When comparing Glitchhikers vs Dear Esther, the Slant community recommends Dear Esther for most people. In the question“What are the best PC games that focus on narrative, atmosphere, exploration and avoid combat?” Dear Esther is ranked 10th while Glitchhikers is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose Dear Esther is:
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.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Almost a philosophical experience
There is not much to accomplish in the game, it is more an experience where the player is guided through a philosophical journey of nighttime driving, loneliness and isolation.
Pro Weird interactions
Throughout the game you will be picking up strange characters who are hitchhikers, through conversations with these hitchhikers you will be partaking in even stranger conversations that you are giving the power to choose your responses to. This makes for a very unique experience that is not often seen in a game.
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.
Cons
Con Very short
The game only lasts about 15 minutes per playthrough and so makes for a very short experience.
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.