AWAY: Journey to the Unexpected

Alright, the game isn't bad...it's just weird.
Gameplay makes me thinks of Vermintide, since you can only attack with a melee weapon, but the combat is not very good because your weapon range is really short and often you will take a hit trying to hit the enemy.
Other attacks comes from friends you can party, up to 3 per run, and they have their own weapons.
The part that really makes this a bad game is the fact that you need stars to open doors to new areas. That's ok.
BUT...
To get those stars you need to recruit those before mentioned friends, and to do this you need to answer a series of questions, and if you choose ONE wrong answer the conversation will take a path that will not allow you to recruit that character, UNTIL THE NEXT RUN.
So, if you have a guide, you can pretty much finish the game in 3 runs, something like 3 hours max. But if you don't have a guide, it will be trial and error until you find out what are the correct answers for each character and recruit everyone so you can unlock the final door and beat the final boss.
I never seen a game do this before.
Lock progression behind a series of question and answers, which have nothing to do with skills, or items, or experience, or anything.
That's the main issue with this game.
But for the price at 90% discount it's a good and short experience.
Just keep in mind you gonna have to use a guide or else waste many hours trying to guess those stupid answers.

It's really not that bad, the enemy variety really helps compensate for the stale gameplay. It's very simple but it gets the job done.
The art direction is incredible, very nice looking game that feels so cozy and fun. The story isn't anything special but it does what it needs to.
In no way would I say this is a great game, but it's a fun little experience that I believe doesn't deserve the mixed reviews its received!
I will clarify though, I got this game of sale for $2.39, the maximum I would pay for this would be $5 maybe $8, I don't believe it's worth paying the full price unfortunately.

The game was pretty fun for how short it was. The artstyle is amazing and the story is... well, it's alright, could be worse. There are a bunch of charming characters and the recruitment mechanic is pretty fun to interact with all things considered.
Although I do have a few issues with the game. While I enjoyed it, a large part of the game feels like a bit of a slog with the combat being a little unsatisfying, to say the least. I also wish there was a little more content, like maybe more characters with unique abilities, more areas with unique enemies or maybe just some post-game content.
Overall, I'd say this game has some really good potential, but in the state it's currently in... only buy it on sale, it's not worth the full price for what you get.

If you like roguelites and boomer shooters paird with quirky anime characters you'll like this game. Its a janky roguelite that doesn't take itself seriously and I honestly don't understand why is not recommended more. Its not worth $16 but $5 and below is a good price for the game. It seems the devs put a lot of hard work into it as well.

I really enjoyed this cute little roguelite. It's very simple but very enjoyable. I wish there was more to it.

AWAY: Journey to the Unexpected is an indie action-adventure game developed by Aurélien Regard Games and published by Dear Villagers. The game presents a unique mix of first-person combat, dungeon exploration, and roguelike mechanics, all wrapped in a bright, anime-inspired visual style. From the outset, it positions itself as a whimsical and humorous adventure, featuring a colorful world filled with quirky characters and surreal situations, giving it a distinct identity among indie titles.
The story follows a young boy who sets out on a quest to rescue his missing parents, encountering a variety of unusual characters and challenges along the way. Players can recruit up to eight different companions, each with their own special abilities, who can temporarily take over in combat or provide strategic advantages. Dialogue and choice play a significant role in recruitment, adding an element of player agency to interactions with the game’s eccentric cast. The narrative tone leans heavily on humor and absurdity, reminiscent of lighthearted anime storytelling, which makes the characters and world engaging, even when the plot takes unexpected turns.
Gameplay is largely centered on first-person dungeon crawling, with procedurally generated levels offering some degree of replayability. Players engage in melee combat using simple attacks, while certain recruited characters may contribute with ranged abilities. While this setup introduces variety, the combat system has been noted for lacking precision and depth, leaving some encounters feeling repetitive or unsatisfying. Despite this, the inclusion of different companions and their unique skills adds occasional strategic considerations, encouraging experimentation with party composition.
A notable feature of AWAY is its recruitment system, which relies on selecting the right dialogue options to convince characters to join the protagonist’s team. While this adds a layer of interactivity to the narrative, the system can sometimes feel opaque and arbitrary, with success depending on trial and error rather than clear in-game cues. This design choice has drawn criticism for interrupting the flow of the game, as players may need multiple attempts to unlock all potential allies, slowing the pace of progression.
Visually, the game is a standout. The character sprites are expressive and full of personality, and the combination of 2D characters within vibrant 3D environments creates a whimsical and appealing aesthetic. Every area is filled with color and charm, contributing to the game’s overall sense of fun and lightheartedness. The soundtrack complements this visual style perfectly, featuring upbeat and catchy compositions that enhance the atmosphere and reinforce the anime-inspired tone of the adventure.
Despite its strong presentation and unique charm, the game is not without flaws. Combat can feel imprecise, level design occasionally becomes repetitive due to procedural generation, and the recruitment system’s trial-and-error nature can frustrate players. These elements sometimes detract from the otherwise engaging world and narrative, preventing the game from fully realizing its potential as a polished action-adventure experience.
Overall, AWAY: Journey to the Unexpected delivers a colorful, humorous, and imaginative adventure. Its combination of quirky characters, anime-inspired visuals, and lighthearted storytelling makes it a memorable experience, particularly for players seeking something unconventional and charming. While the gameplay mechanics have their shortcomings, the game’s aesthetic, narrative humor, and unique world-building offer an entertaining journey for those willing to embrace its quirks. It’s an experience defined more by personality and charm than mechanical depth, appealing to fans of whimsical indie games and narrative-driven adventures.
Rating: 5/10

Many ppl call this a short game but it is not so short.. you can make a run completed in 3 hours at first but that is not the end of the game.. I needed 10 hours to get all the stars for the Final Boss fight. You need multipple runs to finish it and the recruited characters are giving this game real variety. With them you can make a run much more faster. I really enjoyed the visuals, atmosphere and fighting system of the game. I purchased it on a 90% off price, I can only recommend it for that. My only problem was the weapon of the main character.. It is only a stick and it will always be.. I could imagine a sword too maybe with higher damage and bigger range to hit enemies.
9/10