![]() During my three playthroughs of the game, I didn’t see much of anything being different other than some slightly different voiceovers that felt only barely altered. While the scenery in Dear Esther is gorgeous, your story is delivered through randomized exposition. The most effective films tell a visual story that can be understood even while the sound is turned off. It is unfortunate that a spoiler could be that nothing happens outside the narration. This is further emphasized by the lack of any action being caught onscreen. As an elongated single look at each scene through the game, the camera in Dear Esther adds a sense of eerie tension. ![]() The art of film is usually defined by its ability to catch action onscreen and controlling the pace through transitions like cuts. If you look at Dear Esther: Landmark Edition as an interactive film experience, there are several shortcomings. Does the automatic flashlight feature reflect your state of being? Part of the allure to this game are the uncertainties that come up while playing and analyzing what they mean. Every single button on the controller is a zoom button, and no you cannot run or click on anything. As you come to each structure or artform in the game, you can’t help but try to think of their symbolic meaning. The major point of playing Dear Esther is to build your own point of view about what events took place on this island, when they happened, and how the haunting puzzle pieced together. The largest addition to this version of the game is the option to have the director’s commentary turned on where you will hear the music composer, story writer, and graphics leads talk about their creative process as well as share interesting factoids. Visual details will appear slightly different each time you play through as well. As you reach certain spots on the island, you will trigger a narrated sequence that may sound different but familiar each time you access them. ![]() When you start the game, you are on the shore of a lush island next to a light tower. Dear Esther: Landmark Edition feels like an interactive movie told through a vivid 3D gaming landscape with a slight shift in perspective each time you run through it. Each playthrough is an explorative experience featuring slightly different randomized visuals, musical arrangements, and immersive narrated storytelling. While it is undeniably classified as a game for marketing purposes, it doesn’t quite fit that classification. ![]() One thing seems unfair about writing, or reading, a review about Dear Esther: Landmark Edition. Something will mix different media types in such a way that it feels like it sets a different and new standard. Every once in a while, we have a game dropped in our lap that we just didn’t expect or can’t fully grasp. ![]()
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