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Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

79% positive of 2,473 Steam reviews

To finish: 1 h
To 100%: 3.3 h
Released: 2017
Steam Deck: Verified
Platforms: Steam, GOG, Xbox / PC Game Pass, PlayStation

Made by The Chinese Room, Robert Briscoe. Published by Secret Mode.

About the game

Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.

Tagged by players

Walking Simulator
Interactive Fiction
Short
Exploration
Psychological Horror
Investigation
Puzzle
Linear
Open World
Horror
First-Person
Relaxing

What players say

Games like Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

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For What Will Come

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77%1.3K reviews

How We Got Here

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End of Night

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The First Friend

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Blinding Oversight

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Welcome Home

40% matchInteractive Fiction, Psychological Horror

FARAWAY TRAIN

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Lern Island Letters

41% matchInteractive Fiction, Short

Sarpedon

43% matchWalking Simulator, Interactive Fiction

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Mostly Positive

What players say

Recommended
In 2026, Dear Esther is still an excellent nerve-calmer after a long work shift. It still holds me and reminds me why games can be poetry. As a bonus, it runs like a dream on even the most ancient PC. But the achievements? Good God! They turn that meditative walk into a cryptic scavenger hunt. Good luck with those, bros. Still recommended for the atmosphere, the music, and the melancholy.
10 h played when written. 9 found it helpful.
Read on Steam
Recommended
Not sure what to say about this one. I was expecting an interesting story, but the one given is pretty obfuscated / confusing. Many people find it beautiful, not sure why. And how those Scripture references connect to it, is beyond my capability to understand. Visuals are nice. Soundtrack is great. Unlike the game, it is worth revisiting. Buy on discount.
2.9 h played when written. 2 found it helpful.
Read on Steam
Not recommended
The lack of a run button truly baffles me. I've heard the entire developer commentary and I was relieved to hear that the devs are at least somewhat self-aware. This is a difficult, uh, game to review because you can see the effort everywhere, but it just isn't a game for me. People can praise it all they want, but if we're actually being honest, I've yet to meet someone that names Dear Esther the best of anything…
3.4 h played when written. 3 found it helpful.
Read on Steam

All reviews on Steam