Dear Esther

Small & Chilled

This is not a game as there is no gameplay attached to it at all. Walking is not gameplay no matter how you word it. That being said, this game has certainly spawned a genre of games which emphasis the environment, aesthetics and story around the player to be a focal point. It's hard to rate this as positive but knowing what it created makes me feel obligated to rate it as positive. I expect very few people to enjoy this "game" at all.

Dear Esther is a very minimal, story-driven experience where you explore a remote island while fragments of a narrative unfold through narration and environment. There’s no traditional gameplay — it’s all about mood, movement, and interpretation. I loved the atmosphere, even if a lot of people would dismiss it as a “walking simulator.” The music, visuals, and quiet pacing create something deeply immersive and reflective. It’s the kind of game that works best if you let go of expectations and just absorb the experience rather than trying to “play” it in a conventional way.

a very poignant walking sim that explores much more than just the island you find yourself on when you load it up. if you're looking for a game that you can interact with in most capacities outside of experiencing a story, this one's not for you.

もう１０年くらい前の話なんだけど 謎のゲーム番組でゾンビとか出てこない変なゲームとかいう意味不明なネガキャンされてた なお同じ回で頭の悪そうな女が「無双だーいすき」と持ち上げてた模様 国内のゲームは提灯して海外のゲームは叩き放題 日本のクソゲームマスゴミここにあり ということをライブラリでこのゲームで見つけて思い出したので、ポジレビュー投稿

It’s a slow, atmospheric walking simulator where you wander an empty island while a narrator talks. There’s no gameplay beyond moving forward and looking around. No puzzles, no choices, or interaction. The environments look nice, the music is nice, and the narration really fits the tone. That’s about where it ends. You walk very slowly, there’s nothing to engage with, and the story is intentionally vague. Sometimes it just feels like listening to rambling poetry while holding W. It more like an art project than an actual game. I don’t regret trying it, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There just isn’t enough unless you get it cheap.