Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

Dear Esther - this is probably one of the most original games, if it can be called a game at all - it is a work of art, short, but long enough to feel that very depth ... it brings us incomprehensible emotions, either joy, or sadness, or fear ... Here I liked the music most of all, which seems to lengthen the road on the deserted island, each pressed piano key makes a deep hole of impressions, into which we slowly descend. violins and cello accompany us, we float into endless notes ... And the game itself? it is beautiful, every hill, every cave is made cool, they create the impression that we are not alone, that someone is chasing our quiet steps. the story of the game itself, of course, is not clear. you need to play several times to collect all the records of letters, and then maybe you will understand. The game is wonderful, it may seem empty at first glance, but it's not empty at all, it is full of soul... 10/10

Play over a weekend...one or two evenings, keeping in mind the game is about 90 min. Another reviewer said this game is about death...I'd say more like crossing over to the other side. 4K with headphones on...it's a visual and auditory treat. Usually I give short games like this a low score, but this one was like finding a obscure gem of a movie on TV on some random Thursday night and then thinking damn, this is good...

Dear Esther is surely a game of a unique kind. Filled with beautiful views and opaque writing, it gives a unique experience of having a quiet stroll and immersing deeper into yourself. Nowadays, it is extremely rare to a moment, where you can just be there. The thing that engages you into the game and excites you throughout all the walk is the views. I have made around 20 screenshots during my first session even though I am not that type of person, who likes to take a picture of everything.

It won't be a secret to say that the main point of this game is an acceptance of death. It is surely depressing and bitter to see your end coming closer and closer. Still, there is hope that the physical death is not complete. Like the author of the letter states, he will fly like a bird in the sky after his demise.

This game is definitely worth giving a try. It may evoke something inside your soul that you can rarely feel in the everyday life.

Beautiful experience

Dear Esther is a mesmerizing narrative experience that blends poetic storytelling with breathtaking visuals and an evocative soundtrack. Its atmospheric journey through a mysterious, lonely island leaves a lasting emotional impact. A unique and beautiful experience for fans of artistic exploration games!

It's not a game, it's hardly a movie, and I'd say it's hardly a story either. But it's pretty, and relaxing, and serene, and meditative. It was like a please 2-hour walk, that reminded me of the time I'd gone to Iceland. I'd say it's art in it's purest form. If you like that or not is going to entirely be up to each individual player.

The sound is simply incredible. I just looked around and in the real world gathered my thoughts and let the game take me at its own pace. I like hiking in real life, and I guess I like virtual hiking as well.

There's a story and dialogue that's difficult to parse, but it's more just like a dream. Let it wash over you, wade in the emotional pool it creates, and then just enjoy the lingering effects it leaves on your psyche.

Very nice and chill. 10/10

This game is straight up majestic. It's very short, the story is a little bit hard to understand. But the soundtrack is heavenly, and the graphics are straight up majestic. Almost feels like you are there feeling the wind in the mountains, hearing the echo of the caves, the flow of the small rivers drenching your boots.

fr 😭🙏

Suicide is the solution

Every time I boot this up to wander about and enjoy it, I get bored.... I like walk/learn/puzzle simulators but this one is just at the time an over glorified graphics show case.

Hey Esther, You ugly

beautiful game. such a relief not to have puzzles to solve, anything to collect, mazes to become stuck in.

i have to write something here sooooooooo.

:)

Firstly, let me just say that this has got to have some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen in a game. Genuinely breathtaking stuff. The amazing atmosphere is also amplified by the amazing music that goes along side it (big fan of Jessica Curry in general, but this is really some of her best work).

Although, I will say, I wasn't a MASSIVE fan of how the story was portrayed here. It can be kinda unclear at times, and I imagine that many people wouldn't have really grasped the full picture that's being displayed. At the same time though, this isn't a big issue, as the narrative and writing is still interesting regardless. Just something to made aware of imo. (I'd go more in-depth, but I wanna keep from spoiling)

Overall, I can definitely recommend this giving this game a play through, especially to people who are fans of similar games, such as 'Everybody's Gone To The Rapture', and 'What Remains of Edith Finch.' :)

A short and intimate game with themes of death, holding on, and letting go. I really loved the sound design. You have many opportunities to "die", followed by the sound of a distant heartbeat and the narrator beckoning you to "come back." I noticed the beats of the wind make similar sounds which was lovely even if that wasn't intentional. The religious undertones and iconography was eerie yet quiet and welcoming. Traversing around every nook and cranny of this fabricated world was a treat. The pacing was perfect, and the ending moved me in a way words can't describe.

"I collected all the letters I'd ever meant to send to you, if I'd ever made it to the mainland but had instead collected at the bottom of my rucksack, and I spread them out along the lost beach. Then I took each and every one and I folded them into boats. I folded you into the creases and then, as the sun was setting, I set the fleet to sail. Shattered into twenty-one pieces, I cosigned you to the Atlantic, and I sat here until I'd watched all of you sink."

10/10 :)

"Suicide is badass!" - Danny Devito

Very beautiful and atmospheric world and super atmospheric music and sound quality. nice little story walking simulator style. One of the most beautiful game world experiences what i`ve played. Easily 8/10. Commentary is also very nice bonus to listen making the game etc nice stuff.

+

The game is worth getting on a sale, similar games like what remains of edit flinch is better. I would have liked a sprint button i know the game wants a slow phase but there could at least be the opurtunity to do so. The game is also very short.

Its a nice atmosphere. And it can be nice to wind down while playing this game.

Short, sweet, with a beatiful story, great atmosphere and enviroments and the music is simply astonishing. Cannot recommend enough.

One of the best games ever created, certainly in the genre it began. Worth buying at full price but especially on sale... cmon just get it.

I like it - good if you like this kind of story, walking simulator game. A good palate-cleanse between more gameplay-intensive games.

A very calming walking simulator.

This is a walking simulator, plain and simple. The views are nice and the paths are many. Dear Esther is well renowned and mentioned on many game lists, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Honestly, it was okay, but not amazing for me.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3286450734
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3287443182
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3285764487

A visual album for Jessica Curry.

it is a nice story but it is slow lol

Ethereal, atmospheric, eerie. You're alone on an island, walking, walking, walking .... Listening to the ocean, the wind, the narrator ... who reads the letters.

The only way this "game" could be more pretentious, boring and lazy is if Willem Dafoe appeared as the Lighthouse Keeper.

The beautiful scenary could have been better used to make an excellent Skyrim-type game, but instead the creators decided to make a snobby suicide sim.....with devs celebrating their lack of genius in recorded notes you must listen to; so as to unlock an achievement.

As an Achievement Hunter, I feel dirty finishing this game. What have I become?

I really enjoyed this game. The scenery is beautiful, the story is very interesting, and my favourite part of the game was probably the music, elegant and ethereal. More on the topic of music, I liked that you didn't have music playing the entire time, but just in certain parts on the map. Really gives you the time to think and explore the Island. And when the music was playing, it wasn't too loud and it fit perfectly with the part of the Island that you were in at that time. I also enjoyed doing my second play-through with the directors' commentary, I definitely learned many new things about the game after listening to Dan, Jess and Rob talk about it in more detail. The only negative thing that I can say about the game is that in Chapter 3 when you have to go under the water, I did fall through the map twice in a row for some reason which was slightly frustrating, but it didn't take long to restart and get back to that part again. Another thing, and I don't think this is something every player will feel, but some parts of the Island felt unsettling. Not unsettling to the point where it's scary, but just a slight uncanny feeling, especially because there is no one else on the Island except you, but you can still see remnants of people who once lived there. I don't usually enjoy so called "walking simulators", but this one was different, I will definitely be playing it again at some point.

This IS Your Grandfather’s Walking Sim

TL;DR: A short, touching prose narrative in interactive form that has divided audiences for years.[hr][/hr]
When spending time wandering the pointless battlefield that is the online gaming community, the mere mention of The Chinese Room’s classic Dear Esther is a clarion call to self-appointed gatekeepers, summoning them to die on the hill of “It isn’t even a game!” It’s pointless to make an argument on either side of this discussion, but is Dear Esther’s content worthy of your time?

Exploring a gorgeously-rendered deserted island off the mainland of Scotland, you’ll be met with the occasional narration of prose taking the form of letters to Esther. At first, the narrations feel a bit disjointed; musings on a local scholar, occasional mentions of hermits, and other disparate topics, but over the few hours it will take you explore the unnamed island, the letters weave together in a way that eventually creates a tapestry nearly as isolating and starkly beautiful as the surrounding vistas.

Is it a game? Who cares? If you value well-crafted, human narratives, and generally enjoy the exploration of video games, you’ll have spent your time well with this wistful title.

Love the atmosphere. I wish I got the story a little more, but overall really great to see its still enjoyable this many years later.

Relaxing and reflective experience.
Totally recommend - definitely in the great classics hall of fame.

This game is vibes man, this game is vibes. I played this almost a decade ago i believe on my friend's laptop, and even back then I felt the calm and chill vibes. And even after almost a decade, this game still has those calm and chill vibes. Especially the art design of the environments. This game should be studied in terms of great looking visual design. It was pretty then and it is still really, really, pretty now.
Like, in my opinion and reccomendation, play this game on a nice saturday morning (around 6 AM or so) when cold winds are assaulting your house and body, and there is this calmness and stillness to your feelings. Bonus point if you live near seaside and all. But yeah, calm game that is not very long, and I did not regret my time with it.

"Consigo ver daqui a minha armada. Todas as cartas que te quis mandar, se tivesse conseguido chegar ao continente, e que permaneciam no fundo da minha mochila, espalhei-as pela praia perdida. Depois, peguei em cada uma delas e dobrei-as em barcos de papel. Dobrei-te nos vincos e depois, quando o sol se punha, lancei a frota ao mar. Desfeita em vinte e um pedaços, confiei-te ao Atlântico, e aqui me sentei a ver cada pedaço de ti afundar."

Game doesn't lead player for achievements well as they busy with strong emotional relationships with related relatives based on phylosophy of life. Director messages on floor having no interaction i can't be 0 to 30 dk. On the other hand why would be strange spooky ghostly ominous sounds around dk. ps: cave was a big surprise and different kinda art with game was nice.

Great game but not for everyone. I wanted to play this when it was released. But I found time now in 2025. Nice visuals.

I fell asleep and woke up to a finished game.

pretentious nothing of interest walk-fest with not bad music

a short, powerful experience with an equally beautiful soundtrack

Unbearably slow moving speed, goofy plot and zero interaction with empty world.

I don’t think I’d ever write a review for a game—but Dear Esther demands it. It’s shocking how many people haven’t finished it because this is one of the most immersive experiences I’ve ever had in a game.

I understand the unconventional playstyle—not everyone will appreciate a game without traditional mechanics—but Dear Esther is clearly a walking sim, and a great one at that. It embraces exploration and wandering, not as a means to an end but as the experience itself. There’s no real goal or objective, just movement through a world that feels heavy with emotion, as if the landscape itself is grieving.

The way the environment and narration work together is nothing short of brilliant. The island isn’t just a backdrop; it feels like a character, shifting with the tone of the story.

And then there’s the writing. The fragmented narration is poetic, abstract, and deeply personal. It doesn’t hand you answers but instead leaves you piecing together meaning, making every playthrough feel slightly different. It’s rare for a game to create such a profound emotional response, but Dear Esther does just that.I am left weeping in awe of both beauty and sadness.

Admittedly emotionally compromised by this game, so bear with. I think the British coastline is one of the most consistently beautiful places I can lay eyes on, and have dedicated hundreds of hours of my time to walking around as much of it as I can. After my granddad on my Scottish side passed away, I accompanied my grieving father down the plots of land that meant the world to the both of them, and extended as far beyond as we could. One of our trips took us to Gometra, a place of such beauty it finally broke his stoic ass into tears, despite it not being somewhere he'd ever visited before. It's just such a haunted place, the whole coast is. Freezing cold, battering you with constant gales and rain and seafoam and seagull shit - the same elements that carve the land itself. Jagged slippery rocks and mundane flora, the only specs of colour or sign of human life being litter or debris, broken glass or empty cans left god knows how long ago. On my solo walks, my mind would wander to morbid places, imagining what would happen should I trip and hurt myself; what kinds of infections I'd get, how long it'd be if at all before I would have any chance of help.

That same uneasy awareness, the pull of the beautiful and the morbid, defines my experience with Dear Esther. The game's Hebridean island is made to feel like a place out of time, a frozen echo of someone's grief. It makes use of randomised props and narration, one of the major points of contention way back at this game's release. What does it all mean? Do you really need to replay it to get the full story? Even back when this was just a simple free Source mod developed as a university project, I somehow just Got It. I didn’t need to know who Donnelly was or why the narrator was here. The weight of it was enough, the way the words hung in the air like mist over the cliffs. Some things you don’t need to piece together; you just need to let the words hang as you eavesdrop on the memories on the breeze. Maybe this all works for me because - - embarrassingly, I think anyone who knows me particularly well would attest to this - - I am very emotionally vulnerable, not only to art but so many facets of life. If I am interpreting this as an existentialist tale about grief, would I be so greedy as to also demand Answers when life itself rarely supplies them at times of struggle? Much of why I feel this game be more effective than some of its more better-regarded peers is that it invites me to sit in the loneliness of the space. Pained, empty, but full - full of all the things unsaid, all the memories tied to a place that can’t speak for itself.
And maybe that’s why it hit me so hard. The randomisation of narration and props isn’t a gimmick; it’s a reminder that stories are never static. The same place, the same words, can mean something different depending on where you are in your life when you encounter them. I’ve played Dear Esther's original form, and the remaster a great many times, but this replay was a good few years in the making - and the story I uncovered felt wonderfully evocative... not because the island has changed, but because I have.

On replay I was particularly taken to the work put into the sound design. This is such a rich soundscape... The whisper of the wind through the grass, the distant crash of waves against the cliffs, the faint echo of something that could be a voice. Doesn’t just set the mood; it deepen it, pulling me further into the island’s strange, mournful embrace. Jessica Curry’s score remains as achingly beautiful as it was I first heard it, swelling at just the right moments to catch my breath in my throat, and using elements of unusual distortion and industrial wailing to convey a real sense of sorrow. It harkens to whenever I visit the coast - there's never a moment of silence, even in relative stillness and isolation, it's this overwhelming cacophony of nature is trying to crush the ground I'm standing on. Can't praise it enough, man, entire characters in some of my favourite games don't have the presence of the wind in Dear Esther.

One unsung aspect of this game for me is the involvement of Robert Briscoe - the veteran level designer for Mirror's Edge. That being a game I adore for its incredibly well thought out world - not just gameplay-wise, but mostly by how it conveys a sense of place. Mirror's Edge thrives on its pristine, dystopian cityscapes, where every building and rooftop feels deliberately placed to tell a story about control, surveillance, and rebellion. Briscoe’s work there demonstrated an ability to create environments that are more than just backdrops, they’re active participants in the narrative, conveying meaning through their design - on top of just looking gorgeous. This same philosophy is palpable in Dear Esther. A broken fence, a rusted piece of machinery, or a strange marking on the wall - each detail feels like a breadcrumb leading me further into the island’s mysteries. It’s also worth noting how Briscoe leveraged the Source engine to its fullest potential. The lighting, in particular, plays a huge role in the game’s emotional resonance. The way the sun sets over the cliffs or how the glow of phosphorescent caves contrasts with the bleakness above ground is breathtaking. These moments aren’t just pretty, they’re deeply atmospheric to me. The final chapter's skybox? Abso sublime.

The game isn't for everyone, and I understand why. I also don't think any game worth playing would be. The only interaction function is a camera zoom, there is one walk speed, if you don't feel for it then there's nothing to latch on to. Still, the smear back at release does feel incredibly quaint now that you can hardly walk through Itch without tripping over a game like this. It doesn't feel that way now, but this was an incredibly risky game at the time, and one that has definitely helped blossom a subgenre of narrative adventure game. You have to forgive me for the glaze sesh, it never really sat right with me that this game has been forbidden from getting its flowers even now.

lo prendi y crasheo en lo que fui a buscar agua xd

Imo after playing some other walking sims this one has been the least enjoyable and the most boring. Game took no time to complete and you did nothing but walk as the narrator talked to you every once in a while. Scenic wise game is nice but others are better in that department as well.

a beautiful walk through an impossible island as a man descends into madness

Is it a game? Yes and no. There are no combat or puzzle sequences, no enemy to defeat unless it be your own introspection.
Dear Esther offers a seemingly meandering but very much directed walk along a dreary, barren Hebridean island, with the addition of some beautifully rendered, damp caves, in search of - what? absolution? answers? validation? You decide.
The narrator begins describing the history of the island, but very soon you discover he is mourning the loss of his wife in a car accident which he seeks to find meaning in.
From assigning fault to the realisation that "shit sometimes just happens", we witness his often flowery philosophising over the island, the loss of his wife, the misplaced blame he seeks to attach, until we begin to realise that he himself is dying from an infected injury, and the island may not be even real at all.
It's a beautiful, emotional journey, and the player lives it along with the protagonist.
There's no player death in this game. any death sequence (falling from a cliff, or drowning) brings a surreal, pulsating vision terminating in a soulful cry of "Come back", until we reach the bittersweet ending.
The whole game feels like a visual novel as they should be done, and an experience not to be missed.

Dear Esther is less a game and more a hauntingly poetic experience. Set on a desolate island in the Hebrides, it unravels the emotional story of a broken man through captivating voiceovers and immersive environmental storytelling. Its a narrative that invites personal interpretation and requires subsequent playthroughs to try and piece things together.

The game is elevated by its stunning soundtrack, composed by Jessica Curry, which perfectly captures its somber moments and atmosphere. If you’re drawn to unconventional storytelling, atmospheric visuals, and memorable music that lingers, Dear Esther is an experience you should try at least once.

An atmospheric walking sim. Not much is expected of you other than to follow the path. If you pay attention to the narration, you may get some idea of what's going on. The game is very short, about two hours or less, and I finished it in one sitting.