The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Reviews

I can see why people like it though the lack of any sort of guide makes it hard to follow, easy to get lost and can make it pretty boring

detective walking simulator not bad 6/10

The Redux version was completely unplayable to me b/c of the wildest stuttering I've ever seen. The non-redux version was at least playable, but the environmental bits are soo drawn out with nothing to do. Maybe this comes from a time when we were still exploring walking simulators as a genre and "looking at pretty scenery" was a legitimate gameplay mechanic for people, but MAN is this a drag.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux, an enhanced version of the original indie gem from The Astronauts, is a first-person exploration game that immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world. As paranormal detective Paul Prospero, you investigate the disappearance of young Ethan Carter in the picturesque yet eerie Red Creek Valley. This Redux edition, powered by Unreal Engine 4, amps up the visuals to breathtaking levels, making it a standout for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling over high-octane action. While it's often labeled a "walking simulator" with puzzle elements, its strongest suit lies in its sheer aesthetic appeal proving that sometimes, beauty alone can carry a game. Graphics and Level Design: The Crown JewelsWithout a doubt, the game's visuals are its shining star. The graphics are simply stunning, with photorealistic environments that capture the lush forests, abandoned homes, and misty landscapes of rural America in exquisite detail. Level design complements this perfectly, encouraging slow, deliberate exploration that rewards you with hidden nooks, scenic vistas, and subtle clues woven into the scenery. Whether you're wandering through sun-dappled woods or uncovering forgotten ruins, the world feels alive and meticulously crafted. It's very beautiful, indeed, and this aspect alone makes every moment feel like stepping into a living painting. Story and Narrative The narrative isn't groundbreaking, but it's far from bad delivering a solid mystery with supernatural undertones inspired by weird fiction. You piece together the Carter family's dark secrets through environmental storytelling, notes, and visions, leading to a satisfying twist at the end that ties everything together neatly. It's engaging enough to keep you hooked, especially if you enjoy unraveling family dramas with a touch of the occult. Voice acting is fine, providing competent delivery that supports the story without stealing the show or detracting from the immersion. Gameplay and Overall Experience Gameplay revolves around exploration and light puzzle solving, like reconstructing crime scenes or following ethereal trails. There's no combat or complex mechanics, which keeps things relaxed and focused on the atmosphere. While it might feel sparse for action fans, it excels as a contemplative experience. I encountered no major issues during play, and the Redux updates ensure smooth performance even years later. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux earns a solid 8 out of 10 for its masterful blend of beauty and mystery. If you're drawn to visually stunning games with a compelling narrative payoff, this is a must play. It may not reinvent the wheel, but its gorgeous world and clever twists make it a memorable journey worth vanishing into.

very nice game, fun. but finding some of the things were freaking annoying. and having to walk ALL THE WAY back to the map drawing each time, come on!. EDIT: review for redux... i see you added portals so you can get back to the map quickly, awesome. and fixed all the framey freezing issues, i could actually run it on max settings, amazing. CONCLUSION: needed more lovecraft stuff, it was too little of a tease. nice story though.

Experienced through the Redux version: The game has some promising components, however ultimately falls a bit flat. Starting with the story, it does some interesting things in its depiction of grief, and its non-linear progression is very unique albeit I do believe it could've been structured better to avoid the look-in-every-corner-design, that inevitably happens as you miss one crucial piece of the puzzle. The visuals are stunning, they really make me wish more developers focused on art direction over "cutting edge" graphics (UE5 slop). That being said, I think my biggest gripe was just how lackluster the voice performances and dialogue writing was, which pretty much snubs any tension and emotional investment. Overall maybe worth a look if you like walking-sim games but it is far from the best out there. 5.5/10