Dear Esther, the breakout hit for developer The Chinese Room was not for everybody – but those who did appreciate its mesmerising scenery and mysterious narrative were spellbound. The game has been called, by many, a walking simulator. If you liked their last walking simulator, you’ll very probably like their newest one – which hits the PlayStation 4 next week.
Called Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, the game’s set in an apparently abandoned village in Shropshire, featuring what seems to be some rather beautiful CryEngine-powered visuals and what seems to be a compelling, intertwining narrative with a delicious mystery that needs solving.
“Deep within the Shropshire countryside, the village of Yaughton stands empty,” says the game’s intriguing official site. “Toys lie forgotten in the playground, the wind blows quarantine leaflets around the silent churchyard. Down on Appleton’s farm, crops rustle untended, the early harvest abandoned halfway through. The birds lie where they have fallen. A pair of shoes hang from the overhead wires. The windmill continues to turn unobserved. Strange voices haunt the radio waves as uncollected washing hangs listlessly on the line. There is light in the wires. The televisions are tuned to vacant channels. Above it all, the telescopes of the Observatory point out at dead stars and endless darkness. And someone remains behind, to try and unravel the mystery.”
It’s certainly not for everyone, but it’s something that I’m certainly looking forward to. Here’s the game’s launch trailer. It’ll be coming exclusively to PlayStation 4 next week, retailing for $19.99. PlayStation Plus subscribers get a 20% discount, and those who purchase within the first two weeks get a free PS4 theme.
Last Updated: August 4, 2015
Ranting Raptor
August 4, 2015 at 10:13
What is it about games like this? I’m always drawn to them. Pitty I don’T own a ps4
Hammersteyn
August 4, 2015 at 13:26
DO IT! You can be my seventh friend
DragonSpirit009
August 4, 2015 at 10:33
This looks so interesting and I’m even more curious than before!! I really wouldn’t mind playing this game! Sadly I must wait till I get a PS4
FoxOneZA
August 4, 2015 at 10:41
Everyone’s gone to Emergence Day.
FoxOneZA
August 4, 2015 at 10:41
Everyone’s gone to Emergence Day.
Jonah Cash
August 4, 2015 at 11:33
This has the same vibe as Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and if this has half a good a story as Ethan Carters then I will buy it! Ethan Carters story still haunts me after 4+ months…
Jonah Cash
August 4, 2015 at 11:33
This has the same vibe as Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and if this has half a good a story as Ethan Carters then I will buy it! Ethan Carters story still haunts me after 4+ months…
Jonah Cash
August 4, 2015 at 11:33
This has the same vibe as Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and if this has half a good a story as Ethan Carters then I will buy it! Ethan Carters story still haunts me after 4+ months…
Jonah Cash
August 4, 2015 at 11:33
This has the same vibe as Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and if this has half a good a story as Ethan Carters then I will buy it! Ethan Carters story still haunts me after 4+ months…
Jonah Cash
August 4, 2015 at 11:33
This has the same vibe as Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and if this has half a good a story as Ethan Carters then I will buy it! Ethan Carters story still haunts me after 4+ months…
ZA Ludomusicologist
August 5, 2015 at 08:21
And a great article about the music!
http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/20/building-everybodys-gone-to-the-raptures-memorable-score-ign-first