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Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

A beautiful early example of the narrative driven 'walking simulator' brought to life with stunning graphics and the same intriguingly muddled narrative as its become famous for.
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition Game Cover
70%Game Brain Score
graphics, music
story, gameplay
Critic Score 70%Based on 16 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxPlayStation
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Dear Esther: Landmark Edition Game Cover

About

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by The Chinese Room and was released on September 20, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.

"Dear Esther" is a single-player Fantasy Simulation game with an interesting plot, sensational visuals, and ingenious music. The game takes place on a deserted island, where you explore as a lost man, with a book, written by a dying explorer, as your only guide. The game tells a powerful story of love, loss, guilt, and redemption, with a breathtaking soundtrack and a mysterious atmosphere, but it has limited replayability.

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Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition screenshot
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graphics3 positive mentions
gameplay2 negative mentions
  • Visually captivating with stunning graphics and beautiful scenery that enhances the immersive experience.
  • Emotionally moving soundtrack and compelling story that create a unique and meditative atmosphere.
  • Innovative narrative structure and developer commentary add depth to the experience, making it a noteworthy title in the walking simulator genre.
  • Gameplay is limited and lacks interactivity, making it feel tedious and slow at times.
  • The short runtime and lack of new content in the Landmark Edition may leave some players wanting more.
  • The narrative may not resonate with everyone, and the overall experience can feel like a relic compared to more modern titles in the genre.
  • graphics
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with some praising the stunning visuals that enhance the narrative experience, while others criticize them as murky and outdated compared to more recent titles. Despite being a visually impressive early example of the walking simulator genre, some players feel that important details can be easily overlooked. Overall, the remade visuals are noted as a significant improvement, showcasing the game's potential in graphics and sound.

    • “A beautiful early example of the narrative-driven 'walking simulator' brought to life with stunning graphics and the same intriguingly muddled narrative as it's become famous for.”
    • “The new remade visuals are dramatically improved.”
    • “[beautiful visuals, emotionally moving soundtrack, compelling story]”
    • “The antiquated gameplay has been surpassed by the likes of Gone Home, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and Firewatch, and the visuals are just as murky as a Scottish rainfall.”
    • “While it is a masterclass in graphics and sound, the game itself is practically a blank slate.”
  • story
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is characterized by beautiful visuals and an emotionally moving soundtrack, creating a compelling narrative that reflects the developers' passion. However, some players find the story complicated and not as engaging when compared to similar titles, despite its dynamic structure that maintains interest. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The dynamic story structure keeps the game interesting.”
    • “Complicated and emotional story, beautiful scenery, obvious developer passion.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, emotionally moving soundtrack, compelling story.”
    • “The story isn't compelling enough when compared to its peers.”
    • “The narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Character development is weak, leaving the plot feeling flat and uninteresting.”
  • gameplay
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is criticized for being outdated and tedious, especially in comparison to more modern titles like "Gone Home" and "Firewatch." While some players find the experience mesmerizing and reflective, the slow movement and brevity detract from the overall enjoyment, and the pacing of the director's commentary could be improved.

    • “Mesmerizing, hypnotic gameplay that has you wandering the island with inward thoughts.”
    • “The antiquated gameplay has been surpassed by the likes of Gone Home, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and Firewatch, and the visuals are just as murky as a Scottish rainfall.”
    • “Slow movement makes gameplay tedious; very short, and the directors' commentary could have been better paced.”
  • music
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highlighted for its emotionally moving soundtrack, which complements the beautiful visuals and enhances the overall storytelling experience.

    • “The emotionally moving soundtrack perfectly complements the beautiful visuals, creating an immersive experience.”
    • “The music in this game is not just a background element; it enhances the compelling story and draws you deeper into the narrative.”
    • “Each track is beautifully composed, making the gameplay feel even more engaging and memorable.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Dear Esther" is highly praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively drawing players into its experience despite its brief 90-minute runtime.

    • “Throughout its very short 90-minute runtime, Dear Esther creates an atmospheric and engaging experience that begs you to keep playing.”
    • “The haunting sound design and stunning visuals immerse you in a world that feels both eerie and beautiful.”
    • “Every corner of the environment tells a story, making the atmosphere rich and compelling.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to slow movement, which hampers gameplay flow. Additionally, the experience is perceived as very short, and the pacing of the directors' commentary could have been improved to enhance engagement.

    • “The slow movement makes gameplay tedious and feels very short, while the directors' commentary could have been better paced.”
    • “Grinding feels repetitive and lacks meaningful rewards, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The amount of time required to level up is excessive, leading to a frustrating experience.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its beautiful visuals and scenery, complemented by an emotionally moving soundtrack that enhances the compelling and complex story. Reviewers note the evident passion of the developers, which contributes to the game's ability to evoke strong feelings in players.

    • “The beautiful visuals, emotionally moving soundtrack, and compelling story create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The complicated and emotional story, combined with the beautiful scenery, showcases the obvious passion of the developers.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 16 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is a action adventure game.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition was released on September 20, 2016.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition was developed by The Chinese Room.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition has received mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is a single player game.

Similar games include Dear Esther Landmark Edition, Dear Esther: Landmark Edition, Dear Esther, What Remains of Edith Finch, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and others.