Dear Esther

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.

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.

A walking simulator that when beaten in an hour, you'll refund the game. Story is told by a narrator on different parts of the island. Great music though. Score: 3 out of 10. Not recommended.

Красивые картинки, можно один раз пройти, послушать историю

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.

One of the earliest walking sims I've played. And it is good.