The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.
User reviews:
Recent:
Very Positive (103 reviews) - 89% of the 103 user reviews in the last 30 days are positive.
Overall:
Very Positive (6,036 reviews) - 89% of the 6,036 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date: 25 Sep, 2014

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Buy The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

18,99€

Buy The Vanishing of Ethan Carter VR Bundle

Includes 2 items: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter VR

 

Reviews

“A story told with a level of cleverness and elegance rarely seen in games.”
9/10 – GameSpot

“Leaves you with several amazing memories; moments that you will want to talk to your friends about for hours.”
9/10 – EuroGamer

“One of the best games of the year.”
9/10 – US Gamer

About This Game

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE: By purchasing the game, you actually get two games now: 1) The original The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, 2) The Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux. Please see this link for details.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery game that focuses entirely on exploration and discovery. It contains no combat or explosions of any kind. If our game leaves any scars, we hope you won’t be able to see them.

You play the game as Paul Prospero, an occult-minded detective who receives a disturbing letter from Ethan Carter. Realizing the boy is in grave danger, Paul arrives at Ethan’s home of Red Creek Valley, where things turn out to be even worse than he imagined. Ethan has vanished in the wake of a brutal murder, which Paul quickly discerns might not be the only local murder worth looking into.

Inspired by the weird fiction (and other tales of the macabre) from the early twentieth century, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter aims to significantly evolve immersive storytelling in games. While it features a private detective and quite a few mental challenges, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is not an especially puzzle-ridden game. Our focus is on atmosphere, mood, and the essential humanity of our characters.

Still, the discoveries won’t happen on their own, or without your help. Using both Paul’s supernatural skill of being able to communicate with the dead, and your own powers of observation, you will discover the mystery behind a trail of corpses, the roots of a dark ancient force lurking in Red Creek Valley, and the fate of a missing boy.

Key Features


  • Explore and interact with the beautiful yet ominous world of Red Creek Valley, which was created with the use of revolutionary photogrammetry technology that allows for nearly photorealistic environments.
  • Communicate with the dead and see how they died in order to gather clues that help you piece together the truth behind Ethan’s disappearance -- and the fate of his family.
  • Experience, in non-linear fashion, a story that combines the pleasures of pulp, private eye, and horror fiction, all of it inspired by writers such as Raymond Chandler, Algernon Blackwood, Stefan Grabinski, and H. P. Lovecraft.
  • Conduct the investigation on your own terms and at your own pace. Although there are a few scary bits in the game, players will have no need for sedatives. Our game is less about terror and more about clammy unease.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • OS: Windows 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel Core2 Duo or equivalent AMD
    • Memory: 6 GB RAM
    • Graphics: DirectX11 compliant card with 1GB of VRAM
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 9 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX9c compliant
Customer reviews
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Recent:
Very Positive (103 reviews)
Overall:
Very Positive (6,036 reviews)
Recently Posted
Tandköttsmaraton
( 5.0 hrs on record )
Posted: 8 August
Awesome game, good story and atmosphere
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Creepy
( 4.4 hrs on record )
Posted: 8 August
Sleeper/20
Helpful? Yes No Funny
CloudyDay
( 7.2 hrs on record )
Posted: 7 August
This game is fairly good. I like the story, visuals, and soundtrack. All were amazing. Unfortunately this game was very short and had a quite unsatisfying ending... . I think $15 may be a better price for a game this short, but it's definitely worth a play if you like visuals.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Galious
( 1.4 hrs on record )
Posted: 7 August
Pros:
- nice graphics and ambiance

Cons:
- a bit short (3-4h to complete)
- you never meet a human being (except in the flashbacks)
- there is no use in trying to unravel the mystery by using the clues you find (there is a story twist at the end)

I think it is worth buying if it is around 3 €/$.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Praetorian
( 0.1 hrs on record )
Posted: 6 August
Looking through quite a few reviews and watching the videos, I decided I wanted to try this game. With the cool concepts and off the beaten path gameplay I figured this would be a joy to play. It certainly is- great visuals, music, puzzles and mystery. That being said, it seemed to end abruptly. Before I knew it, Game Over for Paul Prospero. I was hoping for a bit more than ~3 hours of gameplay (I scoured the map while running the whole time I played). It almost felt like a teaser if you are expecting closer to the story length of most games these days.

I bought this game on a sale for less than $7. That being said, worth the price of going to a matinee and I would recommend it. It certainly keeps you engaged and is extremely well done. Buying full price at $20 is a little steep, so watch out for any sales if possible.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
❥ Shi
( 0.2 hrs on record )
Posted: 6 August
Loving the game, loving the soundtrack, loving the environment, loving the puzzles
so much love ❥

It's a fantastic first person exploration game that focus on environmental story telling, the world is filled by tiny details and scraps of information that encourage you to take your time and explore every detail and most of the time there is not a single loading screen from point X to Y. I can't even count the number of times that i stop exploring just to be mesmerized by the view and take screenshots.

Cons: Why isn't my screen bigger? jk but true
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Nalarion
( 5.2 hrs on record )
Posted: 5 August
lots of good potential and build up all for naught. Very disapointing ending, Very little of the story is explained (or finished rather) and the end just uses "oh its all made up in his head" as an excuse. The most exciting thing I did in the game was prance around in the woods. There was a good scene that was all about space, it looked amazing and was very well done. The puzzels were a joke and sequencing was pretty arbitrary to the point where you just click all the things till it works kinda deal
Helpful? Yes No Funny
bendparker
( 4.7 hrs on record )
Posted: 5 August
Wow. That's the best word I can use to describe this game. Part mystery, part horror, part detective game, part adventure and part exploration...And the amazing thing is that it does all of them very well. The environment is beautiful and fun to even just explore. The story is great and can be solved in any order you desire. There is no hand-holding which makes it challenging. The music is extraordinary, really heightens the atmosphere. This game is a must play.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
luCid
( 1.5 hrs on record )
Posted: 3 August
Incredible story. Incredible atmosphere. Incredible game.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
KHFan20
( 1.6 hrs on record )
Posted: 1 August
What's this? An artsy game that's actually... good? Nah nah nah nah that's not possible... No developer could possibly make an artsy game without the pretentiousness that comes with it...

Except for this one.

This "game" (rather, interactive narrative), sets the bar for every indie developer out there looking to make the next "Her Story" or "Gone Home" or any other pretentious "game" out there.

The visuals are stunning; Unreal Engine 4 makes the game look absolutely gorgeous. The plot remains interesting throughout the entirety of the game, and I was never drawn out from the experience. The music is beautifully written, and the dynamic of it is superb (dynamic meaning it changes seamlessly depending on whatever you're looking at).

I also love the stylization of the text whenever you inspect clues; it adds to the immersiveness of playing as a detective.

My only complaint is that it's not worth $20. Pick it up whenever it's 75% off though, and you'll definitely be intrigued finding Ethan Carter.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Most Helpful Reviews  In the past 30 days
5 of 5 people (100%) found this review helpful
1 person found this review funny
Recommended
0.2 hrs on record
Posted: 6 August
Loving the game, loving the soundtrack, loving the environment, loving the puzzles
so much love ❥

It's a fantastic first person exploration game that focus on environmental story telling, the world is filled by tiny details and scraps of information that encourage you to take your time and explore every detail and most of the time there is not a single loading screen from point X to Y. I can't even count the number of times that i stop exploring just to be mesmerized by the view and take screenshots.

Cons: Why isn't my screen bigger? jk but true
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
6 of 7 people (86%) found this review helpful
Recommended
3.4 hrs on record
Posted: 22 July
Very interesting narrative with amazing visuals and a soundtrack that perfectly sets the atmosphere.

It's a rather short game, but the experience is well worth the asking price. I've played the Redux version and the graphics are breathtakingly beautiful. The story unfolds in an interesting way and while you can miss out (literally walk past...) on parts of it, the game will not let you finish without discovering it all.

The game doesn't hold your hand, but it does make you figure out what to do. Highly recommended if you like interesting stories and great visuals :)
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
5 of 6 people (83%) found this review helpful
3 of 3 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
1.6 hrs on record
Posted: 1 August
What's this? An artsy game that's actually... good? Nah nah nah nah that's not possible... No developer could possibly make an artsy game without the pretentiousness that comes with it...

Except for this one.

This "game" (rather, interactive narrative), sets the bar for every indie developer out there looking to make the next "Her Story" or "Gone Home" or any other pretentious "game" out there.

The visuals are stunning; Unreal Engine 4 makes the game look absolutely gorgeous. The plot remains interesting throughout the entirety of the game, and I was never drawn out from the experience. The music is beautifully written, and the dynamic of it is superb (dynamic meaning it changes seamlessly depending on whatever you're looking at).

I also love the stylization of the text whenever you inspect clues; it adds to the immersiveness of playing as a detective.

My only complaint is that it's not worth $20. Pick it up whenever it's 75% off though, and you'll definitely be intrigued finding Ethan Carter.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
8 of 13 people (62%) found this review helpful
Not Recommended
3.2 hrs on record
Posted: 21 July
The vanishing of Ethan Carter is a strange game. Obviously, it's beautiful and looks great, but is there more? A classic soundtrack is triggered whenever necessary to support the strong, mystical and somewhat threatening mood. The game consists of ten different puzzles. Put together they tell a story. Personally, I did not like the story. Until the decryption of the last riddle there are quite a number of aspects in the story that make no sense.

Some years ago I read a book that in the end turned out to be a dream, making the whole story meaningless. In a similar fashion this applies to 'The vanishing if Ethan Carter'. I don't think it is possible to find a clear verdict if this game deserves a recommendation or not. It's simply a matter of taste. And while I do understand the many positive reviews for this game, I can not join the group of proponents. You have to find out for yourself if you like this game or not.

Pros:
- beautiful graphics
- strong atmosphere
- good music
- easy achievements
- a piece of art

Cons:
- somewhat a walking simulator
- very brutal
- dark, strange, bizarre story
- short (10 puzzles)
- linear
- few moments of surprising joy
- only things to do: read notes, find half a dozen items, arrange story events in the correct sequence
- no side quests
- you can't make any decisions
- didn't touch me emotionally
- no direct dialogues with NPCs, you can only listen
- not challenging
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
6.9 hrs on record
Posted: 13 July
This is the best graphically looking game I have ever played. It looks stunning on every graphical setting and I managed to run with smooth 60 FPS on my old GTS 250. Miracle, really. The original UE3 version, that is. UE4 redux was not tested on 250 but it happily ran just as well on GTX 970... Not surprising of course, but everything was cranked up, even 150% resolution scale.

Other than that, it's a good walking simulator with great self-explanatory puzzles, controls and gameplay are intuitive, loading screens are non-existent and environments are gorgeous. The game definitely deserves more positive reviews and I can't possibly understand where all the negative reviews come from.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
4.3 hrs on record
Posted: 25 July
An excellent, quick and beautiful title that has some challenging puzzles and a hidden story that makes you earn all points. Well worth playing, even if just to view the time that was put into making the world as beautiful as it is.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
0.4 hrs on record
Posted: 26 July
Well, where do I begin? i want to be short on this 'cause maybe too many words would waste what is the taste of this game.
It is not the usual game, that has to be said. You will not shoot, you will walk and you will think in this game followin' the beautifull story. This game is like tasting a good cigar while sipping a strong glass of whiskey.
It truly involve your thoughts while you're lookin at the scenarios. And oh my Gosh the Graphic is AMAZING.

This is not too long to play but this is game art, not trash.
This is maybe a point of start for something even better. And this is damn good!
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
1.5 hrs on record
Posted: 29 July
Absolutely gorgeous game and a good adventure to boot. I kind of wish there were more puzzles but the ones that are there are good and interesting and I can't overstate how atmospheric Ethan Carter is. You'll probably beat it in a session or two but if you enjoy a decent story and great visuals it's super worth it.
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2 of 3 people (67%) found this review helpful
Recommended
4.6 hrs on record
Posted: 10 July
Such a lovely game. It makes you feel like it is an open world game so you don't just have to walk one path, the graphics are simply phenomenal with such a unique story and plot twist. It makes you want to know more of what happened with the Carter Family, great game and I recommend buying it :)

P.S. If you haven't heard of G 2 A and this game is too pricy for you I recommended checking that website out because the game is only $3 on that website.
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