Orphans episode five is the latest instalment in the interactive messenger mobile game from German developer Reality Games. It focuses on friends who go to an abandoned Orphanage to get footage for their social media channel. The player controls a character who is contacted by a group of friends after they find our number.
The German version of the finale is available so those lucky people will know how it ends. They’ve also started the new game, ARGUS, but more on that at a later date. While this review won’t have spoilers for Orphans episode five, there will be spoilers for the previous episodes. If you haven’t played them yet, don’t read further. This goes doubly for episode four which I will speak about more.
Furthermore, before we delve into the review, I want to be clear that even though I have a small voice role in this episode it won’t prejudice my feelings towards it. It was an exciting opportunity but I’ll still be honest about how I felt with this episode.
Episode Five
Orphans episode five opens up with a cool video package as every other episode does. It reminds us of who Belial is and gets us ready to face the consequences of the previous episode. Mika is no longer themselves and is under possession by Belial. Unfortunately, Mika’s sibling is alone and we can’t do anything to help. It’s the one constant across all these games that ups the fear factor. There is absolutely nothing we can do to help.
Even if this was real we still couldn’t help as we’re elsewhere, possibly in another country, and can only help through a mobile. The demon doesn’t make it easier either and things only get worse from there.
Since we’re near the endgame our choices matter more. So, there are certain choices you have to watch or else you may lose an ally or two. But, who knows, maybe you could pick up another? I guess you’ll only know by playing!
The story itself is reaching its dramatic conclusion. I can’t count the number of times I thought the episode was over but it wasn’t. There was always something else to outdo what came before and I find myself not wanting the story to be over. Each game from Reality Games has dealt with a different type of horror and as a lover of supernatural horror, this has made me very happy. There’ve been references to so many amazing horror movies to let you know the people making these games are also fans.
And for those who were as disappointed as I was with the lack of author chats in the last episode, don’t fret. Without any spoilers, you will see them again and it will be glorious.
The only gripe I have, and it’s more a preference, is the lack of romance options compared to before. During the other games, you were making more of a connection with the characters. However, it makes sense for this story considering everything that’s going on. There hasn’t been time to delve more into it nor is there much time for breathing room. However, the option to ‘romance’ is still there and your choices matter to that progression.
As a whole, the episode reaches new heights for the story. Your choices matter more, it’s hard to know who to trust and just about anything can happen. By the time you finish, you’ll want the next episode but it’s also the final episode.
Judging by the other releases, English-language users will see the finale possibly around November. Other episodes have been released around two months or just over it. Maybe we’ll even get it just in time for Halloween but who knows?
What I do know though is I’m enjoying Orphans right now as much as I did when I started. Actually, I’m still enjoying the games from Reality Games and can’t wait to see what the next game’s like.
