When computer games were just starting to become popular entertainment, genres could be counted on the fingers. Now everything has changed markedly, and it is unlikely that anyone can name absolutely all the genres that exist in this entertainment industry. However, it is worth noting that very often they are just slightly different from others or combine the features of several at once. Quite a long time ago, a genre of visual novels appeared, in which pictures with text were replaced, and you were only occasionally asked to choose the next branch of the plot and the story itself. There was no action at all, but even such a genre found its fans. What happened when he was mixed with adventure? They took gameplay from adventure games, and contemplation from visual novels. As a result, you can play projects such as Dear Esther, where you have to travel around a certain area, admire its beauties, while unwinding the thread of atmospheric narrative.
Launch Issues
Since we are talking about one of the most popular games of this contemplative subgenre, it is worth noting that not everything will be so simple. Problems can begin when you are just starting to play - even before launch. Many players complain that their Dear Esther does not start, crashes to the desktop or displays a black screen. There are also various error messages that prevent players from enjoying the leisurely and exciting process. However, it is worth noting that in most cases problems arise not because of malfunctions of the game itself, but because of your computer, programs installed or running on it. Therefore, it is recommended that you first go through the well-known list: update the video card drivers, install all the necessary distribution, run the game in compatibility mode and on behalf of the administrator, disable the antivirus, set a high priority and so on. If this does not help already, then you can contact the technical support of the developer to privately solve all the problems that you have with Dear Esther.
Passage: "Lighthouse"
So, the first question a player may have for whom this genre is new - what is the meaning of Dear Esther? Indeed, many gamers are already accustomed to the fact that during the game they need to break the mouse buttons, smash the keyboard, respond quickly, accurately shoot and always be on the alert. But here everything is completely different - you only need to walk around, study the world around and listen. You find yourself on an island where you can see only an abandoned lighthouse. You are told the background of your hero, but after that your story ceases to be important - gradually, when you reach certain points, you will be told fragments of the history of an unknown person who lost his wife Esther in a car accident. In the first chapter, you will get acquainted with the island you are on - you will need to explore all the roads that are laid on the surface, but in the end you will still face the next fork, which will open up a new part of the island with its breathtaking beauties of Dear Esther.
Walkthrough: "Buoy"
The second part will not differ much from the first - you will further travel around the island, examine it and listen to the stranger’s story, written in letters to his dead wife. However, do not think that because of this, Dear Esther turns into a boring and boring project. On the contrary, this is splendor itself - you will have the chance to look at even more beauties of this game, as well as to plunge deeper into an exciting and soulful story. As a result, you will find yourself at a hole that simultaneously serves as the entrance to the cave. This is where you need to go to continue your journey.
Passage: "Caves"
If you thought that you have already seen all the beauties in Dear Esther, then you will be surprised when you find yourself in caves. From the first minutes you will be breathtaking from the sight that will appear before your eyes. And you have to go through these caves, look into every corner to find all the control points at which you will read the next part of the story, another letter that tells about the relationship of the stranger and Esther, as well as about many other touching and at the same time philosophical topics. You will visit under water and see there a city that was once on the surface, swim along its street - in general, impressions await you definitely non-trivial. This game Dear Esther is famous for.
Walkthrough: "Lighthouse: Final"
When you get out of the caves, you will again have to walk around the island, but rest assured, you will receive incomparable pleasure from this. When you approach the lighthouse, you will be read out the last large letter. While you are listening to it, your hero will climb the lighthouse and jump from it - but, to the surprise of all, almost touching the ground, he will fly, which will make the impressions of the game even more incredible. You fly over the island, fly to the bay, in which paper boats sail - letters from a stranger to Esther, which you listened to throughout the game.