This review will be focused on the Xbox One version of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter; if you’d like to read Jason’s thoughts on the PS4 version from a few years ago, please click here.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is hands down the most beautiful, awe inspiring game I have ever played. I found myself stopping and just admiring the small details you find in the game’s world. The individual blades of grass, the wood grain on trees, and all the other details you find throughout are simply amazing. This truly evokes a sense of wonder and mystery as you wander through the game’s environments. The recent Xbox One edition does offer some additional visual options, such as an open frame rate; however, I did not change any of these settings as I found the default to be perfect as is. I can’t wait to reload the game once I acquire an Xbox One X in the future, as this is one of the many titles that features updates for the ultra-powerful console.
This title is akin to a walking simulator, although there is a very deep and enriching story for those who take the time to explore the open world, with a number of items that you must find in order to progress. It does not hold your hand whatsoever, which is stated at the beginning of the game. After consulting a guide after being stuck for a period of time, I determined I missed a lot of details or objectives at the beginning of the story. I feel like a hint system would have made my time with the title a bit more enjoyable, since I opted to restart the game opposed to backtracking. While I did not find the puzzles to be overly challenging, finding the necessary items or linking the chain of events was a bit of a chore at times.
The story is the selling point here, with the supernatural themes presented managing to check the horror boxes I am always searching for. You won’t be running to turn on the lights, but some of the set pieces are truly disturbing and are likely to send a chill down your spine. The eerie, vacant areas evoke a sense of tension that I have not experienced since Silent Hill 2. While you won’t be battling deadly creatures or running to hide from a supernatural threat, you always feel like there’s something dreadful under the surface.
While The Vanishing of Ethan Carter won’t be for everyone with its slower pace and lack of player direction, it is a game that if you feel the slightest bit of interest in, you should purchase immediately. There isn’t anything new to see here for those that have played the game on other systems, but the story does ensure you’ll be looking forward to future endeavors from The Astronauts.
9 out of 10
Pros
- Deep Narrative
- Amazing Visuals
- Extremely Atmospheric
Cons
- Easily to Miss Items
- Lack of Player Direction
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter was developed and published by The Astronauts. The game launched on PC and PS4 in 2014, and later launched on XB1 January 19th, 2018 for $19.99. The PS4 and XB1 versions of the game were provided to us for review. If you’d like to see more of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, check out the official site.
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