Dear Esther

Just played through this and I loved it. An hour and a half of haunting atmosphere, ambiguous storytelling (about loss, grief and guilt, amongst other things) and stunning sights. While it's all strictly linear and pre-designed, I think there's more beauty in the sights of Dear Esther than anything in Skyrim or the like. Doesn't mean it's a better 'game' in the traditional sense, but there's an artistry on show you don't get from many developers. The chapter in the cave system is simply astonishing. There's a sense of discovery too, as you're eager to wander down that other path, or the simple expectation as you turn a corner or leap into a pool of water.

As an experience, I thought it was moving and involving throughout (after five or ten minutes adjusting to the game's design and pacing). Journey is the obvious comparison (not least the focus on progressing towards a towering landmark), although with the interactivity scaled back yet another notch. Doesn't really matter - it's a well-judged experience and the perfect length as it doesn't overstay its welcome.

I think there's more than enough room for experiments like this and more traditional 'gamey' games. It won't be for everyone, but it's a simple, brief and intelligent wander around a mysterious island. On those terms it succeeds fantastically. I'm not going to over-exaggerate its import - despite everything positive I've said, its scope is still limited, and the level of interactivity is a bare minimum. But taken on its own term, Dear Esther is a joy, and the hard-to-define emotional response is still lingering fifteen minutes later.

Plus, this is amazing: