Dear Esther

The Chinese Room

Rank: #6 / 6
Released: 2012
Studio: The Chinese Room
Genre: walking simulator, adventure video game

At a glance

Dear Esther is a first-person adventure from The Chinese Room, released in 2012 for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It sends you across a remote island in the Outer Hebrides as a voice reads fragments of a letter addressed to Esther. Memories of a fatal crash, a missing explorer, and questions about the island and its visitors shape the story, though it leaves room for uncertainty about what is real. Rather than following conventional action or puzzle goals, the game centers on moving through its environments and experiencing a poetic, semi-randomized narrative. Its audio, visuals, and events vary between play-throughs. The island’s beaches, cliffs, and underground tunnels are central to the journey, accompanied by a soundtrack. Steam lists single-player play, partial controller support, Steam Cloud, and Family Sharing. Its listed genres include adventure, casual, and indie.

Who it is for

It suits players looking for a solitary, story-led journey through an atmospheric island setting. Its changing audio, visuals, and events may appeal to those open to variation between play-throughs.

What is good

Single-player story-focused experience
Audio, visuals, and events vary between play-throughs
Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS
Steam Cloud and Family Sharing support

What to know first

Partial controller support only
No multiplayer listed

Verdict

Dear Esther emphasizes atmosphere and narrative over conventional gameplay. Players seeking multiplayer or a more structured action experience may want to look elsewhere.