Get on Steam"Ethel" is a single-player simulation game with an intriguing story and exceptional graphics. As World War II veteran Thomas Myrtle, struggling with PTSD and addiction, players must navigate a challenging journey of sobriety and redemption after losing his family and home. The game is highly engaging, requiring a high level of concentration and memory retention, with an average completion time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features impressive improvements over its predecessor, including faster load times and a smoother performance without stuttering or frame drops.
- Ethel delivers a captivating and immersive experience with a gripping story, well-placed jump scares, and a creepy atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
- The developer's passion is evident in the game's detailed lore, sound design, and overall execution, making it a standout entry for a first-time indie horror game.
- Some players found the puzzles to be overly convoluted and frustrating, leading to moments of aimless wandering and confusion about where to go next.
- The lack of a sprint option and slow character movement were criticized, making the gameplay feel tedious and prolonging the experience unnecessarily.
- A few reviews mentioned issues with lighting and visibility, which detracted from the overall experience and made certain sections difficult to navigate.
- story44 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as beautifully crafted yet sad, with a gripping narrative that keeps players engaged through well-placed jump scares and immersive atmosphere. While some found the storytelling a bit verbose, many praised the depth of the lore and character development, making it a standout experience in the horror genre. Overall, the combination of puzzles, interactive elements, and a compelling plot has left players eager for future installments.
“The story alone is beautiful yet sad.”
“The game plays extremely well and the story/lore is nothing short of amazing.”
“Ethel masterfully intertwines rich storytelling with spine-chilling jumpscares and stunning visuals.”
“I respect the attempt at the game, but coming from someone with the attention span of a fly, why is it necessary to have 1,000 paragraphs of information to read just to get the story across?”
“Parts of the story were kind of strange, especially with whatever was going on with the girlfriend, but the amount of interactive lore you put into the backstory was very, and I mean very, impressive.”
“Some of the puzzles were a little tedious, but not hard enough to break my computer. The story and characters get bonus points!”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively combining detailed graphics, sound design, and storytelling to create a genuinely creepy and tense experience. Players appreciate the well-placed scares and the sense of unease that keeps them engaged throughout, although some found certain puzzles convoluted and the lighting lacking. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, particularly impressive for a debut title.
“That, coupled with the environment, audio, gameplay, and events, created a very immersive and haunting atmosphere that kept my attention throughout until the end.”
“The graphics and atmosphere are truly remarkable, immersing you completely in its terrifying world.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly creepy and tense, and the scares are well placed and very well done.”
“The atmosphere is so creepy and properly understated that you have a false sense of safety when things are ramping up without you knowing it.”
“Right away, the atmosphere was creepy and spine-chilling.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its smooth mechanics and accessibility, making it suitable for casual players. It effectively combines challenging puzzles with psychological terror, enhancing the overall story experience while maintaining a well-thought-out design that complements the game's mood. Players appreciate the balance of rewarding gameplay elements, including well-placed jump scares.
“Graphically done well... the gameplay is smooth and easy to get used to even for the most casual PC player... the sound design is on point... the puzzles are indeed challenging but give you a sense of real accomplishment on completion... and the jump scares included in the game aren't overdone or out of place.”
“The gameplay balances psychological terror with engaging puzzles, making the revelations both rewarding and terrifying.”
“The game's story is elevated by the gameplay, which consists of puzzles that are thoroughly enjoyable.”
“Looking forward to Beth's story in the sequel with chase mechanics, and I think that one will be even better.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are consistently praised for their high quality and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall horror experience. Players appreciate the smooth gameplay and the effective integration of visuals with the storytelling and jump scares, making for a captivating and engaging environment. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, even for those with lower-end PCs.
“The graphics and atmosphere are truly remarkable, immersing you completely in its terrifying world.”
“Ethel masterfully intertwines rich storytelling with spine-chilling jumpscares and stunning visuals.”
“Graphically done well... the gameplay is smooth and easy to get used to even for the most casual PC player.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
“Character models look stiff and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to create a captivating atmosphere.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, optimization has seen significant improvements, with users reporting much faster load times and the resolution of previous performance issues like stuttering and frame drops. However, some still experienced poor FPS performance, indicating that optimization may not be consistent across all systems.
“Load times were much faster, and the performance issues I encountered before—like stuttering and persistent frame drops—were completely gone.”
“It also had an awful FPS performance.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the developer's heartfelt dedication, particularly evident in a sincere note during the end credits, which resonates deeply with players. Reviewers emphasize the genuine connection and appreciation conveyed, enhancing the overall emotional experience of the game.
“Tony definitely put his soul into it, and you can tell with the heartfelt note during the end credits.”
“I won't spoil any of the story for you, but if you've managed to read this far in my review, make sure you read the most sincere and heartfelt 'thank you' from a developer I've seen in a long time after you play the game.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the music, along with sound design and lighting, significantly enhances the overall atmosphere of the game, contributing to an immersive experience filled with tension and excitement.
“The music perfectly complements the atmosphere, enhancing every moment of the game.”
“From the soundtrack to the sound effects, every audio element is crafted with care.”
“The combination of music and sound design creates an immersive experience that keeps you engaged.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The sound design is poorly executed, often clashing with the gameplay instead of enhancing it.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, leading to a disjointed experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the humor in the game, noting that it adds an enjoyable layer to the overall experience. The combination of creepy elements with funny moments, such as unexpected ghost encounters, enhances replayability and contributes to a unique atmosphere. Players find the balance between horror and humor well-executed, making it one of the standout features of the game.
“Thank you, developer, for reaching out to me. I replayed your game and I must say, well done! The lighting was a major change that made for a more pleasant gaming experience. I also loved the small details added, like the piano and moving chair, which gave me extra creeps. In general, I love the story of the game, and cheers to your wife for supporting you in this journey. This is one of the best new horror games I have played in a while. It's well made with details, and at the same time, funny! I have played this game four times now :D The first time the ghost charged to the attic was a real jump scare, but when I replayed it, it was more hilarious! XD Thanks for making this amazing game and keep up the good work! ^^”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find some puzzles to be tedious, contributing to a sense of grinding, but the engaging story and characters help mitigate this frustration.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a high level of stability, noting the absence of bugs or glitches and consistent rendering quality throughout their experience.
