The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

 PlayStation 4
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 210 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery focused on exploration and discovery. As occult-minded private detective Paul Prospero communicates with the dead to discover the fate of a missing boy and the mystery behind a dark ancient force inhabiting Red Creek Valley.

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The Vanishing of Ethan Carter - Teaser Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. PSNStores
    Jul 20, 2015
    100
    There’s a linear story being told, but i never felt like I was being funneled down a straight path. I never felt restraints from where I could go or what I could explore. Even the world barriers are disguised in such a way, thanks to the map design, that it all feels natural.
  2. We Got This Covered
    Jul 23, 2015
    90
    What was perhaps one of the best games from last year makes its console debut with style, complete with a visual overhaul that only makes this re-release more appealing.
  3. ZTGD
    Jul 21, 2015
    85
    For the 4 to 6 hours the game lasts, it’s definitely a memorable experience.
  4. Gameblog.fr
    Jul 20, 2015
    80
    The PS4 version of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is visually stunning and still offers a very well written story, with an enchanting atmosphere and superb technical achievement, even if you feel sometimes running around in circles and a slightly slower pace story.
  5. IGN Spain
    Aug 5, 2015
    80
    The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a paranormal adventure with excellent manufacturing and a good argument that places the indie scene in an even higher level already has in this generation.
  6. 3DJuegos
    Jul 23, 2015
    80
    Along with an interesting story and superb atmosphere The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a memorable experience.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Jul 20, 2015
    40
    Creators like Adrian Chmielarz need an obvious symbol of false hope to sell (not articulate) their trendy nihilism that, if anything, should vanish.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 39
  3. Negative: 8 out of 39
  1. firstkuparioch
    Jul 15, 2015
    10
    This is a first person mystery game with light puzzles and rich and atmospheric setting with engaging story. You play as a supernaturalThis is a first person mystery game with light puzzles and rich and atmospheric setting with engaging story. You play as a supernatural detective - Paul Prospero - who is in search of a little boy named Ethan.The graphics are phenomenal and the music is very pleasent.
    PS4 version has better save system than the PC one. It takes ~ 5h - just perfect little interactive story.    … Expand
  2. noahbruhh
    Feb 19, 2016
    9
    Great game with a very personal tale to tell, amazing characters and a phenomenal ending, the graphics are extremely realistic withGreat game with a very personal tale to tell, amazing characters and a phenomenal ending, the graphics are extremely realistic with environments that look like a beautiful picture. A short and sweet adventure into a little boys imagination and his world.… Expand
  4. TheDahaka
    Jul 15, 2015
    8
    The game is gorgeous and every bit as brilliant as it's PC big brother (See PC review for game details). Yes the game does have a variableThe game is gorgeous and every bit as brilliant as it's PC big brother (See PC review for game details). Yes the game does have a variable framerate as some have stated, but it is far from a game breaker. If you don't game on PC, then definately check this out on PS4.… Expand
  5. TheMetacritiqer
    Jul 5, 2016
    7
    One of the most disappointing endings ever. And yes, in my opinion worse than Mass Effect 3's (Which wasn't that bad). Expect to get stuck forOne of the most disappointing endings ever. And yes, in my opinion worse than Mass Effect 3's (Which wasn't that bad). Expect to get stuck for hours if you can't figure out the mechanic of finding out where certain objects are. When you see the same word many times keep moving until they all come together. Knowing that would have saved me hours. Definitely not worth 20$ as if you know what your doing it could be completed in a hour. But pretty much everything besides that is great. Things are really mysterious and surprising. The first minute is very scary. And it's cool that some of the people behind one of the most underrated game of all time, Bulletstorm, made this. Next time, just don't screw up the ending. It makes everything you've done seem like a waste of time.… Expand
  6. DangerDave1409
    Jan 24, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A nice game with lots of twists. The puzzles range from easy to challenging aka "lets see how they solved it on youtube". The narrative is good and twisted, with the end being suprisingly strange but good. Loved it for its shortness and approach.… Expand
  7. Aloof
    May 2, 2020
    6
    It is difficult for me to judge this game. On the one hand, I loved the story, the music, the voices, the setting, there are truly evocativeIt is difficult for me to judge this game. On the one hand, I loved the story, the music, the voices, the setting, there are truly evocative moments and the place where the story takes place is so real. But I had serious gameplay problems and in general, getting to play it without reading anything, I didn't know HOW to play it, I had to see guides. For a good hour and a half I wandered aimlessly, not knowing how to proceed. The defect of the game, which can also be an advantage for some, is that it is truly confusing to the player, it is not intuitive at all. In general I recommend it even if I don't agree with the votes it has taken… Expand
  8. Mindkiller7522
    Jan 16, 2022
    1
    "This game is a narrative experience and does not hold your hand" translation-"We realized that if we added objective markers or any proper"This game is a narrative experience and does not hold your hand" translation-"We realized that if we added objective markers or any proper story beats the game would only be half an hour long, so have fun wandering around the forest trying to figure out what to do!"

    Granted it's still short, but very boring and by the end of it I had very little idea what was going on. Very similar to Everybody's Gone to the Rapture. At least you can move a little faster. Not really a fun experience.    … Expand

See all 39 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS4 Game of 2015
76
#76 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015

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