Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

Puzzle· Walking Simulator· Exploration· Interactive Fiction

Released Feb 2017

Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.

79% positive · 7,593 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

IndieGala Steam key Updated 12 Oct 2026 Lowest $0.99 $9.99 −90% Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $1.99 $9.99 −80%

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Evaluation

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition is a narrative walking simulator that launched on February 14, 2017 as a remake of the original Dear Esther, rebuilt in the Unity engine with a full audio remaster and a Directors' Commentary mode added. The game is a self-contained, story-driven experience with no post-launch content cycle — no DLC has ever been listed, no roadmap or expansion has been announced, and there is no live service structure of any kind. The store description describes a complete, finished product with no language suggesting future updates or additions. This game launched as a complete package and has remained so.

Evidence

Store description presents Dear Esther: Landmark Edition as a complete, remade version of the original game with a new engine, audio remaster, and Directors' Commentary — no mention of future content, DLC, or updates planned.

description · Feb 14, 2017 source content shipped

high

Short description describes the game as a finished narrative experience with no indication of ongoing development or future content.

store metadata · Feb 14, 2017 source content shipped

medium

Media

Details

Developer

The Chinese Room

Publisher

Secret Mode

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Single-player

Walking Simulator Exploration Interactive Fiction Puzzle First-Person Psychological Horror Relaxing Horror Linear Atmospheric Open World Story Rich Casual Mystery Investigation

About this game

'A deserted island... a lost man... memories of a fatal crash... a book written by a dying explorer.'

Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.

Abandoning traditional gameplay for a pure story-driven experience, Dear Esther fuses its beautiful environments with a breathtaking soundtrack to tell a powerful story of love, loss, guilt and redemption.

Key features:

Every play-through a unique experience, with randomly generated audio, visuals and events.
Explore incredible environments that fully immerse you in the haunting island and its mysterious past.
A poetic, semi-randomised story like you've never experienced in a game before.
Stunning soundtrack composed by Jessica Curry, featuring world-class musicians.
An uncompromisingly inventive game delivered to the highest AAA standards.

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition has been remade with the Unity engine, featuring a full audio remaster, and the addition of a brand-new Directors' Commentary mode, allowing players to explore the island and learn what inspired the game and how it was crafted by The Chinese Room and Rob Briscoe.