The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (2014)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: A Haunting and Atmospheric Mystery

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person mystery game developed by The Astronauts and published by Atlus. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2014. The game follows Paul Prospero, an occult detective who receives a disturbing letter from Ethan Carter and realizes that the boy is in grave danger. When Paul arrives in Ethan’s home of Red Creek Valley, he realizes things are even worse than he imagined. Ethan has vanished in the wake of a brutal murder, which Paul comes to see might not be the only murder to investigate.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a beautiful and atmospheric game. The graphics are stunning, with a rich and detailed world to explore. The game’s sound design is also top-notch, with a haunting and immersive soundtrack.

The gameplay in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and investigation. Paul must use his occult detective skills to investigate the murders in Red Creek Valley. He can use his psychic abilities to see visions of the past, which can help him to piece together what happened.

The puzzles in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are well-designed and challenging. They require the player to think outside the box and use their deductive reasoning skills. The game’s investigation mechanics are also well-done, and Paul must carefully examine the crime scenes and interview witnesses in order to solve the murders.

The story in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is dark and disturbing. It deals with themes of death, loss, and the supernatural. The game’s narrative is well-written and engaging, and it will keep players on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Overall, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a must-play for fans of mystery games. It is a beautiful, atmospheric, and challenging game with a dark and disturbing story.

Characters

  • Paul Prospero: Paul is an occult detective who is called to Red Creek Valley to investigate the disappearance of Ethan Carter. He is a skilled detective with a strong sense of justice.
  • Ethan Carter: Ethan is a young boy who has vanished without a trace. He is a troubled child with a dark past.
  • Sarah Carter: Sarah is Ethan’s mother. She is a worried and distraught woman who is desperate to find her son.
  • David Carter: David is Ethan’s father. He is a cold and distant man who seems to be hiding something.

Gameplay

The gameplay in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and investigation. Paul must use his occult detective skills to investigate the murders in Red Creek Valley. He can use his psychic abilities to see visions of the past, which can help him to piece together what happened.

The puzzles in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are well-designed and challenging. They require the player to think outside the box and use their deductive reasoning skills. The game’s investigation mechanics are also well-done, and Paul must carefully examine the crime scenes and interview witnesses in order to solve the murders.

Setting

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is set in Red Creek Valley, a small town in Wisconsin. The town is surrounded by a dense forest, and it has a dark and mysterious history. The game’s atmosphere is oppressive and unsettling, and it perfectly captures the feeling of a small town with a dark secret.

Themes

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter deals with a number of dark and disturbing themes, including death, loss, and the supernatural. The game explores the human psyche and the lengths that people will go to to protect their loved ones.

Reception

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its beautiful graphics, haunting atmosphere, and challenging puzzles. It was also praised for its well-written and engaging story. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter was nominated for a number of awards, including Game of the Year at the 2014 Golden Joystick Awards.

Legacy

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a classic mystery game that continues to be enjoyed by players today. The game’s beautiful graphics, haunting atmosphere, and challenging puzzles make it a must-play for fans of the genre. The game’s story is also well-written and engaging, and it will stay with players long after they finish playing.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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