studios.”
- “AAA studios should learn story writing and game optimization from indie studios.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences notable stability issues, with players frequently encountering glitches that require resets, particularly during key actions like boarding train cars. These glitches often result in characters getting stuck mid-animation, hindering gameplay progression.
- “I had to reset a couple of times due to some glitches, like when you have to hop on a box to board a train car, but I get stuck mid-animation and fall off the box, making it impossible to jump.”
- “I encountered several stability issues that forced me to restart the game multiple times, particularly during key moments that should have been seamless.”
- “The game frequently crashes at critical points, disrupting the flow and making it frustrating to progress.”