1/5 ★ – samazone's review of Dear Esther: Landmark Edition.

Could games be just an art experience? No puzzles, no challenges? Dear Esther centers around an unnamed character known as "the narrator," who finds himself on a mysterious, deserted island. The story is told through the narrator's inner monologue, directed toward a woman named "Esther," who we assume was his late wife. The island becomes a stage for the narrator’s recollection of a tragic car accident that led to Esther’s death.The different locations on the island reflect the narrator's mental state for instance, the caves represent sadness, while the high cliffs reflect isolation and despair. "Dear Esther. I have found myself to be as featureless as this ocean, as shallow and unoccupied as this bay, a listless wreck without identification. My rocks are these bones and a careful fence to keep the precipice at bay. Shot through me caves, my forehead a mount" The ending of Dear Esther raises many questions, as it leaves room for players to interpret it in their own way. (Some suggest the entire island is imaginary, a metaphor for the narrator’s emotions, a mirror of his mental state.) There are many interpretations of the ending, but this interpretation seems the most logical to me since every part of the island aligns with the narrator's psychological condition, making the island's design an essential part of the storytelling. Is the gameplay boring, or is it an art experience? The game focuses on storytelling and visual exploration. There are no puzzles or task, basically all you can do is walk around and explore the island. For many players, this style can feel extremely boring. and the lack of interactivity makes it more of an interactive film than a game. Personally, I found the gameplay pretty dull. Even though the game is old, its graphics are stunning! The island's design and atmosphere made me feel immersed in the experience. The music in Dear Esther isn’t just a background element; it’s the core of the experience. It’s one of the main reasons I pushed through to the end. The soft, sad melodies fit each area perfectly. And the narrator's voice... oh god, it added so much depth to the story. His calm, emotional tone made the narration hit even harder. The ambient sounds, like the waves and wind, were also beautifully done. So, is it worth playing? If you’re looking for a game full of action or puzzles, Dear Esther is definitely not for you, and you’ll likely find it boring and pointless, But if you're up for diving into an artistic world, it might be a beautiful experience.