The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

A splendid narrative experience that is not to be missed.

Still, when the game does such a fantastic job of creating a creepy atmosphere, complaining about the lack of people seems like it's missing the point. Like a great horror movie, everything in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is there to leave you feeling unsettled and unsure of what's going on. Considering it nails that feeling and sustains it throughout, I'd say that counts as a pretty substantial success.

When it comes to psychological scares, this whodunit of a ghost story introduces you to your own worst enemy: Being inside your own head. You may anticipate more horror than you’ll actually run across, but that’s a horrific thought in its own right.

What was perhaps one of the best games from last year makes its console debut with style, complete with a visual overhaul that only makes this re-release more appealing.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter shines and is truly at its best when all the elements of gameplay work in sync.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter was an amazing achievement on PC, and remains just as great on PS4.

A more than competent puzzler that wows with its impressive vistas, excellent sound design and subtle horror-tinged plot. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a thing of dark beauty.

For the 4 to 6 hours the game lasts, it’s definitely a memorable experience.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PlayStation 4 doesn't completely match the graphical fidelity of the original version, but it still offers one of the most breathtaking audiovisual experiences ever made.

The environment’s naturalism and splendour make the core of the game feel more exotic than it really is. [November 2015, p79]

A little threadbare and not as revolutionary as it appears, but poignant and breathtakingly realised. [Oct 2015, p.95]

A confident and intriguing story game with a[n] interesting paranormal puzzle mechanic that actually trusts you to work things out for yourself rather than hold your hand. [Issue#260, p.74]

Sometimes The Vanishing forgets to lead the player into uncertainty – it feels too safe, even though Poe and Lovecraft are quoted here and then. But that aside, this is an interesting adventure that utilizes Unreal Engine 4 on the PS4, resulting in some of the most memorable scenery you can get.

One of the most beautiful games ever developed, and backs its aesthetics up with some of the finest Lovecraftian narratives that we've seen in interactive form. It's a compelling argument for games as art, in other words, and not just because it makes for some awesome digital postcards.

The PS4 version of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is an amazing port of one of last year’s best adventure games. The strong narrative, complex puzzles, and amazing graphically prowess makes this mystery one worth solving.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a paranormal adventure with excellent manufacturing and a good argument that places the indie scene in an even higher level already has in this generation.

It does not matter from what side you look at it, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is an engaging, impressive title. The astounding storytelling, beautiful gameworld and intimate atmosphere make this game highly recommendable.

Puzzles and mystery tag along in a visually stunning adventure without equal among actual indies. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter isn't a game for every player, so those with no interest in this experience will hardly play until the end.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter may not be a long journey, but the breathtaking visuals and atmosphere are enough to captivate most anybody on their way to solving a number of mysteries that all play a part in the overall story.

Along with an interesting story and superb atmosphere The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a memorable experience.

It should be noted, though. that once you’ve done all the puzzles, there is zero replay value. That being said, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a must-play for those who love these types of experiences.

One of the best story driven games of recent years, although you do sometimes wonder if it’s focusing on the most interesting aspect of its plot.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter was already great when it released on the PC in late 2014, and the PS4 version succeeds in re-purposing that same experience for a new audience.

The PS4 version of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is visually stunning and still offers a very well written story, with an enchanting atmosphere and superb technical achievement, even if you feel sometimes running around in circles and a slightly slower pace story.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter sets out to achieve a very specific goal and despite some slight missteps along the way, it largely succeeds in offering players a sense of spectral wonder through simplistic gameplay and stunning visuals, all wrapped in a well written mystery that leaves its mark.

It's probably a better value proposition on PC, but if PS4 is your only way to play then this is well worth £15.

If you like atmospheric puzzle games, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pick this up if you missed out on the PC release last year.

Weak voice acting and poorly written dialogue coupled with some frustrating game design choice hold The Vanishing of Ethan Carter back from its true potential.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PS4 has extremely linear gameplay and a slow pace story, but it deserves your attention if you're looking for a gorgeous-looking game with an intense atmosphere.

It may not be the longest game, but if the supernatural intrigues you even a little, then this one case worth taking.

One of the best games in the first person exploration genre has a comfortable home on the PS4, although it seems like a missed opportunity to have not made this more of an extended edition of some kind.