Stallion Free
Cock Encumbered
While I enjoyed it, that mod was pretty rough around the edges.
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Dear Esther |OT|
- Thread starter crimsonheadGCN
- Start date
While I enjoyed it, that mod was pretty rough around the edges.
I've never heard of this before, but I'm interested (that trailer is phenomenal). It kind of reminds me of Myst just by looking at it.
Does anyone know how demanding the game is? I'm wondering if my laptop can run it. My processor and RAM should be fine, but I have a shitty Mobile Intel 4 series express chipset family graphics chip.
I can run Civ 5 somewhat decently on low settings, so would this game be more, or less demanding than that?
Does anyone know how demanding the game is? I'm wondering if my laptop can run it. My processor and RAM should be fine, but I have a shitty Mobile Intel 4 series express chipset family graphics chip.
I can run Civ 5 somewhat decently on low settings, so would this game be more, or less demanding than that?
D
Deleted member 10571
Unconfirmed Member
by the way, my end theory is
Might be totally wrong though.
He's still lying somewhere on the road, blacked out and injured from the car crash, while he dreams the game. The jump represents him finally dying, the transformation represents him not being able to (or something). Why? because the wave sounds at the end sound awfully like cars driving by. ha!
Might be totally wrong though.
John Rabbit
Banned
just completed it.
i have no idea what happened.
but it was pretty much beautiful the entire time.
i have no idea what happened.
but it was pretty much beautiful the entire time.
Blackout at the end is intended
https://twitter.com/#!/danpinchbeck -
For those asking - it's up to you when to end #dearesther - it won't automatically go to menu for you.
https://twitter.com/#!/danpinchbeck -
For those asking - it's up to you when to end #dearesther - it won't automatically go to menu for you.
I don't know, it would be strange to hear your breathing
in a game where you're supposed to have just died.
Unhandled Exception
Member
Kind of my experience with it too. I actually came into this completely cold, didn't know any history about it. It was really enjoyable but at the same time I can't help but feel like there could've been more. Ran through it in 61 minutes. I enjoyed what was there but I guess I'd just like to see more.
Played the mod a few years ago, just finished this.
- The graphics and sound were so engrossing that I missed things at times, such as the
- The graphics and sound were so engrossing that I missed things at times, such as the
ghosts, I never even realized they were there!
- What is a paper boat? A boat without a bottom, and the physical surrogate of a heart lacking one as well.
- Coming from the mod, the change from the mere hull and headlights of a car in the cave to a fully-realized submerged highway is a revelation. That moment already had poignancy, but this just engages all the senses. I got chills swimming past those shattered and empty cars, it was like passing through a dream.
- "Ive begun my voyage in a paper boat without a bottom; I will fly to the moon in it. I have been folded along a crease in time, a weakness in the sheet of life. Now, youve settled on the opposite side of the paper to me; I can see your traces in the ink that soaks through the fibre, the pulped vegetation. When we become waterlogged, and the cage disintegrates, we will intermingle. When this paper aeroplane leaves the cliff edge, and carves parallel vapour trails in the dark, we will come together."
- On dying, death, and being reunited.
- The vistas, my god, the vistas. I lost count of how many times I got goosebumps looking down from the cliffside, hearing the wind and the last words of a man at his end.
- I had a theory about the game. Had. I'm not sure anymore, about if the narrator and Donnelly are different people, about if Jacobson was even the culprit of the crash at all. Is the island a figment, or is it all too real? Is every alcove a shrine in truth to Esther and not just of mind, graced with stolen medical equipment and other mementos? Or is it like I wondered before, both a place real and unreal, remembered and hallucinated by a man in his death throes? Regardless of what (if anything) is concrete, remembrance seems to be key. Each voyageur is remembered in turn by those who come after, and the narrator alludes to you yourself, your act of remembrance as you ascend to the aerial.
- I'm surprised at how it all came flooding back, played this in 2009 and so much of it stayed with me. I don't expect I'll be able to forget it.
- Spent 2.1 hours on the first playthrough, smelling roses and whatnot. Judging by the other dialogue snippets shared in this thread, I'm going to need more playthroughs to get a broader impression of the story (a playthrough of the mod and this still isn't enough to get everything, it would seem).
- I will fly.
- What is a paper boat? A boat without a bottom, and the physical surrogate of a heart lacking one as well.
- Coming from the mod, the change from the mere hull and headlights of a car in the cave to a fully-realized submerged highway is a revelation. That moment already had poignancy, but this just engages all the senses. I got chills swimming past those shattered and empty cars, it was like passing through a dream.
- "Ive begun my voyage in a paper boat without a bottom; I will fly to the moon in it. I have been folded along a crease in time, a weakness in the sheet of life. Now, youve settled on the opposite side of the paper to me; I can see your traces in the ink that soaks through the fibre, the pulped vegetation. When we become waterlogged, and the cage disintegrates, we will intermingle. When this paper aeroplane leaves the cliff edge, and carves parallel vapour trails in the dark, we will come together."
- On dying, death, and being reunited.
- The vistas, my god, the vistas. I lost count of how many times I got goosebumps looking down from the cliffside, hearing the wind and the last words of a man at his end.
- I had a theory about the game. Had. I'm not sure anymore, about if the narrator and Donnelly are different people, about if Jacobson was even the culprit of the crash at all. Is the island a figment, or is it all too real? Is every alcove a shrine in truth to Esther and not just of mind, graced with stolen medical equipment and other mementos? Or is it like I wondered before, both a place real and unreal, remembered and hallucinated by a man in his death throes? Regardless of what (if anything) is concrete, remembrance seems to be key. Each voyageur is remembered in turn by those who come after, and the narrator alludes to you yourself, your act of remembrance as you ascend to the aerial.
- I'm surprised at how it all came flooding back, played this in 2009 and so much of it stayed with me. I don't expect I'll be able to forget it.
- Spent 2.1 hours on the first playthrough, smelling roses and whatnot. Judging by the other dialogue snippets shared in this thread, I'm going to need more playthroughs to get a broader impression of the story (a playthrough of the mod and this still isn't enough to get everything, it would seem).
- I will fly.
I've played through twice, and there's something I haven't seen that people are talking about.
The basic imagery is there for obvious reasons, but I'm not sure what those subtle changes mean. There were a few other changes I noticed (as I said a few posts back). It would be neat if we could make a list of some of the other things that change. I'll list a couple more:
At the highway section, there was a gurney with an IV stand and a car door on the ground. No cars though. My second time through I saw the same thing, but I don't remember the car door, and there were what looked like coins all over the gurney.
The basic imagery is there for obvious reasons, but I'm not sure what those subtle changes mean. There were a few other changes I noticed (as I said a few posts back). It would be neat if we could make a list of some of the other things that change. I'll list a couple more:
At the section with all those tall rocks just before the first map transition there's a book on the ground. My first time through it was a chemistry book. My second time through it was a bible
The items on the table were different in the house on the hill. I went to re-examine the ultrasound image only to find a book in its place. The ultrasound image was still on the table, but in a different position. The book looked to be an anthropological/sociological about the island. I presume this is Donnely's book
Conciliator
Banned
Going to pick this up tonight I think...played the mod; was going to skip due to the whole value thing, but right now I find myself pretty excited about it.
Yeah, maybe that was intentional. I didn't get nearly the same meaning out of the game as others here have. I did wonder how
my guy was walking along happily when he'd broken his leg
In fact I already reloaded a couple of chapters just to experience them again. I think this is a game I will fire up randomly from time to time just like when I drive around Liberty City late at night when I can't sleep.
Is that in one of the caves? I saw
a car door, and other car parts, but no gurney, and when I stood over the parts I heard a subtle sound of what I thought was metal being dragged. I went through this part twice and heard the same thing again.
Honestly, if anyone is even thinking of a 'value' equation for this game they should just not buy it. Wait for a sale or for it to go on Humble Bundle. I was happy to pay the $10 because I had the money and I want to support developers who make experimental games like this. As someone who mostly loved Braid, but can't stand threads about Braid, I'm dreading the inevitable backlash on this game. Not that you shouldn't buy it; if you played the mod you know what to expect.
Gareth Bale
Member
Half way through my second playthrough and I noticed some of these things as well.
http://www.abload.de/img/2012-02-15_00001eg1r0.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/2012-02-15_00003bj60i.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/esther00063m00p.jpg
Also, he mentions that
the person who died he had them cremated. And their ashes were put into the paint that he uses throughout the island
Oh, and
I also noticed a paper boat flowing through that stream under the bridge in the cavern. Followed it to the end and there were a bunch of them stuck where the stream exits. Not sure if it was there first time.
The_Player
Member
The game is absolutely astonishing. It's so deep; and art design is so beautiful and common at the same time. I lack knowledge of language to describe all the specter of emotions I have at this very moment.
Judging by the posts of the others at this thread, "game" generates some new details every time you play it, due to the fact that I'm absolutely sure in my playthrough narrator didn't say anything like about
.
Judging by the posts of the others at this thread, "game" generates some new details every time you play it, due to the fact that I'm absolutely sure in my playthrough narrator didn't say anything like about
cremated person
The_Player
Member
Forgot to add: this is the most beautiful game on the Source. Period.
Easily. I'm glad I paid for it for the visuals alone.
Messofanego
Banned
It took me 65 minutes. I really don't understand anything. The experience is surreal and hard to put into words, despite me not understanding anything.
I love experimental games; Passage is a favorite of mine. I'll just wait for everyone to discuss the game and I'll read the analysis and all. I'll play it again now; the writing is amazing, the sound is hauntingly beautiful, and the visuals are pleasing. I probably won't recommend it to anyone I know (for obvious reasons), but I sure as hell appreciate it.
I love experimental games; Passage is a favorite of mine. I'll just wait for everyone to discuss the game and I'll read the analysis and all. I'll play it again now; the writing is amazing, the sound is hauntingly beautiful, and the visuals are pleasing. I probably won't recommend it to anyone I know (for obvious reasons), but I sure as hell appreciate it.
Amazing experience, I caught something in the eye in the end...
I was walking and looking everywhere I could on my first playthrough which took 84 minutes. I havent seen such beautiful imaginery in long time. I will crank up the AA and AF from the default 4x/4x next time I will play.
I dont know if it was just me, but at the games end, it bugged on me - no credits or anything, I had to press escape and exit, but I dont know if that was everything.
Did anyone noticed
I was walking and looking everywhere I could on my first playthrough which took 84 minutes. I havent seen such beautiful imaginery in long time. I will crank up the AA and AF from the default 4x/4x next time I will play.
I dont know if it was just me, but at the games end, it bugged on me - no credits or anything, I had to press escape and exit, but I dont know if that was everything.
Did anyone noticed
the person standing next to the candle when you looked up from the candelit shore, after seeing the defibrilator and bloody medical tools in the cave on the right? I even swear that I've seen the shadowy person on the left side when we've first got to the rocks in first chapter.
Indie Fund investment in Dear Esther recouped in a mere six hours:
http://indie-fund.com/2012/02/dear-esther-has-reached-profitability-it-took-5-hours-30-minutes/
http://indie-fund.com/2012/02/dear-esther-has-reached-profitability-it-took-5-hours-30-minutes/
Yes!
You can finish it in 5 minutes, but it had a huge impact on me; I absolutely love the metaphors in it, and it's just heart-breaking... to me, at least, as a friend of mine didn't like the approach ("If I want this type thing, I can experience it better in a book or a movie").
I guess being invested in the character or world really adds a lot compared to other mediums, even if the events are semi-scripted.
Thanks. I'll give it a go. Watched a video on YouTube and it seems interesting.
What's most interesting to me is how those sales numbers map to concurrent players. 16,000+ people bought it in under 6 hours, but only 1000-2000 were playing concurrently yesterday.
That's not a judgment on the quality or length of the game IMO rather it says a lot about what concurrent numbers mean, and how they tend to map to sales numbers for other games too. Interesting!!
That's not a judgment on the quality or length of the game IMO rather it says a lot about what concurrent numbers mean, and how they tend to map to sales numbers for other games too. Interesting!!
John Rabbit
Banned
i haven't seen anyone mention the
urn of ashes
the wind picks up violently and blows the ashes away
cremation or ashes
also, on the final climb before the final house/hut/overlook thing, did anyone else get a passage from him about
donnelly finally succumbing to the syphilis and having his vision affected? something else about the island being him and he being the island. during this part the game became pointedly saturated with color for a short distance before returning to it's normal color values as i approached the house. great touch.
BlazingDarkness
Member
Just got and finished the game, took me around one hour forty all together
While it's pretty short it's very engrossing
The music and design is very nice, and the visuals are very impressive
The story is intriguing, the game gives you a basic sense of what has happened and then you can line the dots up yourself. I imagine there's a lot of little things to discover and notice each time you play. I saw
Also heard
I wouldn't give it a rating, as it's more 'experience' than game, but well worth the price
While it's pretty short it's very engrossing
The music and design is very nice, and the visuals are very impressive
The story is intriguing, the game gives you a basic sense of what has happened and then you can line the dots up yourself. I imagine there's a lot of little things to discover and notice each time you play. I saw
a shadowy figure in the bay where the boats were, walking along the left side of the cliff - and again near the end, at the top of cliff looking at the moon.
mumbled/frantic voices talking, in what I took to be consciousness seeping back only to slip away again
I wouldn't give it a rating, as it's more 'experience' than game, but well worth the price
BlazingDarkness
Member
In my playthrough, he talks about
stealing a book from Edinburgh library, which described the island, and the inhabitants in the past (like the shepard Jakobson.) Maybe the narrator, who I took to being killed in the crash also, was reading the book during the accident, and the island and whatnot described in the book was mixed into his consciousness as it slipped away?
the slip into and out of consciousness, like the aerial itself, the motorway bridge in the sky, the flashes of traffic signals etc when you drown and the car wreckage - they mix into the descriptions of the land and the folklore of this place he was reading about
the man named Paul who was responsible for the crash. 'you have been made opaque by the car of a drunk' That the narrator wasn't seeking an apology from Paul, because Paul, 'like us, he had already passed beyond any conceivable boundary of life' or as I took it, died in the crash. Paul and the narrator are the same person, it's quite ambiguous - he describes drinking coffee in Paul's kitchen yet in the same sentence calls it his own Damascus, implying it's where he lived
Donnelly and the narrator. Donnelly wrote the book he stole so is this a third persona he has fabricated as he dies? The three seem to connect together, perhaps different parts of consciousness wrestling as he dies. Early on he describes, 'that point where the hermit (as described by Connelly) ends and Paul and I begin' as increasingly difficult to find, 'we are woven into a sodden blanket...in a vacuum of fatalistic calm'
Joe Molotov
Member
I got three hours of it, even with noclip. I wanted to explore every area possible. The soundscapes were a fantastic match to the wind fx.
Also, somebody noticed that the devs forgot to get rid of the source authoring tools. http://twitter.com/#!/MaxOfS2D/status/169525839241809920
:lol
I would buy Cthulhu Eating an Ice Cream Cone: The Game.
Messofanego
Banned
Play it again, some of the writing and events are random, did you see
the submerged highway with the cars on the road
BlazingDarkness
Member
There's also
an instance where there's a single hospital bed on the highway, and no cars
Good god, I still have goosebumbs even though I finished 30 minutes ago. Really amazing experience.
One question did anyone else see
One question did anyone else see
a strange person with yellow glowing eyes wearing a frock on the top at the radio station? It was behind the fences on one edge right after you reached the top at the end. I'm still really creeped out by that.
ashbash159
Member
Just played through Dear Esther without really knowing much about it.
Easily one of the best looking games ever. I loved the atmosphere.
When it ended I did have tears in my eyes. One of the very few games (well this isn't a game but lets just say it is in this sentence) where this has happened.
Easily one of the best looking games ever. I loved the atmosphere.
When it ended I did have tears in my eyes. One of the very few games (well this isn't a game but lets just say it is in this sentence) where this has happened.
D
Deleted member 10571
Unconfirmed Member
Why isn't it a game? Because you don't shoot people? Because you're going a laid-out path? Because it's just one hour long? I've seen all of that in other games
I still think it's a game, it's just so different from most other games, but that doesn't really make it less of a game. Oh well, just my opinion I guess ^^
I didn't run across a
Is it a random event?
I had to play through most of the game twice due to Windows update restarting me during my first run. This allowed me to see some different items appear and hear differentnarrations. My first playthrough, there was no items at the rock formation, but on the second there was a bible and a chemistry book.
Anyone else see the
I can't place its relevance to the other information provided.
As for the player/character:
submerged highway.
I had to play through most of the game twice due to Windows update restarting me during my first run. This allowed me to see some different items appear and hear differentnarrations. My first playthrough, there was no items at the rock formation, but on the second there was a bible and a chemistry book.
Anyone else see the
golden rectangle in the sand?
As for the player/character:
It would be unlikely for it to be the narrator, unless it was the ghost there of. Since it's Dear Esther and that's how the voice first addresses, I considered the idea that you were playing as Esther. All the stuff about Paul's road to damascus implies someone looking to persecute or someone in a fall from grace who is turned and saved. The ending is a Divine Grace moment itself. Esther as an angry ghost finding whats been discovered about her death and letting go of blame could be such a moment. But another person touched by the crash could be as well. It just feels like the narrator is Esther's husband and the narrator is not the player's character.
Yeah I saw that.
BlazingDarkness
Member
Not sure why you'd think that'd be unlikely, all things considered. The stuff you touch on about the fall from grace and the road to Damascus I agree with, but the whole thing plays out more like an internal monologue, the narration is Paul's inner thoughts as he comes to terms with what happened, while wandering this 'island' which is scattered with mementos surrounding the incident. I see it all as a creation of his mind as he comes to terms with what he has done, and ultimately is granted freedom from the guilt
I asked this earlier, but I never got a reply. I'm wondering if my laptop can run this game. My processor and RAM are fine, but my graphics chip is a shitty Mobile Intel 4 series express chipset family.
I can run Civ 5 somewhat decently on low settings, so would this game be more, or less demanding than that?
I can run Civ 5 somewhat decently on low settings, so would this game be more, or less demanding than that?