First impressions of the game. (Dear Esther)

Made 2 errors: run the game right after Darksiders 2 and set yourself up for another Gone Home, so we have not penetrated completely, but after reading the reviews decided, it is necessary to look, what to watch, since it's really not a game. Strict recommendations: headphones, night, hot tea, a comfortable chair or sofa, melancholic mood. A good alternative to reading books or watching the melodrama.

There are things that cannot be forgotten. There are memories from which we cannot escape. They are like ghosts that will always fly with you.

Have you ever heard of the Outer Hebrides? This island relating to Shotlandii. It is one of these Islands and begins the story of the main character of the game Dear Esther. Originally made as a mod for Half-Life 2, she has become an independent and full-fledged project, which last year not only demonstrated the possibility of creating the most beautiful locations already far not the new Source engine, but also proved that the game is not only gameplay, but also a way to transfer creative thought.

Like the projects like Journey or Flower, this is not a game in the usual sense of the word. There are no battles, puzzles, finding items, no any direct and familiar interaction with the environment. But it's not an interactive movie, there are no cut scenes, no annoying QTE. What is it then, you ask me? This interactive artwork, the creativity is liberated from all available genre clichés. It is a flight of the author's thoughts, on the shores of their own imagination. This Is Dear Esther.

All we need in this project is to contemplate and navigate through the world of the game, and from time to time to listen to the monologues of the protagonist, addressed the history of the island on which it appeared, a kind, dear to the heart of the hero, Esther. The first person contributes greatly to the immersion, and the music that starts to play at certain points, it touches the heart. The creators of the project have invested not only soul, but also talent. From local locations sometimes stops breathing, that only is a beautiful cave, beautiful which still was not in a video game, or a lunar beach with paper boats... from the real euphoria.
As for the plot, it is deliberately vague, to hear all the remarks of the main character in one passage impossible, starting a new game part of the monologues will be different. And even after the game several times you will be all the same some questions. Dear Esther is a mosaic that cannot be collected before the end.

In addition, the game is the highlight, which got me hooked, it's... ghosts. In the game you can meet a few ghosts, but not as we are used to seeing in survival horror'Ah, the movies, etc., no one will poke his nose into them, they will defiantly appears from around the corner, we can go through the game never seeing any of them.
And in all this there is a certain feeling of authenticity, however, something close to a long-standing dream, which only breaks out in fragments of memory and leaves a strange scent of nostalgia.

Stunning, beautiful and lyrical project.
I will return to this island one day.

9/10

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
The re-release of the founder of a whole new genre of simulation games walk or simply shagelok. The game is not just first in its genre, but still one of the best.
New engine, better sound (volume at maximum!), some modified elements of the game went only benefit.
In that distant time, playing for the first time in the first game of this type I just went and listened to, not really considering the details, was surprised how messy the history and frankly I didn't understand it.
After the re-release I was already armed with experience and more closely inspected the island. And the story told in this time seemed more difficult, confusing and understandable at the same time.
Very complement the perception of the developer comments.
My last rating was 8/10. Now 10/10.

Not a game but a dull snooze-fest. I do not remember how narrowly passed it in 2012, but now survived only 5 minutes. Very slow and tedious walk with a terrible author. Would he sound the least bit charismatic and the lyrics would hint at the meaning, I might have suffered. And so after the same Stanley Parable such nonsense will not fly. The authors-stupid show delirium of the dying, but they have no idea how to do it, that's not dull, the simulation of the walk and at least a little bit interesting and atmospheric story. In the furnace the slag.