When comparing Dear Esther vs Firewatch, the Slant community recommends Firewatch for most people. In the question“What are the best games on Steam with a rich story?” Firewatch is ranked 5th while Dear Esther is ranked 78th. The most important reason people chose Firewatch is:
Unlike many walking simulator game the player is allowed to interact more with the environment than expected. User can repel down ropes, collect caches of items and even adopt a pet.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Narrative driven experience
There are no waypoint markers, no quests, in fact nobody else in this world except the player and the narrator. Hike through the world and discover the inner workings of this person’s mind.
Pro Pervasive sense of isolation, loneliness, and mystery
The game takes place on an abandoned island, so in a practical sense the player is alone. Add to that that this is a bit of a ghost story and mystery becomes enwrapped within the isolation of the island making for what is as much of an experience as it is a game that makes for a feeling and sense of loneliness and despair that often is only found in real life.
Pro Can be relaxing
Just sit back, relax, and spend some time with Dear Esther. The experience isn’t long and there’s no pressure to go past the pace you want to go. While it does have a sense of loneliness and isolation the graphics are beautiful and the music is soothing which also lends a hand in the relaxedness of the title.
Pro Gorgeous, intricately detailed environments
There is no arguing that the scenery and graphics in Dear Esther is jaw dropping gorgeous. Due to how nothing can be interacted with the environment can be rendered in a much more beautiful way as not much needs to change while walking around.
Pro Outstanding soundtrack
The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful which suits the games visual atmosphere quite well.
Pro Adds interaction to the "walking simulator" genre
Unlike many walking simulator game the player is allowed to interact more with the environment than expected. User can repel down ropes, collect caches of items and even adopt a pet.
Pro Beautiful graphics
The game impresses with stunning graphics and a beautifully crafted world, overlaid with a neat canvas effect.
Pro Fantastic voice acting
There are two leads with each being voice acted in a believable way in how they interact. The relationship presented in the story is given credence due to how well it is acted.
Pro Great atmosphere
You get lost in the world playing as Henry, it even ends up getting a little spooky. It never shows how it's spooky but there's always that creepy vibe in the background.
Pro Based on exploration and storytelling
Firewatch is basically a exploration game with a very strong focus on the main story. No need to kill enemies or compete with other games online.
Pro Excellent story
Firewatch is an exploration game with a strong focus on its main story which makes you ask "what comes next?" like a good book or enthralling movie.
Cons
Con Short gameplay
Only about 90 minutes to two hours long which is pretty short for a game and can easily be finished in a single sitting.
Con Tremendous build up in story, only to have a lackluster finale
Once the player progresses far enough into the game there are plot thread wrap-ups that seem a bit too convenient and overly rushed.
Con Short game
It maxes out at 5 hours of play, which is a bit short, though it is priced fairly for the time one gets.
Con In some parts the game locks you from entering areas
It might sound obvious but sometimes the invisible walls don't feel right, they are put in places you should be able to walk.
Con Heavy swearing
Extremely frequent use of swear words.