Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

 PlayStation 4
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 63 Ratings

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  • Summary: Dear Esther is a first-person ghost story. Rather than traditional game-play the focus here is on exploration, uncovering the mystery of a lonely island, of who you are and why you are here. Fragments of story are randomly uncovered when exploring the various locations of the island, makingDear Esther is a first-person ghost story. Rather than traditional game-play the focus here is on exploration, uncovering the mystery of a lonely island, of who you are and why you are here. Fragments of story are randomly uncovered when exploring the various locations of the island, making every each journey a unique experience.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. GameCritics
    Sep 29, 2016
    90
    For those looking to spend a few melancholic hours drinking in the sights and sounds of a desolate island while churning over an old man’s heartbreak, this version of Dear Esther is as good as it gets.
  2. Gaming Nexus
    Sep 21, 2016
    90
    There’s a reason why Dear Esther spawned the “walking simulator” genre. It was the first, and is still one of the best, exploration games you can play. On your second playthrough, however, the directors commentary is why you're really here.
  3. The Digital Fix
    Oct 26, 2016
    80
    A hauntingly immersive experience which may not be as exciting as the average game but four years on it's still a beautiful piece of art. If you haven't played it before now is the time to pick it up.
  4. Hardcore Gamer
    Sep 20, 2016
    70
    While it lacks the same emotional presentation of games like Journey, or the same consistently compelling narrative of games like Gone Home or The Stanley Parable, Dear Esther’s exceptional writing and soundtrack help the title overcome these flaws, providing a worthwhile journey for those willing to take it.
  5. Twinfinite
    Sep 20, 2016
    70
    Its combination of the English language, beautiful orchestral score from Curry, and picturesque environments create a perfectly moody and melancholy escape.
  6. PSNStores
    May 3, 2017
    60
    Dear Esther isn’t a groundbreaking experience, but it did help pioneer more games in its genre. It will take you a little under 2 hours to complete the game’s four main areas, but it is a game that you might want to play again upon completing it to further understand its plot. The Director’s Commentary will add another playthrough for those looking for an interesting background on how the game was created and its inspirations.
  7. The Jimquisition
    Sep 24, 2016
    30
    Dear Esther may have played a huge part in the growth of interactive drama, but it remains an acorn compared to the trees it helped grow. It’s an ultimately shallow game, one that rattles off a story directly without any finesse or attempt to integrate it with the gameplay. Its disparate elements are boldly segregated, and there are none more filtered from the production than the players themselves.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 6 out of 22
  1. gygessgygess
    Oct 2, 2016
    10
    Yes, in this game you will only have the controls of walking. However, it is much more about the experience. Controls should not dictateYes, in this game you will only have the controls of walking. However, it is much more about the experience. Controls should not dictate whether a game has an amazing story or not. Dear Esther's poetic story had me in tears by the end, because it gave me a better story than any other game has ever produced for me, ever. I played Everybody's Gone to The Rapture, Gone Home, and you can even include more popular AAA games like The Last of Us, the Half-Life series, whatever you want to name: no game has produced the emotions this game did. And it's not all very clear, a lot of that emotion isn't necessarily about the game, but it's also just thinking about your life, and the people around you.

    So yes, the input you have is where to walk. But the power you have is to look, see, hear, and experience what you do in this game. If you want something concise but powerful, only a few movies carry the emotional impact of Dear Esther.    … Expand
  2. YoRHa_
    Feb 15, 2022
    10
    Эта игра - точнее даже сказать не игра, а визуальная аудио книга, очень любопытное произведение. Литературная проза в сочетании с визуальнымЭта игра - точнее даже сказать не игра, а визуальная аудио книга, очень любопытное произведение. Литературная проза в сочетании с визуальным артхаусом, так как это воспринял я. Эмоции она вызывает не детские, так что готовьтесь к душевным страданиям. В сочетании с визуальной составляющей и музыкальным сопровождением вызывает мурашки по коже. А загадочность повествования, погружает вас в мысли самого автора данного произведения. Так что, это очень и очень игра на любителя. Но я доволен данным опытом и могу внести её в список искусно сделанных и запоминающихся работ нашего поколения.… Expand
  4. Shenandoah
    May 15, 2021
    9
    Unfortunately that game is too short. Anyway it was a great experience. Awesome visuals which remembers on a poetry. Very emotional story.Unfortunately that game is too short. Anyway it was a great experience. Awesome visuals which remembers on a poetry. Very emotional story. There are just too less games out there which have such a background. Well done, thanks.… Expand
  5. Letiste-Gaming
    Sep 21, 2016
    6
    Si bien es cierto que hay un determinado tipo de público al cual le encanta este subgénero, si sois primerizos creo que Dear Esther no es laSi bien es cierto que hay un determinado tipo de público al cual le encanta este subgénero, si sois primerizos creo que Dear Esther no es la mejor opción para iniciarse en el. Si la historia de base fuera mas memorable quizás esto sería distinto, pero estamos hablando de un título de una hora de duración en el que solo caminamos y cuya historia es tan ambigua que no resultara del gusto de todos.… Expand
  6. Alvokun
    Jan 21, 2017
    6
    I can perceive all the work behind the game, especially after listening to the director's commentaries, which I found quite interesting andI can perceive all the work behind the game, especially after listening to the director's commentaries, which I found quite interesting and -necessarily- enlightening. However, I cannot avoid feeling... indifferent to the game, but in a few exceptional occasions.

    I think I understood what must be understood in the game -which is not much, indeed-, but still, I just believe it does not transmit enough. It has some powerful symbols, good musical moments... but it never ends up shining completely.

    I guess it is worth trying, in any case. It may simply be a bit whimsical: depending on your mood the day you play it, you will love the slow pace and the symbolism or you will simply walk across the island almost for the sake of walking.    … Expand
  7. painava
    Jan 15, 2020
    5
    Rather boring "walking simulator". You can't do anything but walk around (not even run or jump) and listen to the character's inner monologue.Rather boring "walking simulator". You can't do anything but walk around (not even run or jump) and listen to the character's inner monologue. There were parts I enjoyed, but overall Dear Esther was forgettable.… Expand
  8. bloodman900
    Jul 18, 2020
    0
    As a passive fan of The Chinese Room's other works, this "experience" was a waste of my time. Many will defend the game by calling it andAs a passive fan of The Chinese Room's other works, this "experience" was a waste of my time. Many will defend the game by calling it and experience rather than a game, but trust me. This is the most boring, unplayable, meaningless mess that you will ever play. If you somehow found enjoyment from this, I envy your ability to enjoy terrible games. I realize that this game has some significance in that it was first a source mod, but that's no excuse for the slow, dull mess you find here. Do not buy this. If you get it for free, do not play this. I am now more bored than when I started.… Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

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