I bought Dear Esther last night, and played it to the end. The question I ask myself is it really a game, or a graphical storytelling experience? Initially I was a little confused when I first started playing, and thought it was supposed to be like a RPG world exploring experience. The graphics in this game are absolutely amazing.
Initially I was a little frustrated by Dear Esther. I thought I was missing something as I walked on this island that is basically on rails. It was a little misleading by marketing the game as being able to explore an island. I was ready to walk all over, but instead I just had to follow a guided path.
I don't think it really falls under the category as a game. You don't interact with anyone, shoot anyone, or anything like that. You are basically walking around listening to the story, and visually taking in your surroundings to paint the story of what happened.
This story is like those movies where at the end you are left wondering what is real, or what was a dream? I was a little disappointed at the end. I thought this game had four separate parts. You initially see four chapters when starting the game. The part I didn't realize was I completed all four chapters in just over an hour.
My ten dollars for the game lasted a whole lousy hour. Was it really money well spent? It basically has no replay value, but I did play it again tonight. I wanted to make sure this time I took in everything of the story, and all the hints. I think after the second time I understand what happened to Esther, and what happened to me the player.
I have come to appreciate this game for what it is. I was initially was going to bash it to pieces after my initial experience last night, but really this game pulls at your emotions. I still wonder though if ten bucks is a little steep. I would probably wait for a Steam sale to pick it up. They made there money back on the game in less than six hours so everything now is profit so they can probably afford to offer it at a discount.
Initially I was a little frustrated by Dear Esther. I thought I was missing something as I walked on this island that is basically on rails. It was a little misleading by marketing the game as being able to explore an island. I was ready to walk all over, but instead I just had to follow a guided path.I don't think it really falls under the category as a game. You don't interact with anyone, shoot anyone, or anything like that. You are basically walking around listening to the story, and visually taking in your surroundings to paint the story of what happened.
My ten dollars for the game lasted a whole lousy hour. Was it really money well spent? It basically has no replay value, but I did play it again tonight. I wanted to make sure this time I took in everything of the story, and all the hints. I think after the second time I understand what happened to Esther, and what happened to me the player.
I have come to appreciate this game for what it is. I was initially was going to bash it to pieces after my initial experience last night, but really this game pulls at your emotions. I still wonder though if ten bucks is a little steep. I would probably wait for a Steam sale to pick it up. They made there money back on the game in less than six hours so everything now is profit so they can probably afford to offer it at a discount.
