Dear Esther, the new adventure game by The Chinese Room and Robert Briscoe, has been released yesterday on Steam for $9.99 (or
£6.99, €7.99)



Jessica Curry's acclaimed soundtrack will see its own release via digital channels:



You can buy Dear Esther through Steam and for more details have a look at the Official Website.

Thanks, Carla. Will check it out.

It certainly sounds intriguing! I'm especially curious about the randomly generated audio, visual and events part. Can you create a believable story when parts are randomly generated? I've never seen that done well. Can they do it in Dear Esther?

Thanks Carla!

Ana

Thanks, Carla.

It's already trending on Twitter here in the UK. I'm reading that it's sold 16,000+ already in the first few hours of release.

Definitely getting this one. It's worth it to see something altogether different!

There's a review on Youtube that gives a pretty good idea of what the game is like -- and what it looks like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtWOi-lZf2o

Most of the comments there seem to be positive and the reviewer gave it an 8 out of 10.

It reminds me a little of Myst, where you're all alone on a deserted island -- only the visuals are very realistic and the "deserted" aspect seems more intense. Maybe the story is too, but I can't tell since I haven't played it.

No puzzles though. Just wandering around and maybe triggering comments.

Thanks Carla!

I bought it! I haven't started it up yet. Maybe tonight. It looks like such a beautiful environment to wander around in.

This is one of the most beautiful, mesmerizing, immersive, thought provoking games I have played in a very long time. A truly unique experience! Having read the spoiler threads at the Steam forums only after I finished my first playthrough, I see that I missed several things and all of the Easter Eggs, so I know I will be playing this again, and again, to see the differences in visuals and dialogue. The best $10 I ever spent! I cannot recommend this game highly enough. It is truly wonderful!!!

Ladycav - is it even a game? Or do you really just trigger comments, as mentioned above?

Tomer,

Being what is described as an Indie experiment, you might not call it an actual game, in that you do not acquire items and use them in another location in an interactive manner. You do trigger the narrative as you progress through the environment. But it has been said on the forums that the narrative is randomly generated, as well as some of the visuals on repeat game plays.

The game would certainly be attractive to those who enjoy immersing themselves in the environment, forgetting for a few hours all memories of traditional gaming. It will not appeal to the teenagers who prefer to battle their way through opponents rushing to meet all objectives. This is a game to be savored, stopping to turn in all directions and observe everything - watch the foliage swaying in the wind, see and feel the mist coming from the sea and across your face as leaves and insects fly past, listen to the wind and the music. Objectivity and being able to approach the journey with a clear and open mind is the best way to experience this 'game'. There are many clues to decipher, and I completely missed a few so I am anxious to play again, preferably at night with the speakers turned up.

In spite of the lack of interactivity, I actually experienced some angst in the third chapter, solely because of what I am unable to do in real life. There was only one option, one way to progress further, and the rest of the chapter was challenging as I struggled to find the correct path. Those who have played will understand that, and I won't post a spoiler which would ruin it for anyone who hasn't played the game. Some posted an average two hour length. Because I savored each moment, my first play was three hours, but I swear it felt like six hours - and I mean that as a compliment and high praise. I felt that with each step, each climb up and down the hills and valleys, that I had spent the better part of a day searching this island through the ever rising crescendo of revelations. Some might feel that $10 is too much to pay for a short game. Knowing what I know now, I would have gladly paid twice that.

It is a digital, virtual experience of art that is very deep on several levels. You are left to come up with your own conclusions as to what really happened and what all the visual clues represented. It's so much more than just walking while listening to a story. My chest tightened in a few spots as I pieced together the clues with the narrative. I had some 'o.m.g.' moments and 'oh no' moments at the discoveries that I made and the conclusions that I drew. Some on other forums were brought to tears at a certain point. It is an emotional and moving journey. I wish I had the eloquence to convey what a captivating experience this was.

Thanks for the great review ladycav.

Thanks Ladycav. You're really a walking commercial, they should pay you :-)
I'll buy it because it does seem to be a unique experience (and a cheap one at that). It is however disappointing it isn't an actual game (puzzle solving and so on)

Doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy at all.