Emily is Away <3

mat a lil freaky but its oki

yep

This game is crazy

Simulate early Facebook and complete heartbreak
2 for 1!

Only play if you had toxic friends middle school/high school and want to relive your trauma. Or just, y'know, don't

Don't trust your partner simulator.

Gosh, I don't even know what to say, I just want to rant. It's hard for not only a game but a piece of media to be so compelling, so talkative to me. I have to admit I am a bit biased because I'm a sucker for old stuff, specially 00's-10's, but what a game. I've beaten this many times, and it just gets better.

These games, and specially the last one embodies youth so well through the simulation of a screen. It's all you can ask from something so simple, yet in my opinion so effective. That damn Moody Rain website? C'mon! Pure gold!

There's set pieces in the game meant to trigger your anxiety, to make you doubt yourself and even now as I play this game as an adult, I just can't seem to not bite the bait sometimes. A great example of this is the scene where you 'ditch' Evelyn so you can help Mat, and even though you, Mat, Evelyn and even the game itself knows this is the right thing to do, the last thing you see in that chapter is a secret message Eve made on Steve's wall.

As I teenager, I regret not just shutting my mind of off problems completely and just enjoying the moments, specially relationships that I had back then. Today, those problems are such a minor inconvenience, that only served to steer my way out of enjoyment and fun, which those years should all have been about, or should I just say 'enjoying it before it ends'. When something is just too good and you don't want it to end, wether it be a music, a moment or even a person.

And I think that's much of the confrontation part. It's okay to be insecure, and even though the game may not answer normally and comprehensive to it, it certainly has its ways of rewarding you for trusting your heart with it. Instead of going the hard way and facing Eve, simply choosing it to let it slide gives exactly what you wanted from the very beginning. Eve says that she loves you for the first time, the guy you were worried adds you and suddenly doesn't seem so bad anymore.

Fast-forward to the last chapter, Eve and you are better than ever, and even though she might seem 0,01% 'off', it just comes with it. Teenagery, I mean. College is coming up, you don't know what the future holds both for your relationship and your career, not even if you'll make it to your friends last BBQ before it all ends.

And there it is. Uncertainty, written all over it. It's hard growing up, hard to leave those things behind, but looking back and seeing that even though they ended... they happened. Well, I guess whatever happens, happens.

shush emily you slag

Evelyn + Travis = :(
Evelyn + Me = :)

This game is all kinds of nostalgic! Absolutely everyone should play this to experience how unique and authentic video games can be.

i dont know how to feel about this game. i bought it a while back and didn't like it at first but after revisiting it, it started to grow on me. dont know how to feel about the ending i got. what does going on break mean? 7/10 game

i got a heart break from a high school memory i never have :c

Idk what to say this game makes me smile really big all the time, among my favorite games ever, along with Emily Too, please I BEG you to make Emily 4, i will pay for that shit myself

Very intriguing story with a lot of different outcomes!

nostalgic and well done. loved the inclusion of music and playlists, it really added to the immersion in 2009. <3

feel like I got trapped by Emily and then SHE dumps ME what!

I wanted to like the game, but overall, I got really frustrated by it. It is basically a manipulative-partner-sim.
There were nice nostalgic moments about the old internet, but the story was not for me.

SLIGHT SPOILER It started off cute. As the game went on, I started to get invested in the story and the characters. But At some point, the game just forces you to be a prick for no reason. You suddenly can't decide the way you take anymore and all three dialogue options are you trying to forbid your partner to have other friends? From this point, your only choice is to be manipulative, even though the game was really wholesome before.
Up to this point, I liked the story, but that was just painful to watch and it went on forever. I stopped playing in the last chapter, because it just felt so frustrating and out of nowhere.

Never finished the game and idk if I will, but I heard that it's good

Learns you how to talk to women

Soo I'm probably going to uninstall this after playing for 5+ hours, it wasn't my cup of tea if I'm being honest. I didn't actually see it was a dating sim LMAO which is my bad, but I didn't mind the pick your own adventure type of thing. HOWEVER. The text options are extremely limited, and the 2 love interests just speak the same, same options, same lines and scenarios when you start dating them from what I know which gets pretty boring as it just feels more like one option. I did play through Emily's story which took surprisingly long and got more irritating the longer I played.

SPOILERS: During the chapter where Mat tells us about Jeff for Emily's story, it's frustrating as none of the options seem to fit what someone with good morals would do as people can obviously have friends but our character acts like an over jealous obsessive jerk to be honest with most of the options. I wish there was just a way to not confront about Jeff so the relationship wouldn't be strained?? Maybe accept your gf can have friends?!

Anyway I'm just nitpicking from the one storyline I played, to be honest the graphics are absolutely chef's kiss, I love the style of the game, the sounds, the external links are so funny, it's just so nostalgic for someone who wasn't even online in the late 2000's. I just wish the options were more varied, as well as the characters as they just seem copy and pasted with the boy best friend getting in the way and us getting pissy about it. But I mean can't blame a game with a bunch of high school students to be dramatic so! My opinion on this game is more in the middle as I really only gave it one chance but if you're into just premeditated stories that you really have minimal control over, then go for it! Should've looking into the game content before buying tbh but that's on me. The dev really impressed me with the looks though, it's really smooth.

good

For those of us who grew up when Facebook was first opened or just opened to the public, this is a great trip down memory lane - with a great story alongside it.

Looking forward to the next game in the series, Emily is AwAI, where the player has to glean some sort of story from the responses given by the AI program, ChatMLE.

I caught myself actually smiling and giggling. Really reminds you how lonely you are 10/10

Saw Kanye Live

It makes me feel lonely but not at the same time.

I cried. Would recommend

Girlies come and go, bros stay 4ever
P.S. Definetly should've been dating Evelyn for her great music taste (cmon senses fail are sick)

one of my favorite game series'

Very nostalgic. This series is perfect for any 90s/2000s kids. I've played all three games and they all make you have actual feelings like you are actually talking to someone.

put on my 2008 scene-kid playlist to get in the mood for this. played it during summer afternoons, as if i was a kid staying inside to instant message my friends. felt very nostalgic for a long-gone era of 'facenook' where we would post photo dumps of blurry, dumb pictures, and AIM-esque conversations full of xD and 0.o

it feels... too real...

i love this game its good

genuinely one of the best games ive played i cant explain it this game is so important to me i wish it was as nostalgic for me as it is for other players however i love this game format and wish there were more games like this that i could play

Everyone needs someone like Mathew Gursky in their life

I thought this was going to be a horror game but I enjoyed the time capsule that this game felt like. the features where you can access real music on the knock off youtube (YouToob) is great and discovered some cool songs.

THIS GAME IS AWESOMEEEEE

Mat is the best friend we all wish we had in high school.

Unique gaming experience that truly captures the essence of early 2000s online interactions. I found myself nostalgic as I navigated through the familiar interface of an old chat program, complete with clickable tabs and the iconic feel of those long-forgotten conversations.

While the story and choices didn’t always resonate with me, the sheer enjoyment of reliving those moments made it worthwhile. I loved the little details, like customizing my profile and sending instant messages—things that brought back memories of poking friends on Facebook and sharing cringy away messages.

ate up that nostalgia and kept me guessing through each chapter/story

i wish mat was real

"Emily is Away <3" is the third installment in Kyle Seeley’s nostalgic series that transports players back to the days of mid 2000s internet culture, specifically the era of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) and Facebook. This visual novel is a love letter to a time when social interactions were largely mediated by clunky, pixelated profiles, status updates, and personalized playlists.

Nostalgia Done Right
One of the most charming aspects of Emily is Away <3 is its faithful recreation of the mid-2000s digital landscape. From Facebook-like profiles to chat windows styled after AIM, the game nails the aesthetics, sounds, and experiences of that era. The attention to detail is astounding, with customizable profiles, "Top Friends" lists, and even status updates mirroring the ways people used to present themselves online. For anyone who lived through this period, the game feels like stepping back in time.

A More Personal Experience
In terms of narrative, Emily is Away <3 builds on the relationships established in the previous entries while providing a deeper level of player interaction and consequence. You’re still chatting with friends and potential love interests, navigating the tricky waters of teenage drama, but this time, your choices feel even more impactful. Every conversation can change the way characters perceive you, and there’s a palpable sense of tension as you try to maintain friendships or navigate budding romances.

The central plot revolves around your relationships with two main characters, Emily and Evelyn, but the game also lets you cultivate connections with other friends in your social circle. The conversations are a mix of nostalgia-laden awkwardness and raw emotion, capturing the highs and lows of teenage friendship and romance. Choices matter, and as in real life, you may not always get the ending you want.

Gameplay and Mechanics
The gameplay consists primarily of dialogue choices and crafting your online persona. What makes Emily is Away <3 unique is the way it lets you customize your profile, status updates, and even the music you’re "listening to" in the game. The options here are more expanded than in previous entries, allowing for a deeper sense of personalization. This mechanic, combined with your evolving relationships, makes it feel like the stakes are higher than ever before.

However, the gameplay remains relatively simple—if you’re looking for something beyond dialogue-based storytelling, this may not be the game for you. It’s very much an interactive novel rather than a traditional game, which might limit its appeal for players who crave more action or complexity.

Themes of Growing Up and Moving On
Emily is Away <3 isn’t just about reliving your Facebook glory days. 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. There’s an underlying sadness in the game’s depiction of online friendships and relationships, as you know that many of these connections will likely fade with time. 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.

Verdict
For anyone who was a teenager in the mid 2000s, Emily is Away <3 is a must-play. Its blend of nostalgia, heartfelt storytelling, and simple yet engaging mechanics creates a unique experience that stands out in the indie gaming world. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we've come in terms of technology—and how little we’ve changed when it comes to the complexities of human relationships.

Rating: 8/10

While not without its limitations in gameplay depth, the emotional core and flawless nostalgia of Emily is Away <3 make it a memorable and touching experience, especially for those who remember the AIM and Facebook era firsthand.

this game is aids dont play it

i've been playing this too long (i bought it same day and i'm 6 hours in)

i like the purple one she kinda baddie

good game if you like being gaslit

emily was not away refunding

This game really made me feel immersed as if I was actual friends with these characters. You develop a good connection with the characters if you pay attention to the conversations and don't try to "game" the relationships. I can't particularly relate to the scenarios that played out, but I was able to place myself in the shoes of the MC, which made me feel like I had kind of experienced it before. I also enjoyed the "YouToob" aspect of the game and checking out the playlists that the characters had created. I like that there are other unrelated videos (that aren't included in the playlists) that you can look at as well. It makes it feel as if you are really surfing the web. Overall, this is a great game and I enjoyed the time playing it. At some point, I may come back to play it again, but for now, I want the ending that I got to stay fresh for a bit. Only reason I may go back for now is to check out the music again.

P.S. Mat is a great friend, don't be mean to him :)

I always find myself coming back to this game, I don't know if it's because I'm young and going through the same experiences as the characters or whether I just really enjoy the fact that your first playthrough is always doomed but I always come back here. I love this game and the dynamics your actions can make, makes you nervous to even do something silly as picking your favourite genre while talking to a person. Super good :D

this game was the first full length, took-a-few-days, longer game that i've played in a really long time. and i'm honestly glad that i did. i think this game has an amazing story line, replayability with the option of picking between the girls and the "choose your own adventure aspect," and the fact that there's also two other games means lots of playtime with this series. this game definitely brought me back to middle school when facebook was becoming a thing in my area and drudged up a lot of good and bad memories alike. i loved this game.