ETHER One

 PC
ETHER One Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 53 Ratings

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  • Summary: Ether One is a first person adventure that deals with the fragility of the human mind. There are two paths in the world you can choose from. At its core is a story exploration path free from puzzles where you can unfold the story at your own pace. There is also a deeper, more adventurousEther One is a first person adventure that deals with the fragility of the human mind. There are two paths in the world you can choose from. At its core is a story exploration path free from puzzles where you can unfold the story at your own pace. There is also a deeper, more adventurous path in which you can complete complex puzzles to restore life changing events of the patients history in order to help the validation of their life. The choice is left to you.… Expand
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ETHER One - The Restorer Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Hooked Gamers
    May 20, 2014
    92
    Perhaps most surprising is just how broadly the game appeals. Those looking for a challenge will certainly find one, but lovers of immersive storytelling can be captivated by Pinwheel and the patient’s memories without the puzzles getting in the way.
  2. GameWatcher
    Mar 27, 2014
    90
    Ether One provides a platform to explore dementia - a very common incurable mental illness - for anyone who has had direct experience in the past, whilst delivering a subtle rudimentary level of understanding to those who haven’t.
  3. Destructoid
    May 14, 2014
    90
    Ether One nails its puzzles, atmosphere, and sound (ambient and voice acting). It also nails its story -- whether or not you decide to fully unravel its world and its mysteries -- culminating in a, well, refreshing, smart finale that will stay on my mind for years to come.
  4. games(TM)
    Apr 29, 2014
    80
    It might not appeal to everyone, but Ether One is an exceptional example of what can be done with simple game design. It has a quality not commonly seen in smaller indie titles, and the courage to do things a little differently.
  5. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jun 5, 2014
    80
    The best exploration game yet? Ether One has a great story and a few interesting mechanics that will bring you an unique gaming experience. [Issue#242]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. IGN
    Apr 19, 2014
    79
    It's not a cheery story, but it's one well told and worth at least the three or so hours it takes to appreciate without the sometimes unintuitive puzzles, or as long as they take to solve.
  7. God is a Geek
    Mar 27, 2014
    70
    Unearthing the story at your own pace is wonderful. However, Ether One goes too far in that direction and puzzles become tedious exercises in trying combinations of different items you acquired in a completely different area.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 5 out of 8
  1. MaVCArt
    Mar 26, 2014
    9
    Ether One is a gem of a game. The developers, being an indie studio and having to work with limited resources, delivered on a promise toEther One is a gem of a game. The developers, being an indie studio and having to work with limited resources, delivered on a promise to engage the player in a story that will stick with you for a long time after finishing it. A unique experience that can only be had in a game that is obsessed with delivering a story that is true to itself, Ether is truly an example of why indie games have been romanticized as much as they have.

    Giving this a 9/10 score is a no-brainer for me, and I advise everyone that reads this to pick it up; you won't regret it.    … Expand
  2. flpmky
    Mar 29, 2014
    9
    Ether One is the first game in a long time to challenge my problem solving. Ether One tests the player in a such a way as not to slow the paceEther One is the first game in a long time to challenge my problem solving. Ether One tests the player in a such a way as not to slow the pace down to a halt. Stuck on a puzzle - no problem, you can continue to explore and take in the deep and touching story at your own pace. This makes Ether One a suitable game for players of all skill levels. With a beautifully simple control set and an ingenious approach to inventory and item management/collecting. Many players will find themselves with a curious collection of items in their possession which will bring out the hoarder in everyone!

    I highly recommend this game to seasoned and new gamers alike.    … Expand
  4. gloriouspotato
    Jan 1, 2017
    7
    Ether One could've been a very solid game, but I feel like it's let down by some questionable design choices. As a 'Restorer', puzzles revolveEther One could've been a very solid game, but I feel like it's let down by some questionable design choices. As a 'Restorer', puzzles revolve around this idea of recreating memories based on information in the general vicinity. Most puzzles can be completed with sound logic if you explore carefully and read widely, though there are a handful of puzzles that feel poorly designed and which could use some better signposting. I also feel like the game would've benefited if puzzles were self-contained rather than requiring different items from across the map to help minimise the amount of backtracking.

    The 1 item limit is another mechanic I'm not a fan of, as having to teleport back and forth to check previous notes or pick up collected items is an exercise in tedium. It would've been much more convenient to simply have a portable inventory for items and notes.    … Expand
  5. bancandrei
    Jan 9, 2021
    4
    This game is trying to do something worthwhile so if you are interested you should give it a try. However I feel it is mechanicallyThis game is trying to do something worthwhile so if you are interested you should give it a try. However I feel it is mechanically unsatisfying, narratively it constantly break immersion for me because it unwillingly draws attention to how low-cost the production of this game was and each scene only gives the hint of what it tries to achieve, you have to imagine it differently, like if it were handled by a better director.… Expand
  6. Voyou
    Aug 2, 2020
    2
    Imagine a Point n' Click game, but in 3D, where you do your pixel hunting (there is no hot spots key, and no way to guess what is interactiveImagine a Point n' Click game, but in 3D, where you do your pixel hunting (there is no hot spots key, and no way to guess what is interactive or not) by crawling like a sedated slug on clutches through gigantic corridors and billions of empty rooms.

    Now that your picture the stage, remove the inventory you imagined. You can carry an impressive amount of 1 item at a time. One; you read that right. If you pick up something else, you'll swap. Now think for a second about all the backtracking this brilliant concept will allow you to enjoy. I'm sure you can't wait. And you can bet that mazes will be involved.

    By the way, there is a manual save button, but it's grayed out when you need it.

    It's got to be one of the worst User Interfaces ever written. And I do mean ever.    … Expand
  7. rexboy3000
    Jun 19, 2015
    1
    I found this game extremely boring, I found the pacing of the game to be really slow. I play games to have fun, I do understand the meaning,I found this game extremely boring, I found the pacing of the game to be really slow. I play games to have fun, I do understand the meaning, but I am reviewing a game ,not a movie.… Expand
  8. Chain_Affinity
    Jun 12, 2020
    0
    Sunk four hours into this only to encounter an unforgiving game-breaking bug.

See all 8 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best PC Game of 2014

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