Walking sims aren't generally known for their longevity but even for a budget release, Dear Esther feels incredibly brief. As there are several branching paths to explore on the island, this can turn looking for collectibles into a real test of patience.ĭear Esther is also very short, clocking in around the one hour mark for one playthrough (depending how much you look around). There's no sprint button although, curiously, your character does speed up and down on his own at random times, sometimes being reduced to a practical crawl. This is to be expected (as it is a walking simulator after all) but however you spin it, it doesn't change the fact that getting from place to place can be laborious. The directors' commentary offers some interesting insights into the game's developmentĭespite the beauty of some of these scenes, the fact that you're only able to move though them at a snail's pace soon becomes very tedious. However, when you venture underground, there are some truly spectacular scenes with phosphorescent hues and realistic water effects that will have you repeatedly reaching for the PS4's share button. Outside, they look a little angular and low-res, particularly the 2D foliage. The graphics themselves are more accomplished in certain areas than others. Whether you're climbing up its precarious cliffs with the sea breeze violently swishing the long grass around you, or delving into its spectacular caves, there's always a real sense of authenticity to the surroundings. Right from the beginning, it sucks you into its world with its immersive sound design and graphical attention to detail. Luckily, Dear Esther does manage to engage in other ways. And I think it's safe to say that if you didn't like The Chinese Room's other console release (Everybody's Gone to the Rapture) then you certainly won't like its more primitive predecessor. It's a slow-moving style of gameplay that will put off a lot of people. Instead, you're simply exploring the island while gradually piecing together the story from the scraps of narrative. There's practically no interaction on the part of the player. As you traverse the landscape, he imparts a fragmented monologue, detailing recent incidents in his life, as well as observations of the haunting environs around him. □ This is the last time I book a budget holidayĭear Esther tells the story of a lone man wandering a remote Hebridean island while attempting to come to terms with a traumatic event. │ Video Chums loves promoting hard-working indie devs so check out our Indie Game of the Month Awards and Rapid Fire Reviews. Love them or hate them, walking sims are now a burgeoning genre. Originally released on PC in 2012, Dear Esther was the first game to earn the rather unflattering moniker of walking simulator. Reviewed by Stephen Palmer playing a PS4 on September 20, 2016ĭear Esther: Landmark Edition is also available for Xbox One
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