Score: 8/10
Pros:
Incredibly Gorgeous Visuals
Engaging and disturbing story
Clever Puzzle Design
Cons:
Some vague puzzle mechanics
Developed and Published by The Astronauts
PC, PS4
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a supernatural exploration game that follows a little shit who has caused all kinds of trouble in a sleepy little town. You, as the handsome sounding supernatural detective, must reassemble the events through supernatural means, piecing together a story that feels strongly like the modern love child of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P Lovecraft.
The story evolves as you find and solve puzzles throughout the area that vary in difficulty, from ingenious to tear-your-hair-out frustrating when they employ the old needle in a haystack mechanic.
But when the puzzles and the story do gel, the result is an intensely engaging and chilling dive into a wonderfully weird and slightly disturbing story.
And as you can see, the game is stupid gorgeous. So pretty in fact, that even when you are having the shit scared out of you, you’ll still be wanting to take in the view.
For fans of old school supernatural fare or anyone with a pair of eyes, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a must play.
Review by Baz Macdonald aka @kaabazmac
This content is brought to you with funding support from New Zealand On Air.
