Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

It's about a 7/10 for me. FYI: You will need to play the game two separate times if you want to hear both the original story narration and the director's commentary. The gorgeous environments are going to be the main draw for playing this, it's a visually pretty and mechanically simple palate cleanser. There's no puzzles or character interactions, no hidden areas, mostly linear paths, and the only moving option is to walk(gets a bit cumbersome not being able to run when I'm wanting to backtrack or just explore). I will say it has the most beautiful caves and moonlit skies I've ever seen in a game and makes it worth playing twice. The music is good, and I like that it has some breathing room to not have a soundtrack constantly playing the whole time. My main gripe with it is that the story looses its potential for emotional feeling and depth due to it's narrative vagueness added with the same repetitive drawings and difficult to read quotes plastered on the walls to the point that it distracts and breaks the flow of immersion. Because of that it's not nearly as emotionally gripping or symbolically impactful as the directors chalk it up to be in my opinion. I would have missed a lot of info about actually interesting hidden meanings in the environments and story if I hadn't listened to the director's commentary first. But leaving it up to the player's interpretation was their main intention all along when they made this, which can make games done that way both feel deep and shallow at the same time. Still, go ahead and play it when it's on sale if you're in the mood for a nice stroll on an abandoned island that will carry you alongside a poetic melancholic mystery.

It's pretty, and if you like walking simulators, you'll probably like it. But it's also very short and not really worth the price in my opinion. Try to snag it on sale if you can.

Good story Nice scenery Short game Easy to 100% Buy on sale

Dear Esther... it has been a long time since last I have vised this place.... This game is just wow.. its narration its story telling the immersion this game has done it all and really makes you believe you are there and experiencing ever last bit of the story with the narrator. I will always reccomend this game as a it as a special place in my heart ... from amazing scenery to cool little easter eggs. This game is just so beautiful.

Graphics - 7.8/10 Gameplay - 4/10 Soundtracks - 8.2/10 Story - 8.6/10 Controls - 9.8/10 Ambience - 10/10 This is mainly a game where you just walk. It doesn't feel like a game and the story doesn't make much sense until you go through the entire thing. This interactive story has a lot of atmosphere. It starts out small and slowly builds on the lonely grey vibes. Wtf ending, I had a hard time figuring out the ending.

[h1]Overall Score [/h1] [h2]★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ [/h2] [h3] Playability [/h3] [h2]★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ [/h2] [h3]Gameplay[/h3] [h2]★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ [/h2] [h3]Audio[/h3] [h2]★★★★★★★★☆☆ [/h2] [h3]Story[/h3] [h2]★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ [/h2] [h3]Visual[/h3] [h2]★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ [/h2] If you have played the original game, i don't think there is any point in playing this. I honestly did not see or hear anything being more high fidelity compared to the original release. Sounds, and views were just as beautiful. The Commentary is the only worthwhile addition (and the only one?) and is actually much more enjoyable than the story itself. Walking sims can be done well, and while this is considered to be the first one, it doesn't change the fact that it is a boring slog with only enjoyable parts being some pretty, screenshot worthy views and beautiful ost by Jessica Curry.

basically you are paying a few dollars to walk around a nice 3d model. and the nature ambience is occasionally interrupted by some good music or an audiobook. This is in fact awesome

Interesting story, lots of fun!

Who's the ghost? I found the commentary to be the best part.

Beautiful experience. Dont need to say much else.

neat and short :-D :steamhappy: