Dear Esther

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Dear Esther
Tweet Topic Started: Mar 21 2012, 02:51 AM (370 Views)
ShivaDF	Mar 21 2012, 02:51 AM Post #1
Trainee Posts: 30 Group: Peon Member #82 Joined: September 8, 2010	So, I kinda assume that everyone knows about this game already, but I feel like I should advertise it anyway because of how much I enjoyed it. In my own words, Dear Esther is an indie, first-person, 3D, hypertext novel in video game form. It makes more sense after you play it. I highly suggest you visit the games website, here: Watch the trailer for the game as well. To me, that's what made me really want it. My father, who is not into video games, told me several years ago that he enjoyed Myst. So when I realized that this game was similar to Myst, but with better graphics and no puzzles, I decided I should get it. I should say, though, that the game is not for everyone, even though I know I became incredibly invested in the story. Even if you don't like the game as a whole, you will probably appreciate the art style, music, and storytelling. The game is available on Steam for ten dollars.
	...and that's what the fool has to say.


-Blacklightning-	Mar 21 2012, 08:06 AM Post #2
BL;DR Posts: 3,493 Group: Elite Member #80 Joined: September 7, 2010	I don't get how people can invest themselves in this game. Yeah okay, there's an appeal in games based around storytelling, but only if you can form an attachement between player and story. Dear Esther... is quite possible the single most detatched use of narrative I've ever seen in a videogame. You walk through a relatively linear environment while a narrator spouts irrelevant, pointlessly verbose lines at you. That's it. It's not even like the storyline takes up the bulk of the game either - you spend excruciatingly long periods of time between narration walking extremely slowly with absolutely zero stimuli to go by, in environments that are boring, repetitive, and dare I say, desaturated brown. DE has a nasty habit of saving all its story and sense of setpiecing and using it in short bursts, and trying to bridge the gap with really long and dull pathways that really only exist for the sake of prolonging game length. I get that this isn't supposed to be some kind of coked-up action game or anything, but giving the player some actual involvement in the game or its environment is hardly asking too much. Even the ability to pick up and look at the various objects scattered all over the place would've greatly helped alleviate the boredom between script readings.



Psycho Werekitsune	Mar 21 2012, 11:55 PM Post #3
Part man...part beast...full psycho! Posts: 17,366 Group: All Powerful Deity Member #1 Joined: December 30, 2005	So wait, this is just basically Myst with narration? Honestly, as much as I loved the Myst games, it was a little tedious trudging through beautiful landscapes with nothing motivating you to do anything aside from a cryptic backstory and the plethora of puzzles you need to solve that are dispersed all over the islands. It probably needed a really good storytelling vehicle like a narrator and this sounds like a great game in concept. I'll totally give it a go whenever I get around to getting that new computer. As an aside, Myst is getting a 3D port on the 3DS. :D
	EMBRACE THE NAKED!


-Luffy Foxtrot-	Mar 22 2012, 12:30 AM Post #4
Raining on your parade with a truckload of awkward awesomeness. Posts: 4,950 Group: Elite Member #70 Joined: November 11, 2009	It'll probably be unavailable to most of you, but here's Good Game's review of Dear Esther. If that's a no go, maybe downloading the whole episode and finding it there will yield better results. As it stands, I don't find it appealing myself. When the only things you can do in a game are walk, gawk at the scenery/art and listen to the narration that pops up every now and then, I can just see myself getting bored within 10 minutes, at best.



Psycho Werekitsune	Mar 22 2012, 01:28 AM Post #5
Part man...part beast...full psycho! Posts: 17,366 Group: All Powerful Deity Member #1 Joined: December 30, 2005	No puzzle solving?
	EMBRACE THE NAKED!


ShivaDF	Mar 22 2012, 01:45 AM Post #6
Trainee Posts: 30 Group: Peon Member #82 Joined: September 8, 2010	Unless you consider figuring out the story and symbolism, no puzzle solving. That's sorta why I consider this a visual novel more than a game; but you can always make up a goal for yourself, so who knows. I think I like this game because I empathize with characters a lot. I haven't decided whether that's good or bad yet....
	...and that's what the fool has to say.


Psycho Werekitsune	Mar 22 2012, 07:20 PM Post #7
Part man...part beast...full psycho! Posts: 17,366 Group: All Powerful Deity Member #1 Joined: December 30, 2005	Well if you put it that way, then I really don't see the problem. It's a visual novel with narration instead of dialogue, so it still works.
	EMBRACE THE NAKED!


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