Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

The Chinese Room

Rank: #3 / 6
Released: 2017
Studio: The Chinese Room
Genre: casual game, adventure video game

At a glance

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is a story-focused adventure from The Chinese Room, set on a remote island in the Outer Hebrides. As players move through the landscape, a voice reads fragments of a letter, gradually shaping a story about love, loss, guilt and redemption. The experience emphasizes exploration and atmosphere rather than traditional gameplay. Audio, visuals and events are described as randomly generated across play-throughs, giving the journey variation. This edition was remade with the Unity engine, includes a full audio remaster and adds a Directors’ Commentary mode about the game’s inspiration and creation. The listed platforms are Windows and macOS. Steam features include single-player, achievements, full controller support, Steam Cloud, commentary, Remote Play on TV and Family Sharing. Its Steam genres are adventure, casual, indie and free to play; its broader genres are casual and adventure. Secret Mode is the publisher.

Who it is for

Suited to players who want an exploratory, story-led experience rather than traditional gameplay. Commentary and full controller support may also appeal to players who want to explore the island while listening to insights about the game’s creation.

What is good

Story-led island exploration
Randomised audio, visuals and events
Directors’ Commentary mode
Full controller support

What to know first

No multiplayer listed
Steam lists Windows and macOS only

Verdict

Landmark Edition focuses on exploration, narration and atmosphere, with variation between play-throughs. Its added commentary mode and audio remaster give this edition more context and refreshed sound.