ETHER One

 PC
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 53
  3. Negative: 14 out of 53
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MaVCArt
    Mar 26, 2014
    9
    Ether One is a gem of a game. The developers, being an indie studio and having to work with limited resources, delivered on a promise to engage the player in a story that will stick with you for a long time after finishing it. A unique experience that can only be had in a game that is obsessed with delivering a story that is true to itself, Ether is truly an example of why indie games haveEther One is a gem of a game. The developers, being an indie studio and having to work with limited resources, delivered on a promise to engage the player in a story that will stick with you for a long time after finishing it. A unique experience that can only be had in a game that is obsessed with delivering a story that is true to itself, Ether is truly an example of why indie games have been romanticized as much as they have.

    Giving this a 9/10 score is a no-brainer for me, and I advise everyone that reads this to pick it up; you won't regret it.    … Expand
  2. flpmky
    Mar 29, 2014
    9
    Ether One is the first game in a long time to challenge my problem solving. Ether One tests the player in a such a way as not to slow the pace down to a halt. Stuck on a puzzle - no problem, you can continue to explore and take in the deep and touching story at your own pace. This makes Ether One a suitable game for players of all skill levels. With a beautifully simple control set and anEther One is the first game in a long time to challenge my problem solving. Ether One tests the player in a such a way as not to slow the pace down to a halt. Stuck on a puzzle - no problem, you can continue to explore and take in the deep and touching story at your own pace. This makes Ether One a suitable game for players of all skill levels. With a beautifully simple control set and an ingenious approach to inventory and item management/collecting. Many players will find themselves with a curious collection of items in their possession which will bring out the hoarder in everyone!

    I highly recommend this game to seasoned and new gamers alike.    … Expand
  3. rexboy3000
    Jun 19, 2015
    1
    I found this game extremely boring, I found the pacing of the game to be really slow. I play games to have fun, I do understand the meaning, but I am reviewing a game ,not a movie.
  4. Chain_Affinity
    Jun 12, 2020
    0
    Sunk four hours into this only to encounter an unforgiving game-breaking bug.
  5. bancandrei
    Jan 9, 2021
    4
    This game is trying to do something worthwhile so if you are interested you should give it a try. However I feel it is mechanically unsatisfying, narratively it constantly break immersion for me because it unwillingly draws attention to how low-cost the production of this game was and each scene only gives the hint of what it tries to achieve, you have to imagine it differently, like if itThis game is trying to do something worthwhile so if you are interested you should give it a try. However I feel it is mechanically unsatisfying, narratively it constantly break immersion for me because it unwillingly draws attention to how low-cost the production of this game was and each scene only gives the hint of what it tries to achieve, you have to imagine it differently, like if it were handled by a better director.… Expand
  6. gloriouspotato
    Jan 1, 2017
    7
    Ether One could've been a very solid game, but I feel like it's let down by some questionable design choices. As a 'Restorer', puzzles revolve around this idea of recreating memories based on information in the general vicinity. Most puzzles can be completed with sound logic if you explore carefully and read widely, though there are a handful of puzzles that feel poorly designed and whichEther One could've been a very solid game, but I feel like it's let down by some questionable design choices. As a 'Restorer', puzzles revolve around this idea of recreating memories based on information in the general vicinity. Most puzzles can be completed with sound logic if you explore carefully and read widely, though there are a handful of puzzles that feel poorly designed and which could use some better signposting. I also feel like the game would've benefited if puzzles were self-contained rather than requiring different items from across the map to help minimise the amount of backtracking.

    The 1 item limit is another mechanic I'm not a fan of, as having to teleport back and forth to check previous notes or pick up collected items is an exercise in tedium. It would've been much more convenient to simply have a portable inventory for items and notes.    … Expand
  7. Voyou
    Aug 2, 2020
    2
    Imagine a Point n' Click game, but in 3D, where you do your pixel hunting (there is no hot spots key, and no way to guess what is interactive or not) by crawling like a sedated slug on clutches through gigantic corridors and billions of empty rooms.

    Now that your picture the stage, remove the inventory you imagined. You can carry an impressive amount of 1 item at a time. One; you read    Imagine a Point n' Click game, but in 3D, where you do your pixel hunting (there is no hot spots key, and no way to guess what is interactive or not) by crawling like a sedated slug on clutches through gigantic corridors and billions of empty rooms.

    Now that your picture the stage, remove the inventory you imagined. You can carry an impressive amount of 1 item at a time. One; you read that right. If you pick up something else, you'll swap. Now think for a second about all the backtracking this brilliant concept will allow you to enjoy. I'm sure you can't wait. And you can bet that mazes will be involved.

    By the way, there is a manual save button, but it's grayed out when you need it.

    It's got to be one of the worst User Interfaces ever written. And I do mean ever.    … Expand
  8. Samvvel
    Sep 17, 2021
    4
    The game certainly has a nice atmosphere to it. The music is rather nice, the environments are very comforting. Even the very basic graphics kinda create its own unique vibe. But the gameplay is a real slog to get through. The protagonist is extremely slow, you have to constantly press shift button which is very annoying and tiresome. Being able to pick up and carry around only one singleThe game certainly has a nice atmosphere to it. The music is rather nice, the environments are very comforting. Even the very basic graphics kinda create its own unique vibe. But the gameplay is a real slog to get through. The protagonist is extremely slow, you have to constantly press shift button which is very annoying and tiresome. Being able to pick up and carry around only one single item is a ridiculously lazy way of padding out the game's length. For christ's sake, why won't our protagonist fetch a bloody bag? Artificial mechanics like these are the real mood killers for me. I know it's a game and there are always certain conventions you have to just accept in games, but that's a bit much in my opinion.
    All in all, yet another example of a cool but poorly executed concept, as it's often the case with these walking simulators.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 5, 2014
    87
    The game is a little too fond of genre conventions like fixing broken machines and conveying storyline through letters and other notes. Other than that Ether One is an excellent adventure title. It's nonlinear, charming and as challenging as you want it to be. [Sept 2014]
  2. The Digital Fix
    Jun 11, 2014
    80
    As gamers, it’s heartening to see such serious and prevalent issues being treated with the weight they deserve in a medium more inclined to hand you a gun and point you towards the finish line; Ether One is a decent alternative to mainstream mindlessness, a thought-provoking and moving experience for those willing to commit.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jun 5, 2014
    80
    The best exploration game yet? Ether One has a great story and a few interesting mechanics that will bring you an unique gaming experience. [Issue#242]
See all critic reviews »