Back in the early ’90s, we thought Full Motion Video games would take over the industry. Systems like Sega CD and 3DO had a ton of “interactive” cinematic titles. As we all know, FMV never took off because of their simplistic, ufnfulilling gameplay (if you could call it gameplay). We’re well over 25 years removed from that era and FMV games have begun to pop up once more. One of the latest examples is the PlayStation exclusive, Erica. Though still limited like its FMV ancestors, Erica makes a strong argument for why these kinds of games deserve a place in the modern gaming landscape.
A bit of history before moving on. Sony announced this version of Erica earlier this week during Gamescom 2019. The game was actually first announced back during Paris Games Week in 2017. At that point, it featured a completely different actress playing Erica. This was also during the time when Sony touted its now-defunct PlayLink initiative. Because of this, it is surprising to see the game finally see the light of day. It’s good that Sony didn’t completely scrap Erica since it is an entertaining experience.
Erica is an interactive mystery story. You’ll guide the titular character as she attempts to unravel a dark secret from her past. Along the way, you’ll meet a large cast of characters who either try to help or hinder you. Eschewing buttons or analog sticks, you play only with the PlayStation 4’s touchpad or the companion app on mobile phones. On-screen prompts have you swiping up, down, left, and right. You can also control how fast or slow you move objects. This is important if you want to open a door slowly. The interactive elements blend well with the scenes, which help keep you immersed in the story.
I’m no film critic so I can’t go into detail about the cinematography and all of that good stuff. I will say that everything is well-shot and cinematic-looking. If I didn’t know Erica was a video game, I could have mistaken it for a Netflix production. The scenes are shot in a way that helps players know what elements to focus on. I enjoyed the moody lighting on display during specific sequences. Again, this is a far cry from the cheap production values of FMV titles of old. Erica looks beautiful.
I have mixed feelings on the touchpad interface. On one hand, it’s admirable to see a developer actually incorporating the touchpad, which is effectively a giant Select button in 99 percent of games. Unfortunately, Erica illustrates why you rarely see touchpad functionality. In short, it is sometimes frustratingly difficult to get the touchpad to do what you want. I found myself swiping in vain to do something as simple as open a zippo lighter. Yet, when the touchpad works, it works very well. Wiping dew off a window or opening cabinets with two fingers feels natural. I wish there was a middle ground here, but the touchpad interface is very much hit or miss.
I still remember how bad FMV acting was back in the day. Games like Sewer Shark and Night Trap had some of the cringiest acting you could find. Erica is nothing of the sort. Though some are better than others, the cast does a phenomenal job in bringing their respective characters to life. This is especially true of Holly Earl, who makes us truly care for Erica. The fact none of the acting feels stilted during interactive segments is a miracle in and of itself. I can only imagine what my teenage self would think if he saw how great FMV production values would become.
A single playthrough of Erica takes roughly two hours. Given the fast-paced nature of the narrative, those two hours are over before you know it. Every decision you make leads to different paths which in turn open up new branches in the narrative. This means you’ll want to replay Erica several times to see the story’s different outcomes. I suspect I got the “bad” ending on my first playthrough so I’m looking forward to replaying the game to change the outcome. For those interested, Erica has a platinum trophy, which should give you more incentive to play through every possible scenario.
Erica demonstrates both the positives and negatives of FMV games. It surpasses all of the clunky and silly FMV titles of the past thanks to easy-to-master controls and actors who deliver convincing performances. On the flipside, the touchpad interface is too imprecise and finicky. There’s also the fact you’re watching more than playing. Erica is not a title for everyone, but that’s okay because it (mostly) accomplishes its goal of being a solid FMV experience. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, you should give Erica a shot. It is one of the most unique titles in PlayStation’s vast collection of exclusive games.
Get Erica on PS4 at the PlayStation Store
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