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Dear Esther

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  • 21-01-2012 1:59pm
    #1
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    So it's less than a month to the release of Dear Esther, the remake of the haunting experimental HL2 mod with excellent narration. It's more of an interactive story that a game but worth a look.

    It's a stunningly beautiful piece of work:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7VJ4lP-05A

    http://dear-esther.com/


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Comments

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    #2
    Sir Digby Chicken Caesar
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 23,556 ✭✭✭✭Sir Digby Chicken Caesar


    seems like a load of pretentious hippy nonsense to me


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    #3
    degrassinoel
    Registered Users Posts: 10,734 ✭✭✭✭degrassinoel


    he sure do have a purty mouth though boy!
    teeth-deliverance1.jpg


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    #4
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    backs away slowly...

    damnit, no guns in this game!


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    #5
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    So it's a game of 3d wallpapers with some "deep" narration? I'm not sold.


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    #6
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,154 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    chin_grin wrote: »
    So it's a game of 3d wallpapers with some "deep" narration? I'm not sold.

    As far as I can tell it's more of an interactive story than anything, with a rich 3D world to explore. Meant to be a commentary on the nature of gaming interactivity or lack thereof. Interview with the creators in this month's Edge about how they purposefully avoided the strong temptation of traditionally 'gamey' elements like goals or puzzles because they just didn't fit with what they wanted to say.

    Trying something different and intelligent should be welcomed rather than instantly dismissed as pretentious. It may or not be a success, but it seems like a brave attempt at trying something new. Disappointed there's no Mac port on launch, but would love to give it a go.


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    #7
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    Try out the existing mod then, it's pretty short if you rush through it but you can take your time and enjoy the experience.

    It's basically all about atmosphere, the narration is somewhat random and depends on how you work your way across the landscape. The story is slowly pieced together along the way.


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    #8
    Kiith
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 23,074 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kiith


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Trying something different and intelligent should be welcomed rather than instantly dismissed as pretentious.

    This, absolutely. Nothing worse than seeing a different take on games being instantly dismissed by the majority of people. It might not be your kind of thing, fair enough. But to call it 'pretentious hippy nonsense' is totally unjust.


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    #9
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    As far as I can tell it's more of an interactive story than anything, with a rich 3D world to explore. Meant to be a commentary on the nature of gaming interactivity or lack thereof. Interview with the creators in this month's Edge about how they purposefully avoided the strong temptation of traditionally 'gamey' elements like goals or puzzles because they just didn't fit with what they wanted to say.

    Trying something different and intelligent should be welcomed rather than instantly dismissed as pretentious. It may or not be a success, but it seems like a brave attempt at trying something new. Disappointed there's no Mac port on launch, but would love to give it a go.

    Granted. But it doesn't really have a niche seeing that nowadays the kids just want the "michael bay" aspect of gaming with their (and probably my) short attention spans. I agree it's a nice change to the usual puzzler/shooter game (trying to avoid the "breath of fresh air" analogy), but will it hold the attention of the current-gen gamers?

    The only other game that this immediately reminded me of is Myst!


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    #10
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,154 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    chin_grin wrote: »
    Granted. But it doesn't really have a niche seeing that nowadays the kids just want the "michael bay" aspect of gaming with their (and probably my) short attention spans. I agree it's a nice change to the usual puzzler/shooter game (trying to avoid the "breath of fresh air" analogy), but will it hold the attention of the current-gen gamers?

    Does arthouse cinema hold the attention of the kids today? Nope. Does it offer a gloriously rich, vibrant and exciting selection of cinema with a huge and enthusiastic audience? You betcha!

    There is a large subset of gamers out there who want intelligent, thought-provoking, offbeat gaming (I'm one of 'em!). The only reason we're aren't vocal is that we don't have enough games that offer us what we want. But there is a rich indie community out there trying new stuff outside of the mainstream. I think there's more than enough people to justify a release of this sort. We're not going to get anywhere as an ahem artform if we stick to guns, breasts and zombies. Not all success is determined purely on astronomical sales figures or what Little Joe on Xbox Live thinks of the game :)


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    #11
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    It's been on my radar for sometime, I loved the original mod because it's so different. Minimal but totally engaging. I'll still get my kicks in BF3 blowing **** up but games like this show a maturing side to gaming that I'm all in favour of.

    It's also worth pointing out that this is running on the Portal 2 version of Source. If they manage to get it running smoothly and bug free that's a hell of an achievement.


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    #12
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Does arthouse cinema hold the attention of the kids today? Nope. Does it offer a gloriously rich, vibrant and exciting selection of cinema with a huge and enthusiastic audience? You betcha!

    There is a large subset of gamers out there who want intelligent, thought-provoking, offbeat gaming (I'm one of 'em!). The only reason we're aren't vocal is that we don't have enough games that offer us what we want. But there is a rich indie community out there trying new stuff outside of the mainstream. I think there's more than enough people to justify a release of this sort. We're not going to get anywhere as an ahem artform if we stick to guns, breasts and zombies. Not all success is determined purely on astronomical sales figures or what Little Joe on Xbox Live thinks of the game :)

    Ouch. Veiled dig received. Et tu Johnny_Ultimate. :pac:

    I miss point-and-clickies. Aw. :(


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    #13
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,154 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    chin_grin wrote: »
    Ouch. Veiled dig received. Et tu Johnny_Ultimate. :pac:

    No dig intended, apologies if it came across that way! Just saying there's only so much exploding barrels one can take before the urge for something with a bit more thought or ambition kicks in :)

    I'm all for dumb fun in gaming. But that's pretty much all we get these days. It'd be nice to have more games like Flower or Braid on a regular basis - games that have something to say alongside the 'gamier' side of things!


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    #14
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    I'm all for dumb fun in gaming. But that's pretty much all we get these days

    What do you mean? Modern Shooter 7: All Non Yanks Must Die was a triumph of video gaming brilliance!


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    #15
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Gaming isn't an either / or scenario - any studio or developer that pushes the boundaries of what constitutes a 'game' should be heralded and supported 100%, especially by those of us who insist gaming is a serious, adult medium. We can argue 'til we're blue in the face that gaming be taken seriously as a story-driven entity, but that won't happen if all we ever get is Ruskie-Shooter 5, and other similar, derivative work that glorifies violence.

    Now there's nothing wrong with those kind of games in small doses, but to see something that genuinely moves the goalposts of interactive storytellling? I'll buy 5 copies if it means people keep taking risks like that.

    That said, going by the trailer, the writing does seem a little forced & too eager to seem worthy, but no question I'll throw my money their way when it comes out.

    What I find most amazing about this 'game' though is that - wow - that's the Source engine. Admittedly it looks like the bulk of the work is in some qualiity photorealistic texture work & static meshes but still: credit where credit is due.


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    #16
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    This has me intrigued. I think I'll get my hands on it.


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    #17
    mahamageehad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,673 ✭✭✭mahamageehad


    Been researching this and just about finished with my blog post on it now. When googling it for research stumbled across this boards thread. I'm really disappointed that theres going to be no mac version (yet anyway) so i hope you guys will keep me informed on if it's actually as awesome as it looks! :)


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    #18
    SeantheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 6,911 ✭✭✭SeantheMan


    what is the expected RRP ?
    Will it be on STEAM or COG ?


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    #19
    mahamageehad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,673 ✭✭✭mahamageehad


    STEAM for €7.99. It will be released on valentines day.


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    #20
    Canis Lupus
    Registered Users Posts: 9,893 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    All for new ideas but using fancy words doesn't make a narrative interesting. Don't really see anything interesting in that trailer but each to their own I suppose.


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    #21
    RobertFoster
    Registered Users Posts: 9,137 ✭✭✭RobertFoster


    It's out now for those interested. Is it likely to be widely reviewed since some are claiming it's not a game game?


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    #22
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    There are plenty of mixed reviews up already, it seems to be a love hate thing. The main complaint seems to be that all you can do is walk around (slowly) and therefore press it's just W to win. Of course if you only play games to win it isn't for you.

    I'm up to my eyeballs with work, hopefully I'll get to try it out tomorrow night.


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    #23
    Chairman Meow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭Chairman Meow


    I only got the chance to play the opening area but its a lovely experience. Its not a game as such, you dont do anything but walk and look and listen,but it looks gorgeous, good writing (if bordering on being a tad pretentious at times), and its something a bit left field. For the price of a small lunch its worth it, if youre after something a bit different.


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    #24
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    Same here. Fortunately it wasn't a huge download so I got to try it out before I went to bed last night. It's absolutely gorgeous. So far it's pretty similar to the original mod, so I'm quite happy that it retains the same atmosphere.

    The original mod is here BTW.
    http://www.moddb.com/mods/dear-esther


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    #25
    BenK
    Registered Users Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭BenK


    Gave this a go this evening. I thought it was interesting enough. It felt pretty unique and fresh and was very atmospheric in parts. In terms of gameplay mechanics it's limited but it seems a little unfair to criticise it for that as that's obviously not the angle it's going for. It was worth the €7.99 in my view anyway.


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    #26
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,516 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    I finished my first walk-through tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it.

    I can't explain how beautiful this game is so here are some screenshots.


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    #27
    Maximilian
    Legal Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 5,400 Mod ✭✭✭✭Maximilian


    Enjoyable and very pretty. Not worth 8 euro though I think. Definitely one worth picking up in a steam sale though.


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    #28
    Chairman Meow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭Chairman Meow


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEhGdnW3YuU


    made a little video for it :)
    Really enjoyed the game overall, and the graphics whore in me bloody loved it.


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    #29
    Nollog
    Registered Users Posts: 5,410 ✭✭✭Nollog


    Yeah, I watched the trailer when it was on sale too, and after added it to my wish list.
    Epic trailer.


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    #30
    SeantheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 6,911 ✭✭✭SeantheMan


    Just completed it.....and ehhh...well it's not worth the money first of all.

    Secondly, I couldn't really categorise it as a "game" , because all you do is press W and the story moves forward.

    And on that note, can anyone put up what they got from the story, their interpretation ...as I'm sure it differs to others. Maybe I missed something.


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    #31
    Dacelonid
    Registered Users Posts: 1,112 ✭✭✭Dacelonid


    /\/ollog wrote: »
    Yeah, I watched the trailer when it was on sale too, and after added it to my wish list.
    Epic trailer.
    Same here, but I'll wait till a Steam sale before I pick it up, given the mixed reviews and all that.


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