Ethan Carter's disappearance is now available on Steam and GOG for $20.
Ethan Carter's disappearance is now available on Steam and GOG for $20.
It's a visually appealing indie game that often gets mixed up with big studio titles. I won't go into too much detail since it might change the experience. It's about five hours long and works best when you take your time. Highly suggested.
The game looks stunning. Does the gameplay match the visuals and the mood? How enjoyable is it to play?
It is but to be perfectly honest it's not for everyone. It's a mystery solving game, heavily focused on exploration and observation. It has no action in the traditional sense. If you liked Limbo and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons or Dear Esther, chances are you will like it. As most games of it's kind, it loses most of it's appeal in the first playthrough. Again, I found it to be an outstanding game but it's no coincidence that you are the first and only to respond to the thread. A "new" gamer, conditioned by typical AAA shooter non stop action, turret sections and quick time events, is probably going to go nuts within first 30 minutes. It's a slow paced detective game, on a huge map with very few save points.
I don’t seek chaotic shooting or fast-paced action. Yet I found Dear Esther lacking in fun. It impressed mainly through its visuals. There was simply no engaging activity beyond moving from start to finish on the map. While I value storytelling, setting, and mood in games, I think they should drive player motivation to advance or explore more. I hope Ethan Carter brings some meaningful gameplay and rewards to keep players engaged. Otherwise, the experience falls short of what I expect.