Torn Away
- October 6, 2023
- Perelesoq
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Get on Xbox Games Store"Torn Away" is an interactive adventure game set in World War II era, following a girl's journey across Germany and Poland to reunite with her family. The game features classic adventure levels, platforming with stealth mechanics, and cinematic first-person sequences. Inspired by true stories, it explores the theme of "Ostarbeiters" and the hardships they faced during the war.
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully crafted and emotional story that effectively conveys the horrors of war from a child's perspective, making it a deeply moving experience.
- The art style and sound design are exceptional, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and emotional impact.
- Gameplay is varied and includes interesting puzzles and mini-games that keep players engaged without detracting from the narrative focus.
- Some platforming sections can be frustrating and may lead to inconsistent autosave points, causing players to repeat sections unnecessarily.
- The pacing in the latter part of the game feels rushed, with some players wishing for a more developed conclusion to the protagonist's journey.
- There are occasional technical issues and glitches that can disrupt the gameplay experience, although they are not game-breaking.
- story64 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game presents a poignant and immersive story centered on Asya, a young girl navigating the horrors of war as she seeks to reunite with her family. While the narrative is straightforward and can be completed in under four hours, it effectively conveys deep emotional themes, making it a touching experience that resonates with players. The combination of heartfelt storytelling, charming art style, and light puzzles enhances the overall impact, creating a memorable journey that highlights the human cost of conflict.
“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.”
“Even though the plot itself is not very sophisticated, I followed Asya's story with interest and it was very heart-touching.”
- emotional26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its beautifully written, heart-wrenching narrative that deeply connects players to the protagonist's struggles during World War II. Many reviewers noted that the story is both touching and genuine, often evoking tears and a profound sense of empathy for the characters' experiences. Overall, it is described as a unique and unforgettable emotional journey that resonates long after the game is completed.
“My heart shattered multiple times and I cried about 2-3 times.”
“The story is so touching and genuine, and it really makes you feel a deep connection to her experiences.”
“Torn Away is a very emotional, beautiful story about the hard times of World War II.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and creative art style that effectively masks its low polygon count, utilizing a cel-shaded look to create an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere. Reviewers praise the stunning visuals, smooth animations, and attention to detail, which enhance the emotional depth of the story and the overall gaming experience. The combination of various art styles contributes to a captivating aesthetic that resonates well with players.
“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 quality of the visuals, the story, and its presentation is truly top-notch.”
“Art style, animations, and heartbreaking story.”
“I adore the visual style; graphics and animation are so smooth and cozy.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, primarily characterized as a walking simulator with light puzzles and mini-games that can be both engaging and frustrating. While some players appreciate the simplicity and narrative focus, others find it lacking in depth and variety, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as accessible and enjoyable for casual players, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex mechanics.
“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.”
“The gameplay is simple and enjoyable for cozy players like me.”
“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 a cool story without tiring gameplay than 50+ hours of monotonous, uninteresting garbage.”
- music14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some users finding it merely "okay," while others praise it as outstanding and emotionally immersive, likening it to favorite movie soundtracks. The combination of music and sound design is noted for enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling, particularly in relation to the protagonist's tragic background. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for its ability to create genuine suspense and emotional depth.
“The soundtrack is outstanding.”
“The magnificent musical accompaniment immerses you even more into the tragic story and the atmosphere of Asi's difficult childhood.”
“Music: the music is ok.”
“And the music!”
“It's like a blend of your favorite movie soundtracks, which adds a whole new level of emotion to the game.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive narrative set against the backdrop of WWII, effectively capturing the scale of a small character in a vast, violent world. The combination of high-quality music, thoughtful game design, and a seamless 2D to 3D transition enhances the emotional depth and tragic elements of the story, creating a compelling and atmospheric experience.
“The atmosphere, music, and game design are of a high standard, and I particularly appreciated the 2D to 3D transition.”
“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.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is rated positively, with users reporting no performance issues on desktop PCs. There is a notable contrast drawn between the optimization and storytelling quality of AAA studios compared to indie developers, suggesting that indie studios excel in these areas.
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing stability issues, including glitches that require resets, such as getting stuck mid-animation while attempting to interact with objects. These problems can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
“I had to reset a couple of times due to glitches, like when I had to hop on a box to board a train car, but I got stuck mid-animation and fell off the box, making it impossible to jump again.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it frustrating to progress. I lost my progress multiple times because of this instability.”
“I encountered several bugs that caused the game to freeze, forcing me to restart my console. It's really disappointing.”
