Ethereal Estate, developed by Emergence Studio and published by UQAT – Création et nouveaux médias, takes a familiar haunted house concept and flips it into something playful and mischievous. Instead of being the one trying to survive a supernatural threat, you step into the role of the ghost itself, given free rein to disturb, disrupt, and dismantle the calm order of a luxurious mansion. This reversal of perspective immediately gives the game a distinct identity, framing chaos as the objective rather than something to avoid, and encouraging players to think creatively about how to cause as much mayhem as possible.
The experience is built around a sandbox structure set within a single large environment, the Viotto family estate. Here, nearly everything is interactive—furniture can be thrown, objects can be broken, and unsuspecting inhabitants can be startled or harassed using a range of ghostly abilities. The game does not strictly enforce how players should approach their tasks, instead offering a loose set of objectives that guide the destruction without limiting it. This freedom is where much of the appeal lies, as players are encouraged to experiment with the physics system and discover entertaining ways to manipulate their surroundings. The unpredictable outcomes of these interactions often lead to humorous moments, making the game feel more like a playground than a structured challenge.
Cooperative play is one of the elements that elevates the experience the most. When played with another person, the game’s chaotic systems become far more engaging, as players can work together—or unintentionally against each other—to escalate the level of destruction. The shared experience of experimenting within the sandbox creates a dynamic that is difficult to replicate in solo play, where the absence of interaction can make the game feel quieter and less lively. While it is still possible to enjoy the game alone, it is clear that its design is best suited to cooperative sessions where the unpredictability is amplified by multiple participants.
Visually, the game adopts a clean and functional style that prioritizes clarity and interaction over intricate detail. The mansion environment is filled with objects that are easy to identify and manipulate, ensuring that players can quickly understand what can be used or affected. The physics system plays a central role in bringing the environment to life, as objects react in exaggerated and sometimes unexpected ways, reinforcing the game’s lighthearted tone. Although the presentation is not particularly detailed or varied, it serves its purpose well by supporting the gameplay without distraction.
However, the game’s scope is also its most noticeable limitation. With the entire experience centered around a single primary location, the sense of discovery begins to fade once players have explored the mansion and experimented with its mechanics. While the sandbox nature encourages replayability, the lack of additional environments or deeper systems means that there is a ceiling to how much the game can offer. This can make the experience feel short-lived, especially for players who quickly uncover most of its possibilities.
Another area where the game can struggle is in its sense of direction. Objectives are sometimes vague or loosely defined, which can leave players unsure of what to do next. This lack of clarity can disrupt the pacing, particularly during solo play, where there is no cooperative interaction to fill the gaps. While the open-ended design is intentional, it occasionally results in moments where the game feels less engaging than it could be with more structured guidance.
In the end, Ethereal Estate succeeds as a light and entertaining sandbox that embraces creativity and chaos. Its unique premise and physics-driven interactions provide a fun and often humorous experience, particularly when shared with others. However, its limited content and relatively shallow systems prevent it from maintaining long-term engagement. It is best enjoyed as a short, casual experience rather than a deeply developed simulation, offering a few hours of inventive and amusing gameplay before its novelty begins to wear off.
Rating: 8/10
