The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Game Rant
    Jul 22, 2015
    70
    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.
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 21, 2015
    70
    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.
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Jul 20, 2015
    70
    It may not be the longest game, but if the supernatural intrigues you even a little, then this one case worth taking.
  5. Digital Chumps
    Jul 27, 2015
    68
    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.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS4 Game of 2015
76
#76 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 134 out of 215
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 215
  3. Negative: 26 out of 215
  1. dacritic82
    Aug 19, 2015
    7
    The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a Mystery game in which you play as a detective with some paranormal abilities, who has decided to pay aThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a Mystery game in which you play as a detective with some paranormal abilities, who has decided to pay a visit to the hometown of a kid from whom he received a disturbing letter. As you explore Red Creek Valley a dark story will unravel and your task will be to put all the pieces of this puzzle together.

    The game sets a great atmosphere for a really compelling story, with awesome visuals and nice music. Unfortunately the game is too short (around 3 hours, even if you unlock every trophy).

    The cases you solve are way, WAY, to easy and the mechanics are as follow:

    1- Run randomly for several minutes until you reach a location that requires your attention.
    2- Once you're there, you'll get all the evidences (and the body) highlighted for you. Click on all of them.
    3- Sometimes you'll have to look for some missing evidence for which you'll get its general location and a glimpse of its surroundings. You'll just have to walk on that direction until you run into it.
    4- Some other times you have to move an evidence to its right position.
    5- Go back to the body and click on it. This will allow you to sort the sequence of events surrounding the murder an thus solving it.

    Another con I found is that, although the murders are all related to the same story, they are completely isolated and not linked between them. Nothing you learn from a case will have any impact on another. Moreover, solving a case doesn't add anything at all to the game, other than a bit of history. You could just solve the last case and be done with it.

    Though I had a great time, I consider $20 bucks a bit expensive, considering that it has absolutely no replay value and that you'll spend 95% of the time running around and you'll only have to figure out 3 or 4 things for yourself in the entire game. It takes more that good graphics and a good, though very short, story to make a great game.    … Full Review »
  2. firstkuparioch
    Jul 15, 2015
    10
    This is a first person mystery game with light puzzles and rich and atmospheric setting with engaging story. You play as a supernaturalThis is a first person mystery game with light puzzles and rich and atmospheric setting with engaging story. You play as a supernatural detective - Paul Prospero - who is in search of a little boy named Ethan.The graphics are phenomenal and the music is very pleasent.
    PS4 version has better save system than the PC one. It takes ~ 5h - just perfect little interactive story.    … Full Review »
  3. The_Fun_Too
    Aug 11, 2015
    1
    A nice soundtrack with a ridiculous history. By the way, my dogs could do the game puzzles with its tail. Good graphics doesn't mean goodA nice soundtrack with a ridiculous history. By the way, my dogs could do the game puzzles with its tail. Good graphics doesn't mean good game. Don´t try this… Full Review »
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