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    Dear Esther

    Game » consists of 6 releases. Released Feb 14, 2012

    An unconventional Source-engine mod that features a melancholic atmosphere. Originally a university research project, it experiments by removing most typical player interactions, while seeking to still create a strong player experience. It was released as a standalone experience in 2012.

    altered_confusion's Dear Esther (PC) review

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    Dear Esther Review

    Dear Esther is a walk through a story game created by The Chinese Room. In this game you are going to be walking around and through an island that is apparently deserted and as you go a story will unfold in front of you.

    Graphically this game looks amazing, the atmosphere of the island draws you in and all you want to do is take more steps along the beach, up the path, through the caves, and even in to some of the abandoned structures.

    The music coupled with the music is probably the most haunting thing about the game. Well after the game was over I was left feeling the pull that the two together caused on me. The voice acting was also well crafted. There were secrets and bits of story that made you want to discover all there was about the island.

    The controls are VERY straightforward, use the mouse as your camera, and use WASD to walk.

    I don't want to give too much away, but I will tell you this there will be disappointment when you find yourself at the end of the game, and it will be sudden. Part of you will know immediately where this story will end, but you will be able to shrug it off until the final moment. You will learn stories of Esther, Paul, a Hermit, a man named Donnelly, and a herder named Jakobson. You will find that you yearn for more, but the sad reality is this is truly a walk through this island, a story is told, and then the end occurs. You do NOTHING other than walk to the designated spots to trigger the next bit of dialogue. So as good as the experience is, unless you are really really interested in taking a walk through something mysterious, you are going to find the 30 minutes it takes from start to finish is going to leave you in an interesting position.

    So would I recommend this to people? Well I'd say if you are interested in being caught up in imagery and a bit of story, then sure. There's nothing here to really consider this a game, per say, even though you do interact with it, I would have to say its more of an interactive art piece. So if I look at that I have to give this an 8.1 out of 10.

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    Other reviews for Dear Esther (PC)

      A Story for Melancholy Moods 0

      Dear Esther(PC) by mikelemmer on February 15, 2012

      Download Size: 1.5 GBTime to Finish: 1 hour, 40 minutesMost Impressive Level: The CavesPrice I'd Pay: $5Steam Price (2/15/12): $10Like a good horror game, Dear Esther insists upon being played at a certain time: a half-hour before sunset, with the lights dim, when you won't be interrupted for 2 hours. It is for thoughtful times, those periods where you don't feel like doing anything but pondering the path you've taken so far. It's not so much a game as it is remnants of a story you silently wand...

      9 out of 9 found this review helpful.

      The Interactive Poem 0

      Dear Esther(PC) by gamer_152 on July 06, 2013

      Dear Esther is the antithesis of the traditional video game, to the point where it’s debatable whether it’s a game at all. The only player actions are moving through the world and looking around, while the only thing close to a gameplay goal is to progress through the environments until you reach the end. Dear Esther doesn’t aim to engage you through action, strategy, or puzzles, but through mystical surroundings, poetic narration, and haunting music.In many ways the world of Dear Esther itself ...

      6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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