Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

 Xbox One
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. Destructoid
    Sep 20, 2016
    45
    The linchpin of these games is to develop a connection with the player. Along with that connection comes emotion. Dear Esther is simply too disconnected from itself to ever connect with me.
  2. XBLA Fans
    Oct 19, 2016
    40
    Sadly for a game that is all about memories, Dear Esther just never does much to leave a lasting one.
  3. TrueAchievements
    Sep 21, 2016
    40
    Dear Esther is a boring slog with little narrative payoff. Although it does encourage an ideal of "interpret as you will", it lacks the foundation and support to drive discussions of death, life, and grief to the point to which it strives. Fortunately, the experience is short, cheap, and a good boost to an achievement score, but beyond that, is worth a pass.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 6 out of 20
  1. gygessgygess
    Oct 2, 2016
    10
    Yes, in this game you will only have the controls of walking. However, it is much more about the experience. Controls should not dictateYes, in this game you will only have the controls of walking. However, it is much more about the experience. Controls should not dictate whether a game has an amazing story or not. Dear Esther's poetic story had me in tears by the end, because it gave me a better story than any other game has ever produced for me, ever. I played Everybody's Gone to The Rapture, Gone Home, and you can even include more popular AAA games like The Last of Us, the Half-Life series, whatever you want to name: no game has produced the emotions this game did. And it's not all very clear, a lot of that emotion isn't necessarily about the game, but it's also just thinking about your life, and the people around you.

    So yes, the input you have is where to walk. But the power you have is to look, see, hear, and experience what you do in this game. If you want something concise but powerful, only a few movies carry the emotional impact of Dear Esther.    … Full Review »
  2. osprey
    Sep 21, 2016
    10
    Beautiful music, beautiful narration, beautiful and poetic story, beautiful environments, in short a beautiful experience. I loved it fromBeautiful music, beautiful narration, beautiful and poetic story, beautiful environments, in short a beautiful experience. I loved it from beginning to end!… Full Review »
  3. dan-man
    Jul 12, 2023
    10
    Everything about this game I adore. It is perfection. The music, the setting, the mood, the writing, the voice acting, the mystery, theEverything about this game I adore. It is perfection. The music, the setting, the mood, the writing, the voice acting, the mystery, the simplicity, the graphics. All of it.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »